The Great Comet of 1812 at Theater West End

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Theater West End in Sanford is presenting The Great Comet of 1812.

The core of the story revolves around princes Natasha, who is engaged, falling hopelessly in love with Anatole, a known womanizer who is married.

When friends warn Natasha, she will not listen.

This is a modern pop opera since the music dominates every story line. The cast is large and the relationships intertwined. What I loved most about the production was the boisterous energy, with the cast often moving in among the audience. I tired to capture that energy bu sketching a violinist who was just feet from me on a ramp down to the stage. It seems much of the cast were also musicians.

This is a high energy production and should not be missed. This show runs through December 8, 2024. Be sure to catch it. Tickets run from $33.85 to $40.27. It is a wild time. Theater West End, 115 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill

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Wow. this production blew the white socks right off my feet. Desiree Montes stars as the venerable lady day at Theater West End (115 West 1st. Street Sanford Florida.

From the moment I entered the lobby I felt like I was in an intimate smoke filled night club.

I had seen this production once before but Desiree’s performance was the most visceral and vulnerable depictions of the singer I have witnessed. She was hesitant to start the performance but when she sang, she melted into the music. The piano player tried to keep he on the play list but she could not be boxed in. Her life was too large to follow a single line of thought.

Since this was a dress rehearsal, the audience was small but Lady Day often left the stage to mingle with the audience. Some joking interactions drew out audience members who shouted back and laughed with gusto. This was pure theater magic. During one song, a small dog could be heard howling off stage like he wanted to also sing. Later Lady Day brought he pup out to cuddle and share with the audience.

She talked of loss and the challenge of performing as a star in a racist country. When she began singing Strange Fruit, it clearly resonated with the horrors of her own life. What she most wanted from life was a home and a family she could call her own, but the life of a singer never allowed that dream to come to life.

Desiree is Lady Day. Performances are September 13 – 29, 2024. You do not want to miss this show.

Cabaret in Sanford

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Love or Something was a Cabaret about love… kind of at Theater West End 115 West 1st Street Sanford Florida.  The singers were Laurel Hatfield and Adair Watkins. The pianist was John Olearchick. The show explored a wide range of relationships through the heartwarming duets of Lippa, Jason Robert Brown, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and more.

The dive up to Sanford featured an epic rainfall. I arrived a bit early since I wanted give myself plenty of time driving through the downpour.

The lobby has quaint Victorian couches and ancient steamship trailers. As I sat down I could her the singers rehearsing in the next room.

I was assigned a seat in the back row next to a video camera. I blocked in the theater as the audience was ushered in.  The set was for Steel Magnolias which is now being performed in the theater. Since the singers would face each other as they sang, I was left to wonder if these songs held a special place in their hearts. An on going joke between sings was that they are married, … just not to each other.

One of my favorite songs, Suddenly Seymor, came late in the evening. I identify with the nerdy Seymour who can only find love through horrible and diabolical means. Though both singers are married, they recounted what it was like living through awkward dates and finally finding someone as nerdy as themselves. I am boxing up my studio and plan to possibly move on April 1. Looking around I realized I was the only masked person in the audience.

Corsets and Cuties Kick off the Holiday Season

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Corsets and Cuties a Burlesque Cabaret will kickoff the season Sunday November 24, 2019 from 8pm to 10pm with a little teasing plus guest stars and treats from Premier Couples Superstore at Theater West End
(115 West 1st St., Sanford, Florida 32771.) Final touches are being added to costumes. The cuties always deliver their burlesque with a strong dose of humor and I consider thus the best way to kick off the season.

This sketch is from a rehearsal at the Venue. If you have not experienced the Cuties yet you are missing a treat. Lovely ladies and some not-so-gentle men sing, dance, and tastefully strip down for your entertainment pleasure! Whether you’re celebrating with the one you love or out on the prowl, the Cuties are ready for ya! You can be sure of a fantastic night out!

NOTE: The show is intended for adult audiences, as it contains adult content and nudity. So leave the little ones at home and get ready for a night of laugh out loud fun. I’ll be sketching in the back row, documenting this lively side of the Orlando Arts scene.

Tickets are $18 General Admission.

Corsets and Cuties 5 Year Anniversary.

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Corsets and Cuties a Burlesque Caberet will be celebrating their 5 year anniversary in Sanford at Theater West End (115 West 1st St., Sanford, Florida 32771) on Sunday August 4th from 8 PM to 10 PM. This sketch was done at a birthday celebration fort the founding mistress Lady Jaimz. Blue Star will be joining the cast as a featured Guest for this blow out celebration. Risa Risque and Jenn Thibedeau are joining Lady Jaimz in a number from their first burlesque fringe show from 7 years ago called Redlight.

You can expect a unique blend of laughs and some amazing cabaret singing along with the sensual disrobing. Each performer bring their own unique blend to the show. Corsets and Cuties heating up the night! A little song, a little dance, maybe a Cutie in your lap. Unexpected fun and surprises await!

Lovely ladies and some not-so-gentle men sing, dance, and tastefully strip down for your entertainment pleasure! Whether you’re celebrating with the one you love or out on the prowl, the Cuties are ready for ya! You can be sure of a fantastic night out!

NOTE: The show is intended for adult audiences, as it contains adult content and nudity.

Corsets and Cuties- 5 Year Anniversary, Sanford

Sunday August 25, 2019 8 PM to 10 PM

Theater West End

115 West 1st St., Sanford, Florida 32771

Tickets are  $18

Wild Party

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Wild Party written by Andrew Lippa is running at Theater West End (115 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771) through April 14, 2019. The play was based on a poem by Joseph Moncure March. The poem was widely banned when it was published back in 1928, first in Boston, because people felt the content was lewd. This musical was equally lewd and lascivious which is it’s strength.

Queenie (Kristen Sheola), was a hard working burlesque dancer whose lover, Burrs (Preston Ellis), a vaudeville show clown, became abusive. At first that violent side of him excited her but  soon it scared her. After Burrs essentially rapes her, Queenie decides to throw a lavish party with the hopes of putting her lover in his place by letting him make a fool of himself.

The party flared up with an amazing cast of friends, Madelaine the lesbian (Wendy Starkland), Eddie the thug (Casey Sweeney), Mae the dimwit (Bernadette Siudock), Jackie the
dancer (Cody McNeeley), Dolores the hooker (Elizabeth Christie), and Nadine the
minor (Sarah Huff). Kate (Michelle Knight) arrived with a flourish and quickly devoured the attention of everyone in the party. She arrived with a friend, Mr. Black (Terrance J. Jamison).

Queenie placed her trust in Mr. Black and fell for him hard while Kate fell for the abusive Burrs although he had no interest in her. He became enraged when Queenie and Mr. Black danced. To diffuse the situation Kate pulled Queenie from Mr. Blacks arms and danced with Queenie herself. As the party raged on the drama of this love triangle grew to a boil.

Michelle Knight belted out her songs with confidence but sadly the acoustics in the theater were harsh making it impossible to hear any of the lyrics. It might have been that the band was loud and overpowered the words but I followed the show not knowing what was being sing relying on the gestures and staging to follow the show like a silent movie.

It was definitely a powerful production. If seated up front in the cabaret tables you would be right on top of the action. Pam and I were seated in the last row so that the glow of my screen would not be seen by anyone else in the audience. The walls of the theater are brick with a metal ceiling. Perhaps the sound just bounced around like in a noisy bar, which could be good if I was able to pick out lyrics. Despite this, I loved sketching the show. Colors changed constantly like in a dance hall. The creative challenges kept me engaged as the wild party turned violent.

Tickets are $22 for an individual or $50 for the dinner package.

Corsets and Cuties

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Corsets and Cuties has found a new home in Theater West End (115 West 1st St., Sanford, Florida 32771). Their next performance is Saturday, March 23, 2019 doors open at 9pm, and the showtime is at 10pm. Tickets are $18. A little song, a little dance, maybe a Cutie in your lap. Unexpected fun and surprises await!>
Lovely ladies and some not-so-gentle men sing, dance, and take their clothes off all for your entertainment pleasure! Whether you’re celebrating with the one you love or out on the prowl, the Cuties are ready for ya! Guest stars, and special treats their sponsor Premier Couples Superstore – you can be sure of a fantastic night out!
Seating is general admission, and first-come, first-served basis.

Bring your sense of humor, appetite for adventure – and dollar bills, y’all!

NOTE: The show is intended for adult audiences, as it contains adult content and nudity. 
This sketch was done at the Venue when Violectric joined the troupe offering some amazing live violin music. Violectric is now performing out in Las Vegas with Wayne Newton.

The event is 18 and up. And 21 and up to drink, of course!