The Francis Wilson Playhouse
is located in Clearwater’s
Seminole Marina District,
which is currently undergoing
revitalization to improve
parking and include a park
between the theater and
Clearwater Bay.
COURTESY FRANCIS WILSON PLAYHOUSE GRAM
The playhouse helps the community by
allowing groups such as the Lions Club and both
the Clearwater and Dunedin historical societies
to raise funds for themselves by “sponsoring”
performances. Francis Wilson Playhouse’s shows
and subscriptions are priced reasonably for
live Broadway theater, particularly when you
consider that all 182 seats have good visibility
and are extremely comfortable. If you haven’t
been, it’s time you go to a performance at this
2015-remodeled theater overlooking Clearwater
Harbor and the barrier islands. If you have been
there, then make your plans now to return, so
you won’t miss out on any of your favorite
performances during the playhouse’s 90th epic
season. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Special thank yous go out to
Pat Vassar, Francis Wilson Playhouse’s publicity
volunteer; Andy Rufo, its president and general
manager; and to Anita and Sam McClelland, who
provided my prized first edition of Francis Wilson’s
1924 autobiography, Francis Wilson’s Life on
Himself, which he signed to his leading lady
Margherita Sargent on the opening night of Little
Father of the Wilderness. For more information
and ticketing, please call the Francis Wilson
Playhouse box office at (727) 446-1360, or visit
FrancisWilsonPlayhouse.org for production dates.
FROM FRANCIS WILSON’S LIFE OF HIMSELF, HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED IN 1924.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 141
FROM FRANCIS WILSON’S LIFE OF HIMSELF, HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY PUBLISHED IN 1924.
The cast of Francis Wilson
Playhouse’s 90th season
opener, the local premiere of
Titanic the Musical, included
Kyndall Small, Sarah Rowell
and Rebekah Stevenson, who
portrayed Irish girls seeking
a better life in America, and
Stephen Brewer, who played
one of their fellow third class
passengers.
Francis Wilson, 1854-1935, was a
popular and influential Broadway
actor, who wintered in Clearwater
and helped local thespians
create the theater there that
bears his name.
Francis Wilson received rave reviews
for his “racy” performance as
Cadeaux in a 1921 revival of the 1886
show Erminie in which his secondary
character became the production’s
main one.