(TAMPA, FL) – Stageworks Theatre, Tampa’s longest running professional theatre company, raises the curtain on its 39th season with a mix of musical theatre, Ybor City tales, mysteries and provocatively timeless classics.
After a hybrid season during 2020 – 2021 as a result of the global pandemic, the company is excited to return to in person performances in Tampa’s Grand Central District.
“The 2021 – 2022 season at Stageworks is brimming with action and mystery but, above all, this season is infused with hope,” said Karla Hartley, producing artistic director. “You will see bold stories about the resilience of the human spirit as we all emerge from trying circumstances.”
Emerge is the theme of this year’s ambitious season, which kicks off on October 14, 2021 with “Evil Dead: The Musical,” the record-breaking musical comedy sensation that takes all the elements of Sam Raini’s cult classic films (“The Evil Dead”, “Evil Dead II”, “Army of Darkness”) to give audience members an interactive theatrical experience. Karla Hartley directs this ridiculously funny show about five college students who spend the weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods. They accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons until Ash, the show’s hero, saves the day with what else? A chainsaw! In between, the audience enjoys dance numbers, catchy tunes, such as “Look Who’s Evil Now” and “All The Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Deamons.” For a truly immersive experience, audience members can select tickets in the “splatter zone” where they’ll get drenched from the mayhem, or watch from a safe (and dry) distance.
“Evil Dead: The Musical” is performed in partnership with the University of Tampa, and features cast members from the university’s theatre department. Matt Acquard serves as assistant director and musical direction will be provided by Juan Rodriguez.
“Evil Dead: The Musical” is the perfect way to usher in the Halloween season. The show runs October 15 – 31, 2021, with a Preview Night on Thursday, October 14 at 8p.m., followed by Opening Night on Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m. The show continues each Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Stagework’s Spring season continues in January, 2022 with the production of “12 Angry Men”. Reginald Rose’s classic American drama reveals hidden truths and morals when jurors debate the fate of a teenage accused of murder in a 1957 courtroom. This provocative and timely work takes the stage from January 21-23. This performance is made possible by Wagner McLaughlin.
As vital today as when it was first written, “The Diary of Anne Frank” will be performed February 4 – 20, 2022. The heroic young girl’s extraordinary diary is brought to life as she struggles to survive with her family amid the chaos of war and religious persecution. “The Diary of Anne Frank has become an essential part of how we remember one of the darkest periods of human history.
The Tony Award winning adaptation of “Murder on the Orient Express” opens March 25 – April 10, 2022. This glamorous and plot-twisting thriller features renowned detective Hercule Poirot and a cast of characters sure to have everyone in the audience guessing just who did it.
Celebrate the history of Ybor City with playwright Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Anna in the Tropics”. This celebrated drama unveils the power of literature and its effect on our lives as it explores longing, love and betrayal among a group of cigar factory workers. Featuring a bi-lingual cast, select performances of “Anna in the Tropics” will be performed in Spanish. Stageworks is grateful to Tucker/Hall for its sponsorship of this outstanding play.
Always an audience favorite, Stageworks’ outstanding season concludes with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” which takes center stage June 3 – 19, 2022. The TONY-award winning hit-musical comedy about the high-stakes world of middle-school spelling competitions teaches everyone the valuable lesson that winning isn’t everything.
Tickets and season pass options are available for purchase online at www.stageworkstheatre.org. Due to the global pandemic, COVID-19 procedures and practices have been put into place for the health and safety of all audience members and performers and may be updated throughout the season. To view guidelines, visit www.stageworkstheatre.org/covid19.
Stageworks invites the entire Tampa Bay community to come out to enjoy the magic of live theater and the enormous talent of local performers.
STAGEWORKS THEATRE SEASON AT A GLANCE:
Evil Dead: The Musical Preview
• Preview: Thursday October 14, 2021 at 8pm
• October 15 – 31, 2021 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm.
12 Angry Men (Sponsored by Wagner McLaughlin)
• January 21 – 23, 2022 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm)
The Diary of Anne Frank
• Preview: Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 8pm
• February 4 – 20, 2022 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm)
Murder on the Orient Express
• Preview: Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 8pm
• March 25 – April 10th, 2022 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm)
Anna in the Tropics (Sponsored by Tucker/Hall)
• May 6 – 23, 2022 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm)
• Performed in Spanish: May 7 at 3pm, May 13 at 8pm, May 14th at 3pm, May 21 at 3pm & 8pm
The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee
• Preview: Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 8 p.m.
• June 3 – 19, 2022 (Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm)