As the world opens up, so does the stage; and in Hernando County, we now see the dawn of a performing arts season in which this stage will come alive with music and drama, fun and festivity.
Live Oak Theatre Company (LOT), a not-for-profit 501 (C) (3) repertory company of local artists, located at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, returns to the stage for another season of major theatrical productions–performed in classic Live Oak fashion.
The 2021-2022 season is as follows:
Main Stage Musical Productions
Into the Woods – Oct 15-31
The Little Earl – Dec 9-19
Newsies – March 18-April 3 SPONSORED BY PASCO HERNANDO STATE COLLEGE
Acorn Theatre Musical Productions
Shrek Jr. Aug 12-15 – SPONSORED BY JONATHAN MCDONALD OF SINKHOLE TITAN
Oliver! Jr – November 12-14 & 19-21
Alice and the Looking Glass – April 21-May 1
Live Oak Theatre is offering a flexible way to pay for their show tickets, in the form of Flex Passes. “Live Oak Theatre continues to offer ‘Flex Passes’ for its seasons, (in lieu of season tickets). This allows patrons to purchase multiple tickets at a discount that can be used for any of our productions, both Main Stage and our new Acorn Theatre productions – as well as concerts and events. The purchaser may choose how they wish to use the Flex Pass,” reads a related news release.
Ticket options for 2020/2021
Main Stage production individual tickets:
$20 for adults, $8 for children 13 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Acorn Theatre individual production tickets:
$15 for adults, $8 for children 13 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Live Oak Flex Passes:
2 admissions – $35 for adults, $15 for children 13 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket
4 admissions – $65 for adults, $25 for children 13 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket
6 admissions – $95 for adults, $40 for children 13 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket
“We have chosen the Flex Pass concept over season tickets as it allows our audiences much more freedom in choosing from our six different shows this year,” said Live Oak spokesperson and performer/teacher Vince Vanni. “We have also made one additional change. Our individual tickets will be cheaper when purchased in advance. ‘At-the-door’ prices will be slightly higher.” Flex passes may also be used for the popular IMPROV Nights. More concerts and events will be added as time/restrictions allow, for which flex passes may not qualify. For example, Live Oak’s Christmas Festival (December 11), Winter Gala (February 11), Third Annual Princess Tea (February 19), and Spring Festival (May 21).
Live Oak also will be presenting many productions on its beautiful new outdoor stage. Live Oak advises, “The audience is seated on the veranda and the lawn, allowing us to seat up to 100 people in a safe, socially distanced, outdoor setting that will be comfortable for you and our performers. Live Oak has chairs available for lawn seating; however, those who wish to be seated on the lawn may choose to bring their own comfortable lawn chairs or a picnic blanket instead.”
Filling this stage will be the cast of “Into the Woods,” to be performed October 15 through 31 at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville. Live Oak Theatre is particularly pleased to present its cast for “Into the Woods.”
Narrator – Chris Rocanelli
Cinderella– Bethany Malinoski
Baker – Greg Mys
Baker’s Wife – Randi Olsen
Witch – Katie Marra
Rapunzel – Caitlyn George
Little Red – Emily Mosher
Jack – Cam Kennedy
Cinderella’s Prince – Kevin Herbert
Rapunzel’s Prince – Kyle Marra
Stepmother – Andi Garner
Florinda – Esprit Herbert
Lucinda – Britney Devine
Steward – Kyle Staley
Wolf – Lucas Doyaga
Mysterious Man – Stephen Rees
Jack’s Mother – Kimberly Morse
Tree/Grandmother – Dawn Hester
Cinderella’s Father – Josh Mosher
Giant – Julie Hofstede
“Into the Woods” is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The story features a baker and his wife as they embark on a journey through the woods to lift a curse.
For more information about the Live Oak Theatre Company, including sponsorship and audition opportunities, call 352-593-0027, email [email protected] , or go to www.LiveOakTheatre.org. Visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LiveOakTheatre.
After a season of silence, the Hernando Symphony Orchestra is launching an exciting new concert season; with HSO concerts scheduled for Saturday evening 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoon 2 p.m. 12/18/21, 12/19/21, 2/26/22, 2/27/22, 4/30/22, and 5/1/22. “I have worked with our ticket manager, Frances, on some logistics for our upcoming season. As you know, all concerts will be held in our new venue, (St. Frances Cabrini- 5030 Mariner Blvd.),” said Michele DiLuzio, HSO conductor, in a letter to orchestra supporters. “This means we had to make a few adjustments in order to provide the safest environment and concert experience for you. We have worked hard to minimize the changes to you. The first season in a new venue can be challenging, but I know we will all be just fine.”
The venue of a classically designed church promises a unique and accommodating concert-going experience. “Since we will be performing in the sanctuary at St. Frances, their seating is in a fan-shaped setting of individual padded pews. No individual seats. There are 4 front sections, with 6-7 rows of varied size in each section. There are 4 back sections, with 9-10 rows of varied size in each section. There are also seating areas that can accommodate wheelchairs,” said DiLuzio. “St. Frances offers plenty of parking, including handicapped parking, and a very well lit parking lot. Entrance into the church will be limited to the main doors on either side of the church. All side doors will only be accessible upon leaving.”
With the dawn of a new concert season comes other changes to the HSO experience. “We will not be handing out printed programs,” said DiLuzio. “The program will be run electronically on two large screens that will be on either side of the orchestra performance area. We will continue selling snacks, soda and water in the lobby. No food or drinks will be permitted in the sanctuary. The church follows CDC guidelines, which currently states masks are optional. Should this change before the December concert, I will let you know.”
Yet some things never change about the HSO experience. “Ticket prices will remain the same. Prices are as follows: season tickets = $45 per person. General Admission tickets = $18 per person, per concert. Students in grades KG-12 = $5 per person, per concert. We will still be holding our raffles at each concert,” said DiLuzio.
Various ticket options are available for this season of Hernando Symphony Orchestra performances. “The front 4 sections will be reserved for our season ticket holders. Your tickets will be blue in color. season ticket holders with the blue tickets will be permitted to enter 60 minutes prior to the start of the concert. You can sit anywhere in the season ticket holder area. We will have ushers available in the season ticket seating section to assist you. Seat saving will not be allowed,” explained DiLuzio. “For general admission tickets – the back 4 sections will be for all general admission tickets. These tickets will be green in color. Ushers will be available in the general admission section to assist those with the green general admission tickets. Those with general admission tickets will be permitted to enter 30 minutes prior to the start of the concert.”
For those who already purchased their season tickets and provided a self-addressed stamped envelope, their tickets will be mailed out to them in mid October. Those who purchased their season tickets and did not provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, their tickets will be available to pick up at their first concert in December. “Please note that St. Frances will not be handling any of our ticket sales. Please do not mail, call or show up at the church looking to get tickets. Tickets can be purchased over the phone with a valid credit card by calling Frances, our Ticket Manager at our number 352-584-1210. You can also purchase tickets in person prior to the start of each concert using a valid credit card, cash or check. There are no additional fees for the use of a credit card. You can also mail in your request (the ticket form is on our website hernandosymphony.com) to our PO Box 5711, Spring Hill, FL 34611,” said DiLuzio.
Fans also can support HSO when shopping on Amazon, where they go to smile.amazon.com and choose Hernando Symphony Orchestra as their charitable organization. Amazon will donate .05% of all eligible purchases to their orchestra. “I am so grateful for each and every one of you,” said DiLuzio. “Your unwavering dedication to me and your orchestra has meant so much to us during the Covid shutdown. We are excited to get back to doing what we love the most, seeing all of you and bringing back the music.”
