The 23rd season of the Royal Palm Players opens with emotional powerhouse "Tuesdays With Morrie" Nov. 15-18 and closes its abbreviated schedule with the legendary musical "Godspell" March 7-10.
In between, RPP will put on Neil Simon's classic comedy "California Suite" Feb. 7-10 and two special music events: "Elvis on the Island Jan. 16 and "A Nite With the Rat Pack March 1.
"This season, our focus is fun," said RPP President Erica Ress Martin.
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Erica Ress Martin
Martin's RPP Board this season includes Vice President Dan Headington, Treasurer M. Weldon Rogers III and Secretary Vivian Rice. The RPP Board approved cutting the season roughly in half after former RPP Artistic Director Michelle Strauss resigned following the end of last season in light of this season's reduced schedule.
"I wanted a bigger challenge; not less," Strauss said.
RPP directors this year include: Tim Dumas, Betsy Joiner, Wendy Melvin, Linda Rollyson, Ann Shaw and John Touchett.
Fact Box
To Go
What: 'Tuesdays with Morrie" starring Terry Seitz and Nick Nichols
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 15-17, 2 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First St.
Tickets: $25
Contact: Call (941) 964-2670, e-mail RoyalPalmPlayers@embarqmail.com or go to RoyalPalmPlayers.com or ticketturtle.com.
To Go
What: "Elvis is on the Island"
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 16
Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First St.
Tickets: $25
Contact: Call (941) 964-2670, e-mail RoyalPalmPlayers@embarqmail.com or go to RoyalPalmPlayers.com or ticketturtle.com.
To Go
What: "California Suite" starring Ann Fletcher, Dan Headington, Margaret Bush, Wendy Melvin, Linda Rollyson and Jim Sullivan
When: 8 p.m. Feb. 7-9, 2 p.m. Feb. 10
Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First St.
Tickets: $25
Contact: Call (941) 964-2670, e-mail RoyalPalmPlayers@embarqmail.com or go to RoyalPalmPlayers.com or ticketturtle.com.
To Go
What: "A Nite With the Rat Pack"
When: 8 p.m. March 1
Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First St.
Tickets: $25
Contact: Call (941) 964-2670, e-mail RoyalPalmPlayers@embarqmail.com or go to RoyalPalmPlayers.com or ticketturtle.com.
To Go
What: "Godspell:
When: 8 p.m. March 7-9, 2 p.m. March 10
Where: Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First St.
Tickets: $25
Contact: Call (941) 964-2670, e-mail RoyalPalmPlayers@embarqmail.com or go to RoyalPalmPlayers.com or ticketturtle.com.
"Tuesdays With Morrie" opens its four-day run Nov. 15-18 with three 8 p.m. showings and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee starring Terry Seitz and Nick Nichols.
Author Mitch Albom's tearjerker centers around memories of his late college professor, Morrie Schwartz. After an absence of more than 20 years, Albom gets a second chance to learn how to live from his dying mentor. They meet in Schwartz's study every Tuesday, just as they did when Albom was in college, to absorb all of Schwartz's wisdom before it is too late.
The first of two musical events arrives at 8 p.m. Jan. 16 with "Elvis is on the Island." Dwight Icenhower, one of America's most famous Elvis tribute artists, portrays The King of Rock 'N' Roll.
The second play has more island participation than any other production of the season. Neil Simon's "California Suite" delivers juicy roles for island acting stalwarts Ann Fletcher, Headington, Margaret Bush, Melvin, Rollyson and Jim Sullivan.
Tribute artist Jimmy Mazz delivers "A Nite With The Rat Pack" at 8 p.m. March 1. Mazz relives the great Las Vegas years with songs by Dean Martin, Sammy Davis and Frank Sinatra.
The season concludes with the legendary musical "Godspell," based on the gospel according to St. Matthew. The March 7-10 dates include a Sunday matinee.
"The sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz is performed by our island's most talented singers," Martin said.
The songs "Day By Day," "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All For The Best," "Turn Back O Man," and "By My Side" enliven the parables of Jesus Christ.
