A MainStage Musical Jan. 11- Feb. 3, 2019 Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket Prices: $32 Adult | $17 College | $15 Child
W
e are so excited to bring back the always-popular Always, Patsy Cline, opening on Friday, Jan. 11 and running through Sunday, Feb. 3. This time our production will star Alana Opie. It’s her first time playing Patsy for us, but she earned rave reviews when she played the role at the Manatee Performing Arts Center a few seasons ago. She’s known for her Classic Country Cabaret which you may have enjoyed during our Summer Cabaret Festival. Always, Patsy Cline is a funny and touching tribute to one of the best-loved names in country music. More than just a concert, it employs the true story of Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife and avid fan, Louise Seger (played again by Rebecca Holahan), to frame the story and the music. Seger acts as the narrator of Cline’s story. Audiences have flocked to the theatre anytime we have produced this show since 2004. Director Allan Kollar says, “Not only is the music great, this is a very funny show. The humor is certainly one of the factors in how successful it is with our audiences.” Alana Opie • Rebecca Holahan
In spite of her tragically brief career, Cline’s voice continues to enthrall millions of fans and influence many of today’s country and pop singers. This intimate show celebrates the music and includes Patsy Cline classics like “I Fall to Pieces,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and “Crazy.” You’d be crazy to miss it!
Downtown Venice Beautification Project
New palm trees on W Miami Avenue.
Downtown Venice is open for shopping, dining, and live entertainment! Shops and restaurants will remain open during the work and access will be maintained. Parking remains available and accessible in the Centennial Park lot across from the theatre, and in the lot directly behind our building as work continues on westbound W. Venice Avenue and Miami Avenue. We will keep you updated on our website when the work starts by us on W. Tampa Avenue.
New paving on W Venice Avenue.
Insider In the Know Saturday, Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m. You are cordially invited to a special event - the announcement of our 70th Season – where you will enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and entertainment. Check your email for the invitation and be sure to RSVP. We hope to see you there!
From the Producing Executive Director, Murray Chase George Kelly’s The Torchbearers, a play about “little theatre” players producing a show, started a movement which is now entering its 70th season. That was the first venture of what was then Venice Little Theatre, performed at a Quonset hut at Venice Airport. I doubt that those founders, wise as they were, envisioned that the community would so embrace their “VLT.” With Venice’s population being 862, they certainly never thought it would grow to become America’s 2nd-largest community theatre. But so it has! It has become so by remembering that it represents its community: young and old, classic and contemporary, traditional and new. On Saturday, Jan. 26, Venice Theatre will announce its 70th season. That season promises to celebrate who we are, both traditional and boldly new. Stand by for the announcement on our website and through our e-mail blasts. Or come to the party on Jan. 26 (see left) to be the first to know! Don’t wait. Season tickets go on sale right away. I promise you one of our most exciting years yet. The best deals are available for those who order first. Best wishes to Paul & Andrea Bekkenhuis on a great retirement!
See Rock City, by Arlene Hutton Part 2 in the “Nibroc Trilogy”
A Stage II production presented in the Pinkerton Theatre Jan. 4 - 20, 2019 Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket Prices: $28 Adult | $17 College | $15 Youth “… a rare thing in current theater: a plain good story.”
P
~ The Washington Post
icking up a year after the ending of last season’s critically acclaimed Last Train to Nibroc, this tender and funny sequel follows May and Raleigh through the end of World War II and introduces the characters of their two mothers-in-law. A medical condition keeps Raleigh from military service, and he is limited to sitting idly on the porch, watching the cars drive by, as May works as a high-school principal. Faced with daily rejection letters for his writing, unrelenting criticism from his mother, and taunts of cowardice from townspeople, Raleigh fights to find meaning in his new life. When tragedy strikes the family, they discover (through May’s example) how to save their relationships. This tender portrayal of married life, set against the backdrop of World War II, shows the best of the human spirit and its ability to overcome any and all obstacles. The Berkshire Eagle says, “Without missing a step, she [Playwright Arlene Hutton] has created a sequel that is every bit as accomplished as its progenitor, Last Train to Nibroc.”
Maureen Young • Judy Tilley • Cheyenne Alford • Jim Griesmeyer
If you saw Last Train to Nibroc, we know you’ll want to see what Raleigh and May are up to now. If you didn’t, See Rock City stands alone as a very funny, touching and universal portrayal of a young couple very much in love. Get your tickets now for this recipient of the MacLean Foundation’s “In the Spirit of America” Award.
941-488-1115 OR visit us online at VeniceStage.com
Something new
Venice Theatre’s Youth Production Company presents first show Almost, Maine by John Cariani In the Pinkerton Theatre Jan. 13, 14 & 19, 2019 Sunday & Monday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. All Tickets $15
R
ecently, a group of young actors, with the support of VT’s Education & Outreach Department, launched a new program that is allowing them to spread their wings and rise to a new level of leadership in the organization. After just a few short months, the YPC is ready to present its first show! They are excited to welcome you to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist.
Clockwise from front left: Jillian Alexander, Natalie Taylor, Jenna Fisher, Anna Sand-Lambert, Claudia Hassler, Luis Flores, Matt Reagan, Casey Berkery
One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, (played by Fiona Coffey, L.J. Valery, Leeson Foullon, Lexi Bogert, Libby Moser, and Ben Casey) find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend —almost— in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.
Experience “something good” our concerts and special events!
T
he concerts and special events series continues with an exciting lineup for 2019. America’s Diamond Live starring Jay White returns Jan. 13 and 14 to pay tribute to America’s classiest rock star, Neil Diamond. VT favorite Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, has limited seating available for Jan. 20 and 21. Hurry before all of Peter’s “Nooniacs” snag the rest of the tickets! A new concert for us this year, Rocket Man starring Rus Anderson in a tribute to Elton John, is breaking box office records for Jan. 27 and 28.
Andrews Sisters Cathy Baudrit, Michele Pruyn, Kim Kollar
Tom Becker
Don’t miss more tributes to the music you love: Our own Kim Kollar and friends will “make the company jump” in The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters on Feb. 4, while Tom Becker returns with his popular show, Back Home Again, A Tribute to John Denver on Feb. 24 and 25. A multi-talented group of energetic performers will “Walk Like A Man,” sing, and dance through the songs of Frankie Valli in Let’s Hang On on March 10 and 11. Buddy Returns (aka Matt McClure) on March 17 and 18; and Eric Watters closes out our concert season with Some Kind of Wonderful, the Brill Building Era on April 15. P.S. We didn’t mention the Capitol Steps who will be performing their current show, Make America Grin Again, because their March shows are nearly sold out. You can check online or with the box office to see if any seats remain.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
140 West Tampa Ave • Venice, FL 34285 VeniceStage.com
PAID
PERMIT NO. 924 MANASOTA, FL
COMING UP ... See Rock City Jan 4 - 20 Always, Patsy Cline Jan 11 - Feb 3 America’s Diamond Live Starring Jay White Jan 13 & 14 Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone Jan 20 & 21 Rocket Man Jan 27 & 28 Assisted Living: The Musical Feb 1 - Mar 10 The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters
Feb 4 42nd Street Feb 22 - Mar 24 Back Home Again: A Tribute to John Denver Feb 24 & 25 The Capitol Steps Mar 3 - 5 Let’s Hang On: Frankie Valli Tribute Show Mar 10 & 11 Buddy Returns Mar 17 & 18 Disenchanted Mar 22 - Apr 14 The Silver Foxes Sounds of the City: A Broadway Melody Mar 25 - 30 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Apr 12 - 28 Eric Watters
Some Kind of Wonderful, the Brill Building Era
Apr 15 Race Apr 26 - May 12 Honk! May 10 - 19
Last chance to register for 2019 Winter/Spring programs! Call the Education & Outreach Department
Venice Theatre is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
or register online: VeniceStage.com
941-486-8679
941-488-1115 OR visit us online at VeniceStage.com