Live theater: Critic's season picks

Sarasota's live-theater scene barely slowed down last summer. And now it’s speeding up again. The rapidly approaching season is mix of whodunits, tragedies, sales gimmicks, romance and more. Here are a few highlights:

“The Actor’s Nightmare” and “The Real Inspector Hound.” Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Inspector Hound” is a distorted funhouse mirror mocking theater critics (is it something we said?) and formulaic Agatha Christie murder mysteries. Spoiler alert: The critics get lost in the funhouse mirror and the murderer gets away.

Christopher Durang’s “The Actor’s Nightmare” tells the story of a man who can’t act but is forced to. Greg Leaming will direct this double feature of absurdist comedy in two one-act plays.
This FSU/Asolo Conservatory production will showcase the entire second-year student-acting class. And, yes, they can act.

Nov. 3 through 22 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org/conservatory

“HAIR” considers the fate of a tribe of long-haired hippies, back in the days when Baby Boomers actually had hair. They turn on, tune in, dig the boho scene, dodge the draft, make love (not war) and sing. Unless clerks still ask to see your driver’s license, you probably know the songs; “Hair,” “The Age of Aquarius” and “Let the Sunshine” all made the Top 40.

Born off-Broadway in 1967, this revolutionary, free-form rock musical became a Broadway hit in 1968—and changed Broadway’s style forever. Fittingly, Broadway legend Ben Vereen will direct. (Gerome Ragni and James Rado wrote the book and lyrics; Galt MacDermot composed the music.)

Gala and premiere takes place Nov. 9; main run takes place Nov. 10 through Dec. 13 at the Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. Call 488-1115 or visit venicestage.com.

“West Side Story” takes a hard-hitting look at the world of gang violence and racial—ah, who am I kidding? The Crips and the Bloods do not, after all, break out into interpretive jazz dance during their encounters in the real world. “West Side Story” exists in a parallel universe, with a story freely lifted from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” It took an army of talent to create this musical, and an army of talent will bring it to life in this Asolo Rep production directed by Joey McKneely—who plans to recreate the original choreography. (Book by Arthur Laurents; music by Leonard Bernstein; libretto and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins)

Takes place Nov. 10 through Dec. 27 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org.

John Patrick Shanley’s “Outside Mullingar” proves the playwright can write about more than bad priests (Not that there was any doubt). In the tradition of John Ford’s “The Quiet Man,” it’s a romantic comedy unfolding in the green fields of Ireland, don’t you know? 

Two middle-aged farmers (Anthony and Rosemary) find love. But they have to overcome a treacherous obstacle course of family rivalry, land feuds and fearful hearts to keep it. This unfolds with the pitch-perfect dialog and character insights you’d expect from Shanley. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s not a 10-minute fist fight.

Takes place Feb. 3 through March 27 at Florida Studio Theatre Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St. Call 366-9000 or visit floridastudiotheatre.org.

“Bye-Bye Birdie” says farewell to Birdie, a pomaded, hip-shaking, lip-curling rock star who got drafted in the late 1950s. Who doesn’t remember Ann Margret crying her eyes out in the movie? (A scene famously featured on “Mad Men.”)

The King of Rock ’n' Roll was gone — and that was a big deal back then. It was a simpler time. To be fair, the musical mocks the way rock’s nascent fans bent their knee to rock royalty. The times weren’t that simple. (Michael Stewart penned the script, Lee Adams wrote the lyrics and Charles Strouse composed the music.)

Takes place Feb. 12 through March 1 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave. West, Bradenton. Call 748-5875 or visit manateeplayers.com.

“Hands on a Hard Body” does to the auto industry’s occasionally sadistic sales drives what “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” did to dance marathons. It’s a musical based on a documentary about one such endurance contest deep in the heart of Texas. The rules? Aside from bathroom breaks, contestants must keep their feet on the floor and their paws on a shiny new Nissan hard body pickup truck. The one left standing gets to drive it away.

Gripping, gritty stuff. (Phish fans note—Trey Anastasio composed most of the music, sharing credit with lyricist Amanda Green. The hardboiled script comes from Doug Wright.)

Takes place Feb. 17 through March 6 at the Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 365-2494 or visit theplayers.org.

“The Color Purple” tells the tale of Celie Harris, a young African American woman growing up in the Deep South at the dawn of the 20th century. Needless to say, the Deep South was not a supportive environment for young African American women at the time. Harris endures poverty, racism sexism and sexual abuse (the title refers to the color of bruises).

But Celie gets by with a little help from her friends in this world and the one above. The musical is based on Alice Walker’s novel (and Steven’s Spielberg’s film) with a score ranging from gospel to jazz to Delta blues. (Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray created the music and lyrics. Marsha Norman wrote the script—with a debt to Menno Meyjes’ screenplay.)

Takes place October 14 through November 21 at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way. Call 366-1505 or visit wbttroupe.org.

Anna Jordan’s “Freak” is a coming-of-age story. As you might expect from the playwright of “Chicken Shop,” it’s a dark one. Leah’s path to adulthood takes her straight to the intersection of sex and power. In a parallel story, the 30-something Georgie loses her job and winds up in the adult-entertainment industry. So it goes. To paraphrase Annie Lennox, some people want to use and abuse you. Catchy tune; harsh lesson.

But ignorance leads to the freak show, even for the innocent. More unflinching fare from the Urbanites. (To state the obvious, expect adult language and sexual content.) 

Takes place Oct. 23 through Nov. 15 at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. Call 321-1397 or visit urbanitetheatre.com.