The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is lighting up the stage this summer with its production of “A Chorus Line,” running now through Aug. 3. This landmark musical is a tribute to the passion, heart and sacrifice behind every performer’s dream, and with only a few seats left, local theater lovers are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as possible. With music that changed Broadway forever and choreography that remains iconic, “A Chorus Line” offers audiences a front-row seat to the emotional roller coaster of a Broadway audition. Seventeen dancers share deeply personal stories as they compete for a coveted place in the chorus line, opening up about their childhoods, ambitions, insecurities and triumphs. Songs like “One” and “What I Did for Love” have become anthems of resilience and artistic dedication, and the show captures not just the spectacle of performance, but the human journey that fuels it. Rated PG-13, the musical does include mature themes, strong language, and candid monologues touching on sexuality, body image and personal trauma. Though no explicit content or violence is shown on stage, parents should be advised that some material may not be suitable for younger audiences. Ticket prices range from $17.50 to $40. Auditions are around the corner for the Theatre Guild’s next major production, Mel Brooks’ side-splitting musical “Young Frankenstein.” Auditions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 28, Tuesday, July 29, and Wednesday, July 30. Directed by Beth Shestak and with music direction by Gregory Harris, this hilariously twisted take on the classic horror tale will come alive on stage from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2. Those auditioning must be high school-aged or older, and are asked to prepare 16 bars from a musical in a similar style and come ready to dance. Video submissions will also be accepted through July 30 at 6 p.m. and can be sent to [email protected]. This show promises a riot of tap-dancing monsters, zany characters and Brooks’ unmistakable humor. The Guild is looking for bold performers ready to embrace the chaos and fun of bringing “Young Frankenstein” to the Vero Beach stage. The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is at 2020 San Juan Ave. For more information call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com.
Storytelling enthusiasts can head to the Vero Beach Museum of Art for a unique literary event featuring Caren Neile, Ph.D. A co-host of “The Public Storyteller” on WLRN and the author of “Florida Lore: The Barefoot Mailman, Cowboy Bone Mizell, the Tallahassee Witch, and Other Tales,” Neile will speak at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 26. The event is free with museum admission and promises to share captivating tales from Florida’s rich storytelling tradition. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is located at 3001 Riverside Park Dr. Regular admission is $12 general, $11 for seniors 65 and older, $5 for students and free to members, children under 17 years of age, U.S. veterans and active-duty military. For more information call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present “Orchestral Firepower” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St. The concert includes a world premiere and a beloved symphonic classic, and will feature principal clarinetist Jennifer Royals in the debut of R. Michael Daugherty’s Concerto for B-flat Clarinet and String Orchestra. The three-movement piece titled “Passion,” “Frustration” and “Jubilation” was composed especially for Royals. Daugherty, a prolific Vero Beach-based composer, has more than 400 works to his name. The program also includes the full performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” an exuberant composition originally written to celebrate Russia’s defense against Napoleon’s forces. Known for its grand finale featuring simulated cannon blasts and church bells, the performance will enlist help from the audience, who will be cued to pop brown paper bags and ring handbells to create a spectacular sonic finish. Finally, the orchestra will perform Shostakovich’s powerful “Symphony No. 6,” a deeply layered work composed during Stalin-era Soviet Russia. Aaron T. Collins, the symphony’s artistic director and conductor, describes the program as an exciting blend of musical forces. “We have three very different and equally exciting works on this concert,” he says. “And of course, the audience will have a lot of fun helping the orchestra out with the 1812 overture.” Tickets for “Orchestral Firepower” are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Children under 18 and students with a valid ID may attend for free. Advance tickets are available online at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust locations both beachside and on the mainland. For more information, call 855-252-7276.
