Theater news: Extension, departure, voting and race
Lots happening on the theater scene; let’s dive right in.
“VOTE?” — Orlando Repertory Theatre has partnered with WUCF TV to air its production of “Vote?” at noon Sunday, Oct. 25. The hourlong play, recorded in cinematic style, helps explain why it’s important to vote by focusing on a youngwoman who is ambivalent about doing her civic duty. Traveling through time, she meets historical figures who show her how voting is a hard-won right for women, people of color and others who faced discrimination.
The play is appropriate for children, whowill get a sense of why voting is such a big deal. For adults, the play is a moving reminder of how we shouldn’t take our ballots for granted.
If you miss the telecast, the play is available for streaming through Nov. 8 for $9.95 per household. Get the details at orlando rep. The free WUCF broadcast is made possible by Massey Services, an arts supporting company that will come up again later in this column.
“PARALLEL LIVES” — If you ever wondered how race makes a difference in life, check out “Parallel Lives,” presented online by Seminole State College. Beverly Coyle and Bill Maxwell grew up in the same Florida town during segregation; she is white, he is Black. When they met as adults, they combined their experiences into the play “Parallel Lives.”
Seminole State’s production will star Lisa K. Bryant and Daniel Tomney, but Coyle and Maxwell will participate in a discussion with viewers after the two performances, 2p.m. Oct. 27 and 7p.m. Oct. 29.
Coyle is a novelist and playwright; Maxwell is a retired Tampa Bay Times columnist.
“Parallel Lives” will be free to watch on Seminole State’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts YouTube channel. For more information, go to seminolestate.edu/arts.
“SPRING AWAKENING” — Theatre South Playhouse also will present streaming theater this month with its production of the musical “Spring Awakening.” The best-musical Tony winner tells the story of teens whose sexuality is blossoming against the backdrop of repressive 19th-century Germany.
The production was recorded at actors’ homes aswell as in the southwest Orlando theater, where masked performers came together for ensemble scenes. The cast is a combination of local teens and professional adult actors; the show is directed by Hillary Brook.
“Spring Awakening” will be streamed at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Tickets are $20 per device; go to theatresouthplayhouse--.org.
RUPE DEPARTS— Donald Rupe, who founded and has led Central Florida Community Arts’ theater program for the past five years, has left the organization. Rupe announced his decision in a letter to CFC Arts members, saying heplanned to focus more on teaching acting and creating original work.
Rupe is the writer of “Flying Lessons,” which was accepted to the New York Musical Festival in 2019, as well as “From Here,” an Orlando-set musical that deals with friendship, community and other relationships in the shadowof the 2016 mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. His latest work, “Bright Young Things,” is currently running in downtown Orlando.
In his announcement, Rupe wrote, “Every person who has performed on our stages and worked backstage to create our little piece of magic will remain inmy heart forever.”
“BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS” — Speaking of “Bright Young Things,” the clever showthat brings adventure and torture dromanceto the streets of Orlando has been extended through Nov. 23. Some performances are now on Sunday evenings and weeknights, making perhaps a quieter backdrop for the show, which has eight different variations and requires audience members to follow an actor to multiple locations downtown.
And to come full circle, the show — like the Rep’s “Vote?” — is also sponsored by Massey Services.
Tickets are $35, with more information available at creativecityproject.com.