Stages Productions Announces 25th Anniversary Lineup at Center Place

Stages Productions, a Tampa Bay-based professional theater ensemble that specializes in bringing classic fairy tales to life, will present its 25th anniversary season at Center Place, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon.

Since 1988, the ensemble has been performing throughout the Southeast,  from tiny school media centers to huge performing arts centers.

All plays are one hour or less, have an energetic cast of four to eight actors, always include music, and usually include audience participation.

Stages Productions is dedicated to making drama an integral part of education, and lesson plans are available to incorporate these plays into the students' curriculum.

Upcoming productions at Center Place are:

Sleeping Beauty

A sleeping princess, a spellbound prince and more fairies than you can shake a stick at are all part of this quirky adaptation of the popular tale. The evil Queen of the Fairies exacts her revenge on the royal family by sending the beautiful princess into an everlasting sleep. To the audience's delight, more than one spell is about to be broken by the kiss of a handsome prince.

School shows are Oct. 24-26 at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

A public show will take place Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

Santa's Holiday Revue

Santa’s Holiday Revue is a fast-paced, rollicking musical that takes a joyous ‘round the world tour of the dances, songs and stories from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and many more. Students will sing, clap and tap along as they learn new and old traditions, customs and folklore that instill the magic of the season. This jubilee celebrates the true spirit of cultural diversity.

School shows are Dec. 10, 12, 13, 14 at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

The public show will take place Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Let Freedom Sing!

Uncle Sam says "I want you" to celebrate American history with Stages Productions' musical revue, "Let Freedom Sing!" This high-energy firecracker explodes with knowledge about our great nation; from her birth in 1776, through the dark days of the Civil War and right into 2013 with the inauguration of our president. Filled with colorful songs and characters like Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., this multi-media event will rekindle your appreciation for our homeland's past and leave you proud to be an American.

School shows are Jan. 23, 28, 31 and Feb. 1 at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

A public show is Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp

Set in ancient Persia, this adaptation of The Arabian Nights' most famous tale comes alive with music, magic and mayhem. Will Aladdin marry the beautiful princess? Will the wicked magician reclaim the magic lamp? Will the all-powerful genie of the lamp help Aladdin to achieve his dreams? There is only one way to find out.  

School shows are April 24, 26 and 29 at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

A public show is April 26 at 7 p.m.

The Three Little Pigs

Three unique piglets find themselves home alone when a certain well-known wolf invites himself to dinner. Will they be devoured separately, or will they learn to overcome their differences and join forces to battle the hungry wolf? Stages Productions combines all the charm and comedy of the family classic with plenty of singing, dancing and even a rapping Big Bad Wolf. The entire audience helps out to assure the happiest of endings.

School shows are May 7, 8 and 10 at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

A public show will take place May 10 at 7 p.m.

For tickets to these productions, call the Center Place box office at 813-685-8888.