The Vero Beach Theatre Guild, located at 2020 San Juan Ave., will begin its September offering with Neil Simon’s beloved comedy “Rumors,” running Sept. 5-21. Known for his quick wit and razor-sharp dialogue, Simon crafted “Rumors” as a farcical evening set at a posh Upper Manhattan anniversary party that descends into sheer bedlam. Guests arrive to discover the host has inexplicably shot himself in the ear while his wife has gone missing. Determined to keep scandal at bay, a parade of friends and acquaintances arrive, each attempting to cover up the unfolding chaos. The result is a cascade of misunderstandings and laugh-out-loud moments that Simon audiences have come to cherish. Tickets are priced between $15 and $35. For more information call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com.
The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is also holding auditions for Jason Robert Brown’s innovative song-cycle musical “The Last Five Years,” which will run Nov. 6-15. Auditions are scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, and Tuesday, Sept. 9. Directed by Ben Earman with music direction by Jeff Smith, the production tells the story of a failed relationship that started with a lot of hope. Cathy narrates backward from the heartbreak of divorce, while Jamie unfolds his memories forward, beginning with their first meeting. The stories intersect only at the wedding song in the middle of the show. If you want to audition, you need to prepare 32 bars of a song from the show or a piece of similar style, with sheet music preferred for accompaniment. Rehearsals begin Sept. 29. You can also audition by sending a video to the director at [email protected]. The deadline for video submissions is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9. For more information call 772-562-8300 or visit VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com.
Riverside Theatre’s Comedy Zone presents headliner Renard Hirsch, known for his conversational, story-driven style, often weaving in character imitations and lighthearted spins on religious and urban themes, and feature act Doug Almeida, who transforms his years as a corporate presenter into comedy. The performances, designed for audiences 18 and over, run about 80 minutes. They begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $25 for table seats and $15 for side seats and are expected to sell quickly. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
For those preferring live music under the stars, Riverside’s popular “Live in the Loop” outdoor series continues with three evenings of free concerts this weekend. On Thursday, Sept. 4, Ubae Groove brings reggae rhythms blended with pop twists, offering a laid-back island vibe; on Friday, Sept. 5, the high-energy Vintage Radio takes listeners on a tour through rock’s greatest classics; and on Saturday, Sept. 6, Luna Pearl brings a wide-ranging setlist, covering artists as varied as Sade, KC & The Sunshine Band, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Eagles, Nirvana, and the Doors, among many others. The concerts run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doors for table and lawn chair seating open at 5 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase inside the venue. Guests are reminded not to bring outside food, coolers or pets, but free cups of water will be available, with bottled water offered for purchase. For more information, call 772-231-6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com.
The Indian River County Intergenerational Center will host a Resource & Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. The event, organized by Take Flight Counseling & Consulting, recognizes Suicide Prevention Month. The event offers workshops and information sessions on a variety of topics that include mental health, coping skills, parenting strategies, wellness practices, and perspectives from teenagers. Admission is free, though pre-registration is requested. The Indian River County Intergenerational Center is at 1590 9th St. SW Vero Beach. For more information, or to register, call 772-202-0182.
Beyond theater and music, the weekend also carries opportunities to engage the community in other ways. Beginning at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, runners and walkers will gather at Riverside Park, 3280 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, for the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk, an event honoring first responders, military heroes and their families. Proceeds benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a national nonprofit that supports these everyday heroes through housing initiatives, financial relief and remembrance projects. For more information, or to register, visit T2T.org.
