Well it's January. If you are like me, you dread this month - from a cinematic standpoint anyway. January is the final resting place for films that have been throughout insidious reshoots and/or rewrites, delayed releases, and just generally films not likely to get Oscar nods or any meritorious acclaim from either critics or audiences. November and December feature such a smorgasbord of high-quality films that January really is a cinematic graveyard by comparison. While you are waiting for better movies to hit the box office, you might turn your attention from the silver screen to the stage.
STAGE
The Gorilla Theatre: The Drunken City is their January selection, which is the tale of three young brides-to-be on a girls night pub crawl. I assume hilarity ensues. I saw The Woman in Black at the Gorilla on Halloween, and I was impressed by the talent I saw on its stage.
Jobsite Theatre: What the Butler Saw, a 1960s-themed British sex farce. Jobsite Theatre has been around since 1998, and is a non-profit theatre company that recently had the rivetingly scary and funny Night of the Living Dead on its stage.
American Stage: Blithe Spirit, another British farce, this time involving a paranormal twist. The David Mamet politically-themed play November comes to the American Stage this summer, and my anticipation level couldn't be higher. For those on a budget, check out American Stage's After Hours events, which are pay-what-you-can. Every first Sunday, you can see live improv at After Hours called The Dumb Show.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts (formerly Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center): Wonderland wraps up its Tampa Bay run, Complexions Contemporary Ballet arrives on January 14, and South Pacific makes a weeklong appearance all during January. The anxiously-awaited Wicked will be at Straz for most of February, but I would get your tickets now.
St. Pete Little Theatre: Anything Goes, the Cole Porter ocean voyage farce starts January 22. I hear it's Delovely. I was first introduced to St Pete Little Theatre this September when I saw an incredible rendition of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, and strongly recommend this playhouse.
CINEMA
Maybe you really want to see a film in a theatre, January or not. Try Tampa Theatre; The Young Victoria, starring English ing�nue Emily Blunt, is playing through at least the first week of January. Tampa Theatre is my all-time favorite venue in which to see films, and if you have ever been inside their sole auditorium, you probably have an idea why. The historic theatre plays classic as well as first-run films, which are usually those in the foreign, independent and art house niches. Become a member for $50 (or $90 for a couple) in order to save on tickets and enjoy free refills on popcorn, soda and coffee.
Spend an evening at the Beach Theatre on Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach -- Rocky Horror is played nearly every Saturday night featuring an accompanying live cast. January boasts a grand lineup, including Sherlock Holmes, Coco Before Chanel; and Nine, the film adaptation of the Tony-award winning musical based on 8 � , the Fellini film.
Don't miss The Ruskin Family Drive-In, which offers a double feature every week for the price of one movie. The first week in January presents the lineup of Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel and Fantastic Mr. Fox (which I found utterly fantastic). Other movies they may play in early 2010 are: The Blind Side; The 3 Stooges, and The Princess & The Frog. We are so fortunate to have a drive-in in Tampa Bay, and I hope you will try it out for yourself. It's a unique experience that's worth the haul over to Ruskin.
