Review: HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR at BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater

"Holiday Spectacular" at BIG ARTS.

If you're going to call your holiday show "Holiday Spectacular," it better be pretty darn spectacular. I told John Ramsey that I wanted to see drag queens with blue lipstick belting carols at the top of their lungs. He and Bobby Logue do way, way better. Pray get thee to Sanibel, like now.

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"Holiday Spectacular," the Christmas offering from BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater, (wisely) dispenses with a plot. Twenty-one tunes rain down like presents falling from a drunken Santa's sleigh. There are problems (oof, those what-were-they-thinking modern dance sequences), but "Spectacular" more than lives up to its name.

Elizabeth Urbanyck opens the show with a powerhouse rendition of "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Mariah Carey has nothing on these pipes. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Dear BIG ARTS - this should be your video Christmas card.

"Spectacular" also reaches back to find a few unexpected gems - songs you might not think of in the context of a "Christmas revue." Freres delivers the night's knockout performance, crooning a sublime version of Joni Mitchell's "River." Taken from 1971's "Blue" album, the lover's lament feels tender, longing and oh-so-gorgeous in her sultry voice.

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"Holiday Spectacular" plays at 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday through Dec. 30 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 26; a 4 p.m. twilight show on Dec. 29 and a special 7 p.m. New Year's Eve show at 7 p.m.

For tickets ($35 for adults, $5 for students, kids) call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at (239) 395-0900, Strauss Theater box office at (239) 472-6862 or bigarts.org. The BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater is located at 2200 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, opposite the Island Cow restaurant. READ THE COMPLETE REVIEW...

BIG ARTS announces cast for "Holiday Spectacular," opening Dec. 19

"Holiday Spectacular" runs through Dec. 31. For tickets ($35), call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900, the Herb Strauss Theater Box Office at (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel or purchase online at BIGARTS.org.

Here's the latest press release for the spectacular-spectacular "Holiday Spectacular" out at BIG ARTS. We also finally get a cast list. I'm so excited to see big-voiced divas Elizabeth Urbanczyk and Annie Freres on the same stage. Please let there be a diva-off. Please?

BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater unwraps its original Christmas revue "Holiday Spectacular" on Dec. 19. The show will be co-written, co-directed and co-choreographed by Bobby Logue and John Ramsey. An array of stars from previous shows will return, including Elizabeth Urbanczyk, Sami Doherty, Annie Freres and Jessica Humphrey.

"Holiday Spectacular" runs through Dec. 31. For tickets ($35), call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900, the Herb Strauss Theater Box Office at (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel or purchase online at BIGARTS.org. | Buy tickets here: http://www.bigarts.org/theatre.php

Review: HAMLET {solo} at BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theatre

Canadian actor Raoul Bhaneja does a one-man
version of Shakespeare's great tragedy.

Angels and minister of grace defend us, there's something stinky on the sands of Sanibel. Canadian actor Raoul Bhaneja imports a brilliant "Hamlet {solo}" to BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater.

Then, as if the melancholy Dane didn't deliver enough drama, theatre-goers got a second helping Saturday night. Two rude (and apparently bored) patrons whispered (loudly) to each other throughout the first half before standing up and walking out (again, loudly).

Art took that opportunity to imitate life.

Bhaneja, performing the scene in Act II where Hamlet plots with actors to expose a guilty Claudius in the death of his father, seizes the moment. He walks coolly to the row, lolls back in the seat, crosses his legs and lounges. He holds his wrist cocked, as if enjoying a refreshing beverage or an expensive cigar.

He's the picture of bored royalty (Claudius & Gertrude) gamboling on their playground, unaware of the viper (Hamlet) within. He strikes, with perhaps the most fortuitously timed dialogue in all of Shakespeardom.

"That guilty creatures sitting at a play…"

The Bard of Avon himself could not have planned it better. The Old Globe could not have staged it with more style. Bravo.

Now, "Hamlet {solo}" still delivers - even if you don't get a bonus floor show. There's a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 1. Additional shows are 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater, located at 2200 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. Tickets are $35 for adults, $5 for students. Call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at (239) 395-0900, Strauss Theater box office at (239) 472-6862 or bigarts.org.

Read the complete review:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/dec/01/review-big-arts-raoul-bhaneja-hamlet-solo-tickets/

Read the preview (from Charles Runnells)
One actor, 17 roles: 'Hamlet' at BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater

Read the full text of "Hamlet" - http://shakespeare.mit.edu/hamlet/full.html

Raoul Bhaneja finds something rotten in the state of Denmark as "Hamlet {solo}" opens Nov. 30

Raoul Bhaneja as Hamlet. Photo Credit: Andrew Kenneth Martin.

BIG ARTS always brings in some interesting acts.  They previously brought in ""A Couple of Blaguards" and actress Miriam Margolyes. This year, it is Canadian actor Raoul Bhaneja getting to the bottom of what, exactly, is rotten in the state of Denmark, in "Hamlet {solo}."

The show runs Nov. 30 - Dec. 5. Here's a line from the press release - but it actually nails the essence of the show: "'Hamlet {solo}' focuses on three most essential elements of theatre: the actor, the text and the audience."

Tickets to "Hamlet {solo}" are $35. Tickets for children under 17 and students with valid ID are just $5. Group discounts and various subscription packages available. Purchase online at BIGARTS.org, call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900, the Herb Strauss Theater Box Office at (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

Complete press release below.

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AUDITION: "An Evening of Radio Theater" at BIG ARTS Community Players

The BIG ARTS Community Players will hold open auditions for "An Evening of Radio Theater" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

Auditions will be held in Schein Performance Hall in the BIG ARTS complex, located at 900 Dunlop Road on Sanibel. Actors should bring a headshot, resume and be prepared to do a cold reading from the script.

"An Evening of Radio Theater" will stage selections from "The Bickersons" and "Dragnet." Radio jingles and songs from the Andrews Sisters will also feature.

For more information, or to inquire about directing or volunteer positions, contact Shirley Jewell at srjewell@embarqmail.com.

Complete press release below.

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BIG ARTS early bird ticket specials end Oct. 31

Hey ya'll. "Time is running out" - their words - to save some money on BIG ARTS tickets. If you're going over the causeway, at least save some cash (and go get coffee at the Sanibel Bean!).

The Early Bird Special (which I received, or at least should have) offers a 25% discount on select BIG ARTS and Herb Strauss Theater packages and some individual tickets.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.BIGARTS.org, by calling BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900 or Herb Strauss Theater Box Office (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957.

Complete press release below.

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SANIBEL, FL. (October 22, 2013) — Time is running out to take advantage of the new discounts celebrating BIG ARTS' 35th anniversary season, including the Early Bird Special which features an extra 25% discount off select BIG ARTS and Herb Strauss Theater packages as well as individual tickets. Offering savings up to 40% on select tickets, the Early Bird Special offer expires October 31, 2013. Groups of ten or more are also eligible for special discounts.

The Early Bird discount ticket offer complements another new BIG ARTS marketing initiative launched this season, a special package featuring one adult ticket to all six Herb Strauss Theater opening night performances and the pre-show receptions for just $200, a savings of more than 15%. In addition, the Starfish Grille recently signed on as a marketing partner for the 2013-2104 season and will provide the catering for all of the opening night pre-performance receptions at Herb Strauss Theater. 

The Herb Strauss Theater opening night performances:
• Saturday, November 30: Hamlet {solo}
• Thursday, December 19: Holiday Spectacular
• Friday, January 10: Into The Woods
• Thursday, February 20: Defamation
• Friday, March 7: Romance/Romance
• Friday, April 11: The Big Bang

Also new this season, tickets to all Herb Strauss Theater performances as well as the majority of BIG ARTS concerts and performances, are only $5 each for students with valid student ID and for children 17 and under.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.BIGARTS.org, by calling BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900 or Herb Strauss Theater Box Office (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957. Discover more about BIG ARTS, including volunteer opportunities and membership options as well as purchase tickets or learn more about our full season lineup of exhibits, performances, classes and events today.

A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, programming at BIG ARTS is made possible through the generous support of more than 300 dedicated volunteers  and donors as well as our corporate sponsors, such as the 2013-2014 Herb Strauss Theater Season Sponsor, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.

BIG ARTS adds Broadway star Susan Egan for "Belle of Broadway" concert in February

Susan Egan

Missed this press release the first time around. BIG ARTS added Broadway star Susan Egan for one concert in February.

Egan will perform her "Belle of Broadway" concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2014.  The concert will be held at BIG ARTS Schein Performance Hall. Tickets are $47 for loge seats, $42 for general seating and $5 for students with a valid student ID or children 17 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

Call 239-395-0900, 239-472-6862 or bigarts.org.