The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble played a handful of dates in the U.K. late last year, opening its program with the work of Wendy Carlos. Moog is an instrument brand, specifically, not an instrument. But the groundbreaking sonic simulators made by Moog were such a step into the future that the electronic keyboard feels to... Continue Reading →
We all know Leonard Bernstein’s celebrated musical, West Side Story, but what about Candide, the seldom-staged opera eclipsed by its exuberant overture? Opera Tampa opens its new season on Jan.31 with a rare production of Candide, which begins with Bernstein’s single-most performed work, a rollicking hodgepodge of themes and break-neck tempos that hint of what... Continue Reading →
It’s a busy time here at the Straz, so busy we’ve had to find creative ways to get the word out about all our shows. We want to make sure you know that Jobsite is presenting another of their bloody great Shakespeare productions. Macbeth runs Jan. 15 through Feb. 9 in the Jaeb Theater. https://youtu.be/C0WYHmP4wOQ... Continue Reading →
If the outfits worn by the actresses in The Cher Show look familiar it’s because they are recreations of the sometimes outrageous costumes the actress-singer has worn throughout her career. And if those replicas look like dead ringers for the original outfits, down to the last sequin, it’s because they were re-created by the original... Continue Reading →
For its first decade or so of existence, Detroit-based record company Motown was the American Dream in excelsis. Founder Berry Gordy nurtured his small, local business into a worldwide success. Gordy was smart, resourceful and hard-working. Most importantly, he knew white kids could dig R&B just as much as the black kids. The label’s slogan,... Continue Reading →
After ripping open holiday presents on Wednesday, don’t pack away those red and green decorations just yet -- The Straz Center has more holiday fun in its stocking. Cirque Dreams Holidaze, the longest-running cirque holiday spectacular, will dazzle in Morsani Hall Thursday and Friday, Dec. 26-27. The Broadway-style production is an infusion of contemporary circus... Continue Reading →
The city sounds familiar but the accent isn’t what you expect. When the Straz’s new senior director of guest services mentions he’s from Boston, you expect the steamrolled vowels endemic to the U.S. city’s natives. Anthony Winter-Brown’s accent is decidedly English, though. He’s from the other Boston, the original, actually, In Lincolnshire. In the U.S.,... Continue Reading →
Next Generation Ballet®’s annual production of Nutcracker always adds an extra sparkle to the holidays. This year’s presentation will shine even brighter when, for the first time, an NGB alum from a major American ballet company returns to perform in Nutcracker. Jarod Curley, a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, spent “the two most intense years... Continue Reading →
Jack Lemmon’s most celebrated roles occurred in film – Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts, Felix Unger in The Odd Couple and Jerry/Daphne in Some Like It Hot. The touring Broadway musical of Some Like It Hot will be presented at the Straz Dec. 10-15. Broadway musical Some Like It Hot, sponsored by Bank of America... Continue Reading →
Twenty years since its opening, the Patel Conservatory is going strong and ready to grow. The Straz Master Plan will give the performing arts school a significant increase in space, and planning for its use is being addressed enthusiastically. “We're picking out flooring, special mirrors, special soundproofing. Special features like this will really address the... Continue Reading →
Ariana Grande added “proofreader’ to her list of credits recently. The actress spotted an error in the captioning of the video for “Popular,” from the upcoming film Wicked, in which she stars. The video used the word “poise” in place of the correct “ploys,” which Grande called out in the comments section. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENkfNb1I0jc&pp=ygUOcG9wdWxhciB3aWNrZWQ%3D This was more than an... Continue Reading →
If “gourmet” and “grab and go” seem like opposite poles on the dining axis to you, the new Maestro’s Café could change your mind. Javier Rasmussen, vice president of Food and Beverage at the Straz, is confident that the café’s new concept will unite gourmet and grab and go in a way that’s both convenient... Continue Reading →
The Wiz was a Broadway smash, a retelling of The Wizard of Oz with an African-American cast and P.O.V. It had a four-year run, won a shelf-full of Tonys® and introduced the world to Stephanie Mills. https://youtu.be/uR2IZ9LFyxM The film version was a dumpster fire, swapping the musical’s book for trendy psychobabble, and replacing Mills (17... Continue Reading →
National Geographic has for years provided its readers with unparalleled portraits of the natural world. National Geographic explores its subjects’ scientific, social and ecological significance, exposing the wonders of land and sea and space. Its articles and photography bring readers in close to see the beauty and complexity of nature. National Geographic Live! takes audiences... Continue Reading →
The PBS series Mystery! enjoyed a long and successful run from 1980-2006. The anthology series drew from British mystery and crime material and was one of the network’s more popular titles. The show introduced American audiences to such titles as Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse and Prime Suspect. The show no doubt also introduced many viewers... Continue Reading →
Through Halloween and the spooky season, the performing arts come alive with all things supernatural. From haunted productions to ballet performances inspired by ghostly tales, Halloween has found its place across different mediums of artistic expression. Here's how this eerie season takes center stage in the performing arts and beyond. 1. Musical Theater: Spooky Songs... Continue Reading →
Bam! Sock! Zap! Michael Uslan’s destiny was set in motion by a television show he hated. Zok! Whap! Oooof! A comic book collector since age 3 and a serious Batman fan since he was 8, Michael cringed as he watched the Caped Crusader reduced to a campy clown. Batman dispensed with the comic book’s darkness,... Continue Reading →
Cher. The sort of name that deserves its own paragraph. The original single-name superstar, she is celebrated in The Cher Show, a glitzy Broadway production that chronicles her one-of-a-kind career. (The Cher Show will be presented in Morsani Hall, Jan. 14-19). The Cher Show, which will make its appearance in Carol Morsani Hall this January.... Continue Reading →
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical will be presented at the Straz Center’s Morsani Hall Nov. 12-17. The musical draws on the children’s book, published 67 years ago on Oct. 12, and also on the 1966 animated special, which featured songs such as “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Author Theodor “Dr.... Continue Reading →
On Sept. 29, Broadway Musicals Day will be celebrated because everything has to have a day. And why not? Broadway musicals seem more worthy of a celebration than something like National Broccoli Lovers Day or National Broccoli Haters Day, and can you imagine the bloodbath if those got scheduled on the same date? (Shudders) ... Continue Reading →