Got A Minute?

I just need a minute of your time to tell you about a unique play festival coming up next week.

The Players Theatre will host the cleverly titled "Got A Minute?" 60-Second Play Festival 8 p.m. Sept. 4-5 and 2 p.m. Sept. 6. A gala, featuring a silent and live auction, hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a cast meet and greet, will take place on Saturday after the show.

And no, the festival itself doesn't last 60 seconds, but rather the plays. Sixty one-minute plays will be featured in this fast-pace event presented by the Eclectic Theatre Company. The submitted plays come from around the world and include a few from this area. For the fourth annual "Got A Minute?," the plays will be directed by Pamela Wiley, Jeffery Kin, Cliff Roles and Cinda Goeken with musical direction provided by Bob Trisolini.

It would be interesting to see how this process works - how a play rises to its climax and sudden end in 60 seconds. Hmmm. Maybe I should have submitted something. What a feat for the playwrights, actors and directors involved.

A few intriguing play titles caught my eye as I glanced through the list:

"Friday, April 13, 2036" by Asher Wyndham

"Confessions Of A Chicken Pox Survivor" by Bobbie Burrell

"Reality: What A Concept" by David Coyle

"The New Husband Store" by Lyn Wiley

Besides the plays, there's another reason you should go to this event - proceeds raised benefit cancer research. Ticket donations of $20 (and $25 on the night of the gala) will go to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation. In the past three years of festival, more than $50,000 has been raised.

The Players Theatre is at 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. For more information or tickets, call (941) 365-2494. To find out more about "Got A Minute" visit theeclectictheatrecompany.com.

- January Holmes

(pictured are actors Doug Nelson, Susan Underwood, Michael Altiero during a rehearsal)

Syesha watch

-photo by Joan Marcus featuring Adrienne Warren (Lorrell), Syesha Mercado
(Deena) and Moya Angela (Effie)

Former American Idol and local gal Syesha Mercado has been in the headlines again thanks to early promotions for the upcoming national tour of "Dreamgirls." She plays Deena Jones in the show.

Her photo has appeared in Entertainment Weekly recently. More buzz was generated yesterday from BroadwayWorld.com.

Visit www.dreamgirlsonstage.com for the lastest promo photos of Syesha and the rest of the cast.

"Dreamgirls" kicks off in New York in November.

-January Holmes

Not fit for a princess

Jason Champion just couldn't tap into the inner princess hidden inside his last challenge on HGTV's Design Star Sunday night.

The Sarasota interior designer fumbled on the kids room challenge, turning a 17-year-old's wish for a princess-theme bedroom into a lackluster, unimaginative space that was barely fit for a peasant. Champion's charismatic personality and previous design skills weren't enough to cover up the fact that this wasn't up to par. The judges hated it, and it's easy to see why. It seems like Champion took a big step backwards. Placemats tacked on the walls for a headboard?! And did you notice the drawn-on window treatments?!

I would of hated to see the girl's reaction. Her room actually looked better before, don't you think?

What does work in this transformation is the chandelier and the mirror, but they seems lost in the surrounding tackiness. Though our local designer started out with carpenter troubles in this challenge, he still could of have pulled off something more eye-catching to say the least.

Champion, who made it halfway through the competition, told the cameras he was embarrassed after his show was cancelled. For those not in the know, the winner of Design Star gets a TV show. The lingo for those who get booted off Design Star is getting their show "cancelled."

But it looks like Champion isn't going to let this incident get him down. He told the cameras this wasn't going to be America's last time seeing him. Besides, he has three new lines coming out this fall of his own brand design label - Jason Champion Outdoor.

That has to count for something, right?

- January Holmes

(photos from HGTV's Design Star)

REVIEW: Manatee Players' "Crazy For You" show-stopper

If Thursday's opening night
performance of "Crazy For You" is any indication of how the Manatee Players’ new season will be, then there’s much to look forward to.

Directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby, "Crazy For You" displays everything the community theater does best: well-crafted song and dance numbers, engaging acting, creative sets and amazing costumes oozing with razzle dazzle.

It’s easy to see why this 1992 George and Ira Gershwin hit won three Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. The comedy is an endearing fun-filled production that keeps you in each moment through colorful characters and memorable songs.

In the play, well-to-do Bobby Child (Michael DeMocko) has a dream of performing on a New York stage, particularly for Bela Zangler and his group of vaudeville dancers. But his stern banker mom, Mrs. Child (portrayed with an adorable performance by Georgette Thomas), sends him on a mission to Deadrock, Nev., to foreclose on an ailing theater. This is where Bobby falls head-over-heels with the town’s only gal — strong -willed Polly Baker, played by Andrea Wright. Polly just happens to be the daughter of the theater’s owner. As Bobby tries to woo Polly, he decides to help get the theater on its feet again by producing a show. But he runs into a few complications that include a saloon/hotel owner wanting to expand onto the theater’s property, a town full of rough-behind-the-collar men and the hilarious love triangles that develop when Bobby’s New York world sets up shop in Deadrock.

DeMocko and Wright are cast perfectly for the lead roles. They balance their character’s tension and romance with the sarcasm and comedy that permeates the play. Not only can they act well, but they steal the show with their vocal and dancing efforts — as a couple and solo. DeMocko, in particular, has several nice tap dance numbers, while Wright’s soothing vocal ballads melt the audience.

But DeMocko and Wright are not the only stars here. "Crazy For You" is a show where every cast member has the opportunity to shine, because as the show progresses, so do the townspeople.

The company numbers with the cast are exceptional, particularly "Slap That Bass" and, perhaps the crowd favorite, "I Got Rhythm." Collectively the scenes all have plenty of pizazz, great vocals and clever choreography.

Other stellar moments include Juan Martinez’s roof tap dancing number, Kali Westphalen as Irene in the "Naughty Baby" number and the closing scenes. Kudos must be given to the live band and costume designer David W. Walker.

The only thing off in this production were a couple of gun shots. Seeing a person fall in a saloon "brawl" and then hearing the gun shot after the fact was a little odd. But in a comedic story line where things aren’t always as they seem, the instance worked with the audience, who grabbed a few extra laughs out of it.

After watching this wonderful family friendly production, though, one wonders how the Manatee Players will top it. The season has just begun.

In other news:

Before the show started Thursday evening, Manatee Players' board president Nina Richardson presented a plaque to the troupe's marketing manager Denny Miller, honoring him for his 10 years of service. But that's just one of many hats Miller has worn. In 27 years, he's been in roughly 60 shows at the theater.

- January Holmes

Shakespeare LOL

I can't think of the line "To be or not to be" without a smile emerging on my face after seeing Florida Studio Theatre's "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)."

Even the word "abridged" makes me laugh.

The show features all of Shakespeare's plays, about 36 or so, performed in various comic sketches. Never have Shakespeare's tragedies been so funny. Three actors do it all - from "Romeo and Juliet"to "Hamlet."

I walked in expecting funny, but what was performed was levity on an extraordinarily entertaining level. A hilarious trio of actors - Michael Daly, Brad DePlanche and Christopher Patrick Mullen - had the crowd, and me, in stitches.

They didn't just act Shakespeare, they made it their own with a very witty script and the direction of Jim Helsinger.

This isn't the Bard as you know it. Shakespeare's works take on various forms that include a cooking show and appearances by Darth Vader, stick puppets featuring George Bush and the Olson Twins, a toy robot dinosaur and a blow up whale. Plus, there's plenty of audience participation.

For a fast-pace show like this, Daly, DePlanche and Mullen have the stamina to entertain without getting lost in the dialogue, costume changes and Saturday Night Live-ish comic elements. Of course, already a couple of weeks into the show, they look and feel right at home on stage, as if they've been doing "The Complete Works" all their life.

They made the Bard fun while paying homage to the one of the greatest literary masters ever. Even those who are timid towards Shakespeare will thoroughly enjoy this show. In fact, audience members will walk away wanting to read all the Shakespeare they can get their hands on.

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" continues various times at FST through Aug. 23.

-January Holmes

A promising youth art center in St. Pete

Every once in a while on the theater beat, I run into a few aspiring actors - young and old - who make the trek over the Skyway Bridge into Bradenton and Sarasota. It's a trip they take five to six days a week to rehearsal for a show here. They come as far as St. Petersburg and Tampa.

But I wonder how many local residents, youth in particular, will be drawn to St. Pete with the opening of its newest youth arts center - The PinkCricket for Arts Education. The non-profit will open its doors 9 a.m. Monday (Aug. 24) at 534 Central Ave. It is the first center of its kind in the Tampa Bay area, organizers say. The center will offer visual and literary arts, drama, music, film, fashion design and dance.

PinkCricket is named after co-founders Sara “PinkMeanie” Turner and Jennifer “Cricket” Brendel.

Parents or youth interested in learning more should attend the fundraiser Saturday (more on that below) or the grand opening Monday. Opening day will be filled with remarks, youth activities and performances by area artists.

Organizers said the center's first six months will focus on an Arts in the Afternoon after-school program (for K-8 grade) and monthly exhibition. And here's the best part: Free Friday "Studio Nights" for middle and high-schoolers will also be held for students to cultivate their talents alongside well-known local artists. That last item may attract plenty of Bradenton/Sarasota folk.

“With the financial cuts to the arts in Florida’s education system, we really felt that there was a need to offer area youth access to the arts in a very vibrant and motivational way,” Sara Turner, executive director of The PinkCricket, said in a press release. “We have the opportunity to help foster youth involvement in the arts, support their creativity and individuality, give them the freedom and support they need to develop their artistic skills and provide them with opportunities to learn from local artists and advance their work in very exciting ways.”

That fundraiser will be held 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday(Aug. 15) at the center - yes, it's an all-night affair. Tickets are $5 at the door. The family-friendly event includes a silent auction, live auction, drawings, art activities, performances, a "Balloon Pop" and more.

For more info: www.thepinkcricket.org or (727) 320-2324.

- January Holmes

There's something new going on at Olympia

I have some bad news. Palmetto's revamped Olympia Theatre at 512 10th Ave. W. I wrote about a couple of months ago has scratched its theater line-up for now. Even its upcoming Miss Palmetto and Miss Teen Palmetto pageant has been canceled.

Obtaining the rights to present quality theater show costs too much for the little theater, said owner Joel Jarvis when I talked to him last week. Especially one trying to make its mark in a valley full of community and professional theaters. As for the beauty contest, organizers pulled out.

But there's a silver lining in all this. The Olympia is heading back in a direction that it knows best - concerts.

It has a new and improved line up featuring area talent, including a few free comedy Improv shows. Here's a schedule:


7 p.m. August 13
Green Bridge Improv
No Charge

6 p.m. August 14 - Country Music Night
Holler Back W/ Special Guest Lindsay Taylor
$5.00 Cover Charge
18 and up

6 p.m. August 15 - All Ages Screamo/Pop Punk Music
All Ages Show
$10/pre $12 @ door

7 p.m. August 20
Green Bridge Improv
No Charge

6 p.m. August 21 - Country Music Night
Holler Back
$5.00 Cover Charge
18 and up

6 p.m. August 22 - Cover Band/Rock 'n' Roll Night
TBA
$5.00 Cover Charge

7 p.m. August 28
The Story Tellers Concert Series
$15.00 pre-sale available on website

7 p.m. August 29 - Cover Band/Rock 'n' Roll Night
TBA
$5.00 Cover Charge

7 p.m. September 3
Green Bridge Improv
$5.00 Cover Charge

September 4 7:00pm
TBA
$5.00 Cover Charge

September 5 7:00pm
Velvet Chains Trio
$5.00 Cover Charge

September 10 7:00pm
Green bridge Improv
$5.00 Cover Charge

7 p.m. September 11 - Patriot Day/ Sept. 11 Remembrance
Holler Back
$5:00 Cover Charge; Off Duty PD, EMT, Firefighters, Military No Charge with I.D.
18 and up


Information: 981-3802
www.olympia-theatre.com
booking@olympia-theatre.com

- January Holmes