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True West show poster

True West at Plant City Entertainment

Dates: 11/11/2022 - 11/20/2022

📍 Theatre:
Plant City Entertainment


101 N Thomas St, Plant City, FL, United States, Florida
Plant City, 33563

Phone: (813) 752-0728

Tickets: Ranges $16 - $23

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"As close as you'll get to Broadway without getting on a plane."  -Reviewer

 

CULT CLASSIC COMEDY ‘TRUE WEST’ PRESENTED BY PLANT CITY ENTERTAINMENT

Do not miss fan-favorite cult comedy classic TRUE WEST presented by Plant City Entertainment in the historic downtown district for a limited 2-weekend run in November.  Sam Shepard’s Pulitzer-Prize finalist is a meaty emotional dark comedy with universal appeal for mature audiences only and the most popular of his 44 plays, 10 of which received OBIE awards, the most given to any playwright. 

Sam Shepard says, “I don’t tell true stories, I tell stories that are true”.  But audiences will be amazed to discover that many dramatic events that unfold in this dynamic rollercoaster of dysfunction actually did occur in his own life.  This production is rated R.   

Two adult brothers, sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic father, still trying to find their way.  Austin the responsible Hollywood screenwriter against Lee the derelict thieving drifter. Opposites attack when long forgotten Lee suddenly appears and invades Austin’s movie deal, even trying to sell a story of his own; one Lee says is true, about the True West.

Year after year, Plant City Entertainment excites audiences and wins awards for excellence pulling from their talented pool of both professional and non-professional actors, directors, and crew since 1980.  Assisted by Joshua Mange, co-directors April Golombek and Keith Graham have put one full year of preparation into this special presentation of unique and unforgettable theatre in homage to the late Sam Shepard who passed in 2017.

The veteran cast have a local following and will not disappoint: Vince Evangelista as Austin, Keith Graham as Lee, Bob Whitmore as Saul, and Judy Heck Lowry as Mom. 

Plant City Entertainment will present TRUE WEST the two weekends before Thanksgiving; on Friday, November 11 and 18;  Saturday, November 12 and 19; and Sunday, November 13 and 20. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., and the Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $18 for seniors and students, $16 for members and $17.50 on opening night. 

Coyotes, Crickets, and Chaos –  Saddle up for dysfunction and destruction in Sam Shepard’s comic tragedy from American dream to nightmare.

Plant City Entertainment is located at 101 N. Thomas St. in Plant City. For more information and to get tickets, please visit www.plantcityentertainment.com.
Ages: 18+ mature content

Cast and Creative Team for True West at Plant City Entertainment

Cast

Vince Evangelista
Vince Evangelista
Austin
Vince Evangelista is a New York native who has been involved in this crazy, lovable world that is community theater for a decade now, and “True West” is his eleventh production on the PCE stage! When he is not at work or in rehearsals, Vince enjoys playing games and binge-watching movies/shows with his boyfriend, crafting, shopping, reading, and writing. Some favorite past productions of his, from here and locally- include Rumors, Curtains, Broadway Bound, Mary Poppins (where he met one of his best friends and was blessed to become part of a second family), Into the Woods, The Games Afoot, Rent, Hello Dolly, Godspell, Little Mermaid, The Boys in the Band, All My Sons, and most recently- Charlotte’s Web, where he was lucky enough to play the part of Templeton. He would like to thank his friends and family for never faltering in their constant support of everything he does- but especially his mother, who is one of the strongest people he knows and who loves so fiercely, it’s almost impossible to match it. He would also like to thank his cast and crew for all of their patience and understanding while he tackled both this challenging part, and challenges with life in general. Vince has always enjoyed the rehearsal process for all it has to offer, but especially for its ability to take you away from everything- even if just for a little while. He hopes you all enjoy the show! You’re in for a wild ride!
Keith Graham
Keith Graham
Lee
Keith’s acting and stunt career includes theatre, film, & television in Florida, New York, and Los Angeles. In Florida he performed both as stunt‐actor Indiana Jones and as a stuntman/gymnast “Morrocan” in the original cast at Disney’s Hollywood/MGM studios, self‐published a book to help actors get work in Florida and founded a production company that produced stunt shows and one‐act black box plays. He was Skip Chauvin in Tom Hanks’ HBO Miniseries ‘From the Earth to the Moon’, and mercenary stuntman with Tom Berenger in 'The Substitute'. In NYC, he appeared as Lord Baltimore in the off‐off Broadway production of The 3 Musketeers (Sidney Armus’ Theatre 22), and Spider‐Man LIVE for Marvel Comics. In Los Angeles, he was Bruce Willis’ stunt double in The Color of Night, and Two‐Face’s thug in Batman Forever with Val Kilmer. He performed in commercials, music videos and photo shoots doing high falls, fights, high wire, circus skills and acrobatics including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Discover Card, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Chicago Hope, and the supermodel Helena. Nothing compares to the shared experience between an actor and live audience as they magically suspend disbelief and travel together to another world. Keith looks forward to sharing that experience with you today.
Bob Whitmore
Bob Whitmore
Saul Kimmer
Bob Whitmore stumbled onto the stage late in life. He received the Beverly Harrison Award for his first play, portraying Admiral Perry, District Attorney Charles Whitman and baseball guy number 3 in the award-winning production of Ragtime. He went on to win Best Supporting Actor portraying Herr Shulz in Cabaret, and Best Featured Actor as Sydney Bernstein in PCE’s production of Curtains. In 2021, he returned to the stage in Urinetown playing both the doomed Pa Strong and as the maniacal Hot Blades Harry. He was nominated for Best Actor in drama for his portrayal of Joe Keller in Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” and ended the 2022 Season play John Mortar in Screwtape, arguably his favorite character to date. Bob is grateful to be on stage again with this incredibly talented cast and would like to thank you for your support of Community Theater.
Judy Heck-Lowry
Judy Heck-Lowry
Mom
Judy Heck Lowry is delighted to be returning to the PCE stage, where she last appeared as Kate Keller in All My Sons, for which she received the 2022 Monti Award for Best Actress in a Play, and the Kim Mitchell People’s Choice Award. Locally, she has played Clairee in Steel Magnolias at Carrollwood Players Theatre. She has appeared at the Billymunk Theatre and the Direct Theatre in New York City, Asolo Rep (Sarasota), Town & Country Playhouse (New Hampshire), and Huron Playhouse (Ohio), among others. Favorite roles include Eliza Gant, Look Homeward, Angel; Beatrice, A View from the Bridge; Dolly, The Grass Harp; Ceil, And Miss Reardon Drinks A Little; Miss Gilchrist, The Hostage; Carrie, The Great Nebula in Orion; Toby, The Gingerbread Lady; Irene, Hello, Dolly; Mother Abbess, Sound of Music; Aunt Eller, Oklahoma; Karen, Applause; Evie, Stop the World, I Want to Get Off; Helen, The Seven Year Itch; Esther, Two by Two; Mother, Amahl and the Night Visitors; Mommy, The Sandbox; Actor Two, Spoon River Anthology; Angel, When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder. She trained at HB Studios (NYC), Asolo Conservatory and The Ohio State University. In her other life, she is an ICF Master Certified Coach with Lifecoach.com.
Xander Golombek
Boy Voiceover

Creative Team

April Smith Golombek
April Smith Golombek
Co-Director
April is thrilled to back in the director’s chair again – especially surrounded by such wonderful people! This show has presented new and exciting challenges and she’s glad she’s was given the opportunity to help present it. Previous acting credits include Lizzie Curry in The Rainmaker, Fiona in Brigadoon, Agnes Gooch in Mame, Sister Mary Amnesia in varying productions of Nunsense!, and Claire in Rumors. Previous directorial credits include Moon Over Buffalo, God of Carnage, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Ragtime, Lend Me a Tenor, Bye Bye Birdie, The Games’s Afoot and Cabaret. A very big thank you to Jim, Xander and Zoey for loving and supporting me.
Keith Graham
Keith Graham
Co-Director
Sam Shepard said, “I don’t tell true stories, I tell stories that speak truth.” An Artist is blessed with the ability to transform pain into art. The finished piece is so powerful because it subconsciously expresses what we all feel collectively, even though we think we are alone. We learn a little about ourselves, have a laugh and realize we’re going to be all right after all. Sam Shepard was truly an artist, and ‘True West’ is his most special play. Why? Because much of ‘True West’ is true and the greater the truth, the greater the art. His ability to create mental images then make us laugh takes the power away from the pain. We have an amazing team of artists bringing this special show to you. From the first time we discussed ‘True West’ nearly a year ago, April Golombek and I have been full steam ahead. Like an orchestra, April & I, along with our entire team added layer upon layer to create a rich symphony. With you our audience, we will collectively share a uniquely amazing theatre experience together today. All of us. Cast, Crew, and You. No detail was left unturned in the last 12 months of preparation, so saddle up for dysfunction and destruction as we proudly present Sam Shepard’s ‘True West’.
Joshua Mange
Joshua Mange
Assistant Director
Josh is happy to be back home at Plant City Entertainment where he started his community theatre journey 20 years ago. Being able to help bring a show to life in the Assistant Director role is something he hasn't done in a while, so he is grateful for this opportunity. He has previously paired up with April to Assistant Direct Guys and Dolls, Lend Me a Tenor, and Forever Plaid. Josh was last seen onstage in PCE's production of Charlotte's Web as Lurvy. Some of his favorite roles have been Howard in Moon Over Buffalo, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, and Harvey Johnson in Bye Bye Birdie. Josh has also appeared in original workshop productions with CAST, the Disney Cast Member theatre group, as well as Carrollwood Players. He previously portrayed both Mugsy Tocatta and Kidd Carson on the Great Movie Ride at Disney Hollywood Studios. When Josh is not busy at the theatre, he works as a Property Manager for WRH Realty Services. He is thankful for the lifelong friendships that Community Theatre has brought him and hopes to continue to be an active member of theatre in the area for years to come.
Fralia Lyz
Fralia Lyz
Stage Manager
Emily HInk
Emily HInk
Stage Manager
Robbie Pfost
Robbie Pfost
Lighting Designer and Operator
J.R. Pitts
J.R. Pitts
Sound Design
Darryl Parish
Set Design & Construction
Jim Golombek
Set Contruction
Kristen Permenter
Creative Set Painter
Joshua Mange
Joshua Mange
Creative Set Painter Patterns
Paul Hetrick
Hand Painted Set Background Designs
Lee DeStories
Lee DeStories
Stage Crew

News About True West at Plant City Entertainment


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About the Theatre

Plant City Entertainment

101 N Thomas St, Plant City, FL, United States, Florida
Plant City, 33563

Phone: (813) 752-0728

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Plant City Entertainment
101 N Thomas St, Plant City, FL, United States, Florida, Plant City,

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