They're Marching like Kitefliers ...

Take a few minutes to watch this final Jobsite Theater video podcast for their original play The March of the Kitefliers.



It explains a lot: what the show is all about, why it's important, favorite memories/moments from those who made it, why they think you should see it (even if you've already seen it) and it also has some pretty groovy real kiteflying footage from a company trip out to Picnic Island.

It's totally G-rated, though the show itself is essentially an R for adult language and humor.

This play was originally produced in 2005, where it played for four sold-out weeks to audiences who were as moved by the experience as those who made it. It exemplifies everything that Tampa Bay's art community can produce from the ground up with original material.

This 2007 run, which has been hailed by all who have seen it as superior to the original in every way, ends Sunday (4/15). In addition to Kitefliers being welcomed back with open arms by the Jobsite faithful and newcomers alike - it's been visited by producers from New York and Chicago and had a special proclamation from Mayor Iorio to kick off opening night.

Jobsite Theater is resident theater company in the Shimberg Playhouse at TBPAC.

-dj

(Full disclosure: I am lucky enough to be a producer of and artist in this show. It's been a life-defining project.)

This weekend at TBPAC!

Cigar City Chronicles: A musical history of Tampa - Jaeb Theater. Fri. - Sat. at 7:30pm, Sat. at 2pm.

The March of the Kitefliers - Shimberg Playhouse. Fri. - Sat. 8pm, Sun. 4pm. EASTER TICKET SPECIAL! Buy one, get one free tickets to the 4/8 4pm show ONLY. Use promo code MOTK on the phone or at the window!

The New Magic 94-9 EGGSTRAVAGANZA - on the grounds of TBPAC. Sat. 9-11am. Face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, free breakfast, a petting zoo and the locally-renown egg hunt!

It's BEAUTIFUL outside today, and looks like it's going to be that way all weekend. Enjoy this lovely cool weather before the hot, wet blanket gets put over us for the next nine months! Get out and enjoy yourselves!!!

Up and away into the wild blue yonder

We have been chronicling the entire production process for The March of the Kitefliers over at Jobsite's blog - Blogsite Theater.

We're running an entire series of artist profiles on everyone who is giving this show life, we're posting pictures of the progress of the set, we're doing a weekly podcast series, giving behind-the-scenes looks on what it's like getting a new play into a national spotlight and a lot more. Check it out if any of that interests you.

We're very hopeful this is just the beginning for this play, which had an unprecedented run originally in 2005. Since then, the script's been tweaked and every element of production re-evaluated and now we're trying to get it in front of eyes outside our area. The show is being shopped to several other regional companies, and we even have some very special producers from NY coming down to take a look at it. It's an exciting time.


-dj

DISCLOSURE: I am producing artistic director of Jobsite Theater as well as a principle actor in the cast. Still doesn't mean the show won't rock your socks off. ;)

From Florida to Broadway?

We often use this space to talk about shows coming down here from Broadway, but sometimes things work the other way. Once upon a time, struggling Steppenwolf Theater movers-and-shakers John Malcovich and Gary Sinise mounted a production of True West in their native Chicago before it ended up in New York. That obviously worked out pretty well for all involved. A lot of other big musicals are workshopped outside the Great White Way before paying Manhattan cost of living.

Angela L. passed a story on to me this morning which talks about a show being commissioned at Sarasota's own Asolo Theater, which may have a fast track to the Big Apple - a Les Mis-style treatment of Copperfield's A Tale of Two Cities. Look for that production to open Oct. 13.

Can't wait that long to see a new show with local origination? Jobsite Theater, resident theater company here at TBPAC, is staging a brand-new version of the quirky romantic comedy The March of the Kitefliers,which opens March 29. Jobsite is inviting theater and film professionals to opening weekend performances in an attempt to give this play, which played a sold-out four-week run to standing ovations and critical acclaim in 2005 as an original works project, a life far beyond Tampa.

Check out both shows, then once they've gone huge you can say "you saw it when ..."

-dj

(Disclosure: I am the producing artistic director for Jobsite Theater, as well as a castmember of Kitefliers.)