Tag Archives: Aaron Bravo

Entr’Acte Theatrix to present JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR June 19 – 29

15 Thursday May 2025

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Entr’Acte Theatrix
to present
Jesus Christ Superstar
June 19 – 29

 “With the supremely simple concept of presenting the final week of the celebrated life of Jesus through a post-modern lens, composer Lloyd Webber and lyricist Rice created a sung-through rock opera for the ages.”
~ Simon Parris – Man in Chair


For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

May 15, 2025

WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Entr’acte Theatrix’ second production of the 2025 season will be Jesus Christ Superstar.  The iconic musical will run at the William G Skaff Center in West Palm Beach from June 19th – 29th.

The first musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. The beloved score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Gethsemane.” 

Director Matthew Farmer has cast Jacob Perry as Jesus, Elijah Rey as Judas Escariot, Anneliese Wolfanger as Mary, John Douglas as Peter, Brian Piedra as Simon, Aaron Fantacone as Annas, Chase Stante as Caiaphus, Greg Halmos as Pontius Pilate, and Carlo Sabusap as Herod. Ensemble members include Aaron Bravo, Rowan Pelfrey, Shelby Tudor, Emily Shecter and the show’s Music Director Aaliyah Amoin.

“We’re thrilled to have Matthew Farmer back with us and directing this show,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix Producer and Founder Vicki Halmos.  “It’s really a full circle – for us and for him.  Matt started out with us over 20 years ago, and his first role with our company was as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar!”“This innovative production will blend the powerful, timeless music of the original, in a most intimate setting,” says Farmer, who formerly served as the Creative Director at the Crest Theatre in Old School Square. “This fusion of classic and contemporary sounds will captivate audiences and create an unforgettable theatrical experience.”

“This time, we did not cast a typical actor in the role of Jesus, as we wanted a true rock sensibility,” Halmos continues. “Instead, we have cast Jacob Perry, a popular local rock/jazz musician, to get that vibe. But I have no doubt that Matt will turn him into Jesus. Jesus Christ Superstar is really Judas’ story. Our Judas also has amazing rock pipes. It’s all about hitting those notes!” she says. 

“This cast is turning out to be a fun contemporary group, and they’re managing the music amazingly,” Halmos continues. “As for us, about half of our cast are returned actors from Entre’Acte’s previous shows, and half are newbies. Matt is directing this classic rock opera piece beautifully. And our Music Director Aaliyah Amoin has been absolutely fierce in handling the music – she has been completely on task with this iconic score – just the way the composers intended.”

Amber Lebrun is the show’s Choreographer, Jaycie Cohen is the Sound Engineer, Elizabeth Southwell is the production’s Technical Director and Jackson Olivencia is the Stage Manager.

Jesus Christ Superstar will run from June 19 – 29 at William G Skaff Center in West Palm Beach (500 Spencer Drive, WPB, 33409).  Performances are on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.  Tickets range in price from $25 – $35 and are on sale now. They can be purchased online at www.PalmBeachTheater.org or by phone at 561-833-7529.

For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix and/or Jesus Christ Superstar, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.

Jesus Christ Superstar is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com 

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Jesus Christ Superstar
June 19 – 29
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tickets: 
$35.00 Premium viewing seats ($40 at the door)
$30.00 Standard Viewing Seats ($35 at the door)
$25.00 Value View Seating ($30 at the door) (may be obstructed)
For tickets:  www.PalmBeachTheater.org
Phone:  561-833-7529
Performances:
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm
All performances will take place at
The William G Skaff Center
500 Spencer Drive
West Palm Beach, FL  33409

(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)

Jacob Perry
Anneliese Wolfanger
Elijah Rey
Anneliese Wofanger & Jacob Perry
Matthew Farmer
Aaliyah Amoin
Aaron Bravo
Aaron Fantacone
Amber Lebrun
Anneliese Wolfanger
Brian Piedra
Carlo Sabusap
Chase Stante
Elijah Rey
Emily Shecter
Greg Halmos
Jacob Perry
John Douglas
Rowan Pelfrey
Shelby Tudor

Empire Stage Presents CLEMENZA & TESSIO ARE DEAD – August 15 – September 8

12 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Shari Upbin

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Direct from The New York City Fringe Festival
Empire Stage Theater Presents the South Florida Premiere of
Clemenza & Tessio Are Dead
August 15 – September 8

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244

August 12, 2019

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:  Empire Stage will present a limited 13 performance run of Clemenza & Tessio Are Dead by Gregg Greenberg from August 15 – September 8. The play – a clever and humorous parody of the classic 1972 movie “The Godfather” (based on the novel by Mario Puzo), was originally produced as part of the 2009 New York City Fringe Festival.

Shari Upbin

Shari Upbin will direct the production, which will star Troy Stanley, Christopher Dreeson, and Aaron Bravo.

Clemenza & Tessio Are Dead takes a look at two little-noticed cogs in the Mafia machine and shows how those wise guys who are often overlooked can actually have the most fascinating stories of all.

Peter Clemenza and Salvatore Tessio are two longtime foot soldiers of the Corleone crime family, but after more than 40 years of service, upper management changes in the organization, and a perceived lack of respect from the incoming generation leads them to wonder if they’re being put out to pasture (or under it). But with the handwriting already on the wall, is it possible to change what fate has already decreed? Well, yes – but only if someone is cunning enough to radically change the script.

Clemenza & Tessio Are Dead will run at Empire Stage Theater form August 15 – September 8. Empire Stage Theater is located at 1140 North Flagler Drive in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $35 ($20 for Aug 15 preview performance). Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased on line at www.empirestage.com or by calling 954-678-1496.

For more information about this production, please contact Carol Kassie at Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244.

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Clemenza & Tessio are Dead
August 15 – September 8
By Gregg Greenberg
Based on the movie The Godfather (1972), screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, based on the novel by Mario Puzo
Tickets: $35 ($20 for August 15 preview)
Performances:
Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 5 pm
To purchase tickets:
www.empirestage.com or 954-678-1496
All performances will take place at
Empire Stage
1140 North Flagler Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

 

Lightning Bolt Productions presents YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN – THE MEL BROOKS MUSICAL – April 13 – 22

05 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by in Clients, Lightning Bolt Productions

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Lightning Bolt Productions
presents
Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical
April 13 – 22

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carol Kassie
Carol@CarolKassie.com /561-445-9244

April 5, 2018

BOCA RATON, FL:  Lightning Bolt Productions’ Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical will open at the West Boca Performing Arts Center at West Boca High School* on April 13th, and run through April 22nd.

A wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend, Mel Brooks’ comedy masterpiece follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen!) as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Together with his oddly shaped and endearing helper Igor (that’s Eye-gor), his curvaceous lab assistant Inga, and in spite of his incredibly self-involved madcap fiancé Elizabeth, Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster — but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications.

Young Frankenstein was Mel Brooks’ follow-up to his hit musical The Producers, and audience reaction to the production was consistently positive, much to his delight: “I love what they do,” Brooks said in an interview shortly after the show opened. “The audience knows Young Frankenstein the movie; they didn’t know The Producers. They all neigh when anyone on stage says “Frau Blucher”. And they can’t wait for the Blind Hermit to spill the hot soup on the monster’s lap. It’s great to see the audience play ping-pong with the actors.”

Jessie Hoffman

Lightning Bolt founder, and the show’s director Jessie Hoffman has drawn upon a special piece of the film’s history to inspire and inform her directorial choices: “I think it’s safe to say that everyone has a special place in their heart for Gene Wilder,” she explains. “Throughout the filming process of Young Frankenstein he and Mel Brooks only had one disagreement, which would probably shock most fans of the movie. Mel Brooks strongly disliked Wilder’s idea to include a scene where Fredrick Frankenstein performed “Puttin’ On The Ritz” with the monster. Of course, once the scene was done, Brooks admitted that he’d been wrong and stated that it was the best thing in the movie.

“As a director, it’s my job to find the difficult balance of staying true to what the piece is meant to be, while making it my own,” she continues. “Because of this, Young Frankenstein might very well be the most difficult show I’ve ever directed, but also, the most rewarding. If I can learn anything from this production, it’s to trust my instincts, my ideas, and myself no matter what others say. To trust my humor and my creativity, because if Gene hadn’t trusted his, one of the most beloved, hilarious, and iconic moments of this film wouldn’t exist. It’s truly amazing how something that can bring such laughter, joy, and amusement to so many people can also teach such an important life lesson, and I’m truly grateful to Gene Wilder for helping me learn that.”

Nicole Stav

Lightning Bolt has enlisted Nicole Stav to help shepherd the fledgling theatre company’s show onto the stage – she will serve as the production’s Stage Manager, and has designed many aspects of the show including the Set, Lighting, Costume, and Props: “I’m truly excited to be able to blend my passion for theatre with my skills in business management,” she says. “It’s not very often that we get to do what we love, but when you do, it never really feels like work. Spearheading this new production company has been rewarding in so many ways, and the relationships we’re forming within the South Florida Theatre Industry are invaluable, to say the very least. Managing such a large cast while simultaneously taking care of props, costumes, lighting design, and set design has been challenging; however, I feel that the hard work we’ve put in will be so obvious once everyone sees the show!”

Young Frankenstein cast members include Max Miller (Frederick Frankenstein), Jonathan Cabrera (Igor), Jessie Hoffman (Inga), Josh Nelson (The Creature), Eileen Flanagan Parente (Frau Blucher), Taryn Bagdasarian (Elizabeth), Larry Bresslerr (Inspector Kemp), and Murphy Hayes (The Hermit, etc.).  Also cast are Michael Reizburg, Ravelle Miller, Victoria Kuhns, Angela Moormann-Davis, Valerie Bressler, Aaron Bravo, and Christian Matthiesen.

The show’s Musical Director is Angela Moormann-Davis; Choreography is by Taryn Bagdasarian.

Tickets for Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical are on sale now and can be purchased on line at www.lbptheatre.com or by phone at 561-886-8286.  Tickets are $35.  Group rates (6 or more tickets purchased in one transaction) are $28, and student tickets ($20 with valid ID) are also available.

For more information about Jessie Hoffman, Lightning Bolt Productions, and/or Young Frankenstein, please contact Carol Kassie at Carol@CarolKassie.com / 561-445-9244.

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Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical
Book by Mel Brooks
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Book by Thomas Meehan
April 13 – 22
Tickets: $35 (Student & Group Rates available)
For Tickets:  www.lbptheatre.com / 561-886-8286
Performance Schedule:
Friday and Saturday at 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm

All performances at
West Boca Performing Arts Center at West Boca High School
12811 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL  33498
www.lbptheatre.com
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*Disclaimer: Lightning Bolt Productions (“LBP”) is not affiliated with or endorsed by the School Board of Palm Beach County or West Boca High School (“WBHS”) and the events/activities hosted by Lightning Bolt Productions on West Boca High School’s premises pursuant to a lease agreement shall not be construed as being conducted, funded, hosted, or sponsored by the School Board or West Boca High School on behalf of Lightning Bolt Productions.  The School Board and West Boca High School undertake no responsibility for supervising or monitoring Lightning Bolt Productions’ events/activities and will not be liable for any and all actions of Lightning Bolt Productions on West Boca High School’s premises.

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