'The Waverly Gallery' By J Stage Theatre Rescheduled for May

TAMPA, FL — Due to the recent surge in COVID-19, J Stage Theatre’s winter production of "The Waverly Gallery" has been rescheduled for May 12-15 and May 19-22.

All performances will take place at the J Stage Theatre at the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Jewish Community Center, 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa.

Tickets range in price from $20 to $25 and may be purchased here. Seating will be socially distanced per CDC guidelines and masks will be required at all times.

A powerfully poignant and often hilarious play, "The Waverly Gallery" by Kenneth Lonergan is about the final years of a generous, chatty and feisty grandmother’s ending battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

Gladys is an old-school lefty and social activist and longtime owner of a small art gallery in Greenwich Village. The play explores her fight to retain her independence and the subsequent effect of her decline on her family, especially her grandson. More than a memory play, "The Waverly Gallery" captures the humor and strength of a family in the face of crisis.

The production is professionally directed and produced by Vivid Theatre Productions.

"The Waverly Gallery" marks the fifth collaboration between J Stage Theatre and the professional production company.

Auditions drew a talented cast of newcomers and alumni. “It was exciting to see all the interest in the classic award-winning play 'The Waverly Gallery,' and the talent level of the local actors vying to be cast was remarkable. The excitement and dynamics of the then-potential candidates began to unfold so early in the process, literally, we could see the powerful story of Kenneth Lonergan come to life as we started the first round of rehearsals via Zoom,” said Drew Eberhard, director of Vivid Theatre Productions.

The casting call sought performers ages 18 years and above in the Tampa Bay area.

Eric Misner was cast as the lead role of Howard Fine. Misner has been performing throughout the Tampa Bay area for 20 years. Previous roles include "A Doll’s House," "Excursion Fare," "Dracula," "Glengarry Glen Ross," T"he Crucible," "All My Sons" and "Murder in Green Meadows." He expressed being his happiest about his first appearance with Vivid Theatre Productions, “especially in a piece about such an important and universal subject.”

Returning to the J Stage Theatre is Patti Rinner, last seen as Kate Keller in the production of "All My Sons." Rinner said she is “delighted to embrace the role of Ellen Fine in 'The Waverly Gallery.'” In addition to theater, she spent 27 years making magic in the Entertainment Department at Walt Disney World in Orlando, as well as serving as a music specialist for schools in Hillsborough County for 21 years. Rinner’s television credits include a number of commercials as well as background work in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "The Right Stuff." Her film credits include portraying Katie Donaldson in "Where the Land Meets the Sky" and background work in a number of films.

Newcomers to J Stage Theatre include Mary Kay Cyrus as Gladys Green, Trevor Lloyd as Daniel Green and Jonathan O’Brien as Don Bowman.

Cyrus has been seen locally embracing her role as Aida in "Over the River and Through the Woods" at Early Bird Dinner Theater, multiple roles in Tarpon Arts production of "Almost, Maine,"and Juror #10 in a mixed-gender production of "Twelve Angry Men" in New Port Richey. She has also received best actress awards for her portrayal of Thelma in "Night, Mother" and Kate Keller in "All My Sons" with Carrollwood Players.

Lloyd is a Florida native who has been bringing the thrill of theater to audiences around the Tampa Bay Area. His most recent performance was as Nostradamus in "Something Rotten!" Lloyd’s most notable roles include Curly from "Oklahoma," The Dentist from "Little Shop of Horrors" and Lord Farquaad from "Shrek." Trevor was awarded best supporting actor for his role as Matt in "Snapshots" while competing with The New Tampa Players at the Florida Thespians Festival.

O’Brien was born and raised in St. Petersburg. Notable theater credits include Toxie/Melvin in "The Toxic Avenger," Matthew Teitman in "Dionysus on the Down Low" and as Harold in "The Boys in the Band."

“The Waverly Gallery will be challenging and heart-warming and I’m looking forward to working with this very talented cast," O'Brien said.

Vivid Theatre productions creatively developed the set for this show which captures the essence of a working art gallery which will feature two Tampa-based Israeli artists and their artwork for sale.

On Sunday, Jan. 30, there will be two performances. The 1 p.m. matinee will include a talk-back session with professionals and caregivers who are proficient in Alzheimer’s care. The closing night performance at 6 p.m. will include a wine and cheese reception at intermission along with a chat with the featured artists.

For more information about J Stage Theatre, contact Brandy Gold at brandy.gold@jewishtampa.com.

This article originally appeared on the Tampa Patch