Curtains Rising for Performing Arts

FreeFall Theatre came up with an ambitious drive-in theater concept for their “War of the Worlds” musical production which was staged facing the parking lot. The run, through December 6, is selling out most of the 30 parking spaces for each performance.

And the Curtain Rises…(finally)

BY CINDY STOVALL

Fall traditionally marks the opening of most performing arts seasons, and as it applies to theater in St. Pete, you can’t, as they say, keep good men and women down.

No doubt we have seen amazing levels of innovation during our collective COVID journey. Many arts related programs and businesses have found clever ways to harness the power of the interwebs in order to stay visible and afloat. In the case of live staged performances, however, it’s been a different story. Though online readings and other offerings have been put forward, the live theater experience with its (exquisitely) close quarters and enclosed spaces has remained, for the most part, in a holding pattern.

But lately, with an infusion of innovation, plenty of determination and a redirection of the creative spirit, the ghost lights dim just a bit and the footlights are going up. Here’s a look at what we can look forward to this season.

A Season (Literally) Reimagined

What could be more on the nose than a theater season titled Reimagine? American Stage has a habit of nailing a concept, and long before any global pandemic. “Our 2020-2021 season, Reimagine embraces this time of transition and change within our world and within our artform,” said Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte. “ It was essential that we craft a season that allows us to remain connected to the community at a time when we all need the meaningful human connection that powerful storytelling can provide, while at the same time, preparing for ongoing flexibility in an evolving public health landscape.”

Considering real world circumstances, American Stage’s season is especially ambitious and full of hope with “more powerful stories than ever before.” Here’s what you can expect in a hybrid (virtual and live) season designed to include all:

A Digital Theatre Series is solely for digital access. This series includes three plays in three months to open the season. At time of press, Letters to Kamala is nearing end of run. Two additional offerings for November and December include Kate – The Unexamined Life of Katherine Hepburn and Nosotros La Gente (We the People).

Another virtual series that embodies the whole Reimagine concept is Creative Collaborators. Described as a “linking of creative arms across the country,” it truly takes the virtual theater experience to the next level by providing American Stage members the opportunity to view productions from participating theaters across the country.

A Hybrid Production Series includes four mainstage style plays intended for virtual viewing as well as a return to live, onsite performances. Beginning in January, this series opens with a play by local favorite and Buffalo native Natalie Symons. The People Downstairs was all set to premier in March 2020 just as shut-downs began. It’s really heartening to see it return, as it symbolizes a sort of defiance against adversity and a grasping at visions of normalcy.

January also sees the return, in hybrid form, of the wildly popular 21st Century Voices: Emerging Plays – New Plays Festival. It’s American Stage’s innovative annual search for new works across the country. Chosen plays will earn staged readings, with one play slated to be fully produced in the following season. Live onsite performances are planned.

Of course, no American Stage season, reimagined or otherwise, would be the same without a return to live theater in the park. Footloose is set to return in April and May after its cancellation last Spring for a bit of dancing under the stars at Demen’s Landing.

For show schedules and ticket information: americanstage.org (727) 823-7529

American Stage in the Park

Goosebumps!

That’s the way freeFall Theatre’s artistic director Eric Davis describes a conversation he had with a patron at one of the last live shows before shut-down – a patron who was simply reveling, not in the performance per say, but in the audience reaction to the performance and to each other – the irreplaceable element of attending live theater that no Zoom production could ever match.

In a public message to freeFall fans during the forced hiatus, Davis expressed his sincere hope for a “return to goosebumps.”

Well, I’m happy to report that, even as we speak, goosebumps have returned to audiences at the freeFall campus – and in quite a wonderfully nostalgic way. “War of the Worlds,” H.G. Wells’ 1938 radio broadcast that interrupted a regular show to report an alien invasion, both fooled and terrified a nation. It has been adapted for the stage by Davis himself and musical director Michael Rabbe.

While that’s certainly true nostalgia, it’s the way in which the production is being staged that takes me back. The performances are being done on an outdoor stage and viewed by the audience drive-in style! In one of the most original responses to the dilemma of keeping audiences safe, what could be more fun, or more responsible, than staying in your car? It’s genius. This live, drive-in radio experience tells H.G. Wells’ sci-fi classic using music, comedy, multimedia and a bevy of special guest stars via satellite.

Maybe I’m so excited because I actually remember going (often) to drive-ins with my family in the ‘60’s. It’s where I first saw The Sound of Music in 1965 and Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Those nights of sitting on the car roof in my pajamas are an enduring and sweet memory that I can’t wait to relive at freeFall (well, the roof and pajamas part, not so much).

War of the Worlds runs through December 6. General admission tickets are per car with up to four occupants and parking is first come, first served. Hurry, tickets are going fast. Go to freefalltheatre.com (727) 498-5205

Combining Virtual and Live

The Palladium, like all performing arts venues in St. Pete, had gone dark for a time – cancelling many shows and facing the unavoidable loss of revenue. But Executive Director Paul Wilborn has been even more concerned about the loss of revenue to the artists. “We’ve managed to get by through good budgeting and our St. Pete College affiliation,” says Wilborn. “We’ve even avoided furloughing staff. But I always say that you’re not a real arts community unless your local artists can afford to LIVE in the community through their chosen work and talents.”

With that in mind, Wilborn and staff have been hard at work updating virtual theater experiences, adding back live staged performances and developing a revolutionary donor funded programming development series. The fall and coming holiday season will be “full steam ahead” at the Palladium. The virtual programming, known as The Palladium Live, will continue with a total revamping of production quality. Lighting and video guru Christopher Spatafora has assumed the responsibilities of production manager and plans to begin using multiple cameras and upgraded sound equipment.

Live staged performances will be offered in an updated format already in use. “We have always been fortunate in that the Palladium is essentially two venues in one,” says Wilborn. “The Side Door offerings on the downstairs stage with cabaret seating have been based on a 180 ticket capacity. With that limit as a guide we plan to offer these same performances - except they will be staged upstairs in Hough Hall. This will allow for natural physical distancing as the mainstage has an 830-seat capacity.” Genres include comedy, music, dance and much more. Additionally, several live shows produced by other arts organizations like the St. Petersburg Opera, but staged at the Palladium will go on as scheduled.

The newest addition to the Palladium’s mission to support artists comes in the form of a program that will actually pay them for developing and staging new work. “We’ve always wanted an ‘artist in residence’ type of program and, through the generosity of one of our patrons, the Palladium will have the ability to offer development stipends to our valued artists for the creation of their work in addition to paying them to perform it,” Wilborn explains. “We’re calling it the Palladium Creative Class of 2021.”

The initial series of 10 program development grants for the coming year will go to frequently appearing Palladium artists of all genres like jazz and bossa nova impresario, Nate Najar and the ever talented Helen French, co-creator of the annual dance showcase Beacon. “We plan to offer this opportunity to many deserving artists for multiple seasons moving forward,” says Wilborn. “We want to be a part of what makes St. Pete a real arts community.”

For show schedules and ticket information: mypalladium.org (727) 822-3590

Pop-ups and Hybrid Programming

The St. Petersburg Opera Company, led by its devoted director Mark Sforzini, is yet another study in passion, determination and creative energy applied in a crisis. In SPO’s 15-year history, it’s not even the first one. The economic crisis of 2008 threatened the then fledgling company as well. “We have been likened to ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ says Sforzini. “And I’m giving my commitment to see SPO through this current crisis.”

Though many productions were cancelled, patrons continued to donate funds and their unused tickets in a show of solidarity and support. Now, with the current 2020-21 season’s offerings, the faith of SPO’s fans will be rewarded.

Of course, as with most performing arts venues, virtual offerings will continue such as the Artist Recital Series, featuring eight artists recounting their personal journeys through song. The Maestro Series will be offered via “hybrid” programming – a combination of online and in-person performances. Concerts are filmed (with three cameras) outdoors at various locations for online consumption, but a limited number of patrons are also invited to purchase tickets to attend the performance being filmed in person.

Probably my favorite reimagining of programming in the St. Pete Opera repertoire is Popera – a series of “pop-up” holiday offerings staged at various locales with an in-person, physically distanced and masked audience. Still to come on the schedule is Opera Harvest on November 22, and the annual seasonal extravaganza, Holiday Sparkle, a fan fave which will return to its home at the Palladium Theater.

For show schedules and ticket information: stpeteopera.org (727) 823-2040

St. Pete Opera is presenting pop-up POPeras.

Phasing Protocols and Options

The 53rd season of The Florida Orchestra has been, in a word, reimagined. Music director Michael Francis has devised a series of modifications that will effectively reunite us with our passion for live classical music. “Your concert experience will be different than your last visit, but you will not be disappointed by the depth and passion of the music,” he stated in a press release.

Virtual concerts and programming will continue to be available, but “Phase One” protocols will allow for attendance at live performances in the concert hall at the Mahaffey Theater. Here’s how it will work:

To begin, limited seating will be available to allow for 25% capacity (close to 500 seats). Seats must be reserved and they will be offered in pairs, six feet apart. Smaller, shorter performances of about 70 minutes will be performed without intermission. Full time musicians will be divided and rotated through performances and seated apart at safe distances on stage. Face coverings are to be worn at all times; and strict cleaning regimes will be carried out.

Concerts will be offered with more options. For example, Soundwaves offers an expansion of the Tampa Bay Times Masterworks series, featuring explorations of music from a wide range of composers. Raymond James Pops returns for Holiday Pops and Coffee Concerts gives us an opportunity to attend brunch time performances. There is literally something for everyone who dearly loves and has missed live classical music. For tickets and more information, go to floridaorchestra.org (727) 892-3331

While we can never be certain what the future holds when it comes to the pandemic, it’s quite clear that the show must go on for local performing arts in one form or another. Kudos!