Just Added: Under the Streetlamp

JUST ADDED!
Under the Streetlamp
TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 16 AT NOON
* * *
WHO: David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

WHAT: Under the Streetlamp

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Ferguson Hall
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts

DETAILS: Under the Streetlamp, America’s hottest new vocal group, delivers an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American Radio Songbook. These four magnetic vocalists bring their unique blend of tight harmonies and slick dance moves to favorite Doo-Wop, Motown and old time Rock ‘n’ Roll hits from The Drifters, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Four Seasons and more. The quartet is composed of recent leading cast members of the smash hit Jersey Boys: Michael Cunio, Michael Ingersoll, Christopher Kale Jones and Shonn Wiley. Exuding the irresistible rapport of a modern day Rat Pack, Under the Streetlamp proves why retro never sounded so now!

Regularly priced tickets start at $29.50 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online at www.strazcenter.org.

For more information about the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and its upcoming events, visit www.strazcenter.org.

Jersey Boys ticket give-a-way

Want to win a pair of Jersey Boys tickets for opening night, March 23rd?

You could be already eligible! One winner will be picked from all the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts friends (on Facebook) - and if you aren’t a friend yet, you have until February 28th to become one!

The contest begins now and you must be a Straz Center Facebook friend by February 28th at 4:30 p.m. The winner will be randomly selected from all the friends/'likes' we have. Tickets for the opening night performance on March 23rd will be held for the winner at Will Call and will be notified of their winning via FB. Please make sure we are available and able to contact you via FB message, etc.

Prize to be redeemed at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts located at 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa, FL 33602. No purchase necessary. Participants and winner(s) must be legal U.S. residents and residents of Florida. Employees of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, their subsidiaries and affiliated companies, participating sponsors and their advertising agencies and members of their immediate family are not eligible to participate. Not valid where prohibited by law. Contest begins on or around February 3, 2011, at noon. The last contest deadline ends on February 28, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. One winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries received. Only one entry per e-mail address. Anybody’s who currently “liking” us now is eligible, as is anybody who adds us before deadline. Prizes will be awarded on or around March 23, 2011. The winners will be notified by social media outlets, on or around March 2, 2011. Odds of winning vary greatly depending on number of entrants from this state. The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts assumes no liability or responsibility for any prize once it is awarded, or any damage, loss or liability arising from the award, acceptance or use of the prize, and Contest winner agrees to release and hold harmless the Released Parties against any and all claims of liability arising directly or indirectly from the Contest or the prizes and the use of such Contest winner's name, voice and photo. The Released Parties assume no liability for lost, illegible, incomplete, misdirected or late entries or prize claims, or for typographical or other errors in the offer or administration of this Contest including, without limitation, errors in the printing of the offer and official rules, selection, notification and announcement of the winner, or distribution of prizes. The Contest is subject to applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, and is void where prohibited or otherwise restricted. The prizes offered in this contest have no cash value and may not be returned for cash. Tickets may not be exchanged for another date, time and/or performance.

Jersey Boys Celebrates Fifth Anniversary By Saving the Music

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Jersey Boys will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Broadway with a month-long benefit supporting the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

The production will donate one dollar for every ticket sold to performances in the month of October to the foundation, which advocates instrumental music education programs for children.
The story of the rise of the acclaimed pop singing group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The production is directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.

Jersey Boys is currently playing on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre. The Jersey Boys tour will be coming to the Straz Center in March! Tickets are already on sale at www.strazcenter.org.

For more information on the Save the Music Foundation, visit vh1savethemusic.com.

2010-2011 Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series

Leap into the fun, action, savings, benefits, memories, options, passion and excitement of Broadway at the Straz!

It will be a dream season in 2010-2011 at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center). Filled with Tony® Award-winners, audience favorites, stunning classics and amazing spectacle, the Straz Center’s 2010-2011 Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay season is full of fun, passion and excitement.

Shows scheduled on the Broadway series include Billy Elliot, the 2009 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical; Hair, the 2009 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical Revival; the Tony Award-winning revival of West Side Story; the holiday spectacle of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and the family favorites Shrek the Musical and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The series also will include 9 to 5: The Musical, the Apollo Theater revival of Dreamgirls, a production of Forbidden Broadway, produced by the Straz Center, and the eagerly anticipated return of Jersey Boys.

“Our Broadway season is once again filled with the top-notch shows that our devoted audiences have come to expect and enjoy,” said Judith Lisi, president and CEO of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. “This entertaining and rewarding series has something for everyone. We’re particularly thrilled to be the first venue in Florida to host the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot with music by Elton John.”

The series is presented in the Straz Center’s acoustically perfect Carol Morsani Hall, the largest on the west coast of Florida, with more than 2,600 seats. Forbidden Broadway will run in the intimate 280-seat cabaret-style Jaeb Theater.

The 2010-2011 Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay season features:

9 to 5: The Musical

Oct. 19 – 24, 2010

9 to 5: The Musical is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. This new musical comedy, direct from Broadway, is based on the hit movie and features Dolly Parton's original hit title song along with her new Tony Award- and Grammy®-nominated score. The book is by Patricia Resnick (co-writer of the original screenplay) .

9 to 5: The Musical tells the story of three unlikely friends who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do – even in a man’s world. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, 9 to 5: The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business ... it’s about getting credit and getting even.

Forbidden Broadway

Oct. 26, 2010-Feb. 27, 2011

Forbidden Broadway is a cabaret revue sharply spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals. Created and written by Gerard Alessandrini and directed by Alessandrini and long-time collaborator Phillip George, the original version of the revue opened on Jan. 15, 1982, at Palsson’s Supper Club in New York City and ran for 2,332 performances. It has been rewritten several times to include parodies of newer shows and has taken on many different incarnations including Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab, Forbidden Hollywood and Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit. Forbidden Broadway has mocked popular shows like The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Les Misérables and notable Broadway personalities including Carol Channing, Kristin Chenoweth, Elton John, Bernadette Peters, Patti LuPone, Mary Martin, Idina Menzel, Ethel Merman, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Forbidden Broadway will play in the Straz Center’s Jaeb Theater.

Dreamgirls

Nov. 16 – 21, 2010

Catch the dream! Direct from Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theater in New York City, a sensational new stage production of Dreamgirls comes to the Straz Center featuring American Idol finalist and Sarasota native Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones. Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy® Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award-winner Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls features the unforgettable hits “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only” and “Listen.” Broadway director and choreographer Robert Longbottom (Bye Bye Birdie Broadway revival) and co-choreographer Shane Sparks (television’s So You Think You Can Dance), along with some of Broadway’s top designers, re-envision this Tony- and Academy Award-winning musical so it sparkles like never before!

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 2010

Get ready to discover a delightful new show that’s as fresh and rare as newly fallen snow! The classic holiday tradition White Christmas comes to the stage at last, as a brand new Irving Berlin musical direct from Broadway. Brimming with such Berlin hits as “Blue Skies,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?” and, of course, the unforgettable title song, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas tells the story of two showbiz buddies putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and finding their perfect mates in the bargain. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas promises to be a merry and bright theatrical experience for the whole family!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Jan. 18-23, 2011

“Tale as old as time, true as it can be.” Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming back to Tampa. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of more than 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Straz Center! Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the classic story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Billy Elliot the Musical

Feb. 2-18, 2011

Tampa is about to be electrified by Broadway’s “best musical of the decade” (Time Magazine). Thrilling audiences worldwide and winning 10 Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical, “the best show you will ever see” (New York Post) is coming to the Straz Center’s Carol Morsani Hall. Billy Elliot the Musical is a joyous celebration of one young boy’s triumph against the odds. Called “the most inspiring show I’ve seen in years” by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, the story follows Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring into a ballet class and discovers his dream to dance. Billy Elliot is brought to life by the Tony-winning creative team — director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall — along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “his best score yet!.” Billy Elliot will enchant the dreamer in all of us. Contains adult language.

West Side Story

March 1-6, 2011

More than 50 years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it’s back on Broadway mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note of Leonard Bernstein’s score to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by Tony Award-winner Arthur Laurents, West Side Story remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever, transferring Romeo and Juliet to the streets of New York. “So exciting it makes you ache with pleasure.” – John Lahr, The New Yorker

Jersey Boys

March 23-April 17, 2011

Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, makes its triumphant return to Tampa. Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys won four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical and continues to set new weekly box office records at the August Wilson Theatre, where it has remained among the five top-grossing shows in New York since it opened.

Jersey Boys is written by Academy® Award winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Intended for mature audiences. Contains authentic Jersey language.

Shrek the Musical

May 3-8, 2011

Based on the popular Dreamworks film, Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. You’ll be a believer after seeing this fun-filled fantasy. Songs include “Make a Move” and “Big Bright Beautiful World.”

Hair

May 24-29, 2011

Winner! Best Musical Revival 2009 Tony Award! The Public Theater’s new Tony-winning production of Hair is the most electric celebration on Broadway! This exuberant musical about a group of young Americans searching for peace and love in a turbulent time has struck a resonant chord with audiences young and old. Hair features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including “Aquarius,” “Let the Sun Shine In,” “Good Morning, Starshine” and “Easy To Be Hard.” Its relevance is undeniable. Its energy is unbridled. Its truth is unwavering. It's Hair, and it's time. “If this explosive production doesn’t stir something in you, it may be time to check your pulse.” (Variety) Intended for mature audiences: While many find this show suitable for young adults (13 and older), parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.

The 2010–2011 Bank of America Best of Broadway Tampa Bay series is presented by the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Those interested in purchasing season tickets should call the Straz Center Ticket Office at 813.229.STAR (7827) or outside the Tampa Bay area at 800.955.1045 or visit www.strazcenter.org for more information. Prices begin at just $196.88 for the full 10-show season package in the Cloud Club. Current season ticket holders will receive renewal information the first week of March and those renewals will be handled before new subscriptions are processed. Straz Center members are given first priority for new season tickets. Group tickets and individual show tickets will go on sale at later dates to be announced.

Lisi wins tourism award

TBPAC President and CEO Judy Lisi was named the Gonzmart Family Ambassador of the Year for her work in the hospitality industry.

Lisi was surprised with the award May 20 at the Tampa Bay and Company (formerly TBCVB) annual Tourism Week luncheon.

More than 25 percent of patrons who attended the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and Jersey Boys were from outside a 50-mile radius, according to an independent survey.

"The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a destination site for many Tampa Bay area visitors," Lisi said. "I'm so pleased that we have been recognized and included in such stellar company as Tampa International Airport, Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium."

--MichaelK

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS FEED

Podcast with Joseph Siravo

I first heard Joseph Siravo speak at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Corporate Partners Luncheon, where he talked to our corporate donors about his experiences as an actor and educator. I was so intrigued by his comments that I asked to talk with him further. After 16 years on the TBPAC staff, I am still amazed and inspired every time I get to interact with the artists that bring their magical talent to our stages and classrooms. As a fundraiser, I love to hear artists share their perspective on arts in our county, the importance of arts education and how the arts have shaped their lives. I was lucky enough to sit down with Siravo, “Gyp DiCarlo” in Jersey Boys, while he was in Tampa -- check out the TBPAC podcast to hear what he shared with me.

- Julie Britton

TAKE HIM OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

Zachary Prince – who can be seen playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys at TBPAC – sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Opening Day of Spring Training for the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg. The crowd of than 5,000 cheered for Prince and his a cappella version of the national anthem that included a Valli-esque falsetto big finish.

Rays coach Joe Maddon and team president Matthew Silverman congratulated Prince on the field near the team’s dugout.

Prince also got a pat on the back from team mascot Raymond!

Root, root, root for the home team!

Breaking News ...

The Jersey Boys take over Tampa. The critics have said, “Brilliant. Jersey Boys delivers a thrill. An artful mix of music, story, talent, staging and design” and “Oh, what a night! You don’t need to travel back to late December 1963 to have that elated feeling once again.”

Jersey Boys, the Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, opened to critical acclaim on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Morsani Hall, where it will play through March 15.


The Jersey Boys are (left to right) Andrew Rannells (plays Bob Gaudio), Erik Bates (plays Tommy De Vito), Christopher Kale Jones (plays Frankie Valli) and Steve Gouveia (plays Nick Massi).

PB

Jersey Boys makes The Bot

Follow this link and drag the timeline to about 2:18 in order to listen to Curtis Ross' musical tribute to Jersey Boys.

Good times.

From our teen correspondent

I recently had to opportunity to see The Drowsy Chaperone at TBPAC. It didn't take 30 minutes of watching for The Drowsy Chaperone to quickly climb to the top of my favorite Broadway shows list! Between the clever script, phenomenal cast, and creative scene changes, it's easy to get hooked! At the opening of the show I fell in love with the narrator reminiscing about a "record" that often played at his house throughout his childhood. Soon, the whole stage breaks out into song, dance, and banter. The production as a whole reflects the traditional Broadway style. Each of the characters is quirky and unique which makes the show very intriguing. The Drowsy Chaperone is a musical suitable for audiences young and old as the plot is not complicated, yet witty and colorful. Although The Drowsy Chaperone has left TBPAC for this year, you'd better pray it comes back next season so you don't miss out twice!

I am now gearing up to see Jersey Boys! I learned this music listening to oldies stations, and now I can't stop listening. It doesn't matter what age you are, Frankie Valli speaks to you!

- Madeline V.

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!

Steve Martin takes a lesson from Jersey Boys

Steve Martin just came out with a new memoirs book called "Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life." It's a book about his early years, before all the blockbuster movies (did you know he plays the banjo?).

In a recent USA Today interview the writer opens with an interesting quote from Martin:

"At 62, Martin says, "that's what I learned from watching Jersey Boys," the Broadway musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. "It's before you make it — that's the most interesting part. After that, it's just, 'Then I made this movie. Then I met this person …' "

Well put.

Frankie Valli on The Today Show

Follow this link to check out a clip of Frankie Valli's appearance on The Today Show from this morning. You'll need to wait out a commercial first, but it's there.

Don't forget, JERSEY BOYS - the red-hot musical based on the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Season - goes on sale to the public on Oct. 14. This is the EXCLUSIVE Florida engagement of this four-time Tony Award winner.

Jersey Boys on the Emmy Awards

From an email from the tour:

The San Francisco Company of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS will perform on the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 16 at 8:00pm (7:00pm Central) on Fox.

JERSEY BOYS is currently playing to sold-out houses on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre and in San Francisco at the Curran Theatre. JERSEY BOYS just completed a sold out, record-breaking engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles on August 30 and will begin performances in Chicago at the LaSalle Bank Theatre on October 5. Productions have been announced for Las Vegas, London, Toronto and a US National Tour will visit a host of cities across the country.

JERSEY BOYS, winner of four 2006 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and is directed by two-time Tony® Award-winner Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi, about a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks who became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty.

The cast of the San Francisco Company includes Drew Gehling (Bob Gaudio), Michael Ingersoll (Nick Massi), Jeremy Kushnier (Tommy DeVito), Jarrod Spector (Frankie Valli), Dominic Bogart, Lyndsey Cole, John Michael Coppola, John Michael Dias, Mike Erickson, Steven M. Goldsmith, John Hickman, Lauren Marshall, Rashad Naylor, Jenny Lee Ramos, Brad Russell, Kevin Russell, Jake Speck, Kara Tremel, Ryan Quinn West with Craig Laurie and Jonathan Weir.

Jersey Boys, 0708 Broadway season podcast

This was recorded a bit ago, but I realized that I never got this up here for other folks to listen to. Enjoy a podcast on Jersey Boys and the rest of our 0708 Broadway season. You can go directly to the podcasts page of TBPAC.ORG right here.

The goal is to get something up on a biweekly basis. If you;re interested, you can sign up for the feed from the podcasts page.

-dj

Can't take your ears off of them?

OK, OK. The song is actually "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" but you get where I was going.

Turns out fans of the Broadway smash "Jersey Boys" can enjoy days and days of the original Four Seasons songs when Rhino Records releases a boxed set on June 5 called "Jersey Beat -The Music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons." It includes 76 tracks and will also include a DVD of rare live performances. Jersey Beat. Like Mersey Beat. Get it? AngelaL/TBPAC

New TBPAC podcast: Jersey Boys!

Listen directly here, or go see the back-catalogue of podcasts here.

And the winner is ...

Jersey Boys (In reference to our post from last week).

-Angela L.

And the nominees are ...

While you're catching the Grammy Awards this Sunday, make sure to pay attention to the category of Best Musical Show Album. This year's nominees include The Drowsy Chaperone, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, The Pajama Game and Sweeney Todd. I know my pick. Who would get your vote?

And on a similar note, the 2005 Grammy Award winner in the category, Wicked, just saw their cast album go Platinum. With amazing and memorable songs like "Popular," "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" it's no wonder.

- Angela L.