‘CONCH REPUBLIC — THE MUSICAL’ RETURNS

LIGHTHEARTED SHOW TELLS ONLY- IN - KEY- WEST STORY

Fringe Theater presents Sharr White’s drama, “The Other Place,” through April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Key West Armory, 600 White St.

The play was written by the award-winning playwright Sharr White, whose works have been performed both on and off Broadway. His current play, “Pictures from Home,” opened at Studio 54 in January.

“The Other Place,” which opened at the MCC Theater with Laurie Metcalf in 2011, received the Playwrights First Award, the Theatre Visions Fund Award and a nomination for the Outer Critics Circle for Outstanding New OffBroadway Play.

“The Other Place” is a psychological drama that explores the disorienting turns that Juliana Smithton’s personal life takes just as her neurological research is poised to revolutionize the medical field. Divorce, marital affairs and an estranged daughter create the backdrop to an unfolding mystery. The truth awaits, but only at “The Other Place.”

Variety called the play “A haunting drama,” and the San Francisco Chronicle proclaimed it “tantalizingly intense, and edgily suspenseful.”

“This is an incredible script. A play like this allows for a range of approaches in staging. We’ve chosen a very abstract style which I think our audiences will find intriguing,” said Rebecca Tomlinson, Fringe Theater’s managing artistic director who is directing the show.

“The Other Place” stars Wende Shoer as Juliana Smithton.

“Audiences are used to seeing Wende shine in comic roles,” Rebecca said. “This play showcases her equally significant talent for drama.”

Juliana’s husband is played by Michael Mulligan, a veteran stage actor who has performed to rave reviews on all of the island’s stages. The versatile Martha Hooten-Hattingh and Richard Quint complete the acting ensemble by portraying a variety of characters who move the play’s unfolding mystery forward.

— Contributed

‘THE OTHER PLACE’

Through April 22 at 7 p.m. Key West Armory, 600 White St. Tickets $35 and $50. 305-731-0581/fringetheater.org. Seating is limited, advanced tickets are encouraged.

Back after a five-year hiatus, “Conch Republic — The Musical: A Decade of Music & Mayhem” returns to Key West in time for the Conch Republic Independence Celebration. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, this year’s production also returns to the original eight-actor format.

In a special nod to 10 years of retelling this Key West, true-tolife story onstage, the 2023 cast features only actors who have been cast in previous productions of the show. Notably, four original cast members have returned to reprise their roles: Michael Aaglan, Billy Cartledge, Tony Konrath and Annie Miners. The other four actors were cast in canceled productions that had been slated for 2016 and 2020: Don Bearden, Trey Forsyth, Camille Toler and Wayne LaRue Smith.

This year’s production is presented by Seaglass Theatrical and directed by Gayla Morgan and Lauren Thompson, with lighting design by Aramis Ikatu, and poster design by JT Thompson/Design Group Key West that features a new, original illustration created for the show by Jack McDonald.

The musical was written by Monnie King (book) and Gayla Morgan (music/lyrics) while they were both locals in Key West. Originally commissioned by the Fringe Theater, the show premiered in April 2013 at Kelly’s Upstairs. The Fringe produced a total of five iterations of the show at three different venues: Kelly’s, San Carlos Institute and The Studios of Key West.

This year, Fringe handed the reins to Morgan’s producing company, Seaglass Theatrical, which also produced her show, “A Dog Story” Off Broadway (written with the late Eric Weinberger, who was also a part-time Key West resident until his passing, and which had its premiere at the Waterfront Playhouse).

“Conch Republic — The Musical” is an official event of Conch Republic Days 2023. — Contributed

‘CONCH REPUBLIC — THE MUSICAL’

Opens Tuesday, April 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Little Room Jazz Club, 821 Duval St. It runs Tuesdays through Sundays through April 30. Tickets $30 to $85 SeaglassTheatrical.com.