About to embark on its 100th season, Theatre Jacksonville has been a fixture in the heart of Jacksonville’s arts scene since opening in 1919. Still affectionately known to some old-timers as “The Little Theatre,” Theatre Jacksonville has been providing quality community productions for nearly a century in the same lovingly-maintained 1920s-era San Marco historic theater.
Theatre Jacksonville has arranged a spectacular line-up to celebrate its landmark 100th anniversary. From classics to acclaimed musicals to favorite family fare, the MainStage season package offers something for every age, taste, and person.
“We are thrilled to present a unique season with an incredible repertoire to celebrate our 100th year of bringing creative inspiration to the City of Jacksonville,” said Theatre Jacksonville Executive Director Sarah Boone. “A centennial celebration is a big deal, especially since we are the oldest continually-running community theater in the state of Florida, and one of the oldest in the country. We want the entire Jacksonville community to support this momentous season and experience the amazing resources and talent that we have right here in Northeast Florida.”
The 100th season officially begins Nov. 1 with “Something Rotten,” a musical comedy, set in the 1590s, about two playwrights stuck in the shadow of “The Bard,” that has received several Best Musical nominations.
The season continues with “Shadowlands,” a West End and Broadway hit, named Best New Play in 1990, telling the love story of C.S. Lewis and American poet Joy Davidman; “Love Quest,” A clever romantic comedy about the journey of two women into online dating; “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” a comedy of manners based on the acclaimed screenplay made famous by Spencer Tracy, Sydney Poitier, and Katherine Hepburn; and finishes with “Matilda,” a captivating musical masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company based on the bestselling Roald Dahl children’s book.
A subscriber package is $110 per adult, or $270 for a family that includes two adults and one child. Senior, student and military season tickets are $95.
Season subscribers also get priority seating for September’s “Classic In San Marco” season extra stage production of “Twelve Angry Men” based on the Emmy award-winning television movie about a contentious jury trial in 1957.
“The beauty of attending community theater is that the performances are by the community for the community,” said Boone. “We put on upwards of 100 shows each year, reaching more than 20,000 audience members and also hundreds of children through our camps, classes, field trips and in-school presentations. What I would want to remind people who have not been to a show in a while is, ‘Jacksonville, this is YOUR theatre!’ Get tickets now and come help celebrate our 100th anniversary.”
In order to establish a source of funds for future theater operating costs, which continue to increase each year, Theatre Jacksonville is also embarking on a 100th Anniversary Endowment Campaign. The fund has already exceeded $600,000, which includes a matching gift from the Weaver Family Foundation. The goal is to reach $1 million by the end of 2019.
“We have already been blessed with several very generous gifts, and we would love to have everyone in the greater Jacksonville community support our organization with a one-time donation toward our 100th Anniversary Endowment Campaign,” said Boone. “No amount is insignificant to contribute toward this critical endowment, which will greatly increase our ability to be forward thinking, to adapt to change, and to allow current and new generations to find their creative spirits and let them flourish.”
For more information about the upcoming 2019-2020 100th anniversary season or to make a donation to the 100th Anniversary Endowment Campaign, visit www.theatrejax.com.
