Jordan Higginbotham - Page 2

Dear Jacksonville, this week is going to be a good week. And here’s why because Dear Evan Hansen is stopping here this week! The incredibly heart-wrenching and beautiful show follows the story of Evan Hansen, a senior in high school who struggles with anxiety and can’t seem to “fit in.” Evan wants to make his senior year a good year to please his mom, but also to feel like he belongs. However, when a letter he writes to himself is put into the wrong hands, it becomes a very complicated situation in which someone's small lie becomes a complete mess. The Jacksonville audience at the opening performance was in awe of the show, laughter heard at the much-needed comic relief, as well as many tears and sniffles heard throughout the theatre.

'What's happening all over? I'll tell you what's happening all over.' Or at least what's happening at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining. The 55th season has kicked off with the opening of Guys and Dolls!

When everyone was experiencing devastation on 9/11/2001, the town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada was accepting passengers from 38 planes full of people who had been detoured from their various destinations. Come From Away tells this true story. The musical follows the five days the “Come From Aways” stayed in Gander as they try and contact their loved ones and deal with the heartbreaking news that was happening in the states.

“To us and our good fortune. Be happy, be healthy, long life! And if our good fortune never comes Here’s to whatever comes, Drink l’chaim, to life!” feels very fitting after a long 18-month hiatus due to COVID-19.  Fiddler on the Roof opened at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville on November 2. The musical follows the Tevye (Yehezkel Lazarov) and his family in the town of Anatevka. When a radical named Perchick (Solomon Reynolds), Tevye’s family is taken on a journey into the “outside world.” The show truly depicts how times change, but traditions are hard to let go. The cast is supremely talented and witty, as well as entertaining for all audience members.

The Alhambra Theatre and Dining is “alive with The Sound of Music.” The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follow the von Trapp family in 1938 shortly before the second world war in Austria. A new governess, Maria Rainer comes to the von Trapp family, bringing with her music and joy that has been lacking within the home since their mother passed away. The musical is filled with songs most audience members will recognize, such as “The Sound of Music,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Do-Re-Mi.”

“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!” Spongebob the Musical opened at Players by the Sea on Friday night, and the crowd went wild. The musical follows Spongebob and the citizens of Bikini Bottom as they prepare for a natural disaster that could wipe out their town. Spongebob and his friends must find a way to save the town the love so much and battle various obstacles along the way. Audiences will recognize many of their favorite characters from the past 22 years of the popular television show.

“It’s possible! Anything’s possible!” like being in a full house on opening night at Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville after a year and a half of the pandemic! My heart was so full to see such happy faces in the theatre as we were entranced by the world that is Seussical the Musical. The fun filled musical is sure to be a hit for families of Jacksonville ready to exit their homes and get back to the wonderful world of music, dance, and theatre!

Well, after almost one year, the media is back to limited shows in Jacksonville, FL! The Alhambra Theatre and Dining has done all they could to keep the arts alive during this turbulent time. Round of applause to the wait staff, directors, producers, actors, and everyone involved. I am thrilled to be in a beautiful world that provides a distraction from the COVID-19 world. There truly is nothing like live theatre! Now, onto a review of Tennessee Williams’s The Glass of Menagerie.

How to Succeed at Business Without Really Trying is at the Alhambra in Jacksonville, FL. The witty musical follows the story of J. Pierrepont Finch as he works his way up in a company through distinct steps, such as staying late at the office to look like an ambitious employee. The show was incredibly entertaining for the audience, and a little relatable for anyone who has worked in a corporate office.

a?oeRight This Waya?? to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts to see Bandstand. Audiences were so moved by the musical on February 18. Bandstand follows the story of veterans' home from World War II as they try to qualify for a music competition. The group becomes the Donny Nova band and intends to win the competition and dedicate it to the veterans that defended the United States. It is very appropriate for the show to come to Jacksonville, FL as we have not one, but two naval bases. You could feel the theater become heavy with an array of emotions as audience members were transported to this time period and watched these characters portray very real post-war circumstances.

So, I saw this show when it was premiered in movie theaters and it had an incredible impact on me. How has this show affected you?

Everything is Rent at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville, FL. Jonathan Larson's Rent takes place in New York City in the Late 80's to early 90's. The audience follows a group of characters as they discover how important it is to embrace each day they are given because they do not know when it will be their last. Through the entire production on January 14, I could hear fans of the production laugh, sniffle, and applaud as the beautiful story unfolded.

The 2020 season is in full swing at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining in Jacksonville. Love Letters officially opened January 10. The play follows the story of two childhood friends who write each other letters for well over 40 years. The audience experiences children grow up from silly a?oeDo you like me? Yes or no?a?? to heartfelt a?oeI never realized how much I've always loved you until right now.a??

Interview with the actor playing Tom Collins (Shafiq Hicks). RENT will be in Jacksonville, FL beginning January 14.

Elf the Musical is a?oeSparklejollytwinklejingley!a?? The musical, based on the 2003 movie Elf, returns to Alhambra Theatre and Dining. Not only is it back, it is sold out! Audiences have rushed to get tickets in order to follow Buddy the Elf on his quest to find his father, Walter Hobbs. Elf the Musical is incredibly entertaining, funny, and jolly!

Good News! Wicked is back in Jacksonville! The prequel to The Wizard of Oz tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy showed up. Surprise, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West were friends! This was my fourth time seeing the spectacular show, and it is just as magical as the first time I saw it. During the entire performance, I had the biggest grin on my face out of sheer amazement and wonder.

A Bronx Tale had a one-night performance in Jacksonville November 13 and audiences loved it! The musical, based on the 1993 movie of the same name, follows Calogero. Calorgero is 8 years old and sees, what can only be described as traumatic to an 8-year-old. After this traumatic experience a man named Sonny takes him under his wing and teaches him the ways of the neighborhood. A Bronx Tale is filled with wonderful music by Alan Menken, great talent, and an intriguing story.

'It really has nothing to do with musical theater. I think just the nerves of getting out there in front of people and doing something that may be a little outside your wheelhouse gives you the confidence to do that. I took a lot of that in preparing for the role. I was much more nervous getting ready for the role. Once I was up there, I felt pretty good about it. I think it gave me the confidence to be on stage and deal with live crowds.'

Do you love musicals? Do you love true crime? Do you love insanity? Well, do I have the show for you! Jekyll and Hyde opened at the Alhambra Theatre and Dining and audiences were in awe. This is not a show where you will hear those laughing throughout the theatre, but more gasps of entertainment, horror, and applause for the talent. Jekyll and Hyde follows Dr. Henry, a doctor committed to his research. So much so that he becomes the subject of his own experiment. He is on a mission to eliminate evil from the world. As he concocts his a?oechemicalsa?? to eliminate evil, something goes terribly wrong. Dr Jekyll develops an evil and murderous personality named Edward Hyde, on the hunt for those who denied him the opportunity to conduct his experiment the proper way, i.e. not on himself. The show is astonishing and captivating and filled with immense talent!

Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs began performances September 18, and audiences are thoroughly enjoying it! The play follows the Jerome/Morton family living in Brighton Beach in 1937. Our narrator is Eugene Jerome (Evan Gray), who addresses the audience to fill us in on gaps we may not know. We follow multiple stories within this family that are captivating and filled with humor and emotion.