‘Ruthless!’ and ‘Peter Pan’ bring surprising twists to area theaters

Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read

Some people will do anything to get a part in a show, especially the lead.

That’s the spirit behind the off-beat and popular off-Broadway hit “Ruthless! The Musical,” which spoofs Broadway musical traditions while adding touches of horror films.

The musical, which has been described as a cross between “Gypsy” and “The Bad Seed,” begins Wednesday at The Players for a run through Oct. 15. Scott Keys directs the production, which opens the company’s 94th season.

Allie McLaughlin, left, plays a young girl who would kill for the lead in her school show, and Jennifer Baker plays her worried mother in “Ruthless! The Musical” at The Players.
Allie McLaughlin, left, plays a young girl who would kill for the lead in her school show, and Jennifer Baker plays her worried mother in “Ruthless! The Musical” at The Players.

Allie McLaughlin plays 8-year-old Tina Denmark who opens the show by singing that she was “Born to Entertain.” But her mother, Judy (played by Jennifer Baker) just wants her to have a normal childhood and put off her performing ambitions for a while.

However, when an unusual agent named Sylvia St. Croix (Heath Jorgenson) encourages Tina to audition for the lead in her school show, “Pippi in Tahiti, The Musical,” strange things start happening around them.

The cast also includes Leslie Van Brink, Shawn Marie Spears and Nancy Denton. Carl Haan is the musical director. Performances are Sept. 27-Oct 15 at The Players inside the Crossings at Siesta Key Shopping Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Suite 1130; $30, $13 students 24 and younger; 941-365-2494; theplayers.org

The cast of Dingbat Theatre Project’s “Peter Pan” rehearses for performances at the Loveland Performing Arts Theatre.
The cast of Dingbat Theatre Project’s “Peter Pan” rehearses for performances at the Loveland Performing Arts Theatre.

‘Peter Pan’

On the heels of its hit summer production of “Chicago,” the Dingbat Theatre Project returns with a new adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s enduring story “Peter Pan.” Don’t expect the musical version you have seen for decades. The company promises it “is the same story you know and love with a twist.”

The company’s theater space at the Loveland Center is being transformed into a fort-like space decorated with cushy pillows. Floor seating (with pillows) is available for children and others. Co-founder Luke Manual McFatrich directs and designs the scenery, and he is also playing Peter’s fairy friend, Tinker Bell. The company said the production has been inspired by Brechtian and story theater styles and incorporates timeless popular songs.

Liz Pascoe plays Wendy Moira Angela Darling, a girl on the edge of young adulthood, who dreams of playing among the stars. She is swept away to Neverland by Gretchen Beaumier as Peter. Kim Kollar plays both Mrs. Darling and Captain Hook, Kelly Leissler Jr. is Smee. Austin Howeth and Sarah Johnson play Wendy's younger brothers Michael and John, and the lost boys are played by Laura Grieme, Emily Uritz and Debbie White. The cast also serves as narrators, pirates, mermaids and puppeteers during the production.

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Performances are Sept. 27-Oct. 8 at the Loveland Performing Arts Theatre, 157 S. Havana Rd., Venice. Tickets are $12-$40. For more information: Dingbattheatre.org

Two film musicals that began as stage shows will be screened this week. At 1 p.m. Sept. 29 in the Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling will show “In the Heights,” the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning show. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; $20, $18 members, $10 students with ID; 941-359-5700; ringling.org. And at 8 p.m. Sept. 30, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will present a screening of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” with live performers leading audience members through some of the beloved dances, songs and twists in the story. The screening is hosted by actor Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors in the film. 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $42-$72; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org

And Florida Studio Theatre opens a new season of its original cabaret series with “Up on the Roof,” a revue that looks back at the myriad of hits that emanated from the Brill Building in Manhattan, where such songwriters as Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Burt Bacharach, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller created the sound of the 1950s and 1960s.

Jannie Jones, who has starred in countless FST shows, returns, sharing the stage with Brandon Wardell, Jacqelyne Paige and Joey Panek. Sept. 27-Feb. 4, Florida Studio Theatre Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets are $18-$39. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Young actress would kill for a role in satirical musical ‘Ruthless!’