Vero’s one and only community theatre opened its 63rd Anniversary Season on January 13th and by the second week; the production was selling out to skittish COVID conscious audiences who were pleasantly surprised by the enormous amount of time and effort that was put into making the new theatre a safe environment for its patrons. Their first offering, “Over the Tavern” by Tom Dudzick and directed by Alex Martinez caught on like wild fire and by the closing weekend, standing ovations and sold out houses were racked up quickly.
With only two weeks between productions now that the Guild has become a year-round operation, Tavern’s 4 room cramped Buffalo, New York apartment has left the stage to make room for several 4 foot snowbanks, a forest of over 20 pine trees laden with snow and a cast of 5 playing over 18 roles in the charming romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” directed by Tevin Brown. A nearly picture perfect postcard, Almost, Maine is a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist!
One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-fill sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal and the hearts mend—almost in this delightful midwinter night’s dream under the Aurora Borealis. The production opens February 10th and plays through the 21st. This perfect Valentines’ date is playing a special Sunday matinee on the 14th at 2 pm and nearly sold out once again! You don’t want to miss this one!
The season continues with more laughs when director Jon Putzke’s “A Shot in the Dark” takes to the stage on March 10th and Broadway’s divine musical “Sister Act” directed and choreographed by the incomparable Beth Shestak floats in on a cloud April 7th for a 3 week run through the 25th. Closing out the 63rd Season will be the Hollywood laugh riot “Moonlight and Magnolias” May 12th through the 23rd.
During the eight month hiatus while the theatre was shut down, the Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s resident Design Director Jeff Hall led his volunteer scene shop crew in a much needed over-hauling of the theatre to meet with the challenges of making the theatre socially and CDC regulation safe. Masks are required to enter the theatre and must be worn throughout the performance and social distancing is being encouraged at all times.
Tickets for the 3 comedies are $30 with the musical $35. As always, tickets for students 18 and under are $15 at all performances. Reservations can be made by phoning the box office Mondays through Fridays 10 am to 2 pm at 772-562-8300 or by visiting the box office at 2020 San Juan Avenue. All previously purchased tickets prior to the pandemic shut down are being honored by the Guild and can be exchanged at the box office for any of the 11 shows the Guild is offering now through May 22nd, 2022. Visit the Guild online at verobeachtheatreguild.com.