Jimmy Ferraro - Page 2

2013 was a marvelous year for theatre in Tampa Bay. There were stellar National Tours, Regional Theatre, and Community Theatre productions filled with 5 Star talent and production qualities. It is a real challenge to narrow down a listing for 'CRITIC'S CHOICE'.

Well, hold on to your hats, because this production 'IS' SPECTACULAR! It is a Magical, Dazzling, Timeless, and Elegant production! YOU MUST SEE IT, TO BELIEVE IT! 5 STARS!!!

Carrollwood Players have made their mark in the Tampa Bay Theatre scene, by producing innovative programming and exceptional, quality productions. This remains true with their latest 'gift' to us, with a new twist on a Holiday Classic, (perfect for the entire family), 'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE' - A Live Radio Play.

The electricity in Carol Morsani Hall, at the Straz Center in Tampa, for the opening performance of the National Tour of 'THE BOOK OF MORMON', was the closest I have experienced here, to the excitement of a Broadway opening night yet! The SOLD-OUT house was simply percolating, in anticipation of the 9 time Tony Award winning musical's Tampa debut.

It isn't often that Tampa Bay audiences have the golden opportunity to see a 'World Premier', by a local playwright. So, right off the bat, I say, 'BRAVO!' to the Carrollwood Players for their ambitious and innovative programming! And after seeing the play on opening night, in a theatre filled with a very appreciative audience, I say, 'BRAVO!, INDEED!', for a wonderful evening of thought provoking, contemporary theatre!

Kudos to Stage West for programming such an enormous and ambitious project. And the opening night performance was the BEST production I have ever seen at Stage West, - a TRIUMPH! Stage West's theatrical barre is raised to an all time height with this production! BRAVO!

The lights dim in the cavernous hall, and the faint sound of a violin begins. Atop a thatched roof, is the vision of a Fiddler and then...the room becomes suddenly alive, in a grand opening, with the robust voices of over 50 peasant, villagers, singing 'TRADITION!..TRADITION!' And thus begins an enthusiastic and heartfelt rendition, of the classic American musical, 'FIDDLER on the ROOF', presented by the Live Oak Theatre Company, in Brooksville, FL.

'A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED' has it ALL. Comedy, Suspense, Mystery, and Intrigue! This is a 'MUST SEE' production.

As in typical farce style, the cast is going in one door and out and through another. The unexpected turn of events will have you laughing and shaking your head in disbelief.

BRAVO! 'You don't have to be Catholic to LOVE 'NUNSENSE' The Mega-Nusical!! The Carrollwood Players has produced an array of stunning plays this past season. 'NUNSENSE' -The Mega-Musical is the first musical production that I have seen there and it is a WOW!

Bravo, to producer Cathy Hooten for another successful, ambitious production! The Sunday performance was SOLD-OUT. Here's my advise. If you want to have a fun, memorable evening, solving a comical, musical, mystery, I encourage you to purchase your tickets immediately. You will be glad you did!

American Stage Theatre Company has once again produced a stunning, ambitious production. How fortunate we are, to reside in the Tampa Bay area, to be able to experience professional, top quality, new productions (it is still running Off-Broadway) at a professional, top quality regional theatre, at an astonishing reasonable ticket price. You will 'get all of this and more', at the American Stage Theatre Company's production of 'MY NAME IS ASHER LEV'.

Just when I thought that the productions couldn't possibly get any better, at Carrollwood Players...renowned playwright Neil Simon's, 'LOST IN YONKERS' opens and it is simply, a TRIUMPH! ~ This production exemplifies why we go to the theatre! DON'T MISS IT!

. To my delight, Carrollwood Players produced a thoroughly hilarious, "SMASHING" production of Sketch Comedy, entitled "GOOD EVENING". BAH! A FANTASTICAL EVENING!!!

What ever your sexual orientation is, or the color of your skin, or your religious beliefs....the most important thing is to know who you are and to be proud of who you are and to accept who you are. 'THE BOYS IN THE BAND' is Gay themed, but it is not just for Gay audiences. It has a lesson for all of us, with a universal message...ACCEPTANCE. And just like, 'The Hokey Pokey',...'that's what it's all about!'

'BLOWN BY THE WIND'...well, the title of this entertainment alone, set me up for what was to be a hilariously-naughty night! I was holding my sides from laughter, in hysterics. as tears rolled down my face. I could barely catch my breath.

Tampa Bay, Florida is the setting for all eight short plays, presented this past weekend, at Stageworks in Tampa. Scripts were submitted from all over central Florida; and were evaluated by a panel of judges. The participating artists received only an honorarium; donating their talents to the production. All of the plays were produced by StageWorks with minimal set pieces and props. This was an exceptional opportunity for area playwrights and 'showcase for newbies'.

If you want to have fun and laugh yourself silly... Go see the Carrollwood Players production of 'LEND ME A TENOR'! You will be glad you did!

The entire cast and musicians are multi-talented and the production values are innovative. On opening night, when the curtain went up, the cast was welcomed by screams, howls, and cheering, by a throng of teenagers...

The essence however of 'BEHIND THE GATES', is not just about Jews or the Jewish culture per say, but about family and self-discovery. We can all relate to this. You don't have to be Jewish to understand and appreciate where the heart lies in this piece, in what could appear to some, as a controversial work.