Page 10 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '21

Page 10, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Dramaworks Happenings

The World Premiere Of reading in the 2020 New Year/New Plays Festival, and a Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit theatre

Michael McKeever’s The revised script was given a virtual reading in June of that company founded in 2000 and located in the heart of downtown
year following two, three-day workshops.
West Palm Beach. Each season, the award-winning company
People Downstairs Opens Palm Michael McKeever has produces five mainstage shows and offers a wide variety of
programs for students at the theatre, in schools, and online.
written 33 full-length plays
Beach Dramaworks’ 2021/22 that have been produced at Committed to fostering the future of theatre, PBD has become
theatres around the world,
a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the country to
Season On Dec. 3 including Comödie Dresden nurture their work through initiatives including Drama (in
(Dresden), Och-Teatr the) works and the annual New Year/New Plays Festival.
Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD), unable to perform (Warsaw), and Theater in der PBD is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Florida
onstage for audiences for 21 months due to the pandemic, Josefstadt, Kammerspiele Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council
begins its season of renewal on Dec. 3, 8 p.m., with the (Vienna). His play Daniel’s of Palm Beach County. See www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
world premiere of Michael McKeever’s The People Husband enjoyed a sold- Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at
Downstairs, a commissioned play that tells the story of out, extended three-month 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and select Sundays
the courageous souls who hid Anne Frank and seven others run in Los Angeles at the at 7 p.m. Matinee performances are on Wednesday, Saturday,
during the Holocaust. Performances continue through Dec. Fountain Theatre, and and Sunday at 2 p.m. Post-performance discussions follow
19, with specially priced previews on Dec. 1 and 2, 7:30 ran Off-Broadway at the Wednesday matinee and Sunday evening performances.
p.m. Producing Artistic Director William Hayes directs. Westside Theatre following successful runs at Penguin Rep Individual tickets are $79, with specially priced preview tickets
In 1942, as Jewish residents of Nazi-occupied and Primary Stages, where it was nominated for an Off- at $59 and opening night tickets at $94. Student tickets are
Amsterdam were sent to concentration camps or murdered Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Work. McKeever available for $15, and Pay Your Age tickets are available for
in the streets, Miep and Jan Gies, Victor Kugler, and has won numerous Carbonell and Silver Palm Awards, and those 18 to 40. Tickets for educators are half price with proper
Johannes Kleiman risked everything to save their colleagues is the proud recipient of the prestigious George Abbott identification (other restrictions apply). Group rates for 20 or
Otto Frank and Hermann van Pels, the men’s families, and Award for outstanding artistic achievement. His work has more and subscription packages for four or five plays are also
a family friend, from certain death. For 761 days, Anne been nominated four times for the Steinberg/American available. Tickets can be purchased through the box office,
Frank shared her observations and innermost thoughts Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. He is also in person or by phone, (561) 514-4042, Ext. 2, and online 24
on what life was like for eight people whose world was an award-winning actor and designer. McKeever and his hours a day at palmbeachdramaworks.org.
reduced to a few concealed, cramped rooms in the building husband, Stuart Meltzer, are cofounders of Zoetic Stage, a The Don and Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart
where her father worked. But what of the people who hid Miami-based theatre company dedicated to developing new of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For
them, who provided safety and sustenance until the awful work. He is a member of Actors’ Equity and the Dramatists ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042,
moment when authorities, either by a tip from an informer Guild. See michaelmckeeverplays.com. or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
or simply by chance, discovered the secret annex? The
People Downstairs explores the complex challenges faced “Service is our number one priority”
by these brave individuals on their journey of rebellious
morality during the horrors of the Holocaust. 561-743-0070
“We’re living through such turbulent times,” said
Hayes. “Incidents of anti-Semitism have increased for www.palmspoolservices.com
the past several years, as has a rise in hate crimes toward
many ethnic groups and people of color, which makes The
People Downstairs all too timely. It’s alarming to see people
wearing yellow stars and hear them draw a comparison
between mask mandates and Nazism, or to see people
beaten because of the color of their skin. The play serves
as an important reminder for all of us to protect those who
are being unfairly persecuted in our country. We’re a nation
built on immigration, a country that should take pride in
its diversity. As it says on the plaque in the pedestal of the
Statue of Liberty: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, Your
huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’”
The People
Downstairs features
Amy Miller Brennan, Expires 12/31/21.
Bruce Linser, Dennis
Creaghan, Tom Wahl, State Licensed & Insured
McKeever, Matthew Serving Palm Beach County CPC # 1457468 • LPG#30099
W. Korinko, and John
Campagnuolo. Scenic
design is by Michael
Amico, costume design
is by Brian O’Keefe, CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A.
lighting design is by
Kirk Bookman, and ATTORNEYS AT LAW
sound design is by
Roger Arnold.
All guests at the
theatre are required to Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate
wear suitable masks
that completely cover the nose, mouth, and under the Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations
chin for their entire visit. Anyone who does not comply
will be escorted out of the theatre. PBD will also require
documentation (printed or digital): Fully vaccinated guests
have the option of voluntarily presenting documentation
showing full vaccination status. Full vaccination is defined
as the completion of the final dose at least 14 days prior to
the performance date. Alternatively, all guests can, instead,
present documentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test
result conducted within 72 hours prior to the performance,
or a negative COVID-19 antigen test result conducted
within 24 hours prior to the scheduled performance start
time. Matching photo identification is required for everyone
18 years of age and older.
These protocols are subject to change. As the situation
evolves, PBD will re-evaluate and share any updates on its
website at palmbeachdramaworks.org and via email.
The People Downstairs is the first of two world premieres
to be produced by PBD during the 2021/22 season; Bruce Diane L. KarLiK
Graham’s The Duration will debut on Feb. 18. Developing
new work is now an essential part of the company’s profile,
and this will be PBD’s fifth consecutive season featuring
at least one world premiere. The People Downstairs was Tel: (561) 625-5220
commissioned by PBD, and both plays were nurtured in 3450 Northlake Boulevard Suite 210 Fax: (561) 625-5201• Mobile: (561) 797-5004
The Dramaworkshop, the company’s lab for developing Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 EMail: dlkarlik@aol.com
new plays. The People Downstairs received its first public