April is a big deal for American Stage.
It’s the time of year we all hit the ground running to produce a full-blown musical on a built-from-scratch stage at Demens Landing Park. This year, we’re making history with our largest show yet, Ragtime - the Musical.
Shameless self promotion? Maybe. But with a nine-piece orchestra and more than 20 actors bringing this period piece on America to life, it’s going to be a spectacle. And we want to bring in everyone in on the fun.
Per usual, there’s a plethora of moving, hilarious, and thoughtful shows coming to Tampa Bay.
Here’s what you can see in the month of April, plus, five we’re vouching for - hardcore.
This list is written and compiled by Abby Baker, and if you don’t see your theater on here, feel free to shoot me an email.
#1 American Stage
Ragtime - the Musical in the Park (April 12-May 14)
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll drink wine out of a picnic basket while jamming out to “Henry Ford”. If you haven’t seen Ragtime - the Musical, it’s time to be a part of the fan club. This is a musical following three families (white, Black, and European immigrants) trying to survive turn-of-the-century America. It’s a story written by St. Pete native Terrence McNally, and this monster of a production hopes to honor him. Plus, if you haven't been to a park show, they're a blast.
163 2nd St. N., St. Pete
#2 Florida Studio Theatre (FTS)
Visit Joe Whitefeather (April 5-May 21)
WORLD PREMIERE! We love a good world premier. Visit Joe Whitefeather is the story of a small, nondescript Pennsylvanian town that has seen the last of its tourism days. The overwhelmed city council (sound familiar?) decides to name their home after a deceased Native American war hero who has no connection to the town. This sounds like a “Parks and Rec” style piece of theatre with the Florida Studio Theatre production value.
1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
#3 freeFall Theatre
Baskerville (Through April 23)
In a cameo of sorts, freeFall’s Artistic Director Eric Davis is playing Sherlock Holmes alongside local legend Matt McGee (Dr. Watson). It’s a who’s who murder mystery that captures absurdist humor in that particular freeFall way.
6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
#4 Asolo Repertory Theatre
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (April 4-22)
Catholicism and theatre are an odd mix, and this show sounds like it knows how to poke fun at the intense mechanics of religion. Watch with caution, Catholics, this one might doom you. The O’Shea family is fighting to protect their fragile reputation against a viscious world. That in fact, bonds them. Sounds touching. Nothing bonds people together like scandal!
5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
#5 Studio @ 620
Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan (April 1-2)
This cozy little downtown gallery is welcoming the public in for a very intimate one-man play, and sometimes, that’s what you need. Who is ready to get emotional at Studio 620 for local actor Dylan Barlowe’s performance of Every Brilliant Thing? Duncan plays a little boy who creates a list of everything brilliant in the world to help his emotionally struggling mother. Performances that remind us of pain and joy are part of feeling alive, and sometimes you need that on a Monday (or Tuesday) night. See it the first Monday (or Tuesday) of April.
620 1st Ave S., St. Petersburg
Florida Studio Theatre (FTS)
Reel Music (Through June 25)
A Place in the Sun (Through April 16)
Paralyzed SOLD OUT (Through April 16)
The ‘70s: More Than A Decade (Through April 9)
The Last Acorn (Through April 29)
1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Shear Madness (Through April 8)
Miss Nelson is Missing (April 13-16)
To Kill a Mockingbird (April 11-16)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (April 21-23)
1010 . W C MacInnes Pl., Tampa
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Dreamgirls (Through April 9) 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota
Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue (April 19-May 28)
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Chicken and Biscuits (Through April 13)
5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Gulfport Community Players
Crimson Sails Musical (Through April 2)
1619 49th St. S., Gulfport
Frances Wilson Playhouse
Private Lives (Through April 9)
302 Seminole St., Clearwater
Urbanite theatre
Backwards Forwards Back (Through April 23)
1487 2nd St., Sarasota
Early Bird Dinner Theater
Mom’s Gift (Through April 23)
13355, 49th St, N, Clearwater
Carrollwood Community Theatre
I am Jacques Dutronc
4333 Gunn Hwy, Tampa
Plant City Entertainment
Dearly Departed (April 28,29,30)
101 N Thomas St., Plant City
Sarasota Opera House
Celebration Concert (April 1)
La Musica (April 8, 11,15)
Cuban Choreography Showcase (April 22)
61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota
Stageworks Theatre
When the Righteous Triumph (Through April 2)
1120 E Kennedy Blvd suite #151, Tampa
Powerstories Theatre
Girls In the Boat (April 20-May 7)
2105 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
Stage West Playhouse
The Big Five-Oh (April 14-23)
8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill
West Coast Players
The Last Night of Ballyhoo (April 28-May 14)
21905 US-19, Clearwater
Jobsite @ Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Misery - by William Goldman (Through April 9)
1010 . W C MacInnes Pl., Tampa
Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Chasco Fiesta: Starship Ft. Mickey T (April 1)
Gaelic Storm & The High Kings (April 1)
On Your Feet! (April 7-8)
The Price is Right Live (April 13-14)
Wild West by the Florida Orchestra (April 16)
Cats (April 23)
405 Cleveland St., Clearwater
Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
Shen Yung (April 1-2)
Spring in Paris (April 13)
Wild West (April 15)
Sinatra and Beyond (April 19)
400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg
themahaffey.com/shows-and-events
Suncoast Broadway Dinner Theatre
Escape to Margaritaville the Musical (April 14-May 14)
16128 US-19, Hudson