What does it take for a theater company to stay in operation for a decade-plus or even 30 years? Vision. Stamina. Smarts. A mission that drives the company forward.
Both Stageworks and Jobsite theaters have demonstrated all of the above.
To celebrate Stageworks Theatre's 30th anniversary (and its second year ensconced in its permanent home in theChannel District), the company founded by Artistic Director Anna Brennen, is staging an original revue this weekend, Sondheim & Friends, featuring music which has also shown staying power: the songs of Stephen Sondheim (pictured above right), Tom Lehrer, Noel Coward and Cole Porter.
Director Karla Hartley has chosen five talented performers to negotiate these composers’ witty, melodic twists and turns: Ricky Cona, Coya Bailey Jones, Heather Krueger, Derek Womack and Ericka Womack, singing everything from Sondheim’s wistful “Send in the Clowns” to Coward’s insouciant “I’ve Been to a Marvelous Party” to Lehrer’s mordantly funny “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.”
Celebrate another milestone and help Tampa Bay’s go-to for outside-the-norm, high-caliber theater by attending the Jobsite Gala on Aug. 17 at the Straz’s Jaeb Theater.
This month marks a decade of Jobsite’s being the official resident theater company of the Straz Center. As would be expected from the pioneering troupe, the fundraising event is not your generic hob-nobby, suit-and-tie posh affair.
“This is a gala, but a Jobsite gala. Instead of black tie or whatnot we’re asking for ‘summer cocktail attire,’ which is sort of a wide-open range.”
Food and drinks come from a bevy of top local restaurant and drinks — Refinery’s, Mise En Place, Ella’s, Birchwood, Independent and more — so, even though the ticket prices may be steep, you can think of the gala as a dinner-and-cocktail splurge with music (local get-down experts the Black Honkeys). Plus, there’s an open bar with wine and craft/import beer by J. J. Taylor, The Independent and Augustan Wines until 10:30 p.m. Keepsake photo opps from VPN Studios, a silent auction and more will bring in cash to help increase artists’ salaries for Jobsite’s 2013-14 season.
The Jobsite Gala is Sat., Aug. 17, 7-11 p.m., 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. $125 per person, $200 per couple. jobsitetheater.org.
Sondheim & Friends is Fri.-Sat. Aug. 16-17, 8 p.m. (with pre-show celebration at 7 and post-show dancing at 10), Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd, Ground Floor West Building, Tampa. $50 (inc. appetizers, cash bar) and $100 (inc. apps, open bar, reserved seating). 813-784-6832, stageworkstheatre.org
This article appears in Aug 8-14, 2013.