If you haven’t been to the Boca Black Box yet, next week is a good time to check it out. The Center for the Arts is showcasing a comedian, a tribute to Frankie Vallie and a rock concert. The Boca Black Box is located at 8221 Glades Road behind Dunkin Donuts and Armadillo Cafe.
The Bobby Rodriguez Orchestra Big Band Extravaganza will be playing on October 21st at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. The Orchestra is a 19 piece Big Band. NY Comedy Night presents Chris Porter on October 22nd at 8 p.m. Chris has been a comic for nearly a decade and was on the Comedy Central Live Tour. Tickets are $15.
South Florida Legends: A Tribute to Frankie Valli will be appearing on October 23rd. Tickets are $20 to $40. Show starts at 8 p.m. Sam and Jack: a Concert Celebration of American and British Classic Rock will be on stage October 24th at 8 p.m. Admission is $25. BREEZE takes you on an informative musical journey.
Beer and wine are available for purchase at all shows.
In the following weeks, there will be more comedians and music acts. There is even a special children’s performance in November and the Chanukah Chutzpah Tour in December. To purchase tickets, go to bocablackbox.com or call 561-483-9036.
Category: Entertainment
Aida: Great Start for Marquee Theater Company
West Boca has a new theater group, as we mentioned back in August. The Marquee Theater performed its first show – Aida – here at West Boca High. It was a wonderful performance.
If you’re interested there are only three more performances, Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. You can buy tickets online.
The stage was rich with color, even in the curtain.
We were surprised by how big the audience was. It was comparable to Slow Burn Theatre’s shows, but this was just Marquee’s first weekend. Slow Burn did take on more challenging and less popular material, so it may just be a reflection of that.
The story is a love triangle involving Nubian princess Aida (Alexandria Lugo, an Egyptian princess (Darcy Hernandez), and an Egyptian soldier (Bruno Faria – a West Boca High grad).
Our notes from the performance speak well of it:
Great voices and dancing. Extravagant set design and costumes. Quite a production.
Bruno solid in the lead male role. Can hear Elton John in his voice.
Lugo is spectacular – voice, presence. It’s a great role and she fits.
Elijah Word delivers in supporting role as Mereb.
Darcy Hernandez also pops as the vain material girl princess. Another outstanding and powerful voice.
Hernandez has a delightful performance in the first act as a spoiled rich girl obsessed with clothes and looks. But she grows, particularly in the second act.
Faria and Lugo have great chemistry that grows throughout the show. While we liked all the lead performances, our favorite was Elijah Word as Mereb. He brought depth to the character through his facial expression, body movement, and tone of voice.
There was also a fairly large ensemble with well choreographed dance numbers.
Please keep in mind that we are not professional theater reviewers. You can read a more professional review in the Miami Herald.
They were somewhat critical of costume choices but we thought it was intentional and worked well.
Fall Season at Willow Theatre
The Willow Theatre is located in Sugar Sand Park at 300 S. Military Trail. The Theatre’s fall season features a few shows that are great for families and children.
Mark Nizer 4D will be appearing on September 19th at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. His show combines comedy, juggling, music and movement. Everyone gets a pair of 3D glasses for the show. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
On November 29th join Just The Funny for an improv show. Wear you favorite team jersey. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children 12 & under. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 561-347-3948.
Puppets to Go presents The Spectacular Seas on December 30th. This original black light show reveals that oceans, along with the exotic creatures that inhabit them, must indeed be protected. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Show times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cookies and juice will be served in the lobby after every performance.The box office is open Tuesday-Saturday 12 -5 p.m. and 2 hours prior to all performances.
New Comedy Theatre in West Boca: Boca Black Box
Conspicuously hidden behind the Dunkin’ Donuts on Glades Road (just west of the Turnpike, near the International Jewelers Exchange), is a new space for comedy, theatre, comedy theatre and more. Boca Black Box fills a space that had been empty for a while, and at some point years ago was a comedy club. There’s a new vision for the place driven by the partners behind it, especially Randy Singer.
As local media we were invited to attend an event that included a local comedian named Sarge.
Sarge had the audience laughing hard and often. His material ranged from the deli counter at Publix to the chairs in the theater (allegedly harvested from a DMV office that closed in Deerfield Beach).
The chairs were actually comfortable and laid out well so every seat has a good view. It’s a big room, with chairs in the back elevated a bit. There’s also a bar area in the back serving various drinks, though no food.
At this particular event there was some food provided, from Jimmy the Greek and Armadillo Cafe, both in the same plaza. If you’re going to a show here these restaurants would be a good place to eat beforehand.
We look forward to more coming at Boca Black Box. This month they have 11 events scheduled and we imagine it will get busier as they grow and develop their shtick.
West Boca Peforming Arts Theater Welcomes the Marquee Theater Company
The Marquee Theater Company will begin performing at the West Boca Peforming Arts Theater starting September 25th. Their first show will be Aida, the musical by Elton John and Tim Rice. The 2015/2016 season will also include Songs for a New World, Jekyll & Hyde and Footloose.
Aida is based on the opera by Giuseppe Verdi and is a story of ill-fated lovers. Aida is an epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal chronicling the relationship between an Egyptian Captain and a Nubian Princess. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online or by calling 954-464-8249.
The Marquee Theater Company is a professional theater company that performs full-scale “Broadway style musicals and prides itself on hiring local professional actors, singers and dancers. The Company was founded by Andrew Shultz and Ben Solmor.