A night at the theater could be the cure for the unseasonably cold weather. Cozy up to classics from Lorraine Hansberry and Tennessee Williams, and warm up to some new productions as well.
Here’s the rest of what’s on tap the rest of January with a February teaser.
æThe Glass Menagerieæ
Opens Saturday, Feb. 2; runs through Feb. 25; freeFall Theatre Company, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.
The acclaimed theater company has repaired damages from Irma and will be home to the first production of 2018 — they’re presenting a major theatrical work to celebrate. Eric Davis directs Tennessee Williams’ seminal semi-autobiographical classicæThe Glass Menagerie, starring Rob Glauzæ(Tom Wingfield), Stephanie Lynge (Amanda Wingfield), Ali Foley (Laura Wingfield) and Michael David (Jim Oäó»Connor). The play centers on a young man forced to support the family his father has abandoned, and the mother and daughter left behind.
Call (727) 498-5205 or visitæfreefalltheatre.comæfor tickets.
$25, $47, $50, visit freefalltheatre.com.
A Raisin in the Sun
Preview is Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.;æruns through Feb. 18. American Stage,æ163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg.
One of the most important plays of the 20th century, written by the youngest American ever to win a New York Criticsäó» Circle award and the first African-American woman to have her play performed on Broadway.æLorraine Hansberry’s drama takes us into the home of the Younger familyæof the South Side of Chicago. When they receive the deceased patriarch’s insurance money, the three generations’ divergent dreams create conflict, complicated by the tensions and prejudices they face. Also noteworthy: This isætheæfirst playæinæAmerican Stage’s American Legacy series. The new series will be dedicated to modern classics that lend historical perspective to past stories while seeking to draw a connection between our cultureäó»s history andæthe events of today. Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte gets the conversation started with Carla Bristol, Rosie Stovall, Jerid Fox, Cranstan Cumberbatch and Mike Alford in American Stage’s third episode of American Stage’sæDinner Conversationsævideo series.
Preview admission is pay-what-you-can or $20 in advance; for other showtimes, visit americanstage.org.
Gladiola
Opens Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.; runs through Feb. 4. Studio@620, 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
A staged reading of a play by a local playwright,æGladiola tackles the topic of silver divorce — the phenomenon of older couples splitting up later in life.æLocal writer and actor Colleen Johnson wrote Gladiola as the final dissertation for her Masteräó»s program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art/Kingäó»s College London. The project received a Distinction, the highest mark possible, from professors at RADA and King’s College. This is the first time Gladiola will be seen in its entirety. Directed by Chris Rutherford.
$20 for members, $25 for nonmembers; visit studio620.org.
Lucky Stiff
Runs through Jan. 28 at West Coast Players Theatre,æ21905 U.S. 19 N., Clearwater.
A shoe salesman stands to inherit a fortune if he can pass off his dead uncle as alive, in this musical murder mystery farce. Runs through Jan. 28. Stars Steven Fox and Regan Borucke. Directed byæJeremy D. Silverman and Margee Sapowsky.
$25, discounts available for students and groups; visitæwcplayers.org.
Leading Ladies
Through Feb. 25 at Early Bird Dinner Theatre, 13355 49th St. N., Clearwater.
Two unemployed actors con a wealthy woman by pretending to be her long-lost nieces.
$36, includes dinner; visitæearlybirddinnertheater.com for details.
Sex Please, We’re Sixty
Thursday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m.;æruns through March 18, Just for Laughs Dinner Theatre, 1999 Starkey Road, Largo.
Florida playwrights Michael and Susan Parker bring us another loony farce. Sex Please, We’re Sixty centers on a playboy who ruffles the feathers of his next-door-neighbor, an uptight Bed and Breakfast proprietor who doesn’t understand why she has so much repeat business from female clientele.
$36, includes dinner; visitæjustforlaughsdinnertheatre.com.
