'Brighton Beach Memoirs' Opens Tonight (May 17)

The Village Players production of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" opens tonight, May 17, at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico. Eight shows are scheduled through June 1.

  Actors are in costume for the final days of rehearsals for the upcoming Village Players production of Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs. The show features a cast of seven: Vince Evangelista (Eugene Morris Jerome), Isabella Fraraccio (Laurie), Hal Granholm (Jack Jerome), Jonathan Hogsett (Stanley Jerome), Sara Horrocks (Nora), Denise Mesina (Aunt Blanche) and Theresa Miller (Kate Jerome). The show is directed by Oliver Sprague. Opening night is tonight, May 17. Additional shows are May 18, 23-25 and 30-31. Also, June 1. Doors open 7:30 p.m.; curtain time is 8 p.m. Curtain for the Sunday, May 25 matinee is 3 p.m.; doors open at 2:30 p.m. The theatre is at 506 Fifth Street, north of State Road 60. Regular admission is $14.00. Tickets for …

• Photos (1)

Plan Ahead for 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'

Opening in May at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico is the Village Players production of the Neil Simon classic, "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

  Actors are in costume for the final days of rehearsals for the upcoming Village Players production of Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs. The show features a cast of seven: Vince Evangelista (Eugene Morris Jerome), Isabella Fraraccio (Laurie), Hal Granholm (Jack Jerome), Jonathan Hogsett (Stanley Jerome), Sara Horrocks (Nora), Denise Mesina (Aunt Blanche) and Theresa Miller (Kate Jerome). The show is directed by Oliver Sprague. Show dates are May 17-18, 23-25 and 30-31. Also, June 1. Doors open 7:30 p.m.; curtain time is 8 p.m. Curtain for the Sunday, May 25 matinee is 3 p.m.; doors open at 2:30 p.m. The theatre is at 506 Fifth Street, north of State Road 60. Regular admission is $14.00. Tickets for students, seniors and military, with …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Buy Tickets Now For 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'

The Village Players brings to the stage Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.

Catch 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' in May

The Village Players brings to the stage Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.

  The Village Players community theater troupe returns to the stage with the May 2013 production of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs." On stage at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, directed by Oliver Sprague, the comedy show dates are May 17-18, 23-25 and 30-31. Also, June 1. Doors open 7:30 p.m.; curtain time is 8 p.m. Curtain for the Sunday, May 25 matinee is 3 p.m.; doors open at 2:30 p.m. The theatre is at 506 Fifth Street, north of State Road 60. Regular admission is $14.00. Tickets for students, seniors and military, with identificatino, cost $12. Group rates are available. For information, call 813-643-8292. Visit the Village Players online.  

• Photos (5)

Catch the Village Players on Stage With 'Godspell'

"The Joy Gets Closer Day By Day" for the Village Players, on stage with their Lenten season production of "Godspell." Shows are at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.

  The Village Players are on stage at the James McCabe Theather with the Lenten season production of "Godspell," a modern musical based on the Gospel according to Matthew. Remaining show dates are March 15-16 and 22-23. All curtain times are 8 p.m., at 506 Fifth St. in Valrico. The sole matinee show is scheduled for Sunday, March 17, at 3 p.m. The show is co-directed by Gail Pierce and Lois Duncan, who also is the choreographer and set designer. Lights and sound are by Oliver Sprague and there is a live band conducted by Miguel Oquendo. Program is by Ramona Montgomery and Hal Granhole and Kyle Yerdon are the show's stage managers. Carlton Jones attended to wardrobe design for the show, which features fashions from the 1970's. …

• Photos (1)

Village Players Hit The Target With Production of ‘Assassins’

The production will continue Sept. 9, 10, 16, and 17.

A veteran of community theater, Greg Summerall knows things can go wrong on opening night, and that risk grows the more variables you add to a show. “Assasins,” his latest directorial effort with the Village Players, has a lot of moving parts. “This show is a lot more high-tech,” Summerall said. "We have more lighting and sound cues. We are playing with a full orchestra. There’s just a lot more variables in there that you have to control." All the more surprising then that opening night, Sept. 2, went off without a hitch. “It came off great,” Summerall said. "The audience was really enthusiastic and we got a lot of great compliments after the show.” With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, “Assassins” uses the …

• Photos (3)

5 Things to Know Today, May 20

Here's some things you might want to know as you go about your day.

1. Newsome and Riverview high schools will present the school edition of "Les Miserables" May 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and May 22 and 29 at 3 p.m. at Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview. Tickets are $10. For information, call 813-671-5011, ext. 259, or visit www.sharktheatre.com. 2. Dancin' Motion School of the Arts in Bloomingdale Commons at 127 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, offers Friday Night Dance Socials every Friday from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. The price is $8 at the door or $5 for college students with an ID. The price includes a 30-minute Latin dance class, drinks and snacks.   3. "Bye Bye Birdie" will be presented May 20-22 and 28-29 at 8 p.m. at the James McCabe Theater, 506 Fifth St., Valrico. The Village …

• Photos (1)

5 Things

5 Things to Do This Weekend

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out these activities.

       1. Asana Yoga, 1242 Kingsway Road, Brandon will offer a session in Partner Yoga Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. All levels are welcome and partners need not be of the same skill level. This workshop will help improve strength, flexibility, balance, trust and communication between partners.  Feel free to bring someone or come by yourself. Please wear comfortable clothing.  2. J.F. Kicks, 3345 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Valrico, in the Albertson's shopping plaza hosts a live band every Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call (813) 643-7777. 3. The Village Players of Valrico are hosting their fifth annual MVP Award Show Jan. 29 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the James McCabe Theatre, 506 5th St. Valrico.

Awards are based upon the voting audience. If you …

• Photos (1)

Artist Scott King Takes the Low Road

Scott King will host an art show Feb. 14 at the James McCabe Theatre

Ever since his parents propped a pencil between his fingers at age 4, Scott King has been creating art. "My first drawing was a circle with five appendages," said King. "My parents saw right away that it was a good likeness of a turtle. After that, they always made sure I had a pencil or pen in my hand." King is strictly a self-taught artist. Although he took graphic design classes at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, he's had no formal training in fine art. "Because of my grades, they wouldn't even let me take art classes at Bloomingdale High School. But I was always doodling on my homework in class." For a number of years, he didn't do anything with his talent. "Then I enrolled in the academy because I thought …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (4)