Jim Sorensen News

Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man, premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in London in November of 1977. Pomerance’s play also transferred to the National Theatre in London for an “In Rep” residency. From January to March of 1979 it played off-Broadway, and made a transfer to the Booth Theatre on Broadway later in 1979, but the production closed in 1981 after 916 regular performances. The Elephant Man received revivals in 2002 and 2014.

TampaRep's second show this season will play throughout February at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus in the Performing Arts Building.

Theatre is not theatre without an audience. Throughout the pandemic, many wondered when it would be safe to gather together again for the enjoyment and enrichment of a well-told story. Now that theatre lights are slowly rising to full again, TampaRep is extending an invitation to every household and budget level.

John Patrick Shanley’s The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, is a complex and intricate story that dives not only into the depths of our subconscious but boldly sits on the surface level of our emotions as well. Allowing us as the audience to not only deep dive within the minds of these characters, but into our own past or current circumstances. Shanley’s piece while complex is told within the length of 3 scenes ultimately ending with the audience making up their own conclusion to not only the events of the story but our own lives as we’ve grown so accustomed. John Patrick Shanley achieves masterful work here even with this being an earlier part of his repertoire. Shanley, most famously known as the Pulitzer Prize/Tony Award-winning playwright for Doubt, and the Oscar-winning Moonstruck has written 23 plays most of which he has gone on to direct, and is a Screenwriter on 9 Feature Films. Out of his 23 plays few have been performed in the Tampa Bay area, so it’s a much-needed breath of fresh air that TampaRep has decided to produce one of his earlier works, and still find relevance in the piece today. Director Chris Marshall, who has wanted to direct a Shanley play for some time says it best in his Director’s Notes, “...Our process has been about using the power of language to connect, though to do so is terrifying. It’s been equally about fierce listening and seeking to be affected as a listener, something we do less and less of these days. In these spaces (the theatre as theatre and as the room to hold scenic representations), we have finite opportunity, space, and time to connect, to learn, to discover. What a gift.”

Rehearsals have begun for the Tampa Repertory Theatre's production of The Dreamer Examines His Pillow by Tony Award-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley. The play has not been staged professionally anywhere in Florida since it was created in 1986. 

KING LEAR is the debut of an educational collaboration between TampaRep and the USF School of Theatre and Dance. For this production, students will study and create under the guidance of professional designers working on the project. And In addition, late artistic director C. David Frankel will be memorialized with an annual scholarship at USF.

Tampa Repertory Theatre presents KING LEAR at USF. Opening Friday, February 4th and running just three shows a week through February 20th.

Peppered with infectious Abba songs, it's like bubblegum for the soul.

The St. Petersburg Celebration of the Arts is celebrating the work of William Shakespeare with local arts and cultural organizations presenting variations on the Bard's work during the month of February. American Stage will feature a one-night-only performance of An Evening With Shakespeare's Lovers with Shakespeare and Shakespeare-inspired scenes, sonnets, and songs.

The traditional and beloved tale of greed, reflection, and redemption in the wake of the Christmas season recently hit the stage at Orlando Shakes this past weekend-and no, it's not the tale of the Grinch. Whether you're a seasoned Charles Dickens fan, entirely versed in his holiday classic, 'A Christmas Carol' and the lessons it brings every year, or you're introducing someone new to the story, you might just find that Orlando Shakes' take on the story deserves a spot amongst your own family traditions.

Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and adapted by Jim Helsinger runs from November 28 - December 30, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and adapted by Jim Helsinger runs from November 28 - December 30, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Tampa Repertory Theatre will inaugurate its eighth season with the compelling new drama Heisenberg by Simon Stephens, author of the international hit The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

It's quite entertaining with a stellar cast, but does it work overall?

American Stage continues its 2017-18 Season 'WE THE PEOPLE' with STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR written by Andrea Lepcio and directed by Jim Sorensen (directorial debut in St. Petersburg). This Florida premiere is the first play discovered through American Stage's 21st Century Voices: New Play Festival. STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR will have 5 cast members featuring Jordan Mann, Joe Joseph*, Chris Jackson, Mari Vial-Golden*, and Angela Bond*.

American Stage continues its 2017-18 Season 'WE THE PEOPLE' with STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR written by Andrea Lepcio and directed by Jim Sorensen (directorial debut in St. Petersburg). This Florida premiere is the first play discovered through American Stage's 21st Century Voices: New Play Festival. STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR will have 5 cast members featuring Jordan Mann, Joe Joseph*, Chris Jackson, Mari Vial-Golden*, and Angela Bond*.

American Stage continues its 2017-18 Season 'WE THE PEOPLE' with STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR written by Andrea Lepcio and directed by Jim Sorensen (directorial debut in St. Petersburg). This Florida premiere is the first play discovered through American Stage's 21st Century Voices: New Play Festival. STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR will have 5 cast members featuring Jordan Mann, Joe Joseph*, Chris Jackson, Mari Vial-Golden*, and Angela Bond*.

American Stage in the Park brings Mel Brooks' classic cult comedy to Demens Landing! Winner of a record twelve Tony Awards including 'Best Musical', The Producers sets the standard for modern, outrageous humor. The story centers around down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock (Matthew McGee), and his mild-mannered accountant, Leo Bloom (James LaRosa), who come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an 'equal opportunity offender!' Contains some mature content. Parental guidance is suggested.

It's been a long time since I've had this much fun at any show.

American Stage in the Park brings Mel Brooks' classic cult comedy to Demens Landing! Winner of a record twelve Tony Awards including 'Best Musical', The Producers sets the standard for modern, outrageous humor. The story centers around down-on-his-luck Broadway producer, Max Bialystock (Matthew McGee), and his mild-mannered accountant, Leo Bloom (James LaRosa), who come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an 'equal opportunity offender!' Contains some mature content. Parental guidance is suggested.