Advertisement

What's on stage this week: Hello, Dolly!, Jane Austen, Star Wars, opera

 
Photo by Julieta Cervantes Betty Buckley plays Dolly Gallagher Levi in the revival of Hello, Dolly!, coming to the Straz Center Dec. 4-9, 2018.
Photo by Julieta Cervantes Betty Buckley plays Dolly Gallagher Levi in the revival of Hello, Dolly!, coming to the Straz Center Dec. 4-9, 2018.
Published Nov. 28, 2018

STILL GOING: HELLO, DOLLY!

Accolades for Hello, Dolly! hang like ornaments on a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree. Let's start with the string of actors in lead role, which includes Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Ethel Merman, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters. Now the Tony-winning Betty Buckley leads a large ensemble in the national tour of the revival, a version that broke the record for biggest opening day ticket sales in Broadway history.

Buckley called the 2017 revival directed by Jerry Zaks "like the greatest ice cream sundae that I've ever seen." She's thrilled to play the role she first saw on a college trip to New York, when Pearl Bailey played Dolly Gallagher Levi, a professional matchmaker who decides to find her own boyfriend.

"There's a magical feeling you get, when you're up there in the spotlight and about to launch into a big solo," Buckley said. "I'm so aware, in that moment in time, that it's not only me. It takes about 200 people — writers, directors, actors, musicians, stagehands — to create that particular moment of magic." Tuesday through Dec. 9 at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $60 and up. (813) 229-7827. For show times, go to strazcenter.org.

AMERICAN STAGE: CHRISTMAS WITH JANE AUSTEN

Lauren Gunderson, one of the country's most widely produced playwrights, and Margaret Melcon co-author Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, a playful sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at American Stage. This time it's Mary, the quiet middle Bennet sister, taking center stage. The playwrights workshopped the show with hardcore Jane Austen fans, who provided some of the most helpful feedback. The dialogue feels fresh, witty and contemporary, said producing artistic director Stephanie Gularte, who is directing this show. Friday through Dec. 30 at Raymond James Theatre, 163 Third St. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 823-7529. $44 and up. A preview Wednesday is pay-as-you-can, and one Thursday costs $30. For show times, go to americanstage.org.

LIVE IN CONCERT:

STAR WARS

As it did last month with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Florida Orchestra will play the first Star Wars score while the film runs on a huge hi-def screen. Here are four takeaways from an interview with Lucas Richman, right, Star Wars composer John Williams' pick to hold the baton.

1 The music is at least as important as the action, if not more so. "It is purely orchestral music, and that in and of itself is an extraordinary accomplishment," said Richman, 54, a noted composer himself who also serves as music director of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

2 Williams' scores don't rely on songs. "Thursday as you watch a film … you have a vocalist singing lyrics that in a way dumb down what the audience should be gleaning from the action," Richman said. "He is able to convey and enhance everything that is going on on the screen without the extra crutch of a lyric."

Planning your weekend?

Subscribe to our free Top 5 things to do newsletter

We’ll deliver ideas every Thursday for going out, staying home or spending time outdoors.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

3 The conductor keeps pace with the film by eyeing a monitor that shows him what's coming next.

4 Expect costumes. "People invariably will show up sporting Princess Leia cinnamon buns and lots of lightsabers, I'm sure," Richman said.

8 p.m. Saturday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $52.75 and up. (727) 791-7400. rutheckerdhall.com.

OPERA TAMPA: DIE FLEDERMAUS

James Marvel directs Opera Tampa's season opener, Die Fledermaus, a light comedy from which floated up Johann Strauss' Blue Danube waltz. The cast includes soprano Rochelle Bard, a specialist in bel canto and Verdi's repertoire, as Rosalinda; and baritone Gabriel Preisser as Eisenstein. 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Straz Center. $67 and up.

FREEFALL: EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD

Instead of the usual Christmas fare, Freefall Theatre has produced Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some), by John K. Alvarez, Michael Carleton and James FitzGerald. Three actors narrate this fast-paced comic tour around the world, throw in a little history and multiple religious traditions. Saturday through Dec. 30. $37 and up. 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. (727) 498-5205. For show times, go to freefalltheatre.com