Backstage Pass

Dave Mason, performing Jan. 25 at Broward Center

“The most important thing is to keep your sense of humor. Otherwise, you’re just going to lose it.”

—Jill Melody

Jill Melody

A Boca Raton comedy maven’s labor of love is coming to a streaming service near you

Written by JOHN THOMASON

In 2020, with the pandemic in its infancy, writer and producer Jill Melody found herself sequestered in a one-room apartment in Tel Aviv. Israel had enacted one of the most stringent lockdowns in Western Europe. Melody, who lives in Boca, had flown in to work on a short film, and even making it out of the airport involved hurdle after hurdle—followed by two weeks of isolation.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “never let a good quarantine go to waste.” Melody spent the unwanted downtime hatching an idea for a sitcom set among the cast and crew of a zany Miami variety show. By quarantine’s end, she had scripted the pilot, and by the time she departed Israel, she had submitted her concept for a grant established to support Jewish female filmmakers.

Melody received the funding, and for the past two years, her show, titled “Just My Type,” has been all-consuming. Serving as writer, producer, showrunner and actor, Melody and her crew have filmed at locations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. “Just My Type,” starring local talent, is expected to be available on streaming services, as a one-hour special with the potential to extend into a full series, in January.

For Melody, widowed with three kids and five grandchildren, comedy has always been a lifeline. She has notched an appearance in “Friends” and starred in the Amazon comedy “Ms. INCORPORATED.” For five years, she ran the Florida Comedy Film Festival, last hosted at the Willow Theater in 2020 and likely to return in 2024.

“Humor is what saved me,” she says. “I’ve seen my mother pass away, I’ve seen my husband pass away. The most important thing is to keep your sense of humor. Otherwise, you’re just going to lose it.”

I understand you started acting at age 10; how did it happen?

My dad was a big inspiration for me. He was kind of like a theater dad. He told me at 10, after being in a couple of school plays, “you need to audition for this group called the Showbiz Kids.” I said, “I barely sing and dance.” … So I go to the audition, and I do my song-anddance routine. And the lady who’s the head of the troupe said, “you’re not really a singer, are you?” I went, “nope.” She’s like, “you’re not really a dancer, are you?” I said, “nope. Can I leave now?” She’s like, “no, because you have something none of these other people have: charisma. We can teach you to sing. We can teach you to dance. We can’t teach charisma.” And that was that.

Why did you choose a Miami television station for the setting of “Just My Type?”

Miami is a kooky, crazy place. You’ve got Latinos, right-wing, left-wing, gay, straight; it’s a melting pot, and we touch on everything. We have every kind of character you can possibly imagine—and that’s what Miami is.

Are there certain movies or shows that you drew from when developing “Just My Type?”

“30 Rock” was definitely one; “Frasier.” I’m old, so I go way back to the standards. It’s that comedic timing, where you may not get it for another minute or two. I’m a child of the ‘80s, so I liked all the shows of the ‘80s.

As both actor and showrunner, what’s been the biggest challenge navigating not only the front of the camera but everything backstage as well?

Exactly that. I’m acting in it, and I’ve got 20 different hats. You lay out all the groundwork, you get the money, you get the locations, you get a great crew, and then you’ve got to put all that aside, and you’re like, “hi, now I’m an actor.” Somebody just called me about ice. I don’t care about ice—figure it out. If you have a problem with the lights, just fix it. Do your job. I have a crew of 16 people, and I have to delegate a lot. And then there’s a lot of preproduction work. It’s a Screen Actors Guild production, so getting the paperwork assigned, making sure legally you’re covered, making sure that everyone’s going to show up, making sure our COVID compliance officer is on top of everything. There’s a million pieces to it.

Were you surprised that during such a dark time, you were about to develop a comedy?

I think that’s the critical thing. My tagline is, life is better when you’re laughing. … You’ve got to keep your energy level up. You’ve got to keep smiling. What kept us all going during the pandemic? We all sat and watched Netflix, Amazon, Hulu. I wrote TV. I’m like, I’m not going to let this time be wasted. Who’s got two weeks to just sit around?

Jill Melody

2023 January

Now-Jan. 15:

“Joseph Stella: Visionary

Nature” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton.org. Fusing natural settings with a spiritually transcendent surrealism, painter Stella’s bold interpretations of flora and fauna were unlike the work of any other artist—places where the quotidian and the magical shared bucolic real estate. Stella died in 1946, but his legacy, as this touring exhibition indicates, is ripe for rediscovery.

Now-Jan. 22:

Reginald Cunningham: “Black

Pearls” at Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; $10-$12 museum admission; 561/392-2500, bocamuseum.org. Washington, D.C.-based photographer and activist Cunningham traveled to Pearl City, Boca Raton’s first settled district, to honor the majority-Black residents of this historic community. “Black Pearls” highlights these contributions, including 10 to 20 large-scale photographs and collected oral histories in audio form.

Now-Jan. 22:

“Hard Bodies: Contemporary Japanese Lacquer Sculpture”

at Society of the Four Arts, 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; $10; 561/655-7226, fourarts. org. This sculpture exhibition showcases 33 works, mostly from this century, by 16 Japanese artists who explore lacquer in novel ways. A single tree produces only a half-cup of this lustrous coating per year, so each piece is a resplendent labor of love—a testament to the discipline and the rigor of countless hours of shaping raw material into forms both familiar and imaginative.

“Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature”

Jan. 8:

Michael Feinberg Trio at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $35-$40; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. A contemporary jazz bassist of the highest order, Feinberg is a graduate of the University of Miami’s esteemed music school, where he recorded his debut album, Harajuku, at 19. His music finds equal footing in the pop world and the avant-garde. With his trio, he follows the lead of piano virtuoso Keith Jarrett in revisiting American Songbook classics with invigorating new arrangements.

Michael Feinberg Trio

Jan. 8-21:

“Admissions” at Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton; 2 p.m. Wed. and Sun., 7:30 p.m. Sat.; $25-$40; 561/558-2520, levisjcc.org. In this award-winning play by Joshua Harmon (author of “Bad Jews”), the head of an admissions department at a New England prep school, and her husband, the school’s headmaster, have devoted their efforts to diversifying their once-lily-white institution. But their progressive ideals clash with personal ambition when their son seeks their help in securing admission to an Ivy League university.

Reginald Cunningham: “Black Pearls”

Jan. 9:

Neil deGrasse Tyson: “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies

II” at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $45 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. The opinionated astrophysicist returns to the Broward Center for the sequel to his illuminating and illustrated look at what Hollywood has gotten wrong—and, occasionally, right, but mostly wrong—in its depictions of scientific phenomena. This program’s titles include “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Lion King” and “Game of Thrones.”

Now-Feb. 12:

“A Personal View on High Fashion & Street Style: Photography from the Nicola Erni

Collection, 1930s to Now” at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; $15-$18 museum admission; 561/832-5196, norton.org. Making its museum debut, this collection from devoted enthusiast Nicola Erni includes more than 300 works documenting the intersection of fashion and street photography, by artists such as Irving Penn, Cecil Beaton, Richard Avedon and more.

Now-April 23:

“Scott Covert: I Had a Won-

derful Life” at NSU Art Museum, 1 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; $5-$12 museum admission; 954/525-5500, nsuartmuseum.org. “I Had a Wonderful Life” marks the first solo museum exhibition from this distinctive painter from the 1980s East Village art scene. Covert specializes in the Victorian practice of grave rubbing, in which he lifts impressions from tombstone reliefs. Text from the resting places of famous dead people is combined to form collages.

Jan. 3-8:

“Hadestown” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; various show times; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. “Hadestown” is the brainchild of Vermont folksinger Anaïs Mitchell, whose source material is as ancient as 29 BCE: the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the former’s harrowing journey into a hedonistic underground to rescue the latter. Hermes, Persephone and, of course, Hades figure into the plot as well. The Broadway debut won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Jan. 6:

Jerry Seinfeld at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $67.50 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. The veteran observational funnyman, whose eponymous 1990s sitcom is regularly ranked among the best television series of all-time, will take some time away from completing his latest movie project—a film that, in the “entertainment about nothing” tradition, is inspired by the Pop-Tart—to debut a new slate of material.

Neil deGrasse Tyson “Scott Covert: I Had a Wonderful Life” “Hadestown”

Jan. 10:

David Petraeus at Society of the Four Arts, 100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; 3 p.m.; $50; 561/655-7226, fourarts. org. Respected General David Petraeus has spent 40 years in the military and public service, ascending from a commander of the 101st Airborne Division in the Iraq War to director of the CIA, which he secured with a 94-0 Senate confirmation. In this lecture, he’ll discuss the importance of U.S. leadership at home and abroad and emerging threats to the geopolitical order.

Jan. 10-29:

“Sweet Charity” at Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter; various show times; $93-$120; 561/575-2223, jupitertheatre. org. Adapting this musical from a perhaps unlikely source—Federico Fellini’s art-house drama “Nights of Cabiria”—Neil Simon’s rousing “Sweet Charity” follows the romantic travails of a large-hearted, sexually liberated dancehall girl in New York City. Infused with Simon’s trademark urban pep, wit and sophistication, “Sweet Charity” earned 9 noms upon its 1966 debut.

Jan. 13:

Kathleen Madigan at Coral Springs Center for the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs; 8 p.m.; $31.57$52.97; 954/344-5990, thecentercs.com. A classic joke constructionist and a longtime “comedian’s comedian,” Madigan brings more than 30 years of standup experience and a C.V. of six television specials and 40 appearances on late-night talk shows. Her 2023 world tour is called “Boxed Wine and Tiny Banjos.”

Jerry Seinfeld

Jan. 14:

Phillip-Michael Scales at Wold Performing Arts Center

at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 7:30 p.m.; $25-$40; 561/2379000, lynn.edu. This emerging guitarist and singer-songwriter grew up in Nashville, with blues legend BB King as a family friend. King encouraged Scales to pursue his own career in song, and the young performer has cultivated a personal style, buoyed by a recent appearance on “Ellen,” that he calls “dive bar soul,” channeling his love of both the blues and indie rock.

2023 January

Jan. 14:

“Fela! The Concert” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Fela Kuti, composer, activist and Afrobeat pioneer, is reborn in this celebration of his music and legacy, honoring both his joyous, danceable songwriting and the confrontational politics that undergirded it. It is performed with a live Afrobeat band, singers and dancers whose rhythms replicate Kuti’s own, and vivid projected images complementing every note.

Jan. 15:

Harry Maurer at Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Suite 10, Boca Raton; 7 p.m.; $31.50$41.50; 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com. Equally comfortable in the worlds of comedy and magic, this gregarious conjurer has been honing his skills since high school. He now spends 47 weeks on the road, from comedy clubs to cruise ships, and has opened for Jason Alexander, the Supremes, Frankie Avalon and many others.

Jan. 15:

Judith Hill at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 6 and 8:30 p.m.; $39 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. With a voice as soulful and room-filling as that of Aretha Franklin or Mavis Staples, Hill launched her career on the shoulders of giants, from dueting with Michael Jackson on his planned final concert residency to working with co-producer Prince on her 2015 debut. Collaborations with Spike Lee and Josh Groban followed. She’s touring in support of her fourth album, Baby, I’m Hollywood!

“Fela! The Concert” Croce Plays Croce Merz Trio

Jan. 24:

Gillian Sorenson at Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton; 10:30 a.m.; $15; 561/237-9000, lynn.edu. Sorenson, former United Nations assistant secretary-general for external relations—and currently spearheading relief efforts in Ukraine—will discuss her calling as a “diplomat’s diplomat,” per the New York Times. Lynn professor Robert Watson will lead the discussion, part of his nonpartisan Dialogues Lecture Series.

Jan. 24:

Croce Plays Croce at Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 8 p.m.; $99; 561/868-3309, duncantheatre. org. Singer-songwriter AJ Croce, who lost his famous balladeer father, Jim, at age 2, and then went blind at 4, has transformed setbacks into creative gold as a vocalist, guitarist and pianist. At this performance, he plays iconic songs by his father (“Operator,” “Time in a Bottle”), a few of his original compositions, and tunes that have inspired both Croces.

Jan. 25:

Merz Trio at Duncan Theatre at Palm Beach State College, 4200 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth Beach; 2 p.m.; $35; 561/8683309, duncantheatre.org. This string trio has shared its space with puppeteers and chefs, film directors and dancers and, most prominently, poets: The award-winning group’s 2021 debut album, Ink, deconstructs Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor of 1914, breaking it up into four movements interspersed with poetic spoken word from Jean Cocteau and others.

Jan. 20-Feb. 5:

“To Life 3” at Willow Theatre at Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton; various show times; $43; 561/347-3900, sugarsandpark.org. Director Shari Upbin presents her third iteration of this song-and-dance-filled toast to the contribution of Jewish composers to the Golden Age of Broadway, featuring tunes by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Herman, Sheldon Harnick and others.

Jan. 20-21:

Jazz Fest 2023 at Pompano Beach Great Lawn and Old Town, 41 N. First St., Pompano Beach; 7 to 10 p.m. Fri., 2 to 10 p.m. Sat.; $65-$100; pompanobeacharts.org. Grammy-winning, genre-hopping saxophonist David Sanborn headlines this two-day celebration of the great American music genre in its many forms. Other artists include smooth jazz/fusion pianist/ vocalist Fanni Sarkozy, Cuban saxophone maestro Yanier Horta, New Orleans Dixieland imports the Dixie Kings, Brazilian-American percussionist Nanny Assis and more.

Jan. 20-22:

“Madama Butterfly” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; TBA; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. In one of Puccini’s many masterworks, an opportunistic American naval officer in 1890s Japan courts a 15-yearold girl from Nagasaki, takes her as his wife, and forces her to abandon her family and her religion, only to callously dump her—and worse. This production marks the opening of Palm Beach Opera’s lavish season at the Kravis.

Jan. 21-22:

Boca Strawberry Festival at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real, Boca Raton; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $15 for single day; 561/393-7890, bocastrawberryfestival.com. Sweeter than the Garlic Festival and just as packed with activities, this inaugural event features natural strawberry confections and other food, a canine talent show, a petting zoo, live music, strolling magicians, a video game truck and more. Order online with promo code BOCAMAG to get $5 off “Unlimited Activities Tickets.”

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston”

Jan. 25:

Chris Botti at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $29 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. This trumpeter, whose deft and velvet sound is more than comfortable in jazz, pop and rock modalities, takes the stage with a full band. Recent collaborations with artists as diverse as Vince Gill, Barbra Streisand and John Mayer attest to Botti’s versatility.

Blue Man Group

Jan. 25:

Dave Mason at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 7 p.m.; $49.50 and up; 954/462-0222, browardcenter.org. Mason became a linchpin of English classic rockers Traffic, performing during their original 19671969 golden area. He has continued to attract audiences from the rock and jazz worlds as both a respected solo artist and a member of Fleetwood Mac. His latest tour is aptly titled “World in Changes.”

Jazz Fest 2023

Jan. 26:

“The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Hous-

ton” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m.; $25 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. This tribute concert celebrates the music and memory of the late R&B icon. Supplemented by a live band, backing vocalists and choreographed dancers, “The Greatest Love of All” replicates a Houston concert from the vocalist’s prime, a re-creation fronted by South African singer and look-alike Belinda Davids.

Jan. 28-29:

Blue Man Group at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 8 p.m. Sat., 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sun.; $29 and up; 561/832-7469, kravis. org. Part percussionists, part clowns, part acrobatic showmen and part mimes, the Blue Man Group have been entertaining audiences with their performance art for the past 35 years. This tour features all-new music, choreography, stunts and audience interaction but adheres to BMG’s signature strengths: pounding drums and explosions of multicolored paint.

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