Mahaffey lineup delightfully diverse

The theater's 2002-2003 schedule continues to build on its successful strategy of filling entertainment niches not feasible for larger performing arts centers.

By JOHN FLEMING, Times Performing Arts Critic
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 21, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- By necessity, Mahaffey Theater has become the niche programmer of the Tampa Bay performing arts marketplace. Flanked by larger operations -- Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Ruth Eckerd Hall and Van Wezel Hall -- Mahaffey has turned to an eclectic mix of offerings, as reflected in its 2002-03 season; its schedule is released today.

"I joked once that the Mahaffey is the PBS performing arts center of this region," said David Rowell, executive director of the Mahaffey Theater Foundation, which underwrites programming. "We're focusing on doing things that others aren't."

Take the season opener, Dream Scapes, the latest from former Supertramp percussionist Steve Reid. It's a multimedia show on magic and discovery that combines choreography, colorful design, smoke machines and smooth jazz. Not coincidentally, it is in the same pseudo-spiritual bag of this season's biggest hit at Mahaffey, Music from a Painted Cave by Robert Mirabal.

The Mirabal show and another Mahaffey presentation this season, the Canadian "extreme violin" ensemble Barrage, were both subjects of PBS specials.

Mahaffey casts its net widely next season, ranging from a dance version of A Streetcar Named Desire to Jack Klugman in On Golden Pond, from jazz singer Dianne Reeves to Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers to mime-juggler-clown Avner the Eccentric.

The Broadway lineup, a presentation of Jam Theatricals, includes the 20th anniversary tour of Greater Tuna, with original stars Joe Sears and Jaston Williams; Fosse and Ain't Misbehavin'.

There are two series pitched to families and young children, with shows such as the musical duo Trout Fishing in America and Pinocchio. All six shows are at 3 on Sunday afternoons.

"It's a great time for families and kids," Rowell said. "They get finished with church. Have a nice outing in the afternoon. They're home by suppertime. The kids can do homework and hit the sack."

The Broadway series has no more than three performances per show, and the other bookings are for one performance only. Mahaffey can't afford to take a risk on longer runs by high-profile shows with bigger fees.

"Every once in a while there's a part of me that wants to bring in something for a week," Rowell said. "There are shows I would love to have here, because this theater is so beautiful. But the realist in me says it's not the right time yet. We need to build back the base. We need to continue to grow. I can see us going to full-week runs in a couple of years."

2002-2003 MAHAFFEY SEASON

Ticket prices vary by event; a number of ticket package deals are available. Call the Bayfront Center box office at (727) 892-5767, or check www.stpete.org/mahaffey.htm.

Broadway at the Bayfront

Nov. 2-3: Greater Tuna

Dec. 16-17: Fosse

March 7-8, 2003: Ain't Misbehavin'

April 11-12, 2003: Jack Klugman in On Golden Pond

Dance @ the Mahaffey

Feb. 13, 2003: North Carolina Dance Theatre, A Streetcar Named Desire

March 2, 2003: Momix, Momix in Orbit

Family Fun

Nov. 17: Avner the Eccentric

Jan. 19, 2003: Trout Fishing in America

March 9, 2003: The Magic of Ecology -- The Steve Trash Illusion Show

Global Visions

Nov. 8: Rhythm & Brass, An Evening with Duke and Louis

Jan. 21, 2003: Aquila Theatre Co., A Midsummer Night's Dream

March 14, 2003: Eileen Ivers

Holiday special

Dec. 6: Oh Holy Night -- A Gospel Christmas

Noteworthy

Sept. 27: Steve Reid's Dream Scapes

Nov. 22: Four Bitchin' Babes with Sally Fingerett, Suzzy Roche, Debi Smith & Camille West

Jan. 31, 2003: Dianne Reeves

April 4, 2003: Kathy Mattea

Young Children

Oct. 20: Mother Goose -- A Pocketful of Rhymes

Dec. 8: Santa's Holiday Revue

April 6, 2003: Pinocchio

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