Season of laughs, drama, tears

Theater buffs have a lot to look forward to.

By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN, Times staff writer
Published August 17, 2007

If the temperatures are hovering in the 90s and a tropical storm is whirling through the Atlantic Ocean, then the 2007-08 theater season can't be far away.

To help readers juggle their theater datebooks, we present the seasons for the area's three major venues: Show Palace Dinner Theatre, Richey Suncoast Theatre and Stage West Community Playhouse.

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Show Palace Dinner Theatre

16128 U.S. 19, Hudson

Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (doors open at 6 for cocktails and buffet), 3 p.m. Sundays (doors open at 1) and 1:15 p.m. some Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (doors open at 11:30 a.m.).

Dinner and show, $44; show only, $32.95; ages 12 and younger, $26.45 and $21.45, all plus tax and tip. Three shows, $113.25; four shows, $151, plus tax and tip. Call (727) 863-7949 in west Pasco; toll-free elsewhere at 1-888-655-7469.

Today through Sunday: Ain't Misbehavin', a musical.

Aug. 31 to Sept. 23: Greater Tuna, a comedy.

Oct. 5 to Nov. 17: South Pacific, a musical.

Nov. 22 to Dec. 25: A Show Palace Christmas.

2008

Jan. 4 to Feb. 24: The Full Monty, a musical.

Feb. 29 to April 13: Kiss Me, Kate, a musical.

April 18 to May 25: Big, Bad, Bawdy Burlesque, a musical revue.

June 6 to July 27: Forever Plaid, a musical.

Aug. 1 to Sept. 21: Smokey Joe's Cafe, the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

Oct. 3 to Nov. 22: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, a musical.

Nov. 27 to Dec. 25: A Show Palace Christmas.

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Richey Suncoast Theatre

6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey

Shows are at 8 p.m. on opening Thursday and the three subsequent Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

All six shows, $70; five shows (excludes the Christmas show), $60. Individual shows, $15, all reserved seating.

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (727) 842-6777 or at the box office from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays a week before and during the run of a show.

Sept. 6-23: Man of La Mancha, a musical.

Oct. 18 to Nov. 4: The Bad Seed, dramatic thriller.

Nov. 23 to Dec. 2: Pasco Christmas: Scrooge Revisited, a musical.

2008

Jan. 10-27: Chess, a musical.

Feb. 21 to March 9: Steel Magnolias, a comedy-drama.

May 8-25: Fame, a musical.

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Stage West Community Playhouse

8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill

Shows are at 8 p.m. on the opening Thursday and the three subsequent Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Five shows, $75. Individual shows, $18. Box office is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting a week before a show opens and one hour before each performance. Call (352) 683-5113.

Sept. 6-23: Noises Off, a comedy.

Nov. 1-18: Oliver! a musical.

2008:

Jan. 10-27: A Few Good Men, courtroom drama.

Feb. 28 to March 16: Camelot, a musical.

May 1-18: Agatha Christie's Murder on the Nile, a drama.

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The Forum at Stage West Community Playhouse

Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. All three shows, $25. Individual shows, $10.

Oct. 5-14: Steel Magnolias, a comedy-drama.

2008:

Feb. 1-10: Veronica's Room, thriller.

April 4-13: Death of a Salesman, drama.

[Last modified August 16, 2007, 20:19:25]