Best bets: 'Free Fridays,' 'Hamlet,' 'Spamalot,' 'Peter Pan'

2022-08-20 03:29:51 By : Ms. Andrea Eudora

“FREE FRIDAYS” CONCERT: Catch the next performance of the city’s popular “Free Fridays” concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Bo Diddley Plaza downtown amphitheater, located at 111 E. University Ave. The free concert series highlights a different act each week, with Dion Dia Presents performing hip-hop today. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to Bo Diddley Plaza to enjoy the concert under the stars. For more information, including a list of upcoming performances, visit bodiddleyplaza.com/upcoming-events. Future dates include De Lions of Jah performing reggae on Aug. 12; The Savants of Soul performing soul music on Aug. 19; Matcha and the Sooza Brass Band performing funk-rock and brass band music on Aug. 26; the Fest 20-year anniversary showcase on Sept. 2; Pet Detectives performing ’90s rock and alternative covers on Sept. 9; Wax Wings with special guests performing original folk rock on Sept. 16; The Late Night Losers with special guests performing alt-rock on Sept. 23; RC and Showtime performing R&B and soul on Sept. 30; The Last Waltz, a The Band tribute band, performing Oct. 7; Morningbell performing psychedelic rock and soul on Oct. 14; and The Imposters, a The Beatles tribute band, closing this year’s series on Oct. 21.

“HAMLET”: The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre is presenting an original adaptation of one of the most impactful and widely performed pieces of literature in the world — William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” In this story, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns from school to find his father dead and his mother married to his uncle. However, something is rotten in the state of Denmark, and his father’s ghost walks nightly through Elsinore castle crying out for revenge. Hamlet takes up the gauntlet to confront his mother and uncle, and avenge his father. Performance text, adapted and edited by Catherine Karow from Shakespeare’s second quarto, is fast-paced and has a running time of two hours. From its impactful staging, with technological enhancements, to its unique casting and costumes, this production is sure to provide a moving and memorable theatrical experience, fitting for the final production in the theatre’s current performance space. The theatre requests that all patrons be masked when not eating or drinking. Showtimes are 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Acrosstown Repertory Theater, 619 S. Main St. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors, military and students. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit acrosstown.org/2022-07-hamlet.

“MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT”: The musical comedy that raises silliness to an art form is back at the Gainesville Community Playhouse. This musical, featuring a bevy of beautiful show girls, a cow and killer rabbits is lovingly ripped off from the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Performances are 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the playhouse, located at 4039 NW 16th Blvd.. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $19 for seniors and $12 for students. For tickets or more information, visit gcplayhouse.org.

“PETER PAN”: Enjoy the end of the season with a family favorite at the High Springs Playhouse, 23416 W. U.S. 27 in High Springs. The theater’s summer youth production, “Peter Pan,” is based on the book by J.M. Barrie. In this production, the Darling children love to hear of Peter Pan’s adventures during his visits through the open window of their nursery. One night, after their Nana has taken his shadow and Wendy has sewn it  back on, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell whisk the children off to Neverland to be part of their adventures. Wendy, John and Michael become friends with the Lost Boys and Princess Tiger Lily, and Wendy becomes everyone’s mother. When the evil Captain Hook captures Wendy and the Lost Boys, Peter Pan comes to their rescue. Together with a ticking crocodile, Peter Pan puts Captain Hook in his place and returns the Darling children to their home. Catch a show at 7 p.m. today through Saturday plus 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9. For more information, visit highspringsplayhouse.com.

WATER PARK COMMUNITY DAY: Camp Kulaqua opens its River Ranch on specific days during the spring and summer at a discounted rate with no reservations required, and it will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The venue features a 15,000-square-foot wave pool as well as a lazy river, water slide and volleyball courts. The public is allowed to bring food and coolers, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the water park. Camp Kulaqua requests that modest swimsuits be worn. The water park is located at 23400 NW 212th Ave. in High Springs. The discounted rate is $16 per person; free for children ages 3 and younger. For more information, visit kulaqua.com.