Scene Calendar: Dionysus, 'Kinky Boots,' 'Lungs,' 'Rango,' Family Fishing Day, more
MUSIC
Stephen Marley: 7 p.m. Friday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $51. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) The singer-songwriter will perform with special guests Skip Marley and Artikal Sound System.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) Dionysus will perform.
Moon Taxi: 8 p.m. Friday, Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach. Tickets: $33-$38. (pvconcerthall.com) The Nashville based indie alt-rock band will perform with special guests The Stews.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: 7 p.m.Saturday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $55-$78. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) The Grammy Award winners will perform with special guest The Baseball Project.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Jason Mraz: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, St. Augustine Amphitheatre Backyard Stage, 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine. Tickets: $30.50-$100.50. (904-209-0367, theamp.com) The Grammy Award-winning singer will perform as part of his “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride” tour.
THEATER
“Kinky Boots”: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Gainesville Community Playhouse, 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets: $23 general admission, $19 seniors, $12 students. (gcplayhouse.org) Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos.
“Lungs”: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Actors’ Warehouse, 2512 NE First Blvd. Tickets: $25 general admission, $20 ages 65 and older, $15 students. (actorswarehouse.org) A brutally honest, funny and edgy off-kilter love story.
ET CETERA
Family Movie Night: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Florida Springs Institute, 18645 Main St., High Springs. Cost: $5-$10 suggested donation per person. (floridaspringsinstitute.org) Viewing of “Rango.”
“Florida Skies (Summer)”: 7-8 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 18, Kika Silva Pla Planetarium, 3000 NW 83rd St. Tickets: $7.19 for adults; $6.17 ages 4-12, ages 60 and older, UF affiliates, military and first responders. (showpass.com/o/santa-fe-college-planetarium) Join James Albury, former co-host of the PBS TV Show “Star Gazers,” as he takes you on a personally guided tour of the night sky using the GOTO Chronos Space Simulator.
Family Fishing Day: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, 7922 NW 71st St. Free; cash donations welcomed. (ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu) Family oriented fresh-water fishing with loaner poles and bait available. Railed fishing deck with two handicapped accessible ramps.
Awesome Opossum: 10 a.m. Saturday, Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St., Palatka. Cost: $5 per vehicle or $2 per person. (bit.ly/ao23a) A special park program for all ages about opossums.
Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation Tour: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation, 8528 E. County Road 225. Tickets: $25 adults, $10 ages 2-11, free ages 1 and younger; $45 motorized-vehicle tours. (carsonspringswildlife.org, 468-2827, contact@cswildlife.org) Take a tour — on foot or in a tour vehicle — of Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation with big-cat feeding demonstrations and up-close encounters with the animals.
Historic Haile Homestead Tour: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, noon-4 p.m. Sundays, Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 Archer Road. Entrance: $5 ages 12 and older, free ages 11 and younger. (hailehomestead.org) The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the nation for its "Talking Walls.''
Horse Feeding: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses, 20307 NW CR 235A, Alachua. Entrance: Bag of carrots. (millcreekfarm.org) The Retirement Home for Horses provides lifetime care to elderly horses seized by law enforcement agencies, rescued by the SPCA or humane societies, as well as horses retired from government service such as police patrol or state and federal parks.
Kulaqua River Ranch Water Park Community Day: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, River Ranch Water Park, 23400 NW 212th Ave., High Springs. Admission: $16 ages 4 and older, free ages 3 and younger. (kulaqua.com) In an effort to support the community, Camp Kulaqua opens the River Ranch during specific days during the summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required. The venue requests that modest swimsuits be worn. Food and coolers allowed, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages.
Sip ’n' Stroll: 11 a.m. Sunday, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $25. (thehipp.org) Exclusive behind-the-scenes building tour of the Hippodrome Theatre. Ages 12 and older.
Back to School Carnival: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, CityLight Church, 5020 NW 23rd Ave. Free entry; food for sale. (citylightgnv.com) Community event to celebrate the start of the new school year and the opening of the church’s newly renovated kids building. Worship service begins at 11 a.m. followed by the carnival. Free lunch, bounce house, carnival games and pirate puppy show. B'z Gelati will be in attendance.
Second Anniversary Event: 5-10 p.m. Monday, Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, 4860 Steve Spurrier Way. Cost: Prices vary; see menu for details. (spurriers.com) Anniversary celebration featuring door prizes, including the potential to win a dinner with the head ball coach and Jerri Spurrier. Eleven percent of food proceeds and 66% of Spurrier-branded drink proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida.
GVN Cornhole Tournament: 6 p.m. registration, 7 p.m. competition Thursday, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Cost: $10 per player. (celebrationpointe.com) Bag-tossing competition.
CASTING CALL
Sun Country Dance Theatre: 7 p.m. Monday mandatory pre-audition meeting, 12:15-6 p.m. Aug. 20 auditions, Sun Country Sports Center, West location, 333 SW 140th Terrace, Jonesville. Cost: $25 per dancer. (scdancetheatre08@gmail.com) 12:15-2:15 p.m. auditions for Senior Apprentice Company, advanced level ballet, ages 13 and older, must be on pointe; 2:30-4:15 p.m. Youth/Trainee Company, intermediate level, ages 12 and older, minimum of five consecutive years of previous ballet training. Bring pointe shoes if on pointe; 4:30-6 p.m. Junior Company, ages 9 and older, minimum of three consecutive years of previous ballet training. Dancers should arrive 20 minutes prior to the audition. Girls should wear a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers, with hair in a slick classical ballet bun (no bangs). Dancers who have at least one year of pointe experience should bring their pointe shoes to the audition. Boys should wear appropriate classical ballet class attire.
Annasemble 2023-24 Season: Rehearsals begin 1:15-3:15 p.m. Aug. 27, MeadowBrook Clubhouse, 3200 NW 98th St. (annasemble.org, annasemble@gmail.com) No auditions; all skill levels welcome.
Young Annasemble 2023-24 Season: Rehearsals 4:45-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays beginning September, Rawlings Elementary School, 3500 NE 15th St. (annasemble.org, annasemble@gmail.com) No auditions; all skill levels welcome.
ART
Artisans' Guild Gallery: Fall Markets planned for Oct. 8 and Nov. 12. 224 NW Second Ave. (378-1383, artisansguildgallery.com)
Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention: “Tom Petty: Among the Wildflowers,” exploring the joys, pains and creative awakenings Petty experienced when pouring his soul into his magnum opus, on display through December; “Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion,” featuring 40 full-scale machines that were built after in-depth study of Leonardo da Vinci’s designs by a group of scientists and skilled craftsmen in Florence, Italy, on display through Jan. 7, 2024. Tickets: $12.50, $10 seniors and college students, $7.50 ages 5-17, free ages 4 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 811 N. Main St. (371-8001, cademuseum.org)
Cedar Key Arts Center: Friday-Sunday open studio. 457 Second St., Cedar Key. (543-5801, cedarkeyartscenter.org)
Florida Museum of Natural History: “Spiders Alive!” on display through Sept. 4. This exciting exhibit dives into the world of spiders, scorpions and their relatives with more than a dozen live species from around the world. Tickets: $8 adults; $7.50 Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $5.50 ages 3-17; free ages 2 and younger, UF students and museum members. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3215 Hull Road. (floridamuseum.ufl.edu, 846-2000)
Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery: “Self Portrait,” on display through Aug. 19; “Co-Creation: Collaborations” on display Aug. 23-Sept. 23. Gallery hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 1314 S. Main St. (gainesvillefinearts.org, info@gainsevillefinearts.org)
Good News Arts Inc.: Saturday Workshop, noon-3 p.m. Saturday. Relief Printmaking with Jessica. All materials provided. Good News Arts Members and their families at the $25 level can attend workshops for free; Game Night, 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Bring your own favorite games or play one on site. All game types and all players welcome. 18555 Main St., High Springs. (goodnewsarts.com)
Harn Museum of Art: “Global Perspectives: Highlights from the Contemporary Collection,” a celebration of global interconnectedness, on display through Oct. 1; “Jerry Uelsmann: A Celebration of His Life and Art,” commemorating a beloved UF artist, teacher, colleague and friend through an overview of his creative life, including 37 photographs laid out chronologically, on display through Feb. 18, 2024; “Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art” on display through Jan. 7, 2024. “Under the Spell of the Palm Tree” is drawn exclusively from the collection of Susie and Mitchell Rice, and offers a glimpse into the complexity of culture and history that has inspired Cuban art throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. Guest curators Gabriela Azcuy and David Horta will utilize the work of a broad range of artists in the Rice Collection to display an inclusive view of Cuban art, reflecting on its current dynamic and the existence of new geographies as an essential part of its reality. Through more than 70 works representing 53 artists, the exhibition will present the narrative of a “crossing” — a virtual crossing of the seas as well as a crossing of generations, of artists living or having lived both in Cuba and in the Diaspora; “Gateway to Himalayan Art” on display Feb. 6, 2024-July 2024. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 3259 Hull Road. (392-9826)
Matheson History Museum: “We Are Here: Stories From Multilingual Speakers In North Central Florida,” an exhibition that illustrates the immigration journeys of the North Central Florida community through stories that hold power in multiple languages; “Return to Forever: Gainesville’s Great Southern Music Hall,” showcasing dozens of John Moran‘s performance photos from his two years as the Great Southern Music Hall house photographer. Also featured is a display of Bo Diddley artifacts, including one of Bo’s signature square box guitars. Written by music journalist Bill DeYoung and designed by historian Rick Kilby, this unique exhibit celebrates a golden age in the University City’s musical history, the likes of which may never be seen again; “When Johnny Came Marching Home: Some Gave All – All Gave Some,” remembering those who came home from war with both physical and mental wounds, on display outside. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 513 E. University Ave. (378-2280, mathesonmuseum.org)
Melrose Bay Art Gallery: Works by Vivian Jendzio and Ann Ramsden on display through Aug. 27. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment. 103 State Road 26, Melrose. (475-3866, melrosebayartgallery.com)
Santa Fe College’s Blount Hall: A large art collection from local collector Hector Puig on display. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Corner of West University Avenue and North Sixth Street.
Sweetwater Print Cooperative: "That Photo Show," an exhibit of various photo processes by Valerie Aslakson-Jennings, Joanna Clark, Charlotte Newman, Leslie Peebles, Joon Thomas and Pat Wolfe, runs through noon Aug. 23. Gallery hours: By appointment. 117 S. Main St. (514-3838)
University Galleries: “Sound-Sites in the Age of Utopian Recoverism: Art, Technology and Exhibition Practices” on display through Sept. 30. The main purpose of this exhibition is to initiate a series of conversations about how the artists’ exploration of the connections between art and technology can lead to rethinking problems related to our ways of inhabiting the environment. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. 400 SW 13th St. (arts.ufl.edu/university-galleries)
UPCOMING CONCERTS
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 18, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) De Lions of Jah will perform.
“Free Fridays” Concert: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 25, Bo Diddley Plaza amphitheater, 111 E. University Ave. Free. (gainesvillefl.gov/Events-directory/Free-Fridays-Concert-Series) FEST 21 Showcase.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Aug. 25, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) A live band will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 9, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Suwannee River Jam: All day Sept. 20-23, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Tickets: TBA. (musicliveshere.com) Annual musical event featuring Trace Atkins, Brothers Osborne, The Frontmen, Red Clay Strays, LOCASH and more.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 22, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) A live band will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
Suwannee Roots Revival: All day Oct. 5-8, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, 3076 95th Drive, Live Oak. Tickets: $175; $15 car pass purchased in advance, $20 car pass purchased at gate; free children 12 and younger when accompanied by parent or legal guardian. (bit.ly/rootsrevival23, musicliveshere.com, 386-364-1683) Initial lineup announced with Trampled by Turtles, Hot Tuna Electric, Donna the Buffalo, The Peter Rowan Band, Jim Lauderdale Band, Electric Larry Land, Big Richard, Jon Stickley Trio, Sunny War, The Last Revel, Stillhouse Junkies, Verlon Thompson, Jeff Mosier Ensemble, John Mailander’s Forecast and more.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 14, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 27, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) A live band will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Nov. 11, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Nov. 24, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) A live band will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 9, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Playlist at the Pointe: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 15, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) A live band will perform. Food will be available from area restaurants.
UPCOMING EVENTS
“No Exit”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 18-Sept. 3, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) Two women and one man are locked up together for eternity in one hideous room in Hell. The windows are bricked up, there are no mirrors, the electric lights can never be turned off, and there is no exit. A remounting of a successful 2017 production reminds the audience that hell is other people.
Sunday Assembly: 11 a.m. Aug. 20, Pride Center located in the Springhill Professional Center, 3850 NW 83rd Blvd., Suite 201. Free. (SundayAssembly32601@gmail.com, sagainesville.weebly.com) Sunday Assembly will host guest speaker Val Leitner, an aquaculturalist in Horseshoe Beach and an adjunct professor at Santa Fe College. The title of her talk will be “Aquaculture and Purposeful Living.” Music will be provided by Sunday Assembly musicians with the opportunity to sing along. It also is possible to attend via Zoom.
Baturdays of Summer: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 26, Lubee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Ave. Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger; must be purchased in advance. (lubee.org) Inaugural event featuring the world’s largest bats in a small, intimate event setting. Have one-on-one conversations with bat experts, sit in on educational presentations, have a picnic or visit the Bat Barn and Education Center full of games, displays and interactives. Stubbies Pop-up Sausages will be on site. No pets or emotional support animals allowed.
“POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive”: 7 p.m. Sept. 6-7 previews; then 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays Sept. 8-Oct. 1, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $25 previews, then $20-$50. (thehipp.org) Written by Selina Fillinger, “POTUS” is a foul-mouthed political funhouse farce. Roar with laughter as seven brilliant and beleaguered women panic, problem-solve and, ultimately, persevere to save the president from himself.
CircusPalooza: 7 p.m. Sept. 22-23, Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Road. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at door. (performingarts.ufl.edu) Original live music circus show celebrating rock and pop classics alongside contemporary original music from Florida-based artists.
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 13-29, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) In this infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to 19th century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Lovett’s luck sharply shifts when Todd’s thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up … and the carnage has only just begun!
Downtown High Springs Artwalk: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 21, downtown High Springs. Free entry; items and food for sale. (facebook.com/downtownhighsprings/events) Monthly event featuring local artists and makers, as well as specials from downtown businesses.
Tioga Outdoor Movie Night: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130th Way, Newberry. Free. (tiogatowncenter.com) Tioga movie night featuring “Ghostbusters.” Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the movie under the stars.
Downtown High Springs Artwalk: Noon-5 p.m. Nov. 18, downtown High Springs. Free entry; items and food for sale. (facebook.com/downtownhighsprings/events) Monthly event featuring local artists and makers, as well as specials from downtown businesses.
“The Ultimate Christmas Show”: 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Nov. 24-Dec. 23, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $20-$50. (thehipp.org) This audience favorite is back! “The Ultimate Christmas Show” (abridged) bursts with festive, slapstick fun as these cheerful comedians celebrate all of our favorite holiday traditions — at the same time.
“A Christmas Carol”: 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays Nov. 25-Dec. 23 plus 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 p.m. Dec. 22 and 3 p.m. Dec. 22, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $20-$50. (thehipp.org) “Bah, humbug!” to dashing through the snow and sleigh rides in Florida. Staying true to the weighty themes of the original novel while delivering a gripping story, cheerful holiday music and genuine laughs for the whole family, “A Christmas Carol” is one of Gainesville’s favorite holiday traditions.
“Twelfth Night”: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 1-17, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) Shakespeare’s most sophisticated comedy is a riotous tale of hopelessly unrequited passions and mistaken identity. Duke Orsino is in love with the noblewoman Olivia. She, however, has fallen for his servant Cesario, who is actually Viola, a woman disguised as a man, who loves Orsino — confusion is rife. Meanwhile, Olivia’s arrogant steward Malvolio is cruelly tricked by her uncle Sir Toby Belch, his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and the maidservant Maria into believing his mistress loves him.
Tioga Outdoor Movie Night: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Tioga Town Center, 133 SW 130th Way, Newberry. Free. (tiogatowncenter.com) Tioga movie night featuring “The Santa Clause.” Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the movie under the stars.
Downtown High Springs Artwalk: Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 16, downtown High Springs. Free entry; items and food for sale. (facebook.com/downtownhighsprings/events) Monthly event featuring local artists and makers, as well as specials from downtown businesses.
“Little Women”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 19-Feb. 4, 2024, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) A four-women adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel. Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy transform into women before our eyes and experience love, loss and the ever-glowing warmth of the March family hearth.
“Next To Normal”: 7 p.m. Jan. 24-25, 2024, previews, then 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays Jan. 26-Feb. 18, 2024, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $25. (thehipp.org) Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster ride with “Next to Normal,” the groundbreaking Tony Award-winning musical that explores the highs and lows of a modern-day family struggling with mental illness. With an electrifying rock score and heart-wrenching lyrics, this show will leave audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
“Misery”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, March 1-17, 2024, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) “Misery” follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “No. 1 fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. While Sheldon is convalescing, Wilkes reads his latest book and becomes enraged when she discovers the author has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain. Wilkes forces Sheldon to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Wilkes has no intention of letting him go anywhere. The irate Wilkes has Sheldon writing as if his life depends on it — and it does.
“White”: 7 p.m. March 27-28 previews, then 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays March 29-April 14, 2024, Hippodrome Theatre, 25 SE Second Place. Tickets: $25 previews, then $20-$50. (thehipp.org) When a major museum seeks to showcase diverse voices in its next exhibition, Gus, an artist, enlists Vanessa’s help to create an audacious new artistic persona of color to get him in the show. From there it all spins out of control in this modern comedy, exploring white privilege, racial politics and the fine line between appropriation and opportunity.
“Private Lives”: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, April 19-May 5, 2024, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) Elyot and Amanda, once married and now honeymooning with new spouses at the same hotel, meet by chance, reignite the old spark and impulsively elope. After days of being reunited, they again find their fiery romance alternating between passions of love and anger. Their aggrieved spouses appear, and a roundelay of affiliations ensues as the women first stick together, then apart, and new partnerships are formed.
“Cabaret”: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, April 19-May 5, 2024, Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, 3501 SW Second Ave., Suite O. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 students, seniors, military and teachers. (acrosstown.org) In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish master of ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all of their troubles at the Cabaret. With the emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, “Cabaret” explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Scene Calendar: Awesome Opossum, Sip 'N' Stroll, back-to-school events
