On Stage: Two local plays see curtains close Sunday
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The curtains close on two productions this week with last performances Sunday for “Yes, Virginia” at the Melon Patch in Leesburg and “”Ain’t Misbehavin’” by the Bay Street Players in Eustis.
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Also on stage, the comedy “Unnecessary Farce” continues at the IceHouse in Mount Dora.
Go see future stars this weekend at “Legally Blonde The Musical, Jr.” by the Youth Musical Theater at the Tropic in Leesburg.
Downhome Darlings at the Living Drama in Eustis takes you on a musical adventure. Also in music this weekend there are tributes to Paul McCartney, Four Seasons and George Strait.
Here’s a look at theater offerings this week:
“Yes, Virginia”
“Yes Virginia” performed by the Melon Patch Players in Leesburg closes on Sunday.
The play is set on New Year’s Eve when the longtime housekeeper, who had been let go months earlier, shows up for work not remembering she was no longer employed. She said she had been hurt, which leads to the employer and employee discovering they have an incredible friendship.
The author, Stan Zimmerman, said the play is loosely based on an experience he had with his mother when she was in early dementia and they were trying to get her into assisted living. His mother suggested they employ their Black housekeeper to live with her, not realizing the housekeeper had died years ago.
“I’ve been able to process life though my work and I’m very fortunate I get to do that and make a living at the same time,” Zimmerman said.
“It’s a mixture of comedy and real subject matter,” he added. “At the end of the day, you want it to be funny and tell a story. It’s very heartfelt and emotional. I can’t wait for the people of Leesburg to experience this play and these two women – it’ s like you’re in the living room with them.”
In the play, Virginia is played by Ze Carter and Denise is played by Nancy Sievert.
Details at melonpatchplayers.org
“Ain’t Misbehavin’”
The Bay Street Players production of the Tony Award-winning musical revue, “Ain’t Misbehavin” closes Sunday.
“Ain’t Misbehavin’” is one of the most dynamic musical reviews of all time with classic Fats Waller songs exemplary of the so-called Harlem Renaissance,” said Bay Street Artistic Director Carlos Francisco Asse. “It is an audience pleaser that is so much fun. You’ll be clapping and jumping out of your seat.”
Taking its title from the 1929 song of the same name, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the beloved musical revue of the songs of Thomas “Fats” Waller, is a feel good tribute to the Harlem Renaissance. Five dynamic performers present an evening of rowdy, raunchy, humorous songs — Honeysuckle Rose, The Jitterbug Waltz, Cash For Your Trash, among many others — that capture that new beat known as swing and reflect Waller’s view of life as a journey meant for pleasure and play.
This production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ features an ensemble cast starring Melody Duckins, Ashley Hall and David Oliver Willis. William Powell is on piano. The show is directed by Carlos Francsico Asse with music direction by Stephen Merritt.
For tickets and information, go to eustisstatetheatre.org.
“Unnecessary Farce”
It’s fun and games at the IceHouse Theatre’s production of “Unnecessary Farce” playing until Feb. 6 in Mount Dora.
In the play, two rookie cops stake-out a cheap motel to snare an embezzling small-town mayor in his videotaped guilty deeds. Instead, the camera catches some unrehearsed hanky-panky involving the town’s pretty, new accountant, setting off comic pandemonium.
The stolen money has also attracted a mysterious Scotsman, who stumbles into the fray. The subterfuge at City Hall runs deeper than imagined, as the mayor’s bodyguard and his wife may know more than they let on.
The fast-paced comedy is directed by IceHouse managing artistic director, Darlin Barry, with scenic design by Buddy Fales, lighting design by Philip Lupo and costume design by Rob O’Brien.
The ensemble cast includes Bradley Hubbell as Officer Eric, Lilian Berner as Officer Billie, Samantha Stonecipher as Karen Brown, C.P.A., James Simpson as Mayor Meekly, Julien DeSantis as Agent Frank, John Crosby as Todd, the mysterious Scotsman and Ava Tunstall as Mary Meekly.
Details: icehousetheatre.com.
“Legally Blonde The Musical, Jr.”
The Youth Musical Theater at the Tropic presents “Legally Blonde The Musical, Jr.” Friday and Saturday at The Tropic Theater, 122 W. Main St., Leesburg. Tickets are $12.50 adults and $7.50 students at tropicyouthmusicaltheater.com.
Downhome Darlings
Song and dance, quotable comedy, audience participation, and a love triangle are all in store at Downhome Darlings with shows at 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday at the State Theatre in Eustis. Enjoy favorite country hits from vintage jewels to the latest sensations. Be prepared for a rollicking adventure through every genre of music, including jazz, opera, rock, pop, and more.
Tickets are $25 at eustisstatetheatre.org.
Paul is All: A Beatles 101 Musical History Tour
Take a journey through the music and history of The Beatles 2 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre in Eustis as tribute artist John Babcock presents a Sir Paul McCartney tribute.
Tickets are $11-$25 at eustisstatetheatre.org.
Tribute groups at the Living Drama Theatre
Sounds of the 4 Seasons, a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
On Sunday, a Tribute to George Strait and Friends with Arlyn Willett and the Once Blind band performs at 4:30 p.m.
Details and tickets at livingdramatheatre.com
Auditions
“Oscar and Felix”
Tavares Community Theater is having auditions for “Oscar & Felix” 7 p.m. Feb 6-7 at the Tavares Theater Building, 904 W. Main St. Roles are available for six men and two women. Cold reading from the scrip and if you are new to the Tavares Theater, bring your resume. Must have proof of vaccination. The show runs April 22 to May 1 at the Adventure Christian Church.
Details and role preview at tavarestheater.org.
Coming attractions
Tavares Community Theater
Tavares Community Theater recently announced season seven productions. The 2022 season starts with Neil Simon’s “Oscar and Felix” in April, followed by Leonard Gershe’s Butterflies are Free” in July.
the Jones, Hope, Wooten’s comedy, “’Til Beth Do Us Part” In September/October and closing out the season in December with Dan Goggin’s “Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree.”
IceHouse Theatre
The IceHouse Theatre is making a change in musical titles for its spring production running March 11 through April 3. The previously planned musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is being replaced with a lighthearted jukebox musical, “The Andrews Brothers,” by Roger Bean.
Tribute to Red Skelton
Brian Hoffman’s Remembering Red – a tribute to Red Skelton comes to the Mount Dora Community Building 6 p.m. Feb. 4.
Tickets are $20-$25 at mountdoralive.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Two local plays see curtains close Sunday
