What's Happening: 'The History of Wrong Guys,' 'Treasure Island' and more
MAY 24 THROUGH MAY 26
“THE HISTORY OF WRONG GUYS”: An award-winning singer-songwriter and a Disney star are producing a comedic cabaret at The Chief Theatre. Bailee McQueen, a Dixie County local who has won awards for both singing and screenwriting at the state and national levels, and AJ Cali, a Florida native with the distinction of having starred in a musical produced at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, will both be centerstage at the end of the month. The cabaret is a 90-minute program running 7 p.m. May 24-25 and 2 p.m. May 26. The program is described as featuring Broadway’s most bitter and beautiful love songs. For tickets, visit chief-theatre.org. Tickets are $15 with discounts available for select groups. The Chief Theatre is located at 25 E. Park Ave. in Chiefland. Call 352-493-2787 for more information.
MAY 24 THROUGH JUNE 9
“TREASURE ISLAND”: Picture a world where pirates rule what we call Earth. Humanity’s desire to find hidden treasures will take them to heights they never imagined. Based on the masterful adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, “Treasure Island” — the newest production from Gainesville Community Playhouse — is an epic adventure from Ken Ludwig. It begins at an inn on the Devon coast of England, and quickly becomes an unforgettable tale of treachery and mayhem featuring a host of legendary swashbucklers including the dangerous Billy Bones, the sinister two-timing Israel Hands, the brassy woman pirate Anne Bonny, and the hideous form of evil incarnate Blind Pew. Sail the vastness of space to find Captain Flint’s treasure in this coming-of-age tale that is out of this world! Join Jim Hawkins as he navigates the universe longing for adventure with the infamous Long John Silver, perhaps the most famous hero-villain of all time. Silver’s greedy quest for gold, coupled with his affection for Jim, cannot help but win the heart of every soul who has ever longed for romance, treasure and adventure. Catch a show at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays plus 2 p.m. Sundays May 24 through June 9 at the Gainesville Community Playhouse, located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd. Tickets are $24 for general admission, $20 for seniors and $12 for students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit gcplayhouse.org.
MAY 25
“SCIENCE UP CLOSE: INCREDIBLE INSECTS” EXHIBIT OPENING DAY: The Florida Museum of Natural History will reveal its newest exhibit, “Science Up Close: Incredible Insects,” on May 25, and will keep it on display through the summer. In this exhibit, attendees can encounter larger-than-life critters, a live bug zoo, and a multimedia educational experience. With an estimated 5.5 million species, insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Visitors to the exhibit can learn how these extremely valuable creatures impact our lives and culture, from the food we eat to the plants around us. Engage one-on-one with entomologists in the working lab and learn about all they do. Visitors also will have opportunities to interact with live bugs from Florida, view a busy ant colony at work and learn all about the insects that live among us. Relax in the library nook with games and books, or see how you measure up against world-record-holding bugs. Live programming, touchable objects and interactive technology offer engaging experiences for all ages.This dynamic exhibition series, “Science Up Close,” showcases research and collections from the Florida Museum of Natural History and the University of Florida in a whole new way. Take a unique look behind the scenes, interact with scientists while they work and explore some of the Museum’s coolest specimens and objects to discover why they are relevant for people today. Tickets are $10 for adults; $9 for Florida residents, seniors and non-UF college students; $7 for ages 3 to 17; and free for museum members and ages 2 and younger. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday plus 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Florida Museum of Natural History is located at 3215 Hull Road. For more information, visit floridamuseum.ufl.edu or call 846-2000.
MAY 26
“TINKER BELL IN PIXIE HOLLOW”: With “Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow,” Dance Alive National Ballet’s resident school, Pofahl Studios, will dance into spring and summer with students showcasing a year’s worth of work doing what they love. In this story, Tinker Bell learns that all of us need “to yourself be true.” Graduating seniors featured in the program include Lakshmi Garofalo, Anna Gleim, Madeleine Gurka, Kaylee Keller, Zoe Ladd, Gabrielle Luna, Kellyn Patton and Allie Schofield. Dance Alive National Ballet Principal Tales Ribeiro will partner with Gleim while soloist Stirling Kolb will partner with Schofield, who dances the role of Tinker Bell. DANB corps de ballet member Victor Mancuso also will be featured. Audience favorites promise to be the pre-ballet classes of 3- and 4-year-olds. Attendees can always expect the unexpected with this age group! Sure to be appreciated will be a young group of talented swans — ready for a “Swan Lake” when they are old enough! Another audience favorite, “The Family Dance,” is where dancers and family members take the stage — showcasing their talent and finishing with an enthusiastic kick line. The faculty, all members of DANB and dancers promise an entertaining show from beginning to end. Classical and neo-classical ballet, contemporary, acrobatics, hip-hop, tap, jazz — from pre-ballet to pre-professional — this show has it all. The show will be held at 2 p.m. May 26 at the Phillips Center, located at 3201 Hull Road. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for ages 3-17 and free for ages 2 and younger. To purchase tickets online, visit performingarts.ufl.edu.
MAY 27
WATER PARK COMMUNITY DAY: Camp Kulaqua opens its River Ranch on specific days during the spring and summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required, and it will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 27. The venue features a 15,000-square-foot wave pool as well as a lazy river, water slide and volleyball courts. The public is allowed to bring food and coolers, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the water park. Camp Kulaqua requests that modest swimsuits be worn. The water park is located at 23400 NW 212th Ave. in High Springs. The discounted rate is $18 per person; free for children ages 3 and younger. A future community day is planned for July 14. For more information, visit kulaqua.com.
MAY 29 THROUGH JULY 21
“THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE”: The fast-paced, phonetic musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” the newest production from the Hipp Theatre, focuses on an eclectic group of six young people who compete in the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Eight spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. Complete with audience participation and plenty of effortless improv, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” guarantees a one-of-a-kind, musical theater performance that spells F-U-N! Catch a preview show at 7 p.m. May 29-30, then regular-season shows will begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays through July 21. The Hippodrome Theatre is located at 25 SE Second Place. Tickets run $10 to $30. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit thehipp.org/the-25th-annual-putnam-county-spelling-bee. Content Advisory: PG-13. Play discusses race, LGBTQ+ themes, and has some profanity and strong language.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: What's Happening: 'Incredible Insects,' 'Tinker Bell,' 'Spelling Bee'
