Best bets: 'Pieces of Their Hearts,' 'August: Osage County,' 'Rock This Stage,' 'Harmonia'
“PIECES OF THEIR HEARTS”: Theatre Santa Fe’s summer musical revue is set for today through Saturday and May 26-28. Santa Fe College Theatre Professor Terry Klenk’s “Pieces of Their Hearts: A Devised Musical Revue About Relationships and Love!” will explore the evolution of a romantic relationship through comedy and Broadway show tunes when Theatre Santa Fe students take the stage at 7:30 p.m. each night in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at the Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets are $15 for adults; $9 for seniors, students, military service members and children under 12; and free for SF students, faculty and staff with college ID cards. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Hall Box Office at 395-4181 or online from Showpass at showpass.com/pieces-of-their-hearts. To create “Pieces of Their Hearts,” Klenk drew inspiration from his past work in musical theatre revues and from preparing students for readers’ theatres. “This devised format, for which I selected the comedy and music, is a great teaching tool because it enabled me to tailor the material to the specific talents of our students,” he said. He explained that, by following a romantic relationship from its beginning through the middle years of married life to an end in divorce, yet ending on an upbeat note, “Pieces of Their Hearts” evokes the effervescence of love — bubbly and light — through a mid-20th Century popular television variety show aesthetic with 21st Century overtones. The music includes Broadway songs by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim and more.
“AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY”: A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major play that unflinchingly — and uproariously — exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family. In “August: Osage County,” an immersive theatre experience put on by the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, you’ll laugh and cry with the Westons, embarking on a visceral, thought-provoking and often laugh-out-loud journey that nearly everyone can relate to. “August: Osage County” runs through May 29 at the theatre, located at 619 S. Main St. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $20 for general admission with a $5 discount for seniors (ages 55 and older), students, teachers, first responders, veterans and active military. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit acrosstown.org.
“ROCK THIS STAGE!”: Dance Sun Country is set to celebrate their 15th anniversary recital with the theme “Rock This Stage!” This year’s program features approximately 40 dances and includes performances by all students and classes, from the Dance Tots through advanced-level dancers. Many dance styles will be featured, including classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary dance and clogging, and will include dance themes such as “Rockin’ Robin,” “Rock Around The Clock,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Viva Rock Vegas” as well as many others. The show starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. General admission is $20, tickets for children ages 3 to 11 are $17 and ages 2 and younger can enter for free. For more information, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
“HARMONIA”: Two Hawk Hammock is set to present “Harmonia,” an original "under-the-sea" musical for all ages. Written and directed by Heidi Schwiebert, “Harmonia'' combines live music, dance and circus arts for a delightful, family friendly experience. The performance will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Two Hawk Hammock Barnyard, 17950 NE 53rd Lane in Williston. The event will feature the Two Hawk Cloggers, Gainesville Circus Center, Dustin Cottrell and Mandy Fugate. Two Hawk Hammock is a privately owned educational and recreational facility with lodging and outdoor activities. Located next door to Devil's Den Springs and Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens, Two Hawk Hammock has produced family friendly outdoor performances since 2010. Owner/operator Schwiebert has increased the number of live music experiences offered on site ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic because the outdoor environment is a perfect place to safely social distance while the spacious, open-air barn gives shelter from inclement weather. In addition to the live entertainment, guests also will have the opportunity to get nose-to-nose with barnyard pals like donkeys, horses and even emus. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on site, and dogs on a leash are welcome. Tickets to “Harmonia” are $5 for general admission and free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, visit twohawkhammock.com.
"PAINT THE NIGHT": Good News Arts is inviting the community to "Paint the Night" at their first Benefit Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the High Springs Woman’s Club, 23674 U.S. 27 in High Springs. This will be a night of creativity, dancing, food and drinks, with lots of fun for everyone. This is a party — an art party! The arts venue will be highlighting the work Good News Arts has been doing and the artists in the community, plus raising funds for future programming. Tickets are $40 and include food, an open bar, gift bags, raffle tickets and more. The event itself will have live music by DJ Cowboy Mike, painting and art activities for attendees, silent auctions of artworks and other goods, and more for attendees to take part in. Tickets can be purchased at goodnewsarts.brownpapertickets.com. Good News Arts will honor two special guests at during event, Volunteer of the Year Linda Weseman and Community Partner of the Year High Springs Parks and Recreation Department. Featured silent auction artists include Jessica Caldas, Jerry Clum, Chyna Rosemarea, Hunter Turner, Symma Finn, Julie Santana, Ray Carson, Kimberly Bossons, Allie Pishock, Paul Shortt, Mar Martinez, Taylor Mars, Zachary Francois and more.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Best bets: 'Pieces of Their Hearts,' 'Osage County,' 'Rock This Stage'
