Jewish Press of Tampa

‘Biloxi Blues’ opening night is Nov. 3


The cast at a readthrough of Biloxi Blues

The cast at a readthrough of Biloxi Blues

The cast is set and tickets are now on sale for the opening Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. for a seven-performance run of Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” at the Tampa JCCs and Federations’ J Stage Theatre.

The production, professionally directed and produced by Vivid Theatre Productions, has additional performances on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m., a 2 p.m. matinee and 6 p.m. show on Sunday, Nov. 7, and performances at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9 and Wednesday, Nov. 10. All shows take place at the J Stage Theatre at the JCC on the Cohn Campus, 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa.

The show is the second in the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Neil Simon’s trilogy, which began with “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and concluded with “Broadway Bound.”

The story focuses on a group of military privates and their commanding officer stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi during World War II. Though told from the perspective of young soldier Eugene Jerome, the play largely focuses on two other soldiers, Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey and Pvt. Arnold Epstein. As they go through basic training, Epstein and Toomey get into an escalating battle of wills.

Elijah Zurek

Elijah Zurek

Elijah Zukek, who played the lead role of Eugene Jerome in J Stage’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” was pre-cast to reprise the character in “Biloxi Blues.”

Zurek, 18, was singing before he could speak. Born in New Mexico, he is the only child of a military family and lived in Alabama and California before coming to Florida. He auditioned for his first musical theater role at age 9, landing the part of the Candy Man in “Willy Wonka Kids Edition.” A dual-enrolled student that will complete his senior year of high school, Zurek also began his sophomore year of college in the spring. He is an avid student of theater who plans to visit and train in London next summer. His previous credits include “Spring Awakening, “Little Women,” and “Sweeney Todd.”

Also returning to the J Stage Theatre are Sean Memmel in the role of Joseph Wykowski and Chris Cavazza as Donald Carney. New to J Stage are experienced local actors Ryan Fisher (Arnold Epstein), Chris Cordero (Roy Seldridge), Cody Farkas (James Hennessey), Nick Noelte (Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey), Keira Osborne (Daisy Hannigan) and Rei Capote (Rowena).

General admission is $20. A special engagement performance will take place on closing night, with a discount ticket price of $10 for active or retired veterans and a special gift. Seating will be socially distanced per CDC guidelines and masks will be required at all times. Visit jcccohncampus.com/jstage to purchase tickets.

Auditions open for next play

Next up for J Stage Theatre is “The Waverly Gallery” by Kenneth Lonergan. Vivid Theatre Productions will also direct the show. “The Waverly Gallery” is about the final years of a generous and feisty grandmother’s final battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

Video auditions and theater resumes are being accepted through Oct. 31. Email vividtheatreproductions1@gmail.com or brandy.gold@jewishtampa.com for details.

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