Straz's next Tony Award-winning Broadway production is a step above most mainstream offerings, and it premieres tonight at Tampa's performing arts center.

The heartwarming coming-of-age tale Billy Elliot: The Musical — based on Stephen Daldry's endearing 2000 movie — follows a school-age boy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring into a ballet class and discovers his dream to dance.

According to Time, Elton John's new show is the "best musical of the decade." Casting features Tony Award-winner Faith Prince starring as Mrs. Wilkinson along with Giuseppe Bausilio, Kylend Hetherington, Lex Ishimoto — and Daniel Russell in the role of Billy.

Billy Elliot: The Musical has been awarded 73 national and international awards including 10 Tony Awards, Best Musical by the New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle. The musical plays Carol Morsani Hall, Feb. 2-20.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu. 8 p.m. Fri., 2 and 8 p.m. Sat., and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sun. A special matinee is scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. Following the performance on Weds., Feb. 9, there will be a talk-back with the artists of the company. Regularly priced tickets start at $48 and may be purchased by calling 813-229-7827 or visiting strazcenter.org. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. 813-229-7827.

The classic comedy about roomie opposites, The Odd Couple, is most often associated with the TV series, which starred Jack Klugman as messy Oscar and Tony Randall as neat-freak Felix, but there was also the 1968 movie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Before that, Mike Nichols directed Neil Simon’s 1965 theatrical original with Art Carney and Matthau starring in the Broadway premiere.

So, with all these heavyweights and nostalgia swirling around it, there must have been a lot performance anxiety at the rehearsals of Jobsite Theater’s production. On second thought, nah. Jobsite is up to the task.

Pegged to star are two of Tampa’s finest comedic naturalists: Paul Potenza (Felix) and Shawn Paonessa (Oscar). According to the company’s artistic director David Jenkins, the performance is going to be faithful without any cheesy modernizations (thank God). The material, like Oscar’s socks, stands on its own. Feb. 2-27, Shimberg Playhouse, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa; $24.50, $10; 813-229-7827. strazcenter.org.

Here's a trailer preview of the play …

Youtube video

Here's an event for the kids at heart and kids in your hearts. Kites for Kids — a fundraiser-sale-art exhibit to get the most people possible flying kites during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (in September). Opening reception is today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Decker Ross Interiors in Clearwater. Features the artwork of Gene Rizzo, an award-winning artist and cancer survivor plus a silent auction and raffle, smooth jazz by Peggy Morris on sax, flute and vocals; and food provided by Clear Sky Cafe on Clearwater Beach. Decker Ross Interiors is at

1445 Court St., Clearwater; complimentary valet parking; kites will be available for a $50 donation. Proceeds to benefit the Children's Cancer Center.

This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.