BESTBets
In White Fang, freeFall
Theatre in St. Petersburg
will tell the story about
a wolf-dog based on
Jack London’s novel to
be premiered by British
playwright Jethro Compton
from September 29 through
October 22.
On Second Glance
St. Petersburg’s freeFall Theatre has selected some familiar stories and some
new perspectives for its 2017-2018 season, which begins with the world premiere
adaptation of Jack London’s novel White Fang, that director Jethro Compton will then
take to London. The next play is based upon Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved The
Little Prince, adapted by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar. After that, the group will
present Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece The Glass Menagerie. That will be followed
by Daddy Long Legs, a new musical based on Jean Webster’s novel that became a Fred
Astaire film. The musical has been adapted by John Caird with music and lyrics by
Paul Gordon. Later in the season, freeFall will produce The Machine Stops, written
in 1909 by E.M. Forster, eerily predicting an internet-dependent world. The season
will conclude with The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! about the people who write
musicals, with music by Eric Rockwell with lyrics by Joanne Bogart. For season
subscriptions or tickets, call (727) 498-5205.
Sting to perform with
The Florida Orchestra
Sting, the iconic rock star, former frontman of The Police
and a 16-time Grammy winner, will join The Florida
Orchestra onstage at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg
on Saturday, December 9th. This gala concert will be
conducted by the orchestra’s Music Director Michael
Francis in celebration of the orchestra’s 50th anniversary.
The concert featuring this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will
be preceded by a reception and followed by a seated dinner.
The formal three-part benefit for the orchestra is being
chaired by Bob Schmidt, a member of the orchestra’s board
and the CEO of Schmidt Investments. The gala dinner will
feature Chef Chris Ponte of Cafe Ponte, who is a James
Beard Award semifinalist. For tickets, call (727) 892-3337
or (800) 662-7286.
42 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
The Show Palace Dinner Theatre on
U.S. 19 in Hudson produces some of the
best musicals in the Tampa Bay area.
From October 14th through November
12th they will present Seven Brides for
Seven Brothers with its great songs and
terrific dancing, which was a hit on
Broadway and in film. Enjoy the show
and a delicious buffet dinner at this
reasonably priced entertainment venue
that features all-time musical favorites.
For reservations, call (727) 863-7949.
ERIC RYAN ANDERSON
The Show Palace
in Hudson
Impact Awards
The Tampa Bay Businesses For Culture and the Arts (TBBCA) will hold its
annual Impact Awards on Tuesday, October 17th at the Renaissance Tampa
International Plaza Hotel. Attorney Peter Zinober will be presented with the
Individual Award, while Maestro Michael Francis of The Florida Orchestra
will receive the International Artistic Achievement Award and Neil and
Gianna Gobioff will be given the Patrons of Culture And Arts Award. A
Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award will be presented to Ruby Williams.
To become a sponsor, or for tickets, call Susana Weymouth, (813) 221-2787. 9