Galleria
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 149
Their vision is to preserve the greatest
human stories from our past, while creating
the most defining stories and storytelling of
our time. American Stage presents its
top-quality Mainstage Series in its 182-seat
Raymond James Theatre each year.
The Capitol Theatre,
405 Cleveland St., Clearwater, (727) 791-7400.
This theater in downtown Clearwater has 737
seats and is operated by Ruth Eckerd Hall in
a partnership with the City of Clearwater.
Eight O’Clock Theatre,
105 Central Park Drive, Largo,
(727) 587-6793. The award-winning
Eight O’Clock Theatre continues its
long history of presenting high-caliber
entertainment in the Central Park
Performing Arts Center. They honor the
tradition of combining top-notch performers
with state-of-the-art lighting, sound, sets
and performances. All their shows offer a
glimpse of the talent we are fortunate to
have here in the Tampa Bay area.
Francis Wilson Playhouse,
302 Seminole St., Clearwater, (727) 446-1360.
This quality community theater has been
in operation since 1930. Each season, the
182-seat theater presents a new show every
month. The venue is available for a nominal
fee to nonprofit organizations that wish to
enjoy a performance exclusively for
their group, while fundraising through
the sale of tickets to the play.
freeFall Theatre Company,
6099 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg,
(727) 498-5205. Since opening in January
2011, freeFall Theatre has quickly become
one of the most acclaimed and awardwinning
theater companies in Tampa Bay.
The mission of freeFall Theatre is to pursue
art’s greater purposes and the transformative
power of theater – as a builder of
community, a source of upliftment, and a
builder of cultural legacy. They present a
varied range of classical and new works that
are bold, daring, and diverse.
The Mahaffey Theater,
400 First St. S., St. Petersburg, (727) 893-7832.
Nestled in the heart of downtown
St. Petersburg, Mahaffey Theater is a 2,031-
seat cultural jewel featuring elegant ballroom
space, spectacular waterfront views, and
European box-style seating. The Mahaffey
hosts top-quality national and international
performers, Broadway, classical, pop, rock,
comedy, dance, family events and the
renowned Florida Orchestra.
The Palladium
at St. Petersburg College,
253 5th Ave N., St. Petersburg, (727) 822-3590.
Built in 1925 and on the National Register of
Historic places, the award-winning
Palladium Theater is a performing arts
center offering two stages – Hough Hall, an
acoustically perfect 850-seat concert hall,
and Side Door, the 175-seat nightclub. The
Palladium presents diverse performances
from internationally known artists to
emerging talent (blues, jazz, dance, opera,
rock, chamber, comedy and more). It is
located four blocks from the waterfront in
downtown St. Petersburg. Parking is free.
Richey Suncoast Theatre,
6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey,
(727) 842-6777. Every aspect of this elegantly
appointed jewel is sure to entertain audiences
with top-notch productions ranging from
Broadway to Big Band, and a black box
theater as well. Built in 1926, the fully restored
art deco-period theater boasts a rich history
of showcasing local and professional talent in
the heart of downtown New Port Richey.
Ruth Eckerd Hall,
1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater,
Box office (727) 791-7400; Business office
(727) 791-7060. The hall hosts The Florida
Orchestra and national and international
artists and performances, including
Broadway, classical, dance, pop, comedy
and affordable family theater.
The Marcia P. Hoffman Performing Arts
Institute offers classes in the visual and
performing arts for students of all ages.
Safety Harbor Art and Music Center,
706 Second St. N., Safety Harbor,
(727) 725-4018. Safety Harbor Art and
Music Center is a nonprofit organization
whose mission is to promote knowledge
of and education in the fine arts, the visual
arts and the performing arts.
Sarasota Opera,
61 Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, (941) 366-8450.
Opera lovers appreciate this beautiful opera
house and the first-class performances of its
company. English translations are projected
above the stage.
Stageworks Theatre,
1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Grand Central at
Kennedy, Ground Floor West Building,
Tampa, (813) 251-8984. This theater’s
mission is “to provide the highest quality
professional theater, which respects, ignites
and celebrates the human spirit while
challenging the thresholds of intolerance
and insensitivity.”
Straz Center for the Performing Arts,
1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa,
(813) 229-STAR (7827). The Center hosts
The Florida Orchestra and the Tampa Bay
Broadway Series, as well as many other
theatrical and dance productions in its four
outstanding performance spaces.
Tarpon Arts,
Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center,
324 Pine St., (727) 942-5605; Cultural Center,
101 S. Pinellas Ave., (727) 942-5605;
Heritage Museum, 100 Beekman Lane,
(727) 937-0686; Safford House, 23 Parkin Ct.,
(727) 937-1130; www.TarponArts.org. Their
exciting performing arts series is offered
throughout the year to bring entertainment
and culture to the community. 9