Jamie Foxx TONIGHT!!!

This is for the ladies: --------->



And you're welcome.


Now see him live tonight!


You know he'll be singing just to you....

:)


-Kari G.

O.A.R. = B.N.E. (Best Night Ever)

For all of you that keep up with this blog, you might know that O.A.R. was at TBPAC last night. Furthermore, you may know that I attended the concert with my boyfriend and a group of friends (one of which turned 24 yesterday!).

Did you go? If not, shame on you!

Let me start by saying this was one of the best concerts I have been to! I have been to my fair share of concerts, but there was either rain, sweaty people, drinks spilled on me, etc. to always make me think, “Hmm maybe you shouldn’t do this anymore.” BUT this experience was perfect! Carol Morsani Hall has air conditioning! There were cool people jamming around me and not a raincloud in sight! O.A.R., of course, made the night the most memorable, and the fact my boyfriend and his friends were singing in my ear the whole time was an added bonus. No really, I have pictures! That’s right! Wahahaha (that’s my evil laugh), blackmail! =)

Bottom line, if O.A.R. comes to your town please go, you won’t be disappointed. They have a different set list every night and really know how to play their music. Their heading to Orlando for a concert tonight (Aug 27), totally tempted to call into work just to drive there, but last night can not be topped!

Check out their website at www.ofarevolution.com for tour dates, merchandise, photos and video…I know I will!

- Intern A.P.

OAR and more!

OAR (Of A Revolution) is here and they brought their super groovy and uber green tour bus. It's not just green in color but in concept. There are still tickets available to see this amazing jam band. Intern A.P. is beside herself. Seriously. The girl literally vibrates about our shows. It's great. Oh and follow OAR on Twitter @ofarevolution.

Let's see, what else is going on? Oh Jamie Foxx is bringing his music (and a little funny from what we've been told) to Carol Morsani Hall on Aug. 31. His Blame It Tour is making one stop with us on a 50 city tour. Have you seen his video with Jake Gyllenhall Forest Whitaker Ron Howard & Sam Jackson? Watch it here.

And for my traditional theater fans - RESPECT is in her final days! If you still haven't seen this amazing musical - you have from now until Aug. 30!

-Kari G.

Early Bird Discounts!

As a thank you to the community, TBPAC is giving patrons the opportunity to shop smart and save money. Through Sept. 19, many of the performances in our 2009-2010 season have tickets available at a 25% Early Bird discount.

Shows like the Tony Award-winners In the Heights, Mary Poppins and South Pacific are part of this spectacular deal. So are performances by Duncan Sheik, the Moscow Festival Ballet and David Copperfield. Plus, these discounted seats are offered for all the performances in our Club Jaeb and Off-Center series – so people can afford to take a chance on something new and unexpected.

Many other shows qualify for the Early Bird discount – for more information, restrictions and full list of eligible performances go to www.tbpac.org/earlybird. Or you can call 813.229.STAR and mention “Early Bird” or visit the TBPAC Ticket Office in person.

Some restrictions apply and discounts may not be combined with other offers and do not apply to prior sales.

Offer ends Sept. 19, 2009.

Go! Now! Be an early birdie!!!!!

-Kari G.

The 2009-2010 Season Announcement

The big announcement is here! The full 2009-2010 season at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is official! You already know about Broadway, Opera, Kid Time/Wee Folk, The Play Series and Club Jaeb. You can see and hear many of these great artists through our interactive brochure.

Music

The new season will also feature classical tabla virtusoso Zakir Hussain (March 18, 2010) as part of TBPAC’s Culture Quest World music and dance series and rocker Duncan Sheik (March 26, 2010) performing hits from his new release Whisper Horse and his Tony® Award-winning Broadway hit Spring Awakening. Performing what founder Chip Davis calls “18th century classical rock,” Mannheim Steamroller returns to TBPAC on Dec. 13, 2009, for a Yuletide concert of its signature new-age Christmas music.


Lectures, comedy and illusion

The funniest, cleverest and most insightful shows are on TBPAC’s stages in 2009-2010. Comedy acts including Sinbad (Oct. 24, 2009), Elon Gold (Nov. 19, 2009), Gabriel Iglesias (March 13, 2010) and the Second City 50th Anniversary Tour (March 27, 2010) will entertain and captivate audiences throughout the season. Greg Behrendt and Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt, co-authors of the New York Times best-sellers He’s Just Not That Into You and It’s Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken, talk candidly about relationships in So You Think You Want To Be in Love? (Feb. 20, 2010). Plus, TBPAC favorites Garrison Keillor (Nov. 24, 2009) and David Copperfield (Jan. 22, 2010) return to Tampa to enlighten and enchant audiences.

Cabaret

The Jaeb Theater will have a joyous season of cabaret shows including the TBPAC produced production of Godspell (Feb. 9-May 16, 2010). Featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), Godspell boasts a string of popular songs, led by the international hit “Day by Day.” The cabaret season will also feature An Evening with Lucille Ball: Thank You For Asking (Jan. 5-17, 2010). Directed by Ball’s daughter Lucie Arnaz, this one-woman play performed by Suzanne LaRusch guides the audience though a lifetime of memories and recreates the comic genius of the “Queen of Comedy.” Plus, TBPAC will host the return of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (June 10-July 18, 2010), the musical comedy celebration of the modern-day mating game.

Dance

The 2009-2010 season is filled with exciting dance performances including the return of The Orlando Ballet in its production of The Nutcracker (Dec. 22 and 23, 2009) featuring students from the Orlando Ballet School at the Patel Conservatory and in an evening of mixed reparatory, Complexions Contemporary Ballet (Jan. 14, 2010), a company that explores the full range of human emotions with its cutting-edge choreography and original music grounded in the tradition of classical dance. And as part of TBPAC’s Culture Quest World music and dance series, the season will feature both the highly regarded, award-winning Ballet Folklórico de México (Feb. 13, 2010) and Moscow Festival Ballet (Feb. 27, 2010) in the most famous and loved story ballet of all time, Swan Lake.

Off-Center

TBPAC continues to challenge audiences to “expect the unexpected” with a mission to bring new and unusual works to the Tampa Bay area in the Off-Center series including the Puppet State Theatre Company of Scotland’s adaptation of Jean Giono’s ecologically oriented tale The Man Who Planted Trees (April 15, 2010). The series also includes Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps (April 22-25, 2010), as performer and audience together decide the sequence of events at each performance, choosing just a few of the 127 stories that a guy who was born a girl has to tell.

Free Events at TBPAC

TBPAC will host a series of FREE events in 2009-2010 including Rock School Blowout (Nov. 14, 2009 and March 27, 2010), and the annual community event Eggstravaganza (April 3, 2010), as well as a host of master classes, performance talk backs and educational and family-friendly events.

Additionally, the FREE TBPAC Movie Series continues in 2009-2010 outside on the Riverwalk. The series will show films that will enhance the enjoyment of live stage performances coming to TBPAC, in addition to other fun and entertaining films. Films to be screened include Coraline (Oct. 9, 2009), South Pacific (Nov. 13, 2009), It’s a Wonderful Life (Dec. 11, 2009), Godspell (Jan. 8, 2010) and Nanny McPhee (Feb. 12, 2010). Films will be shown on a giant inflatable screen – stadium chairs and blankets welcome. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Sculpture

In partnership with the New York-based National Sculpture Society, the pre-eminent organization for sculptors, TBPAC will present a multi-piece art exhibit as part of the 2009-2010 season. Eleven pieces, including works by John Leon, Barry Woods Johnston and Tuck Langland, will be displayed in the Ruth Silbiger lobby of Carol Morsani Hall at TBPAC beginning in October of 2009. The exhibit will be open during shows in Carol Morsani Hall and during regularly scheduled TBPAC tours. Special tours may also be available. This project is funded in part by the National Sculpture Society and Sabal Trust Company and will remain on display throughout the season.

Special Events

The Board of Trustees of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center will host the Wonderland World Premiere Benefit on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. In addition to seats to the world premiere performance, this black-tie event features a pre-performance cocktail dinner and a post-performance reception with the opportunity to mingle with the cast and creative team of Wonderland. And, no season would be complete without Taste the Best of Tampa Bay. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the area’s premier food event – a benefit for TBPAC’s education and mission-based programming and organized by the Producers volunteer group – is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2010.

-Kari G.

Taylor Hicks Tweets About Tampa!

Behold! The inside of the ice cream cone Taylor Hicks emerges from in Grease!

How did we get this insider's view? From the insider himself! Taylor Hicks uses Twitter to share his experiences in Grease and other thoughts. He also gave a nice shout out to Bern's Steakhouse. Glad he's doing Tampa right! We've loved having him here, he's been a great sport doing a lot of press to promote the show. He's a talented professional and we'll be sad to see him go. Don't worry there are still seats available for the final 5 shows!

-Kari G.

Intern AP Meets Taylor Hicks!

Grease is the Word!

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting Taylor Hicks!

While most of you know him as the winner of the fifth season of “American Idol” - here at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center know him by a different name - Teen Angel. He is currently in the touring company of Grease that is visiting the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center now through August 23rd.

Taylor first appeared on the Grease scene during the summer where he performed the role on Broadway, now he happily reprises the role for the national tour that travels for the next 6 months.

I must say, not only is he one of the nicest guys but he is also very talented!

He played guitar and harmonica to his new single, “Seven Mile Breakdown” for Fox 13’s morning show and also sang “Beauty School Dropout” for Bay News 9. Now he is off to all the other Tampa Bay stations for interviews, performances, and good times. Be sure to tune in to local stations to hopefully catch one this week!

Meanwhile here are some great pictures of him in our Morsani Hall lobby! Also, get your tickets for Grease now to see him in action!

For more information on Taylor visit his website at www.taylorhicks.com
For more information on Grease the Musical Tour visit www.greaseonbroadway.com

-AP

Special Deal on Grease - Tomorrow and Wed. ONLY!

GREASE is coming to the TBPAC, Aug. 18-23. You can save 50% off tickets to the Tuesday & Wednesday night shows in the Balcony and Gallery (price level 2 & 3 only) with promo code SANDY. Offer is limited to 4 tickets and you know the drill... Not applicable to prior sales. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Subject to availability. Service charges apply.

Now go. Buy your tickets b/c the seats are definitely subject to availability!

The Producers host something Wicked

Last night I attended the All Access Backstage Event here at the TBPAC hosted by The Producers with my boyfriend. It was a nice intimate gathering of young professionals in the Tampa Bay area to explore backstage, mingle, and have some fabulous appetizers catered by Bone Fish Grill.

The toughest decision of the night was whether to go with ‘The White Rabbit’ or ‘Wicked-tini’ cocktail (hey – I’m of age!). Of course, I had to try the ‘Wicked-tini’ (because it was pink) and explore.

Many of the upcoming show banners were hung around the space: In the Heights, Wonderland, Wicked, Mary Poppins to remind guests of our 2009-2010 Broadway season kicking off in October. There were also cast members from Respect and South Pacific walking around with guests to promote the shows. Guests also got to go on the stages of the Carol Morsani and Ferguson. How cool is that?

As I stood center stage of Carol Morsani (a dream come true for anyone who calls themselves a performer) and looked out into the 2,610 empty seats I had to catch my breath. Sure, I’ve been in the audience plenty of times, we will actually be there again in two week for the O.A.R. concert, but who else can say they have done that?

Overall, great event, great experience, great company, and I was in a great dress! Not bad for a Thursday night!

For more information on The Producers or to become a member, visit theproducers@tbpac.org.

- AP Intern

Dame Kiri Retires - Again

Back in the 2007-2008 season, Opera Tampa was blessed to have Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in concert at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. It was a sold-out concert that was promoted as a "farewell performance."

I joked that Dame Kiri was saying farewell to her audiences in much the same way Cher says farewell. Meaning of course, mark your retirement from performing, by coming out of retirement and performing, thereby symbolically stating that you will be retiring from performing.

Clear as mud. It seems that is exactly what Dame Kiri is doing - again.

I don't blame her. When you've had a career like Dame Kiri's, leaving the stage must be a difficult process.

We wish her the very best and know that she will be incredible in her upcoming performances, just like she was here at TBPAC.

Meanwhile, speaking of divas (lousy segue, I know) - Renee Fleming tickets go on sale on Aug. 23. Her concert is Jan.26 and is sure to be incredible!

-Kari G.

Wonderland Intern Opportunities

There are internships and then there are INTERNSHIPS.

We all know the difference.

An internship is an opportunity to put something related to your major on a resume and spend a summer filing, filling coffee cups and spending too much time on Facebook.

An INTERNSHIP is an opportunity to pinch-yourself-constantly-step-away-from-the-situation-ask-yourself-how-you-got-this-lucky-and-absorb-every-moment-of-the-awesomeness-that-surrounds-you.

We have INTERNSHIPS to announce!

TBPAC is seeking several INTERNS for the world premiere musical, Wonderland: Alice’s New Musical Adventure. The music for Wonderland is by Frank Wildhorn, the composer of The Civil War and Jekyll & Hyde, with book and lyrics by Jack Murphy and Gregory Boyd. Gregory Boyd, artistic director of Houston’s Alley Theatre, will direct.

The INTERNSHIP opportunities include production assistants, assistants to the musical director, set designer, video and projection designer, costume designer, lighting designer and administrative interns.

The INTERNSHIPS are for six weeks beginning in October and ending on December 5. The INTERNSHIPS are for credit and may include a small stipend at the end.

These INTERNSHIPS will allow for hands on experience in creating a new Broadway musical and all members of the creative team have had experience of working on Broadway. Each INTERN will gain a wealth of knowledge and will be listed in the Centerbill program.

Take a trip down the rabbit hole. Spend some time in Wonderland. But remember - this is not for the faint of heart. Alice and the Cheshire Cat sum it up best in the original Lewis Carroll story:

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.

The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.

Alice: How do you know I'm mad?

The Cat: You must be. Or you wouldn't have come here.

Are you ready to work hard, watch the insanity of putting up a Broadway show and learn from the best? Are you ready to be a Wonderland INTERN?

Then go here.

Good luck!

- Kari G.

Wonderland casting complete

Principal cast includes Julie Brooks, Janet Dacal, Eugene Fleming, Jose Llana,

Karen Mason, Darren Ritchie, Nikki Snelson and Ed Staudenmayer


We are delighted to announce that casting is now complete for Wonderland: Alice’s New Musical Adventure. Slated to have its world premiere in Tampa on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 in TBPAC’s Ferguson Hall, with Gregory Boyd, artistic director of Houston’s Alley Theatre, directing. The music for Wonderland is from composer Frank Wildhorn (The Civil War and Jekyll & Hyde) with lyrics by Jack Murphy (The Civil War and Jekyll & Hyde) and a book by Murphy and Boyd. Wonderland is the first initiative of the Broadway Genesis Project at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Broadway Genesis is intended to help create new works of American theater to play the Tampa market, and then possibly tour other performing arts centers or move to Broadway.


The principal cast in this world premiere musical includes Julie Brooks (Fiddler on the Roof national tour) as Chloe, Janet Dacal (In the Heights, Good Vibrations) as Alice, Eugene Fleming (Fosse) as the Caterpillar, Jose Llana (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as El Gato, Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!) as the Queen of Hearts, Darren Ritchie (Dracula: The Musical) as Jack/White Knight, Nikki Snelson (Legally Blonde) as the Mad Hatter and Ed Staudenmayer (Forbidden Broadway) as the Rabbit.

The ensemble includes Tad Wilson, who will also take on the featured role of the Jabberwock, along with Grady Bowman, Sae La Chin, Dan Domenech, Mallauri Esquibel, Lori Eure, Derek Ferguson, Wilkie Ferguson, Ashley Galvan, Laura Karklina, Autumn Hurlbert, Rachel Markarian, Mary Mossberg, Julius Anthony Rubio, Melinda Sullivan, Chelsea Traille and Danny Stiles.

This entire company, along with the recently announced creative team, will begin rehearsals in Tampa on Oct. 12.


Wonderland: Alice’s New Musical Adventure will play TBPAC’s Ferguson Hall Dec. 5, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010, with preview performances scheduled Nov. 24 through Dec. 4. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public on Sunday, Aug. 16, at noon. Additionally, many ticket packages that include Wonderland are now available. For more information, log on to http://www.wonderlandthemusical.org/.

Consider Yourself - part of a flash mob

Here's one of the unintended consequences (or benefits, depending on how you look at it) of turning Times Square into a pedestrian plaza:




Of course, if you're going to pull a stunt in NYC, my vote still goes to Improv Everywhere who managed to "freeze" Grand Central Station.

Rock Musicals - From Berkeley,California to Tampa, Florida!

Rockers rejoice! Playbill announced today that Tony Award-winning actor John Gallagher, Jr., will reunite with his Tony-winning director from Spring Awakening to star in Berkeley Repertory Theatre's world premiere of American Idiot, the musical drawn from the Grammy Award-winning neo-punk album by Green Day. American Idiot previews begin Sept. 4 for a run to Oct. 11.

Don't have the scratch to fly all the way out to California? That's okay - we've got our own world premiere rock musical just for you! Jobsite Theater presents Pericles a rock musical based on the play by William Shakespeare. Music and lyrics by local rock legend Joe Popp and the Hornrims and book by local playwrights Neil Gobioff and Shawn Paonessa. Pericles previews this Wed. Aug. 5 for a run to Aug. 23.

(Full disclosure - I am a board member of Jobsite Theater and had the privilege of seeing a technical rehearsal yesterday. I was officially rocked!)



-Kari G.

Oleanna on Broadway

On of my favorite Mamet plays has always been Oleanna. When I heard that Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles were playing John and Carol in the LA revival at the Mark Taper Forum, I got super geeked out. While I may love Bill Pullman as Lone Starr in Spaceballs, there's a lot more to him than that.

Pullman made his Broadway debut in Edward Albee's The Goat or Who is Sylvia?

Julia Stiles, whom I love best for staying above the Hollywood nonsense and being a huge cutie in the Bourne films is going to make her Broadway debut. Good girl. Show those other starlets how you earn street cred! She also blogs. How cool is that?

Tickets are on soft sale - so if you view the opening weeks of the Broadway season to be as sacred as the beginning of Bucs Training Camp (and there are those of us who keep both sacred) - go get your flights arranged and your tickets purchased. My sources show that you can round trip from Tampa to NYC for under $200 in September.

Best of all, after you see the show, go back to Oleanna's website and vote on who you think is right.

Whatever side you take - you're wrong.

-Kari G.