Evening with the Friends of Dorothy

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy:

a Judy Garland Cabaret

Produced by Economic Stimulus Productions
June 12 - 28

Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Can”

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret, is an evening of song celebrating the American icon in a month that marks both her birth, and the 40th anniversary of her death. Follow the yellow brick road and enjoy such song titles as “Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart”, “Swanee”, “You Made Me Love You”, “Do It Again”, and of course, “Over the Rainbow”. This New York style cabaret will take place in the new lobby of American Stage Theatre Company, which features comfortable living room style seating, full service bar including EcStim’s signature jello-shots and PBR, and a backdrop of windows overlooking the lighted trees of Williams Park.

Prizes awarded for Judy Garland look-alikes so don’t forget your ruby slippers!

Playing nine performances only, this limited engagement stars Michael Titone, Samantha McKinnon Brown, Julie Rowe at the piano, and is directed by T. Scott Wooten. An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret is produced by Economic Stimulus Productions. Independent Theatre can be a financial burden to produce, but thanks to The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 signed into law by President George W. Bush, Producers Julie Rowe and T. Scott Wooten decided against buying stuff and instead pooled their tax rebate checks together to produce live theatre. Economic Stimulus Productions is proud to be producing performance art fully funded by the United States Government. Thanks, FORMER President George W.!!!

An Evening with the Friends of Dorothy: a Judy Garland Cabaret will be performed on the following schedule: June 12 through June 28, Fridays and Saturdays at 11 pm, Sundays at 7 pm. Performances will take place at American Stage Theatre Company’s new space, 163 3rd Street North, St. Petersburg. Tickets are “Pay-What-You-Can” for all performances. There will be a cash bar, $2-PBR, and $1-Jello shots every night.

Reservations can be made by calling 727-823-PLAY (7529) or

Prelude to Pride

5th Annual Night of Alternative Theatre, Prelude to Pride
Monday, June 15, 7:30pm

American Stage Theatre Company, St. Petersburg

The Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project is proud to announce its 5th Annual Night of Alternative Theatre, Prelude to Pride, Monday, June 15, 2008 at the American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third Street North, downtown, St. Petersburg. Proceeds from this event will benefit ASAP (Aids Service Association of Pinellas); an organization that provides services to people living with HIV and AIDS. The mission of the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project is to raise awareness, provide assistance, and perpetuate a life of dignity for those affected and infected by HIV and AIDS.

This year’s Pride celebration follows the success of last year’s hit, TALES OF THE CITY with the hilarious backstage romp OUR LEADING LADY by Charles Busch, featuring local favorite, Matt McGee as Laura Keene. Set in Washing, DC, in 1865, the story revolves around Laura Keene, the British-born stage actress whose company is performing at the Ford’s Theatre. In classic Charles Busch fashion, OUR LEADING LADY is a backstage comedy in which a presidential assassination is not merely a national tragedy but also a vexing interruption in a powerful woman’s quest for fame and glory.

The 5th Annual Night of Alternative Theatre, Prelude to Pride will feature Joe Parra, T. Scott Wooten, Hersha Parady, Julie Rowe, Matt McGee, and others; all who are donating their time and talents for this event.

Whether you are coming OUT to celebrate Pride Month or just to enjoy a night of hilarious comedy, join the fun, Monday, June 15th, 2008 to celebrate while also benefiting a worthy cause.

Tickets are “Pay What You Can”. Complimentary desserts and coffee, a cash bar will be available. To order tickets call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY. Doors open at 6:30 with a curtain time of 7:30. For further information contact the Artistic Director of the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project, Garry Breul at 941/685-6348 or garallan@msn.com.

11TH ANNUAL SARASOTA FILM FEST: March 27 - April 5

SARASOTA-The 11th Annual Regal Entertainment Group SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL will get underway on Friday evening March 27, 2009 and run through Sunday, April 5, 2009. The Festival will be presented at Sarasota’s Hollywood 20 Cinemas with Opening Night at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Closing Night Tribute at the Sarasota Opera House, screenings and conversations at the Historic Asolo, and other area venues.

This year’s Festival will present over 160 narrative, documentary and short films from the U.S. and around the world throughout the 10-day event. There will be the acclaimed programs Sarasota audiences have embraced over the years such as the “A Conversation With…” series held at the Historic Asolo Theater; Tribute Awards, film competitions in the narrative, documentary and short film categories – and, of course, audience award competition in all categories; our award-winning Outreach and Education Programs; and there will be three exciting new sidebars – the Green Cinema Now! Program and two retrospective presentations - Being Hal Ashby: Mind of A Hollywood Rebel and Environmental Spaces: Christo and Jeanne-Claude On Film. And, of course, there will be the events, soirees and glamorous parties that the Sarasota Film Festival does so well.

No Sex at American Stage

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – American Stage Theatre Company performs its final play in its current building, Aristophanes’ classic Greek comedy LYSISTRATA, running Mar. 11 thru Apr. 5, before moving into its new theater.

“No sex, please, we’re Greek” is the theme of Aristophanes’ famous comedy LYSISTRATA, first performed in 411 B.C. The Peloponnesian War has been raging for two decades and the women are tired of it. So one brave lady – Lysistrata – has a plan. She gathers all of the women together to agree to a pact: no sex until the war is over. What happens then when the men return for a little R&R is bawdy, naughty, funny, sexy and shows again why the original Greek comedy is still so popular 2,500 years after it played at the Parthenon in Athens. The first Greek play in American Stage’s history may well be the sexy sensation of the theatregoing season!

Adapted by Todd Olson and T. Scott Wooten, LYSISTRATA is directed by Olson (BETRAYAL), and stars Steven Clark Pachosa (HAMLET), Drew DeCaro (BETRAYAL), Julie Rowe (BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON), and American Stage newcomers Sam Brown, Jon Gennari and Francine Wolf.

“In theatre it’s always exciting when you can look back to the classics and find a play that is so relevant to what is happening today, and this hilarious statement on war without end is as timely today as it ever was.” said Todd Olson, producing artistic director. “We are very excited about performing the first comedy ever written as the final Mainstage production in our current building.”

Performances and ticket prices are as follows:

Wednesday and Thursday evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday evening curtain is at 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is at 3 p.m.

Tickets prices are $24-$39 depending on date and time of performance.

Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529)

or go to www.americanstage.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Salvador Dali Museum New Building Unveiled

The new Salvador Dali museum design has been unveiled.  The structure will be built several blocks from the current location.

Dubbed Placa Dali, the avant-garde waterfront structure will feature a cascading river of glass spilling out from the center of an unadorned, three story building.  The glass, which the museum is calling the “Engima,” will serve as both entrance and skylight to the main structure, called the “Treasure Box.”

Charlie David on ‘Out in the Open’

Charlie David, openly gay star of ‘Dante’s Cove,’ and Logo’s ‘Bump’ talks about his new film ‘Mulligans.’ Tune in January 28 at 11:30 am on WMNF 88.5 fm.