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The Miss Firecracker Contest
by Beth Henley

   •   Directed by Eric Zivot  •

September 21 & 22, 8pm
September 23, 4pm
September 26-28, 8pm
September 29, 2pm & 8pm

A glittering explosion of laughs sparkle throughout Beth Henley’s story of one small Mississippi town’s biggest annual celebration:  the 4th of July Festival and beauty pageant.  Carnelle has quite the reputation as a less-than-respectable young lady of Brookhaven.  But she is determined to trade in her undesired (yet deserved)  nickname of “Miss Hot Tamale” for the glamorous coveted title of “Miss Firecracker.”   Wardrobe malfunctions, baton twirling, and of course fireworks, fill the frantic world of Carnelle and her flustered friends as she puts it all on the line for a moment of redemption.  Will she be able to clean up her tarnished rep and earn the glorious prestige of becoming this year’s Miss Firecracker?  She’ll pull out all the stops, and pull at your heartstrings along the way, as she discovers the true meaning of self-value and friendship.

 

The Drowsy Chaperone
Book by Martin & Mckellar, Music and Lyrics by Lambert & Morrison

•   Directed by Jennifer Toohey, Musical Directed by James Ray  •

November 9 & 10, 8pm
November 11, 4pm
November 14-16, 8pm
November 17, 2pm & 8pm

 

This Tony Award-winning musical drifts between nostalgia and celebration of a time gone by.  The Man in the Chair acts as the antisocial, melancholy narrator, struggling to recapture the glory of the roaring 20’s and the original Broadway spectacle that has long passed by.   As he puts on the record of his favorite 1928 musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, the characters light up his drab living room and transport him to a time when flappers and Follies were all the rage.  A true love letter to the glory of 1920’s Broadway, The Man and the audience follow the plot of young Janet, a Broadway star forced to choose between her career and her marriage.  Producers, gangsters, chorus girls and one alcoholic chaperone conquer the stage (and his living room) with brilliant song, dance and spectacle not seen since the prohibition.

 

 

Anna in the Tropics
by Nilo Cruz

•  Directed by David Charles  •

February 8 & 9, 8pm
February 10, 4pm
February 13-15, 8pm
February 16, 2pm & 8pm

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning Nilo Cruz tells the haunting story of early 20th Century Cuban exiles who escaped persecution by displacing to Florida.  Running their own Cuban Cigar factory in the city of Tampa, the workers are rich with culture and tradition from their native country.  As was common in Cuba, they hire a “lector” to read stories and news while they work in the factory.  Juan Julian, the newly arrived lector, chooses to read Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, a story of love, passion and heartbreak.  As the readings of Tolstoy’s novel entwine with the characters’ lives like the smoke of a rich cigar, the tale transforms them all.  The women become transfixed with the story, and relationships evolve towards a deeper level of love, jealousy, hope, and tragedy.

 

 

Rollins Dance XXVII

  •  Artistic Director W. Robert Sherry  •

March 15 & 16, 8pm

The annual Spring favorite lights up the Annie Russell stage with beautiful choreography, vibrant music, and the combined talent of Rollins and Valencia College.   This special 3-part evening features choreography from artists both local and national.  We’ve welcomed guests from companies such as Pilobolus, Martha Graham, and most recently Alvin Ailey.  Keep in step with the Annie, and you won’t be disappointed!

 

 

She Stoops to Conquer
by Oliver Goldsmith

  •  Directed by S. Joseph Nassif •

April 19 & 20, 8pm
April 21, 4pm
April 24-26, 8pm
April 27, 2pm & 8pm

Oliver Goldsmith’s romantic comedy tells of the 18th century wedding match-made-in-heaven between the equally wealthy Charles Marlow and Kate Hardcastle.   If only Mr. Marlow wasn’t terrified of women of stature!  In order to properly woo her would-be suitor, Kate must pretend to be a common maid so as to not frighten Charles into his shy and awkward way with wealthy women.  She believes that once she stoops to a lower caliber, she can then conquer the unsuspecting bachelor, sealing the deal.  Once she reveals her true identity, he will be too smitten to retreat.   A role in which Annie Russell herself appeared in 1914, Kate Hardcastle is determined to create her own happily ever after, whether he likes it or not!