Both local playhouses are back in action for January with one presenting a crime thriller and the other bringing a thoughtful comedy to its stage.
Both playhouses continue to follow social distancing and masking guidelines from the federal Center for Disease Control.
City Repertory Theater
The nickname, “The Gutsiest Theater” used as a descriptive moniker of the City Repertory Theater in Palm Coast on its website is certainly not for naught.
Its January production of “Wait Until Dark” in late January proves this small, tight knit group is willing to stretch the abilities of the playhouse.
“Wait Until Dark” was written by Frederick Knott and first appeared on Broadway in 1966. Knott was an English playwright best known for the thriller, “Dial M for Murder.” He specialized in complex crime-related plots and “Wait Until Dark” is another example of his writing that keeps readers and watchers on edge.
The Dramatists Play Service describes the plot of “Wait Until Dark” as the following:
A sinister con man named Roat and two ex-convicts named Mike and Carlino meet their criminal match when they trace the location of a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. Sam had transported the doll across the Canadian border not knowing it contained several grams of heroin. Sam is accused of murdering the woman who gave him the doll for transport. Naturally, his wife believes he is innocent, and she refuses to tell anyone where the doll is located. Roat and Susy end up in a deadly game of cat and mouse in which she evens her odds of winning by turning out the lights in her home forcing Roat to make his moves in the dark.
Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for adults. Performances are the weekends of January 21 and 28 with a 7:30 PM curtain time for Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. for Sundays.
Purchase tickets by calling (386) 585-9415 or scan the QR code on this page.
Performances are in the City Marketplace located at 106 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207 in Palm Coast.
Flagler Playhouse
“Mass Appeal” takes the stage in this Bunnell-based theater Thursdays through Sundays on January 13-16 and 20-23.
Written by Bill C. Davis, “Mass Appeal” is the story of a young, newly-ordained deacon and an older, much-more-experienced pastor paired up to help the former mature and grow in the ministry. What follows is a mix of comedy and drama as the pair find themselves knee deep in a generational gap that challenges the beliefs of both.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 PM and Sunday performances begin at 2 PM.
Tickets are available online at: www.tix.com/ticket-sales/flaglerplayhouse/2181?productionidlist=180170 or scan the QR code on the previous page.
The Flagler Playhouse is located at 301 E. Moody Boulevard in Bunnell.
Road Trip
For those of you considering a short trip north, the 13th annual Saint Augustine Film Festival is set for Jan. 20 through 23 with films being screened at three theatre locations in the Ancient City.
More than 50 independent films are scheduled to be shown in the Lewis Auditorium and the Gamache-Koger Theatre – both located on the campus of Flagler College – and at the Alcazar Room at the St. Augustine City Hall.
All three locations are within walking distance of each other within the heart of the city’s Historic District. In the past, filmmakers often appear to introduce their work and/or discuss their work and its production. Organizers expect the same tradition to occur this year.
Comedy, high drama and international suspense are just some of the genres represented in the 2022 films selected to be shown.
Tickets are available for purchase now. There are several options. A $150 all-access pass provides purchasers with admission to all films at all on-site venues as well as all virtual screenings. Also included is admission to the Tuesday, Jan 18 harbor cruise to view the Night of Lights, the Thursday, Jan. 20 dinner at the Lightner Museum and the Saturday, Jan. 22 party at the Colonial Quarter.
A $90 pass provides purchasers with admission to all films – on-site and virtual.
Single movie admission is available for $10 for adult general admission and $9 for senior age 60 and older, for military, first responders and students.
The Saint Augustine Film Festival was founded by Barbara and Arnold Grevior, longtime supporters of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The event in the Ancient City is under the umbrella of the Broward County Film Festival, Inc., the producers of the Fort Lauderdale event. Thus, the reason why tickets for the Saint Augustine Film Festival have the logo of the later event.
Tickets are available online at www.saff2022.eventive.org/passes/buy or scan the QR code on the previous page. See more at the website: www.staugfilmfest.com.
