Up, Up and Away!
The Gainesville Community Playhouse has been in Gainesville for nearly 75 years! It sounds old, but the once small building, has been renovated and is absolutely gorgeous. They have been bringing some amazing performances to Gainesville like: The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, To Kill A Mockingbird, and many more! Right now they are getting ready for Peter Pan. All of the children and adults work very hard (and enjoy every minute of it) day and night so that every detail of the play is perfect. All of the plays include several cast members; not just the ones you see on stage during the performance. Behind the scenes there is a stage crew made up of people who do lighting, sounds, props, costumes, music writing and composing, choreography and so much more. No performance is complete without each and every one of these talented people. In Peter Pan, for example, the set of the ship, woodlands and nursery were carefully designed by Gerald L. Brewington. Gerald also helped to direct the play with Betty Keena and lead director Erin Klein. Music and vocal directors, Justin Slack and Lisa Litz, make sure all the songs you hear are beautifully mastered. The elegant costumes were made by Pat Thomas and the amazing choreography was done by Hannah Stahmer.
Peter Pan; you know this story. Peter Pan is a young boy that never wants to grow up meets a young girl, named Wendy, and her brothers, John and Michael, who also, do not want to grow up. They all learn how to fly, courtesy of the magnificent Tinker Bell and journey off to Never Never Land. This classic J.M. Barrie story is being brought to life by the cast and crew at Gainesville Community Playhouse starting in July. Expect to sing along to your favorite Peter Pan songs; “Never Never Land”, “I Won’t Grow Up”, and “I’m Flying”!
While in Never Never Land, Wendy (Alice Rix) has to learn to be a mother to The Lost Boys played by Thomas Sanders, Joey McGinn, Megan Hess, Tom Lupi, Alex Christophy and Michael Tremaine. They explore the imaginary world with Peter Pan (Loren Omer) as he takes Wendy, John (Winston Chamberlain) and Michael Darling (Gary Wells) on an adventure full of pirates, Indians and fairies. Some other characters include Tiger Lily; played by Diane Marano, Nana the dog and the Crocodile who are both played by Carolyn Hanson, Alex Mrazek (Captain Hook) will also be seen as Mr. Darling. Leannis Maxwell plays Mrs. Darling and a Pirate. Yes, these talented actors and actresses are playing two roles in one play! The best part about this play? Tickets are incredibly cheap! Just swing by Book Gallery West in the Publix Shopping center next to the Vam York Theater and pick up a few.
The Vam York theatre is the new name of the Gainesville Community Playhouse. Vermelle
“Vam” Cardwell York is a prominent woman in the Gainesville community. With her help the Gainesville Community Playhouse is still standing where it is today. She was the president of the University of Florida’s Women’s Student Government, some years ago when she attended the school. Mrs. York, wife of E.T. York, is also the creator of the UF scholarship: The Vam Cardwell York Scholarship. This is awarded to a student that shows excellence in scholarship and leadership.
As for me, I am very excited about this play. It was one of my personal favorites as a child and now I can see it performed live on a stage by some of Gainesville’s most talented people! One of my good friends played a munchkin in The Vam York Theatre’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. She did a great job and so did the rest of the cast. Vam York Theater holds auditions here in town a few months before each show is scheduled to release. That means that all of the play’s actors and actresses are kids and adults right from your own neighborhood! It’s like living among celebrities! Come by and see one of their 6 shows throughout a season. Usually their plays are a fair range of comedy and drama. If you won’t have a chance to see Peter Pan this month, keep an eye out of “Shakespeare in Hollywood” this September. This is a hilarious performance where Shakespeare’s very own two fairies, Oberon and Puck, have stumbled onto the glitz and glamour life of Hollywood. Gainesville Community Playhouse has been serving Gainesville’s love of theater since 1927 and will continue to do so for years so come.
I don’t know about you but when I go to see an exciting show or play I like to eat dinner before and it has to be at an exciting place. It helps me get pumped up for the performance to come. How does a little Latin spice sound? Mi Apa: Latin Café is the perfect place for fine Cuban cuisine. They bring Miami to Gainesville with exotic menu options. Yes, most of their menu is in Spanish, but if you can’t remember back to 10th grade Spanish class; the friendly staff is there to translate. You will find them in the shopping center next to Grandy’s Restaurant off University Avenue. Stop in and enjoy the exquisite food; homemade by an authentic Cuban chef. Try their Elena Ruz Cuban sandwich. It’s moist turkey, cream cheese and sweet strawberry marmalade all pressed on hot Cuban bread. Order it with a side of their Plantain chips with Mojo. It’s the perfect Cuban meal. People all over Gainesville rave about the Arroz con Pollo or Chicken with Rice. Sounds like a simple meal right? This one has a hint of spice that will make your taste buds explode and it will take anyone from Cuba or Miami back to their home town. Mi Apa is even vegetarian friendly with great dishes like the Veggie Sandwich and the Veggie Arepa. The Arepa is a warm pastry stuffed with cheese, tomatoes and green peppers.
Don’t forget about dessert! Mi Apa has some of the best Churros in town! They are miniature ones compared to the Churros you get at the fair or a theme park but they taste so much better. If you are like me and like them extra sweet, ask for an extra side of the cinnamon-sugar mixture to dip them in. They are always warm and soft on the inside and slightly crunchy on the outside. Mi Apa offers other Cuban desserts too like Tres Leches (Three Milks), Mermelada de Mango con Queso Crema (Mango Marmalade with Cream Cheese), Pudding de Pan (Bread Pudding) and Arroz de Leche (Rice Pudding); just to name a few.
Mi Apa Latin Café also serves breakfast! So even if you don’t need an exciting restaurant to get you pumped up for a play then swing by here for breakfast. The service is quick so you don’t have to wait around forever to get that early morning meal. My friend, Alex, is from Brazil and he absolutely loves Mi Apa for their breakfast. Whenever we go he always gets the same thing: Perrico and Cortadito to drink. Perrico is two eggs scrambled with diced onions, tomatoes and green peppers. It is served with delicious Cuban toast. Joe always makes a sandwich out of the eggs and toast. The Cortadito is a mixture of half milk and half Cuban coffee.
These wonderful places are not far from each other and are a great cure for a boring Saturday afternoon. When you stop by, tell them you read about their business on gatormagazine.com.
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