‘Tis the Season at Manatee Performing Arts Center

By Lisa Codianne Fowler | October 2022

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Manatee Performing Arts Center Producing Artistic Director, the venerable Rick Kerby, has orchestrated another show-stopping line up of shows this season. He shares that there is so much more than we know that goes on behind the scenes to create these fabulous acts.

“We produce our own mainstage musicals, meaning we cast, create the costumes, construct the sets, find the props, and rehearse to bring it all to life. We do all this using local volunteer talent to create large-scale musicals on the main stage in Stone Hall,” he explains. “We are starting in October with Gypsy opening the Manatee Players Musical Series. This series includes five, Broadway-style musicals.

There is a second stage that hosts a socially-relevant series that they call “Action through Acting” where they highlight a piece that has an issue that affects our community. For Rent, they are partnering with CAN Community Health to increase AIDS awareness and services that are available for treatment.”

In additions to these shows, the organization brings in outside, established acts that contract with the facility. They consist of concerts, lectures, comedians, dance troupes, film, variety acts, and more. 

The 2022-2023 Manatee Players Musical Series begins in October and there is still time to take advantage of becoming a season subscriber to secure your tickets for all five shows.

Here are the five shows of the Manatee Players Musical Series. It’s showtime!

GYPSY—October 2022

A mother who wishes for stardom, and two daughters who were dragged into it because of her. Considered to be the best musical, Gypsy tells the story of how a mother uses her two daughters to achieve the dream she has, ignoring the strain it puts on them. Throughout the story, one daughter has all the attention, while the other has almost none. Will both girls succeed because of their mother’s efforts, or will the dreams of their mother crush their relationship with her?

THE MUSIC MAN—December 2022

There’s trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

NEXT TO NORMAL—January 2023

An unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. It takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy, and heart.

Next To Normalis also part of the Action Through Acting Series.

COMPANY—March 2023

Sondheim’s game-changing musical is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor, Robert, contemplates his unmarried state. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks, and even a wedding, his friends explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. The habitually single Robert is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood during a hilarious array of interactions.

SUNSET BOULEVARD—April/May 2023

Based on the Billy Wilder film, the musical version of Sunset Boulevard is a tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning masterwork of dreams and desire in the land called Hollywood includes the lush, swelling standards “With One Look,” “As If We Never Said Goodbye” and “Perfect Year.”

Here are the 2022-2023 Manatee Players Bradenton Kiwanis Theater Productions. All four shows are part of the Action Through Acting series.

RENT—Hurry! It runs through October 2nd

Jonathan Larson’s iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that shaped a generation of audiences and taught us all to measure our life in love. Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

PETS! The Musical—November 2022

This critically acclaimed musical revue consists of 22 musical scenes dealing with the very special relationship between people and their pets. With creatures ranging from cats and dogs to iguanas and parakeets and scenes ranging from humorous to sensitive, Pets! The Musical is a clever and charming show for all ages.

Go Ask Alice—February 2023

Alice is a fairly typical girl from an average family with parents who love her. What makes Alice different is that she’s tricked into trying drugs and then becomes addicted. She fights against her addiction, but by the time she has learned the answers, it’s already too late.

Powerful and tragic, this adapted play follows Alice, a teenage girl, as she fights desperately against her drug addiction. Although the novel of the same name it was based on was published in 1971, this story remains poignant and relevant even today.

Driving Miss Daisy—April 2023

This Pulitzer-winning play was the most successful play to be put on in the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater and is returning to bring this heartfelt tale to more audiences. Dealing with race relations in the south, unlikely connections, and the passage of time, Driving Miss Daisy follows the relationship between the widowed 72-year-old Daisy Werthan and Hoke Colburn, the African American man hired to be her chauffeur.

Other upcoming events at 

the Manatee Performing Arts Center

NIGHT OF R&B AND JAZZ WITH NU JAZZ

November 5th at 7:30 PM

NuJazz is a contemporary jazz band from the Sarasota/Bradenton area. They play hits from many artists in the genre such as The Rippingtons, Richard Elliot, Peter White, Spyro Gyra, Boney James and many more.

NuJazz is led by Dr. Melvin Price, a local foot and ankle surgeon with MCR Health. Along with accomplished musicians Eric Enfield – Keyboards, Ron Ross – Bass Guitar, Corey Ross – Drums, Gregg Jordan – Guitar, Keith Allen – Percussion and Veola Drain – Vocals. NuJazz brings your favorite R&B tunes to a new level with a jazz twist.

PUPPY PALS COMEDIC STUNT DOG SHOW

November 12th at 2 PM

PUPPY PALS Comedic Stunt Dog Show is a family fun action-packed show where adopted and rescued dogs perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats. Watch as they lead the puppies and audience through challenging and comical tricks as the pooches show everyone who is really boss! Full of surprises and laugh-out-loud canine comedy this performance appeals to children of all ages.

The cast of performers and stunt dogs delight and dazzle audiences of all ages, with high energy excitement from beginning to end. During the Puppy Pals Comedic Stunt Dog Show you will witness some of the most incredible dog stunts and behaviors ever performed by man’s best friend. The experience has amazing dog tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs, backflip dogs, athletic feats, and is the most entertaining show of its kind.

THE ELVIS PRESLEY EXPERIENCE

November 19, at 2:00 & 8:00 PM

One of the most acclaimed Elvis Tribute Artist acts in the country, 18-year-old Florida-native Matt Stone is taking the industry by storm. With Matt’s uncanny resemblance, remarkable voice, and fiery stage presence, he has earned the adoration of fans all across the country. 

Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com for more details and to purchase tickets to the scintillating lineup.