Tampa Theater Reviews

Review: LAUNCHING THEIR 26TH SEASON INTO THE STRATOSPHERE WITH SELINA FILLINGER'S POTUS at JOBSITE THEATER
by Drew Eberhard - September 07, 2024

Alice Paul...remember her? In 1920, she was THE WOMAN, THE SUFFRAGIST, who secured the right to vote for women, and wrote the unratified Equal Rights Amendment. Further explanation of her movement can be found in the recent musical Suffs, Shaina Taub’s musical which more recently won Best Book of a ...

Review: The Carrollwood Players Production of ANNIE
by Peter Nason - September 07, 2024

It has a lot going for it, but it's a hit and miss affair, with moments that make us soar and moments that make us cringe....

Review: A BLISTERING “BLACKBIRD,” WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS at THE OFF-CENTRAL PLAYERS
by Drew Eberhard - September 06, 2024

In researching and marinating the events that played out in my head following the opening night performance of the Off-Central Player’s production of David Harrower’s Blackbird, I ran across this quote. The quote in which I will speak about is actually fitting to the play itself. I’m going to post i...

Review: The Tampa Bay Theatre Festival's 2024 Short Play Competition
by Peter Nason - August 28, 2024

It's a hit and miss affair, showcasing some of the best playwrights in Tampa Bay....

Review: A Thrilling Take on a Life We Never Knew With THRICE TO MINE at Jobsite Theater
by Drew Eberhard - August 17, 2024

Though Shakespeare’s Tragedy is often regaled as one of the “Greatest Tragedies ever written,” it does little if any true accounts behind the people these characters actually were. Regarded as being steeped in its history, one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays is actually founded in lore, and ghos...

Review: A WORLD PREMIERE ABOUT THE MOTHER OF ALL MUSICALS WITH FABLE: A FABLE ABOUT A MUSICAL FABLE at FreeFall Theatre
by Drew Eberhard - August 11, 2024

Doug Devita’s Fable makes its World Premiere as it anchors center stage right in the heart of St. Petersburg, to tackle the story of the Mother of all musicals. Fable tells the story about the creative differences and feuds that arise following the mounting of yet another revival of Gypsy. In the s...

Review: NTP's Production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center
by Peter Nason - July 21, 2024

It will put a smile on your face!...

Review: Dive into THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at the Carrollwood Cultural Center
by Peter Nason - July 20, 2024

What did our critic think of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at the Carrollwood Cultural Center?...

Review: A Dazzling ROCKY HORROR SHOW Ushers in an Overwhelming Feeling of Love at Jobsite Theater
by Drew Eberhard - July 14, 2024

Something we knew we always wanted, but unexpected is how much we would need a show like this. Who’d of thought, Rocky Horror in July? If ever there was a truer testament to the old saying, “If you build it, they will come...,” then that would be none other than Jobsite and their production of Richa...

Review: Roxanne Fay Astounds in Powerstories' Production of IRENA'S VOW
by Peter Nason - July 15, 2024

A heartbreaking and moving real-life story, performed at the Stageworks Theatre, with a brilliant turn by Roxanne Fay!...

Review: Jobsite Theater's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Jaeb
by Peter Nason - July 13, 2024

With a cast led by Clay Christopher as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, this is one glorious production that will be talked about for years....

Review: Don't Miss FALSETTOS at Stageworks
by Peter Nason - June 22, 2024

Perfect to celebrate Pride Month!...

Review: MAD Theatre of Tampa Presents URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL at the Shimberg Playhouse
by Peter Nason - June 15, 2024

Dystopia and pee; there's nothing like URINETOWN!...

Review: Bridget Bean's One Woman Show THE DROPPING WELL at the Tampa Fringe Festival
by Peter Nason - June 12, 2024

Bridget Bean is a born storyteller.  You can tell as she immediately enters the stage that she is 100% in her element.  If there’s anything we’ve learned from her past One Woman Shows (including Shirley Valentine and her Titanic Fringe piece from two years ago), it’s that this format works beautiful...

Review: Harmonie del Sur's BLOWING WIND: THE ORIGINAL NOISEMAKERS at the Tampa Fringe Festival
by Peter Nason - June 11, 2024

The Tampa Fringe Festival is like a Smorgasbord of the Arts; so many great works to choose from, some small, some large, some cool, some wacky. You get over a week to fill your plate with all of these unforgettable, mostly yummy works.  If you’re lucky enough to get into the wild SMUTTY BURLESQUE NE...

Review: FALSETTOS PROVES TO BE VERY SOBERING at STAGEWORKS THEATRE
by Drew Eberhard - June 10, 2024

Falsettos, a primarily sung-through musical was written by William Finn and James Lapine and features two one-act installments March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. The aforementioned are the last two additions to a trio of one-act musicals by Finn and Lapine, the other being called In Trousers....

Review: Deborah Bostock-Kelley's Powerful NOT ONE MORE at the Tampa Fringe Festival
by Peter Nason - June 09, 2024

The aftermath of a school shooting is examined in this potent piece by playwright Bostock-Kelley....

Review: Think Tank Theatre's YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at freeFall
by Peter Nason - June 08, 2024

Happiness, sheer happiness!...

Feature: Don't Miss the 2024 TAMPA FRINGE FESTIVAL in Ybor City
by Peter Nason - June 06, 2024

Don't miss this year's offerings where there's something for everyone!...

Review: TampaRep's NEXT TO NORMAL is a Theatrical Triumph at USF Theatre
by Deborah Bostock-Kelley - June 03, 2024

TampaRep's NEXT TO NORMAL was, in one word, perfection. Expertly directed by Emilia Sargent, it was a theatrical triumph. The proof was that I could look across the stage and see patrons wiping their eyes and hear the quiet sniffling behind me. The intimate performance on Saturday night was a master...

Review: Tampa Repertory Theatre's Astonishing NEXT TO NORMAL
by Peter Nason - June 01, 2024

It's a show that's all aces, where the stellar cast, crew, music, and important storyline all come together to earn every standing ovation it will receive....

Review: CLUE: A NEW COMEDY, PROVES THE GAMES AFOOT at STRAZ CENTER
by Drew Eberhard - May 31, 2024

Adapted from the much-loved 1985 film, and the Hasbro Board Game, Clue: A New Comedy, is a murder mystery of a farcical nature that was written by Sandy Rustin and features additional materials by Hunter Foster and Eric Price....

Review: CLUE at Straz Center
by Deborah Bostock-Kelley - May 30, 2024

CLUE is a comedic gem, a rollercoaster of hilarity, thanks to these brilliant actors. The witty dialogue, slapstick moments, and unexpected twists keep the audience in stitches. Whether it's a candlestick wielded in the library or a secret passage revealed, the humor and pace is relentless. critic t...

Review: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at American Stage
by Peter Nason - May 19, 2024

It's a rollicking, raucous, adrenaline-pumping, soulful and yet sometimes sad affair...

Review: THE SMUGGLER at Jobsite Theater
by Drew Eberhard - May 18, 2024

Many times, I look at the cultural landscape and all its vast plethora of fortune we have been given in the Tampa Bay area alone, and one things for certain, I will move mountains, stop at nothing to experience theatre that moves me and thrills me to the core. Taking me out of the present worldview,...