“South Pacific” will be shown at 3 and 7 p.m. on June 25 and 26 and July 9 and 10, and “Guys and Dolls” will be shown on July 14, 15, 23 and 24. Tickets can be purchased at any Villages Box Office location or online at thevillagesentertainment.com.
“It’s been so long since we’ve been able to bring in shows (on) a regular basis,” said Brian Russo, executive director of entertainment for The Villages. “We’ve all been dying to get back to it and bring live music and theater back to our residents.”
Savannah Center has previously held smaller comedies and the occasional drama in addition to resident theatre group events, according to Russo.
Although the theatre would mostly feature touring bands and community theatre, Russo stated that touring theatre would be brought in on occasion when possible.
“It came down to availability, cost, production quality and, ultimately, if we thought it’s something people would want to see and would enjoy. Fortunately, we’ve been able to find some of those already and are looking forward to bringing in some more,” Russo said.
“Assisted Living: The Musical,” a production that Villagers have liked in the past, will return due to popular demand.
Betsy Bennett and Rick Compton featured in the two-person comedy as 18 distinct individuals in Pelican Roost, a very active retirement home, who “live life in the moment, to the max.”
The musical has been seen on stages all around the country, including The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center in the town.
Also returning to the Savannah Center stage will be some familiar faces.
Fernando Varela, executive director of Victory Productions and executive producer of the Legends of Broadway Series, envisioned the series as a mix of live concerts and theatre.
The presentations will have a strong emphasis on music and skill, with technical features such as video thrown in for good measure (imagine waves crashing and birds flying in the background of “South Pacific”).
“We’re working on really clever transitions to go from one scene to the next — it’s almost like utilizing the technology to enhance the production and using the strength of that technology to help tell the story,” Varela said. “We’re really excited about how we’re able to use that in a way that’s better than a traditional set.”
In “South Pacific,” Varela will play Emile de Becque, while his wife, Susan Williams Varela, will play Sister Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls.”
The series will feature shows that have stood the test of time, as well as some more recent titles.
Those musicals could include “Les Miserables” if the response to the first round of shows is positive, according to Varela.
– Attributed Source, The Villages Daily Sun
