Arts & Entertainment

Auditions and Productions: On Stage With Community Theater in Brandon and Beyond

A quick look at who's holding auditions and what shows you might want to catch as the latest community theater season gets underway.

"All the world's a stage," William Shakespeare said, and especially so for the upcoming community theater season in Greater Brandon and beyond. As you might like it, the season runs the gamut with auditions and shows ranging from the comedic to the musical — and there is something for all ages. We start with auditions, then give news of shows closer to home and then a bit farther away. (And please, as always, if you know of something we've missed, write a comment below.) See you at the theater!

 

AUDITIONS

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  • Stagedoor Performing Arts has decided on its spring show after it was unable to stage “Jesus Christ Superstar” or attain the rights to two other shows it had planned to produce, including “Fiddler on the Roof.” Instead, the theater troupe, at its new home at South Bay Community Church, will stage “Neverland,” the story of Peter Pan, written and first directed and produced by Terry Abbott of Village Players fame. Auditions are Feb. 8 and 10 at 7 p.m. Come with a one-minute song to sing. Callbacks are Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The company will rehearse Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Show dates are April 8-9, 15 and 22-23. South Bay Community Church is at 13498 U.S. Highway 301 South in Riverview.
  • The Masque Community Theatre is staging “Lend Me A Tenor” and holding auditions, Feb. 6 and 7 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the troupe’s rehearsal space at 8917 North 56th Street in Temple Terrace.  Be prepared with a comedic monologue and for cold readings from the script. Needed are four male roles and four female roles, which are described on the Masque Facebook page. No parts are pre-cast. Show dates are April 1 through 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.  
  • Village Players is holding auditions for “Bye Bye Birdie” at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, also the site for the show itself, May 13-14, 20-22 and 27-29. Audition dates are Feb. 15-17 at 7 p.m. Callbacks are Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Come prepared with a song. No recorded tracks required but a pianist will be available for accompaniment. Expect a short dance/movement audition. All ages welcome; all roles available. Visit the group's Facebook page for details on the 11 main roles available as well as a listing of the requirements for the large cast of  Townspeople (most all have lines and/or singing requirements) and Teenagers (all sing and/or dance). The James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth Street in Valrico.
  • The Frenzie - Life Theatre has scheduled auditions April 11 and 12 for Jonathan Larson's "Tick Tock Boom." Callbacks are April 13. The roles of Jonathan and Michael are not open. The role of Susan is open. Show dates are June 17-19 and 24-25.

 

UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

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  • Plant City Entertainment stages “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at its hometown theater at 101 North Thomas Street. Show dates are Feb. 18-19 and 24-26 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. The show is based on the 1988 film of the same title and centers on two competing con men living in the French Riviera.
  • Raise the Roof” is back for a third time at the Village Players home at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, at 506 Fifth Street. The annual production is for middle and high school students looking for performance opportunities and preparing for upcoming thespian competitions. The variety show featuring local talent in theater, music and dance is scheduled for Feb. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m.
  • The Frenzie - Life Theatre brings "The Rocky Horror Show" to the Barn Theatre at Winthrop stage on March 25-27 and April 1-2. Looking ahead, the theater company plans to stage "Tick Tick Boom" in June, "Moonlight and Magnolias" in August and "Cabaret" in November. The Barn Theatre at Winthrop is at 11349 East Bloomingdale Avenue in Riverview, between Watson and Providence roads.
  • Clint Shepherd's M.D.H.F. Productions stages "Lies, Sex and the I.R.S." on March 4-5 and 11-12 at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, at 506 Fifth Street.

 

A BIT FARTHER FROM HOME

  • My Big Fat Italian Funeral,” a murder mystery dinner show, will be presented Feb. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Sahib Shrine Center at 20967 U.S. 19 North in Clearwater. Dinner choice is a chicken dish or Italian pot roast.  Call: 813-727-7012.
  • The national award-winning Manatee Players brings to the stage “Guys and Dolls,” with guest director and choreographer Jared Walker. Show dates are from Feb. 17 through March 6. The Manatee Players are at 102 Old Main Street in Bradenton.
  • Also on stage, “on each side of the bridge,” with “Guys and Dolls” is the Salaerno Theatre Company. Tampa dates are Feb. 4-13 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, at 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa. Pinellas dates are Feb. 25-27 at the Pinellas County Performing Arts Center at 4951 78th Avenue North in Pinellas Park.


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