Tampa Arts & Entertainment: 'Elephant Man,' Opera Tampa, Live Reading

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Repertory Theater's much-anticipated production of Bernard Pomerance's "The Elephant Man" will premiere Thursday night and continue its run through Feb. 19.

The theater will present the story of John Merrick at the Studio Theatre at the Hillsborough Community College Performing Arts Center, 1411 E 11th Ave., Tampa, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday matinees.

Directed by Emilia Sargeant, "The Elephant Man" features actor Paul Potenza in the challenging lead role, playing the horribly deformed young man with a rare skin and bone disease in late 19th-century London.

In this true story, Merrick becomes the star freak attraction in traveling sideshows and, eventually, abandoned and helpless, he is admitted to London’s prestigious Whitechapel Hospital. Under the care of the celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati.

Click here for tickets.

Jobsite's 'Hamlet'

Also on stage this month, Jobsite not-for-profit theater will continue its production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet"at the Jaeb Theater of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts through Feb. 5.

Jobsite director David M. Jenkins and award-winning composer Jeremny Douglass bring this searing tragedy of a man, tormented by his father’s death, to stage. Described as a ghost story, detective adventure and revenge tale all at once, "Hamlet" is often regarded as the best-written play of all time.

The cast includes:

• Ned Averill-Snell – Claudius/Ghost
• Theron “T. R.” Butler – Barnardo
• Carla Corvo – Horatio
• Giles Davies – Hamlet
• Roxanne Fay – Gertrude/Gravedigger
• Daniel Lennox, Jr – Laertes/First Player
• Nicole Jeannine Smith – Guildenstern/Player King
• Katrina Stevenson – Ophelia
• Hugh Timoney – Marcellus
• Jim Wicker – Polonius/Doctor of Divinity
• Katherine Yacko – Rosencrantz/Player Queen

The performance will take place Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Click here for tickets.

Stageworks Presents Dark Comedy

Meanwhile, Stageworks Theatre is preparing to open with the Michelle Lowe comedy, "The Smell of the Kill," Feb. 10 to 26 at the Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.

Lowe's dark comedy is the twisted tale of three malicious wives and their miserable, unloving husbands.

Stageworks is offering 8 p.m. performances Feb. 10, 11, 17, 18 and 24 and 3 p.m. performances Feb. 11, 12, 18, 19 and 25. Click here for tickets.

Vic's Mix

Hillsborough Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Series will present "Vic’s Mix" performed by Montreal-based RUBBERBAND Dance on Feb. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre on the Ybor City Campus, 1411 E. 11th Ave., Tampa.

"Vic’s Mix" is a compilation of Victor Quijada’s best-known works as an artistic director and choreographer. The performance pushes the boundaries of traditional theatricality and challenges audience expectations by blending urban pop and classical music with highly skilled, athletic dancers.

General admission tickets are $20. Admission is free for HCC students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. Advanced tickets can be purchased here.

Opera Tampa

Opera Tampa will present "Norma" Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Bellini's tragedy encompasses rage, war and human sacrifice as Norma, the Druid high priestess, breaks her vows for the love of a Roman.

Click here for tickets.

A Taste Of Mardi Gras 2023

Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center, 1101 E River Cove St., Tampa, invites residents to discover the secret tribal wars and segregated traditions that go on today during Mardi Gras on Feb. 4 at noon.

Afterward, attendees are invited to get crafty and decorate a mask suitable for wearing or hanging on a wall. The donation of $15 includes food and craft supplies.

Click here for reservations.

Live Play Reading

The Straz Center’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Play-Reading Series is an effort to be more inclusive and to diversify its artistic offerings.

This four-part series offers the dramatic experience of hearing excerpts from plays written by talented local and national writers. A question-and-answer period follows, during which writers can provide insight into their creative processes.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, March 5, April 23 and May 28, experience a live play reading by Puerta Rican playwright Gretchen Suárez-Peña in the TECO Theater at the Straz. The event is free.

Art Stars Scholarships

The nonprofit Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts is accepting applications for the
2023 Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships.

In 2008, TBBCA Past President, the late Charlie Hounchell founded the TBBCA Art Stars Scholarships to provide talented Tampa Bay area high school students financial tuition assistance for higher education in the arts.

Scholarships of $2,500 are annually awarded in each of six fine and performing arts disciplines: Dance, Theatre, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Visual Arts and Literary Arts. The one-time $2,500 scholarship is applied directly toward tuition expenses at the college, university, conservatory or professional training program of the selected student's choice.

Winners will be selected based on talent and merit by a panel of judges who are experts in their respective fields.

Click here to apply.

'Jazz' On Exhibit

Main Theatre Gallery: Jazz presented by the Gallery at Carrollwood Cultural Center
"Jazz," on exhibit at the Main Theatre Gallery of the Carrollwood Cultural Center celebrates all aspects of jazz and how jazz music evokes celebration, joy, and rhythm.

The exhibit is on display through Feb. 6 at the center, 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa. The gallery is open most Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

• "Fluid" by Cindy Valdez through Feb. 27 in the Atrium Gallery.
• Art Lovers Exhibit through March 24 by The Exhibiting Society of Artists in the Lobby Gallery.

Islamic Art Festival

The Islamic Art Festival will take place Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Islamic Society of New Tampa, 15830 Morris Bridge Road.

This family-friendly event is free to the public.

Local Muslim artists will be showcasing and selling their unique Islamic art and handicrafts. There will be local henna painting artists painting traditional henna designs on hands and arms, an Arabic calligraphy artist writing people’s names in Arabic calligraphy, and food vendors offering Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisine.

Click here.

Carrollwood Players

Carrollwood Players Theatre will present "Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner" by Todd Kreidler
Feb. 10 to 25 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the theater, 4333 Gunn Highway, Tampa.

A progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her Black fiancé home to meet them in this fresh and relevant stage adaptation of the iconic film "Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner."

For tickets, click here.