Venice Theatre repeats successful Summer Cabaret Festival
2nd annual event will feature a variety of acts in July and August
(Venice, FL) Venice Theatre is delighted to invite audiences to its 2nd
Annual Summer Cabaret Festival. The event opens at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 18
with a duet performance from Kristofer Geddie and Delores McKenzie. The
singers are reuniting on stage after having starred in Venice Theatre’s
smash hit Ragtime a few seasons ago. The festival will continue in “Pinky’s
Cabaret” (the theatre’s 90-seat Pinkerton Theatre) through August 24, 2014.
21 different acts (up from 13 last summer) will be performing throughout the
festival. To accommodate the increased number of entertainers, the theatre
has added several Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances as well as
late-night shows and Sunday evenings. Single tickets for each show are $15
and are available online at <http://www.venicestage.com>
www.venicestage.com, by calling 941-488-1115, or in person at the box office
at 140 W. Tampa Ave. on the island in Venice. Summer box office hours are
Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and one hour prior to show
time.
After audiences embraced the inaugural festival last summer (overall, seats
were filled at 89% capacity) Venice Theatre’s Producing Director, Allan
Kollar, says he is excited to bring back the art of cabaret in its purest
form. He explains, “This festival goes back to the basics with a variety of
music and comedy in a nightclub setting. We found that our audiences loved
the format and the performers did, too. I had to turn down several acts this
year, not because of lack of talent, but because of limited time and space.”
Nine acts are returning from last summer to share new material and 11
brand-new acts have been added to the roster. A list follows. More
information about each act is available at <http://www.venicestage.com>
www.venicestage.com. Questions and requests for additional photos should be
directed to Laurie Colton at <mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected].
###
Coloring Broadway
Friday July 18 at 8 p.m. & Sunday August 3 at 2 p.m.
Delores McKenzie and Kristofer Geddie present songs made famous by African
Americans on Broadway. From Porgy and Bess to Ragtime … and much more.
Smoke & Mirrors
Saturday July 19 & Sunday July 20 at 8 p.m.
An intimate evening of crackling jazz, featuring those songs your heart
knows all the words to. With Mikal Mancini on piano and Kaitlyn Terpstra on
vocals.
Did He Write That?
Sunday July 20 at 2 p.m. & Thursday July 31 at 8 p.m.
Eric Watters looks at the life and songs of the prolific yet little-known
composer Harry Warren. Songs include “42nd Street”, “Jeepers Creepers” and
“I Only Have Eyes for You.”
Big Fish, Little Pond
Tuesday July 22 & Friday August 1 at 8 p.m.
Be a fly on the recording studio wall as aspiring reality star Joey Panek
produces an album of pop and Broadway tunes. With special guests Christine
Alexander and Scotty Felsenfeld.
Crazy Ever After
Thursday July 24 & Friday August 2 at 8 p.m.
Nancy Denton, Alana Opie and Gavin Esham take a humorous and sometimes
poignant look at love: searching for it, finding it, making it work, and
watching it fall apart.
I Want it All
Friday July 25 & Friday August 8 at 8 p.m.
Kim, Bobbi and Michelle are back with their expert song stylings and
harmonies to sing about loves’ desires, the realization of those desires,
and the greatest love of all – friendship.
Black Diamond Burlesque
Saturday July 26 & Friday August 15 at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Sarasota’s original burlesque troupe presents a sophisticated show for smart
people. Enjoy the undraped vision of lovely ladies and a rotating cast of
characters in this cabaret-style revue.
The Music of Your Life
Sunday July 27 at 2 p.m.
Consummate performer Stephen Ditchfield, head of the renowned Ditchfield
Family Singers, brings you a showcase of the best-loved standards from the
likes of Crosby, Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole & Michael Buble…the
music of your life!
The Last 15 Years
Sunday July 27 & Wednesday July 30 at 8 p.m.
Whiz-kid Music Director Eli Schildkraut highlights the music of contemporary
Broadway composers with help from his talented friends Jordan Boyer, Marissa
Brotz, Emma Diner, Zach Herman and Solo Matelau.
Classic Country Cabaret
Tuesday July 29 at 8 p.m.
Hot off her critically acclaimed portrayal of Patsy Cline, Alana Opie will
serenade you with classic hits from the female pioneers of country music
including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and of course, Patsy
Cline.
Dorian and the Furniture
Sunday August 3 at 8 p.m.
One of last season’s surprise favorites, Dorian is back for a night of
mellow rock tunes with his multi-talented dad, Preston Boyd, and other
surprise guests.
Vaudeville to Vegas
Wednesday August 6 at 8 p.m.
Relive the carefree innocent music of the Glory Years of Vaudeville and the
Golden Years of Las Vegas in this nostalgic, fun-filled “forget-your-cares”
show!
Beyond the Chorus
Thursday August 7 at 8 p.m. & Sunday August 17 at 2 p.m.
Robin Fernandez and Mark Sanders share stories and songs from their lives in
professional theatre … from singing in the chorus to standing in the
spotlight.
Where Have You Been?
Saturday August 9 & Thursday August 21 at 8 p.m.
NYC-based actor Dennis Clark charms us with funny stories and songs about
his travels performing everywhere but New York City.
Bach to the Future
Sunday August 10 at 2 p.m. & Thursday August 14 at 8 p.m.
Music Director Bobby Brader presents music by Bach and his contemporaries;
romantic masterpieces by Chopin and Liszt; parodies of classical music and
pop songs; standards from Irving Berlin to Billy Joel; movie themes and
original music by Bobby himself!
Still Scoundrels
Sunday August 10 & Tuesday August 19 at 8 p.m.
Tim Fitzgerald and Scott Vitale – are back at it and bringing the music and
comedy with them. Fitzgerald and Vitale perform music from growing up and
from roles never played. From Kander and Ebb to Sondheim and anything in
between, these guys are Still Scoundrels!
An Evening of Inspiration
Tuesday August 12, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Venice Theatre alumna Alyssa Hunek returns to her home stage after
completing her Bachelor’s in Music Performance and Masters in Music Therapy.
Find out what songs have inspired her along the way.
Naughty and Nice
Wednesday August 13 & Sunday August 17 at 8 p.m.
Between Melissa Cripps and Michelle Kasanofsky: Who’s naughty one? You’ll
have to come to the show to find out!
Mostly Naughty Musical – Random Acts
Saturday August 16 & Friday August 22 at 8 p.m. (PG13) & 11 p.m. (R)
Director Kelly Wynn Woodland and Music Director Peter Madpak have assembled
another hilarious cast for an evening of edgy songs and comedy. How edgy?
Come at 8:00 for the PG13 version or at 11:00 for the full-out R rating.
Wouldn’t it Be Nice?
Wednesday August 20 & Sunday August 24 at 8 p.m.
VT regulars Caitlyn Longstreet (Oklahoma, Rocky Horror) and Jason Ellis
(Oklahoma, How to Succeed in Business …) share their comic and vocal
talents.
Vocal Vixens
Saturday August 23 at 8 p.m. & Sunday August 24 at 2 p.m.
Lyn Purmort, Kathryn Parks and Hannah Jae celebrate songs made popular by
the most sensational singers of all time.
140 W. Tampa Ave
Venice, FL 34285
Tickets: 941-488-1115
Venice Theatre’s mission is making a dramatic impact on all stages of life.
The third-largest out of 10,000 community theatres in the United States, it
is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave .on the island in Venice, FL. Its MainStage
offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts and
special events. Its Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90 patrons and is home
to the theatre’s “Generations”, Stage II and Cabaret Series. In addition to
providing entertainment to the community, Venice Theatre has a wide range of
education and outreach programs for children and adults.
