Kathy Lee Gifford, one of the songwriters for the new musical “Hats!” now playing at TBPAC’s Jaeb Theater through April 27, came to the recent official opening.
Experienced at asking all the questions through her 15 years as co-host of “Live With Regis and Kathy Lee,” she proved equally gracious on the other side of the interview.
Kathy Lee talked about her songwriting, her new theater projects, her involvement with “Hats!” and whether she misses Regis.
Click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.
And you can click here to see even more of Kathie Lee on WTSP's "Life Around the Bay."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Check out these Jersey Boys!
Check out the front of Carol Morsani Hall, all decked out in anticipation of the big grand opening on Feb. 15. Thanks to Angela Lakin for sending us these photos (click to enlarge). This building has gotten so big, and our workload is usually so high that it gets easy to forget there's anything else around apart from our own little offices in the new building!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Short Circuit Film Festival to TBPAC on Feb. 17
This is a new an interesting sort of thing for us to host - a film festival!
We're partnering with Southern Arts Federation on the 1st annual Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival, which will be in our Ferguson Hall on Feb. 17. Best part? It's 100% free. That's right, just show up and grab a seat and enjoy this presentation of short films. First-come, first-served.
Check out what's coming here!
Kathy Lee Gifford on WTSP
Check out Kathy Lee Gifford, who was here last week to help promote the opening of HATS! The Musical in our Jaeb Theater (for which she wrote some of the lyrics), as she appears on WTSP's Life Around the Bay program.
Female poet set to captivate TBPAC this weekend
Glenis Redmond will perform an evening of her original poetry this weekend in the intimate Shimberg Playhouse in a show titled Monumental: Soaring on the Wings of Love. The show is a tribute to those who lift us up: mothers, grandmothers, sisters, brothers and those in the world who dare to write, speak, dance and sing for us all.
“It’s the way her words draw you into a seemingly innocuous subject and singe you with the fury of intelligence scorned. It’s in another league.”– London Time Out.
Glenis is also offering a FREE workshop through the Patel Conservatory this weekend. Check out the details. You can't beat free with a beating machine.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tonight: Bethany & Rufus
I wanted to bump this old post about tonight's Club Jaeb show. This looks like an insanely good evening of music, and you simply can't beat the intimacy of the venue. Come on out!
Are you using our text-messaging service?
If you're not using our new SMS/texting service, you're missing out.
First, we're only providing the information YOU request. If you text INFO to the numbers 82722 (Hey, that spells TBPAC!), you'll get all of our vital information: ticket office numbers, hours or operation, our web address, how to get here, admin phone numbers and more. Save it on your phone for when you're not near a computer or phone book.
We also have a weekly events message. Simply send the message EVENTS to TBPAC (that's 82722) and you'll get back a message of all the shows here at TBPAC over the next week or so.
We promise we won't send you a text message every single time something comes up. We believe in only getting people the info they want, when they want it and how they want it.
Another benefit is that users of our list will from time to time get special offers or even FREE tickets. We launched this service with a pair of tickets going to a winner in a random drawing. That winner got a free pair of tickets to see the opening night performance of Avenue Q. We also held a contest two weeks back where the first 10 responders won a pair of tickets to the opening night performance of The Drowsy Chaperone. Sweet!
Check the service out, pass it on to your friends.
Have you used the service? Have an idea on how we can better use this technology? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!
First, we're only providing the information YOU request. If you text INFO to the numbers 82722 (Hey, that spells TBPAC!), you'll get all of our vital information: ticket office numbers, hours or operation, our web address, how to get here, admin phone numbers and more. Save it on your phone for when you're not near a computer or phone book.
We also have a weekly events message. Simply send the message EVENTS to TBPAC (that's 82722) and you'll get back a message of all the shows here at TBPAC over the next week or so.
We promise we won't send you a text message every single time something comes up. We believe in only getting people the info they want, when they want it and how they want it.
Another benefit is that users of our list will from time to time get special offers or even FREE tickets. We launched this service with a pair of tickets going to a winner in a random drawing. That winner got a free pair of tickets to see the opening night performance of Avenue Q. We also held a contest two weeks back where the first 10 responders won a pair of tickets to the opening night performance of The Drowsy Chaperone. Sweet!
Check the service out, pass it on to your friends.
Have you used the service? Have an idea on how we can better use this technology? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Jesse Cook on YouTube
Guitar virtuoso Jesse Cook plays TBPAC on March 13. Check out this live clip of him over at YouTube! If you visit the latter link, you'll notice we've started a partnership with Amazon.com to buy artist merchandise directly from our show pages via their affiliate program. Get great products and help out TBPAC all at the same time!
(I'd have just embedded that video, but for some odd reason embedding has been removed as a feature for this video. Hrm.)
(I'd have just embedded that video, but for some odd reason embedding has been removed as a feature for this video. Hrm.)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Critics love 'The Drowsy Chaperone' (and so do we)
When I first saw "The Drowsy Chaperone" on Broadway, I loved its musical-within-a-comedy premise. In the middle of a big Broadway musical, the Man in Chair character -- also the narrator -- manages to tweak Broadway musicals even as he loves them.
Now that it's here at TBPAC through Sunday, the local critics agree that it's "the best musical you've never heard of."
Here's a sampling of their opinions (and who are we to argue with them?):
'Drowsy Chaperone' will keep you awake
"The Drowsy Chaperone" may have been considered a sleeper hit on Broadway, but there's nothing sleepy about this lively and spirited tribute to musicals of the 1920s with a modern spin. … The show has a witty and infectious spirit that will sweep you away for 90 minutes or so.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune
'Drowsy Chaperone' revels in music, mirth and mayhem
“In some ways, The Drowsy Chaperone - billed as 'a musical within a comedy' - provides the best of both worlds. For diehard musical fans, it is artfully conceived (with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar) froth that replicates the offhand brilliance of Jazz Age shows by the Gershwins. There's also a hilarious spoof of The King and I when Man in Chair puts on the wrong record. And for people who hate musicals, there is the solo show of Man in Chair, who wittily expounds on everything from global warming ('November is the new August') to the similarities between pornography and musical theater." – St. Petersburg Times
‘Drowsy’ Perks Up Theater Audience
“It’s a profoundly original and loving tribute to 1920s musical comedy, where lovers break into song, actors overact and madcap antics abound. … Audiences surely will leave the theater longing for a Gibson and wondering why life can’t be more like a musical.” – The Tampa Tribune
Imagine if life were more like a musical: people spontaneously bursting into song for no apparent reason. On second thought, maybe it's better onstage.
Now that it's here at TBPAC through Sunday, the local critics agree that it's "the best musical you've never heard of."
Here's a sampling of their opinions (and who are we to argue with them?):
'Drowsy Chaperone' will keep you awake
"The Drowsy Chaperone" may have been considered a sleeper hit on Broadway, but there's nothing sleepy about this lively and spirited tribute to musicals of the 1920s with a modern spin. … The show has a witty and infectious spirit that will sweep you away for 90 minutes or so.” – Sarasota Herald Tribune
'Drowsy Chaperone' revels in music, mirth and mayhem
“In some ways, The Drowsy Chaperone - billed as 'a musical within a comedy' - provides the best of both worlds. For diehard musical fans, it is artfully conceived (with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison and book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar) froth that replicates the offhand brilliance of Jazz Age shows by the Gershwins. There's also a hilarious spoof of The King and I when Man in Chair puts on the wrong record. And for people who hate musicals, there is the solo show of Man in Chair, who wittily expounds on everything from global warming ('November is the new August') to the similarities between pornography and musical theater." – St. Petersburg Times
‘Drowsy’ Perks Up Theater Audience
“It’s a profoundly original and loving tribute to 1920s musical comedy, where lovers break into song, actors overact and madcap antics abound. … Audiences surely will leave the theater longing for a Gibson and wondering why life can’t be more like a musical.” – The Tampa Tribune
Imagine if life were more like a musical: people spontaneously bursting into song for no apparent reason. On second thought, maybe it's better onstage.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Taylor Swift featured on iTunes
Taylor Swift, the 18-year-old phenomenon who's playing TBPAC on Jan. 26, is featured in a special iTunes CD, recorded live at the Apple store in NYC's Soho. It includes many of the songs from her Grammy-nominated CD, plus a sweetly redone version of Rihanna's "Umbrella." Check it out on the iTunes Store homepage. (By the way, tickets are selling very quickly for our performance.)
RENT closes on Broadway
After 12 years on Broadway, RENT will close on June 1 after 5,012 performances. It will be the seventh-longest running Broadway show behind "The Phantom of the Opera," "Cats," "Les Miserables," "A Chorus Line," "Oh! Calcutta!" and "Beauty and the Beast."
As a bit of a side note, "The Phantom of the Opera" will celebrate its 20th birthday on Saturday, Jan. 26, with more than 8,300 Broadway performances ... and still counting.
As a bit of a side note, "The Phantom of the Opera" will celebrate its 20th birthday on Saturday, Jan. 26, with more than 8,300 Broadway performances ... and still counting.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A tribute to Jon Stoll
From TBPAC VP of Programming Judy Joseph:
We at TBPAC want to take a minute to let you know that a major force in the music industry died recently.
Jon Stoll was the founder of Fantasma Concerts based in West Palm Beach. He promoted concerts at all our venues in the Tampa Bay area, from the St. Pete Times Forum, Janus Landing, Tampa Theatre, Ruth Eckerd Hall and TBPAC. He brought us artists like Mariah Carey, Gypsy Kings and Harry Connick Jr.
He was a strong, inciteful and forceful man in the industry. It's hard to imagine not getting a weekly call from Jon about a new artist he wanated to book.
He was a great believer in family and friends, independence and music.
His loss will be felt in the industry, but most of all for those of us in Florida.
Whether you are a music presenter like us, or a music fan, his absence will be felt.
So flick your lighters on and pause for a moment of silence in tribute.
Then play your favorite tunes; that's what Jon would have wanted because he loved the music.
We at TBPAC want to take a minute to let you know that a major force in the music industry died recently.
Jon Stoll was the founder of Fantasma Concerts based in West Palm Beach. He promoted concerts at all our venues in the Tampa Bay area, from the St. Pete Times Forum, Janus Landing, Tampa Theatre, Ruth Eckerd Hall and TBPAC. He brought us artists like Mariah Carey, Gypsy Kings and Harry Connick Jr.
He was a strong, inciteful and forceful man in the industry. It's hard to imagine not getting a weekly call from Jon about a new artist he wanated to book.
He was a great believer in family and friends, independence and music.
His loss will be felt in the industry, but most of all for those of us in Florida.
Whether you are a music presenter like us, or a music fan, his absence will be felt.
So flick your lighters on and pause for a moment of silence in tribute.
Then play your favorite tunes; that's what Jon would have wanted because he loved the music.
Friday, January 11, 2008
International arts group recognizes Judy Lisi for lifetime achievement and ‘career of caring’
TBPAC president Judy Lisi has received the Patrick Hayes Award for lifetime achievement from ISPA, the International Society for the Performing Arts.
Judy accepted the award at ISPA’s 60th anniversary conference earlier this week.
"I can think of no one who more embodies a willingness to share time and expertise, and has made a career of caring," said David Baile, ISPA CEO, during a dinner program at New York City’s Tavern on the Green.
ISPA is a not-for-profit international organization of more than 600 executives and directors of concert and performance halls, festivals, performing companies, and artist competitions; government cultural officials; artists' managers; and other interested parties with a professional involvement in the performing arts from more than 50 countries in every region of the world, and in every arts discipline.
The purpose of ISPA is to develop, nurture, energize and educate an international network of arts leaders and professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of the performing arts.
Judy accepted the award at ISPA’s 60th anniversary conference earlier this week.
"I can think of no one who more embodies a willingness to share time and expertise, and has made a career of caring," said David Baile, ISPA CEO, during a dinner program at New York City’s Tavern on the Green.
ISPA is a not-for-profit international organization of more than 600 executives and directors of concert and performance halls, festivals, performing companies, and artist competitions; government cultural officials; artists' managers; and other interested parties with a professional involvement in the performing arts from more than 50 countries in every region of the world, and in every arts discipline.
The purpose of ISPA is to develop, nurture, energize and educate an international network of arts leaders and professionals who are dedicated to advancing the field of the performing arts.
Are you on the list?
If you're not signed up for TBPAC's eCenter newsletter service, you're missing out.
Follow this link to sign up, it's easy and FREE, not to mention you get to set up your account with personalized preferences so that we can try to send you only the information you're interested in. Are you into ballet, rock concerts and information on classes at the Patel Conservatory? Let us know! Or are you more of an opera, world music and performance art type? That works too!
We also send out special offers and some exclusive offers via this service, so check it out and give it a try! You can opt-out whenever you want and we never share your information with anyone.
Follow this link to sign up, it's easy and FREE, not to mention you get to set up your account with personalized preferences so that we can try to send you only the information you're interested in. Are you into ballet, rock concerts and information on classes at the Patel Conservatory? Let us know! Or are you more of an opera, world music and performance art type? That works too!
We also send out special offers and some exclusive offers via this service, so check it out and give it a try! You can opt-out whenever you want and we never share your information with anyone.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Student rush offer: The Drowsy Chaperone!
STUDENTS: Take advantage of this great student rush offer for The Drowsy Chaperone coming to Carol Morsani Hall Jan. 15-20.
You can get a ticket at 50% off as of 90 minutes to curtain. All remaining seats, all performances. One discounted ticket per student ID. Cash only. Subject to availability. Not applicable to prior sales or in conjunction with any other offer.
Woo hoo!
You can get a ticket at 50% off as of 90 minutes to curtain. All remaining seats, all performances. One discounted ticket per student ID. Cash only. Subject to availability. Not applicable to prior sales or in conjunction with any other offer.
Woo hoo!
Cash has to stay on down the line
Plans have been scrapped to recreate a concert immortalized by the late, great Johnny Cash in Folsom Prison that was to benefit a few charities.
The concert was to feature Cash's music and one of Cash's old bandmates. Per CNN, "Prison officials called off the show late Monday, citing problems over filming rights, media access and security concerns."
Too bad, I think that could have been something else.
I just hope Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi/John Goodman don't decide to try to recreate the end prison concert from The Blues Brothers in a real-life setting. As a matter of fact, they should just never put on the pork-pies or sunglasses.
Ever.
Again.
I think John still may be rolling over in his grave about this one:
The concert was to feature Cash's music and one of Cash's old bandmates. Per CNN, "Prison officials called off the show late Monday, citing problems over filming rights, media access and security concerns."
Too bad, I think that could have been something else.
I just hope Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi/John Goodman don't decide to try to recreate the end prison concert from The Blues Brothers in a real-life setting. As a matter of fact, they should just never put on the pork-pies or sunglasses.
Ever.
Again.
I think John still may be rolling over in his grave about this one:
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Eleemosynary: On stage now!
Eleemosynary is on stage now in the Shimberg Playhouse. Jobsite is the resident theater company of TBPAC. Check out the newly-minted TV spot above, which begins airing Monday on Bright House Networks.
Friday, January 04, 2008
This Sunday – Opera Tampa’s La Boheme on WEDU
Set your DVR or take advantage of another Tampa gem (not the Buccaneers) when WEDU airs La Boheme at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. This Curtain Call performance is from the 2007 production that performed in Carol Morsani Hall on Nov. 18th.
La Vie Boheme!
-Kari G.
La Vie Boheme!
-Kari G.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Need to know on the go?
Don't forget that if you're looking for a way to get TBPAC info on your mobile device, you can do one of the following:
Send the text message INFO to the number 82722 (Hey, that spells TBPAC!) and you'll get our ticket office hours, all of our important phone numbers, how to get here and more. Send the text message EVENTS to 82722 (just remember, it's TBPAC) and you will get a listing of upcoming shows as well as our phone number and email address.
HANDY!
We hope to offer more services later, but we want to make sure it's based on what people really need. We don't want this service to be intrusive or just another form of junk mail. Have an idea? Let us know about it!
Send the text message INFO to the number 82722 (Hey, that spells TBPAC!) and you'll get our ticket office hours, all of our important phone numbers, how to get here and more. Send the text message EVENTS to 82722 (just remember, it's TBPAC) and you will get a listing of upcoming shows as well as our phone number and email address.
HANDY!
We hope to offer more services later, but we want to make sure it's based on what people really need. We don't want this service to be intrusive or just another form of junk mail. Have an idea? Let us know about it!
More stinky cheese!
The New York Times has reported that the author of "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" has been named the first national ambassador for young people's literature, a post that was compared to a children's book version of the Library of Congress' poet laureate program.
Jon Sciezka, 53, will "evangelize the need for reading" during talks with parents, teachers and children.
He is a former schoolteacher and frustrated adult novelist. But he said he discovered his real audience of young people sitting right in front of him in his classrooms.
"There's a huge population of kids who would be or can be readers, but just choose not to," he said. "... Parents and booksellers and teachers are dying for some help."
TBPAC patrons may be familiar with "The Stinky Cheese Man" since it was offered as a theaterical presentation in April of 2006 as part of our Kid Time Series, productions aimed at those aged 5-11. We also provide a series for those 3-5 called the Wee Folk Series.
Still scheduled this year for Kid Time: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites" on April 6 and "Addy: An American Girl Story" on April 9.
For the Wee Folk Series: "Silly Stuff," Jan. 20; "Harry the Dirty Dog," April 5; and "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," April 26.
It's very cool that this new position has been created. The love of reading is a very inexpensive and rewarding trait.
As a famous psychologist once said: "We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading." -- MichaelK
Jon Sciezka, 53, will "evangelize the need for reading" during talks with parents, teachers and children.
He is a former schoolteacher and frustrated adult novelist. But he said he discovered his real audience of young people sitting right in front of him in his classrooms.
"There's a huge population of kids who would be or can be readers, but just choose not to," he said. "... Parents and booksellers and teachers are dying for some help."
TBPAC patrons may be familiar with "The Stinky Cheese Man" since it was offered as a theaterical presentation in April of 2006 as part of our Kid Time Series, productions aimed at those aged 5-11. We also provide a series for those 3-5 called the Wee Folk Series.
Still scheduled this year for Kid Time: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites" on April 6 and "Addy: An American Girl Story" on April 9.
For the Wee Folk Series: "Silly Stuff," Jan. 20; "Harry the Dirty Dog," April 5; and "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," April 26.
It's very cool that this new position has been created. The love of reading is a very inexpensive and rewarding trait.
As a famous psychologist once said: "We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading." -- MichaelK
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Reminiscing
So, now that we're two days into 2008 we can now wistfully look back at 2007, right?
Instead of doing any top 10 or annual recaps for the last two weeks of the year, we're preferring to look back fondly at the best of 2007 right now in an open thread. (Ok, hardly any of us were here in the marketing office over the last two weeks ...)
What were some of your favorites in 2007 in the worlds of theater, art, music, TV or movies?
I'll get the ball rolling ...
Music: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace; The White Stripes - Icky Thump; Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
TV: Battlestar Galactica, Dexter, Weeds, LOST
Books: Rabbit Hole, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Play I saw: Doubt
Play I was part of: Gorey Stories
New place to eat: Yummy House
So, lay some of your favorites for 2007 on me ...
Instead of doing any top 10 or annual recaps for the last two weeks of the year, we're preferring to look back fondly at the best of 2007 right now in an open thread. (Ok, hardly any of us were here in the marketing office over the last two weeks ...)
What were some of your favorites in 2007 in the worlds of theater, art, music, TV or movies?
I'll get the ball rolling ...
Music: Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace; The White Stripes - Icky Thump; Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
TV: Battlestar Galactica, Dexter, Weeds, LOST
Books: Rabbit Hole, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Play I saw: Doubt
Play I was part of: Gorey Stories
New place to eat: Yummy House
So, lay some of your favorites for 2007 on me ...
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