BroadwayWorld Picks 9 Shows To Watch in 2019 for Tampa/St. Petersburg

We asked our editors to pick out 9 shows to look forward to in 2019! Check out Deborah Bostock-Kelley's list of theatre to watch for Tampa/St. Petersburg!

With many community and professional theatres to choose from, it's very difficult to whittle down my must-see shows to a mere nine; however, as this is a synopsis and not a book, here are the 9 shows I am most looking forward to in 2019:

1. COLUMBINUS - Innovocative Theatre, Stageworks
January 11-20
Columbinus is an intersection of fact and fiction that illuminates the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the shootings at Columbine High School nearly twenty years ago. The play weaves together excerpts from discussions with parents, survivors, journals, and community leaders in Littleton as well as police evidence to present this riveting docu-drama.

2. HEATHERS - madTheatre of Tampa, Straz
February 14-March 3
Based on the 1988 movie, Heathers The Musical is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid: J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kick Heather's aerobicized butt...but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

3. SHEVOLUTION - Powerstories Theatre
March 7-23
In honor of Women's History Month, up to twenty women and girls will be presenting new works of original plays, staged readings, open mic nights, poetry and book signings.

4. A NECESSARY CONVERSATION - NYNE Theatre, Brandon's Event Space
April 26-27
An original show written by a local current teacher and a past educator, A Necessary
Conversation takes an unflinching look at mental health, bullying, gun violence and its aftermath. The original, award-winning production features 47 REASONS TO LIVE and 11:11. Talkback with writers, cast and community experts follows evening performances.

5. THE JUNGLE BOOK, A MUSICAL - Carrollwood Players Theatre
May 31-June 22, 2019
Alone in the jungle, how will Mowgli survive in this terrifying but wonderful new world? Will he be able to outwit the mischievous monkeys and the powerful python Kaa, while escaping from the claws of the vengeful tiger Shere Khan? In this funny and heart-warming story, Mowgli is taken on a journey of self-discovery by his friends Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and Akela the wolf, where he must learn the laws of the jungle and uncover his true identity.

6. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN - Eight O' Clock Theatre
July 12-21, 2019
From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster new musical comedy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation - Young Frankenstein! Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced "Fronk-en-steen") inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced "Eye-gore"), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. "It's alive!" he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. With such memorable tunes as The Transylvania Mania, He Vas My Boyfriend and Puttin' on the Ritz, Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment!

7. THE HUNDRED DRESSES - Innovocative Theatre, Stageworks
August 1-11
The Hundred Dresses is a story based in the true experiences of the author about a girl who is teased by her classmates because she is different. Wanda Petronski, a girl who comes from the poor part of town, is the only student in her class with a 'funny' Polish name. Wanda just wants to join the fun of having friends like everyone else. But in 1930's small town America, a Polish immigrant doesn't easily fit in. When Maddie's best friend Peggy starts to tease Wanda, Maddie knows it isn't right. When the teasing doesn't stop and the Petronskis move to get away from the town's prejudices, Maddie is wracked with guilt. She soon realized that allowing her friend to be a bully can be just as bad as acting that way herself. Determined not to let her fear get the best of her again, Maddie braves the scorn of her classmates and stands up to them, making an unlikely friend in the process.

8. NOW. HERE. THIS - NYNE Theatre, Brandon's Event Space
October 11-13
Created by the team that brought you [title of show], Now. Here. This. is a new musical tackling life's big questions with inimitable humor and humanity. The show follows the evolution and adventures of four friends in a natural history museum as they journey through time--from the present-day museum, to the past, and back again. Inspired by various exhibits (bees, reptiles, early man, ancient civilizations and outer space), the foursome shares their stories about friendship, hoarding, hiding, laughing, living, dying and middle school in an attempt to step directly into that elusive present moment...into the Now. Here. This.

9. 4x6 FESTIVAL - Blue Butterfly Productions
TBD
A lot can happen in a day. At the 4x6 Fest, they'll prove it with the world premiere presentations of new works by local Tampa artists, all written and produced in just 24 hours.

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