Frank Meekins

BWW Review: New Tampa Players' THE LITTLE MERMAID Debuts Swimmingly at University Area CDC

Let me lead by saying I absolutely love The Little Mermaid and Cirque Du Soleil, so going into the theatre, my expectations were extremely high for the perfect romantic story of man and mermaid at New Tampa Players. And visionary director Derek Baxter and a stellar huge cast of all ages and abilities did NOT disappoint. Using the magical talents of Jeremy Dorsey, Hippie Griswold, Becki Mallett, and Will Rickard, aerial artists from Shinobi School on ropes, fabric, and a lira hoop, this version of the fairytale was fresh, innovative, and never boring.

BWW Review: Swim on out to The New Tampa Players' THE LITTLE MERMAID at the University Area CDC

Patty Smithey is marvelous as Ariel, but the show belongs to the amazing Janelle Richardson as Ursula.

BWW Previews: VIOLET makes musical debut through New Tampa Players at University Area CDC

Coming to stage at University Area CDC is a lesser known musical production called Violet. Violet tells the story of a young disfigured woman who embarks on a journey by bus from her farm in Spruce Pine, North Carolina to Tulsa, Oklahoma in order to be healed.

BWW Previews: NEW TAMPA PLAYERS' ANNIE BRINGS TONS OF HEART TO STAGE at University Area CDC

When most people think about the musical Annie, they think of "Tomorrow" and a little girl with bright red hair. Director KariAnn Stamatoplos thinks there is so much more to the classic story. It's not just Annie, but Daddy Warbucks who gets his chance to shine in New Tampa Players production of Annie on August 3-12 at University Area CDC.

BWW Review: LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is an Outstanding Production at New Tampa Players

Ohmigod, you guys- the earworm that stays with you long after curtain call, that you find yourself looking for on Spotify on the drive home, but turn it off because it doesn't hold a candle to this version - is also my reaction to New Tampa Players' production of the musical Legal Blonde The Musical. This show is brilliant and Chelsie Camaro Smith proves she has star power!

BWW Previews: LEGALLY BLONDE COMING TO STAGE AT New Tampa Players

LEGALLY BLONDE COMING TO STAGE AT at New Tampa Players on Saturday April 14

BWW Previews: New Tampa Players Bring THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL to University Area CDC

It doesn't matter if you're from that generation or not, when you hear the theme song and the snap-snap, these ADDAMS FAMILY characters need little introduction.

BWW Previews: Poignant Musical Opens On 30th Anniversary Of Aids Memorial Quilt Creation At Catherine Hickman Theatre

Opening on the 30th anniversary of the NAMES Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt, New Tampa Players presents QUILT: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION on October 11-14. With book by Jim Morgan, Merle Hubbard and John Schak, music by Michael Stockler and lyrics by Jim Morgan, this is the story behind the NAMES Project's AIDS Memorial Quilt and the lives of the people remembered in the panels.

Tron Montgomery as Scarecrow, Thomas Williams as Tin Man and Michael Jo'Mae as Lion help turn this into a stunningly entertaining show.

The seven time Tony winning musical, The Wiz, presents the story of The Wizard of Oz with a soulful twist. It tells the story of family, friendship, and the power of home.