This fiscal year report: October 1, 2013 – September 30, 2014
We opened our season with the very challenging “Seuss Odyssey,” Homer’s classic tale of Odysseus and his epic journey, all told in Dr. Seuss rhyme. A veteran cast of twenty-four players tackled the fifty-six character extravaganza to rave reviews.
For our Christmas offering, the Pelican Puppeteers performed my original one act play “The Christmas Apple,” free for our Senior Center seniors.
Our Spring production continued this year’s educational offerings with “Around the World in Eight Plays,”’ a collection of here-to-fore unknown folk tales from around the world. A stellar cast of twenty-nine players (including nine first-timers), ranging in age from six to sixty-six, tackled the unusual stories.
Our Pelican flock continued to grow through the summer with our Summer Recital, turning out a record forty-one players of all ages on stage. The summer cornucopia of theatrical delights saw Alice in Wonderland, The Honeymooners, Shakespeare’s “Pyramus and Thisbe,” and a first ever for the Pelican Playhouse, the World Premiere of “Little Women 2: Wrath of the Undead.” In honor of our World Premiere, we staged a “red carpet” walk which can currently be seen on YouTube. Simply log onto our website and click on the “YT” button in the upper left corner to watch the fun.
As always, the Pelican Playhouse promenaded patriotically, participating in our Miami Springs 4th of July parade. As you can see, I am still recovering from Dr. Seuss.
We upgraded our social media by using “Mail Chimp,” allowing us to send simultaneous emails to the more than 700 individuals on our mailing list. The new email system also links in with our web site, Twitter, and Face Book account (which, incidentally, has risen to nearly 300 likes and counting.)
The Rebeca Sosa Theater was busier than ever with eight companies, renting out sixteen days, for total revenue to the City of $3,815.00.
In addition, for the first time, the City partnered with Miami Springs Service Organizations by providing free theater space usage. The Curtiss Mansion brought in “Dreamers and Schemers,” a historical reenactment featuring Henry Flagler, Governor Bonaparte Broward, and Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. The Miami Springs Airport Chamber of Commerce brought in a production of “The Miracle Worker.” These two productions totaled eleven days of theater rental, a $2,915 donation by the City. The City also donated five additional Theater days for the Junior Orange Bowl Pageant and Miami Dade County meetings: the regional symposium/training workshop for MDCCMA and ASPA, MDC Mom and Pop business seminar, and the Springs River Festival Chess Tournament.
A preview of things to come for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015
On the second and third weekends in November, we will present the American, Pulitzer Prize winning, comedy classic, “You Can’t Take It With You.” We first did this show in 2006 in the old Caviler Annex and can’t wait to do it again in the Rebeca Sosa Theater.
As soon as “You Can’t Take It With You” closes on November 16th, the following weekend, November 21-23, the City will again be donating theater time to the Hialeah/Miami Springs Rotary Club International, for their production of “The Spitfire Grill.”
At the beginning of 2015, the Pelican Playhouse will be celebrating our fifteen seasons of providing dramatic enrichment to the River Cites area with a grand gala open house. You will all be invited, so stay tuned for more details.
And particular thanks to the following:
Mary Reed, Sam Chazon, Gretchen Gordon, and Daniel Febres for their help with our social media efforts.
The Mu Alpha Theta Math Club for always being our refreshment stand during our shows. They are an incredible group of kids and parent volunteers.
Special thanks to Omar Luna and Patty Bradley for their wonderful support of all that we do. They are extremely helpful and we truly appreciate both of them and the staff at the community center. And major thanks to Tom Nash and the “heavy lifters” from Public Works who set up the staging and risers for the audience.
SO THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE CITY’S COMMUNITY THEATER.