One of the things I love about living in a town with several universities is the entertainment opportunities they offer the community. From musical performances and dance to improvisational comedies and theatre productions, our universities are huge contributors to the local arts.
With that said, there are some upcoming theatre productions you might want to check out. This weekend Southeastern University presents “Jane Eyre the Musical” at the Polk Theatre.
This production is based on the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre is a young orphan girl who overcomes an abusive and neglected childhood to become the governess of Thornfield Hall. She falls in love with the master of the estate and discovers he harbors a dark secret. The passionate and perseverant Jane’s journey of faith, forgiveness and love is amplified through a rich and beautiful music score.
The musical runs Nov. 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students, seniors or groups of 10 or more. For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Southeastern Box Office: (863) 669-4010.
Over at Florida Southern College, they will present “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” in the Loca Lee Buckner Theatre on the FSC campus Nov. 19-21 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
The play takes place on Sept. 30, 1975, at the Five and Dime near the small Texas town where Dean filmed “Giant.” Members of the “Disciples of James Dean” gather to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the night Dean died in an auto accident. Through flashback scenes, the characters relive the events of that fateful night in 1955 when the idol of their youth crashed his Porsche on a California highway. They each experience painful memories of their past and present, revealing to themselves and the group a secret pain and a secret strength hidden deep inside.
General admission is $15. FSC students get free admission and other students pay half price. Call the Buckner Theatre Box Office for tickets: (863) 680-3089. The Box Office is open weekdays, 2-6 p.m.
Bio: This is a creative outlet and soapbox for Lorrie Delk Walker where, at times, she has stuck her foot so far into her mouth, surely she has quashed any hopes of ever being elected to public office. Lorrie is a writer, avid recycler, small-time chicken farmer, SPCA foster parent and fan of all things Downtown Lakeland. Posts from Delk Walker's popular blog, Takes From the Delk Side, were added to the Lakeland Local archives and can be found here.
