ART NOTES: “Shadowlands” Opens at Theatre Jacksonville; Players Debuts “Forum”

Beginning this month, The Coastal will present a monthly roundup of fine arts-related news and events. To be featured on this list, please submit your event to editor@thecoastal.com.

SHADOWLANDS DEBUTS AT THEATRE JACKSONVILLE

Shadowlands, a Tony Award-nominated play adapted from C.S. Lewis’ book Through the Shadowlands, opens Friday, January 10, at Theatre Jacksonville.

The play will run through January 26. It’s directed by Gary Webber, senior pastor at Southside Baptist Church and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts alum, with a cast of local volunteer actors.

“The thought-provoking universal themes of love, loss, faith and doubt combine in this outstanding drama in a way that really speaks to the audience and provides a window into a very different side of C.S. Lewis,” said Sarah Boone, Theatre Jacksonville’s executive director. “We are very honored to be bringing the Southeast debut of Shadowlands to this region to usher in a new decade of community theater – and to further celebrate our momentous 100th season.”

Tickets for the play are available for $26 – or $21 for students, seniors, and military – at theatrejax.com.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM OPENS AT PLAYERS BY THE SEA

Beginning on January 24, Players by the Sea Theatre will stage its version of the classic Tony-winning comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

The play, which focuses around a slave trying to win his freedom, will feature eighteen actors spanning a wide variety of ages and skill levels, led by Al Emerick as Pseudolus and Billy Speed as Hero. It runs through February 15.

“You should buy tickets to this show because you will have the opportunity to walk away in tears from laughter and your face will hurt from the smiles,” says Emerick.

General admission tickets are available for $28 – $25 for seniors and veterans – at playersbythesea.org.