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musicals

A plant with a fondness for human blood, an attack bunny, and hot flashes are just some of the things you’ll find in this year’s line up of musicals. I’m personally looking forward to Little Shop of Horror and Spamalot, both of which are sure to deliver on humor.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have their share of musicals this season, with Jesus Christ Superstar at the Alhambra, as well as CATS! and Evita in the FCCJ Artists Series. Secret Garden at Theatre Jacksonville, Little Women at the Thrasher-Horne and The Sound of Music at the Alhambra are all musicals you can enjoy with the whole family.
Even if you claim you don’t like musicals, there’s bound to be something this season that will keep you laughing or riveted to your seat in wonder. Here’s a look at the currently playing and upcoming shows so you can mark your calendars and order your tickets.

menopause, the musical
February 6-March 2. The FCCJ Artist Series presents Menopause, The Musical
Who knew hot flashes were prime material for a musical? The musical parody is set to classic baby boomer songs from ‘Puff, My God I’m Draggin’ to the disco favorite ‘Stayin’ Awake, Stayin’ Awake.’ Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

company
February 13 - April 6. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Company.
Robert, a confirmed bachelor, contemplates his single state and the women of his past on his 35th birthday, through hilarious vignettes and song. Tickets: $39-46, includes dinner and show. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.

little women the broadway musical
February 16 at 7:30 pm. The Thrasher-Horne Center presents Little Women The Broadway Musical
It was a book, it became a play, and now it’s a musical. The story of four sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March, is a well-worn classic on many shelves. Info: (904) 276-6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr.

spamalot
February 19-24. FCCJ Artist Series presents Monty Python’s Spamalot
For the uninformed, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their largely absurd quest for the Holy Grail. The quest for the Holy Grail includes a killer bunny. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

movin’ out
February 29t – March 1. FCCJ Artist Series presents Movin’ Out, a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel.
Unlike the traditional musical, it essentially is a series of dances linked by a thin plot. The music is performed by a pianist and band, making the show, in essence, a rock ballet. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

evita
March 15. at 8 pm FCCJ Artist Series presents Evita
The unbeatable musical team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice tell the story of Eva Peron, the wife of Argentina’s president, from her poor beginnings, to the top of the political heap. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater inside the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

the mikado
April 4 at 7:30 pm. Thrasher-Horne Center presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado
One of the Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic pieces, The Mikado delivers a satiric look at love triangles and political hypocrisy in the fairy-tale setting of ancient Japan. This production is certain to enchant your eyes and ears - all while tickling your funny bone. Info: (904) 276-6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr.

oklahoma!
April 4-12. Jacksonville University presents OKLAHOMA!
JU has your vintage Rodgers and Hammerstein right here! It’s actually the first play they wrote the score for. Info: (904) 256-7345 Adults $10,Seniors, Students, Military: $5, JU Students-Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Swisher Theater on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N).

jesus christ superstar
April 9 – June 1. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Jesus Christ Superstar
It’s the musical that made Jesus even cooler. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice penned this rock opera, which originally hit the stage in 1970. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.

your arms too short to box with god
April 18 Your Arms Too Short to Box with God starring Cissy Houston at the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum.
Loosely based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, this two-act musical is an energetic, spiritual and spell-binding production. Info: (904) 632-5555 or visit ritzlavilla.org. Location: 829 N. Davis Street Downtown Jacksonville.

the great american trailer park musical
May 13-18. FCCJ Artist Series presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical
With a healthy dose of ‘80s nostalgia, this musical hits subjects like kleptomania, spray cheese, roadkill, strippers, flan and disco. If it sounds like wacky fun, that’s probably because it is. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd.

the music man
May 29 – 31. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Alhambra Dinner Theatre present The Music Man.
There’s more than just trouble right here in The River City! This production features a full cast of actors, singers, costumes and a roundup of 76 trombones for the big parade. Call the JSO Box Office at (904) 354-5547 for tickets. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

the sound of music
June 4 – July 27. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents The Sound of Music
The hills are alive, with the sound of music. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.

secret garden mystery
June 6-21. Theatre Jacksonville presents Secret Garden
Mystery, discovery and a great score are just some of the reasons why this musical has captured the hearts and imagination of theatre goers. An 11 year old orphaned girl returns to England to live with a bitter, withdrawn uncle and his sickly son. She discovers a mystifying, magical locked garden on the estate grounds. Community theater. Info: (904) 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Location: 2032 San Marco Boulevard, San Marco.

brigadoon
June 6-28. Orange Park Community Theatre presents Brigadoon
A magical Scottish town appears once every hundred years before fading into the mist. Strangers from New York City on vacation in Scotland stumble across the idyllic town, where one of them just might find true love. Info: (904) 276-2599. Location: 2900 Moody Avenue, Orange Park.

blues in the night
June 13-28. Players by the Sea present Blues in the Night.
Done vignette style, this is a near musical revue of blues greats from Bessie Smith to Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Alberta Hunter, Jimmy Cox and Ida Cox, sung by three women with the blues. See, some man has done them wrong, and there ain’t nothing left to do but sing the blues. Info: (904) 249-0289 or playersbythesea.org. Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach.

cats!
June 27-29. FCCJ Artist Series presents CATS!
Andrew Lloyd Webber strikes again! This musical involves people dressing up like cats and singing. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater inside the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

little shop of horror
July 30 - August 31. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Little Shop of Horror
This quirky story of a meek skid-row florist who discovers an intelligent plant with a hunger for human blood, was the highest grossing off-Broadway musical. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.

george m!
October 8 - November 30. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents George M!
This musical features the life story and songs from George M. Cohen. Known as “man who owned Broadway” he starred, produced and wrote such songs as ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’, ‘Over There’, ‘You’re A Grand Old Flag’, and ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.