TILES, MOSAIC THEATRE'S BLOG

We are excited to announce that the panel of celebrity judges for our Stop! The Violence Video Contest will include: Brett Loewenstern (finalist, American Idol Season 10), Emmy Award Winner Louis Aguirre (of WSVN’s Deco Drive), and Lucille Lortel Award Winning playwright/director Joe Calarco.  The exciting contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who want to express themselves on issues of bullying and teen violence.  Students are invited to submit creative videos (2 to 5 minutes in length) in any style including, but not limited to monologue, scene, song, illustration, animation, collage, and dance, addressing the aforementioned themes.  We encourage you to spread the word about this contest and vote for your favorites.

The grand prize winner will be announced Monday, May 21 and will receive the $500 Stuart and Cecelia Kirsner Scholarship and an SAT Prep Course by Huntington Learning Center (HLC).  The second prize winner will receive a $200 scholarship and an HLC SAT Prep Course and the third prize winner will also receive an HLC SAT Prep Course. 

Stop! The Violence Video Contest is in conjunction with the world premiere of “A Measure of Cruelty” (April 19 – May 13), a play commissioned by Mosaic Theatre and made possible by a Funding Arts Broward/Knight New Work Award. “A Measure of Cruelty” by Joe Calarco is inspired by the 2009 case of a local teenager who was severely burned by four of his schoolmates (a case that shocked South Florida’s local community and touched a nerve in our nation’s conscience).  Mosaic theatre announced this video contest to encourage students to join in what has become a national dialogue on these important issues. 

Video submissions will be accepted until 5:00 pm EST April 2, 2012.  Check out our exciting video clips and vote for your favorite.  Then spread the word and get your friends to vote!   The celebrity judges will help select the top three finalists, and audiences attending “A Measure of Cruelty” will vote for the top prize.  Entrants should submit their video here.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “A MEASURE OF CRUELTY” BY JOE CALARCO

Made Possible by Funding Arts Broward/Knight New Work Award

STOP! THE VIOLENCE Video Contest

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE

ONLY 150 TICKETS TO BE SOLD!

Enter Mosaic Theatre’s Cruise Raffle to win a cruise certificate entitling the bearer to sailings to the Caribbean on “Oasis of the Seas” or “Allure of the Seas,” or sailings to Canada, Alaska, and Europe on other RCL ships. 

The certificate covers cruise fare, port charges, gov’t tax and fees, and prepaid gratuities. Accommodations are in a balcony cabin with an ocean view. Valid for 6- or 7-night sailings year round (excluding Christmas & New Year’s). Airfare not included.  Tickets are just $100 and makes a great gift while supporting one of your favorite charities. Click here to enter the raffle!

The winner will be drawn at the “Dial M for Mosaic Theatre – Gala & Auction 2012.”  You do not need to be present to win.

Award-winning Mosaic Theatre is excited to announce the winners of the “Jack Zink Spirit Award” to be presented at the “Dial M for Mosaic Theatre” – Gala & Auction 2012 on Saturday, March 10. Our winners have demonstrated excellence in the areas of leadership, creativity, commitment and passion for the arts. This year we are thrilled to bestow the “Jack Zink Spirit Awards” upon Bill Hirschman and Publix Super Markets Charities.

Mosaic Theatre renamed its annual “Spirit Awards” in August of 2008 to honor legendary theatre critic Jack Zink. The prestigious “Spirit Awards” recognize extraordinary souls who help drive forward the mission of the Mosaic Theatre and cultural arts in Broward County. It is only fitting that the magnificent sculpture should bear the name of a true cultural arts leader and advocate such as Mr. Zink.

Wm. F. “Bill” Hirschman is the editor and chief critic for Florida Theater On Stage which he began with his wife, Oline H. Cogdill, in August as the latest act in a life that has intertwined journalism and the arts for more than 40 years.  He has been a professional journalist since interning during high school in 1966 in Westchester County, New York. He began reviewing theater for the South Florida Sun Sentinel in 1998 and has written about the arts and reviewed books for several decades, especially books. His arts coverage has appeared in Variety, American Theatre magazine, Playbill.com, A & E magazine, the Miami Herald among many other outlets. His work as the founding critic for the South Florida Theater Review won him first place for arts criticism in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine State Awards. He serves on the executive committee of the American Theatre Critics’ Association, treasurer of its Foundation and the chairman of its new plays competition which presents the Steinberg/ATCA Award.

Publix Super Markets Charities has a longstanding tradition of support for the mission of Mosaic Theatre and the arts in South Florida.  Publix is a privately-held company operating stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, and was founded by George W. Jenkins in 1930 in Winter Haven, Florida.  Jenkins founded Publix with the spirit of giving in mind. He was once asked, “If you hadn’t given away so much, how much do you think you would be worth today?” His response, without hesitation: “Probably nothing.”  In tribute to his shining example, Publix Super Markets Charities continues to be a corporate giving leader and its philanthropic efforts continue to have a significant impact on youth, education, literacy, and the arts.

Toast our esteemed honorees by purchasing a tribute ad in our Gala Program for as little as $150, and it will also run in our Show Playbills for an entire year!  Tickets to join our winners at “Dial M for Mosaic Theatre – Gala & Auction 2012”  may be purchased by calling Mosaic Theatre at (954) 577-8243 or online.

PLANTATION–Award-winning Mosaic Theatre is excited to announce that Ariel Dorfman’s Olivier Award winning play and recent London hit, Death and the Maiden, will replace Conor McPherson’s The Birds as the third show of the company’s 2011-2012 season.

Executive/Artistic Director Richard Jay Simon said, “Playwright Conor McPherson requested that we delay our premiere and we will open our next season with The Birds in September. Selfishly, I’m excited about the switch because that gives me an opportunity to direct the piece which I absolutely love. Death and the Maiden is a modern classic that has always been a favorite of mine and I’m excited that we have the opportunity to do it. It’s only a matter of time before this play is revived on Broadway and I’m pleased that we can do it first.”

Tony Award winners Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfuss and Gene Hackman starred in the original Broadway production of this political thriller. Set in an unnamed country that is, like the author’s native Chile, emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, the play explores the after-effects of repression on hearts and souls. This white knuckle thriller is a riveting intellectual and emotional tug of war.

Guest director Avi Hoffman will direct a stellar cast featuring award-winning actors Stephen G. Anthony, Laura Turnbull and Oscar Cheda. The extraordinary creative team includes Set Designer Douglas Grinn, Lighting Designer Suzanne B. Jones, Sound Designer Matt Corey (2011 Carbonell Award Winner), Resident Costume Designer K. Blair Brown, Production Stage Manager Linda Harris and graphics/photography by George Schiavone.

Death and the Maiden runs March 8 – April 1, Thursdays through Saturdays @ 8:00 with a Saturday matinee at 3:00 and a Sunday matinee at 2:00.  All performances are at Mosaic Theatre located in the American Heritage Center for the Arts at 12200 West Broward Boulevard in Plantation.  Ticket prices are $39.50 for adults, $34 for seniors, $15 for students.  Group rates are also available.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (954) 577-8243 or visiting www.mosaictheatre.com.

Mosaic Theatre would like to wish you a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year! Your support this year enabled us to stage productions like the explosive drama Side Effects and our acclaimed hit Lombardi which played to sold-out houses and standing ovations. And there’s much more to come! I encourage you now to show your continued support by contributing to our Holiday Donation Drive.  We are less than $6,000 away from our goal of raising $15,000 and would appreciate your help getting us over the top!

• Click here to give an online donation and receive an e-mail confirmation making your gift eligible for a tax deduction this year. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
• Postmark by the New Year & Mail Your Check to: Mosaic Theatre, 12200 West Broward Blvd., Suite 3121, Plantation, FL 33325.

South Florida is blessed with many great theater companies doing outstanding work. Please also consider making a small gift to a theater(s) that you have come to love. Kindly forward this newsletter to 5 friends, family, co-workers and thank you for supporting the arts.

Donate to Actors’ Playhouse * Donate to Alliance Theater Lab * Donate to Caldwell Theater * Donate to Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater * Donate to GableStage * Donate to Infinite Abyss * Donate to Mad Cat Theater * Donate to Maltz Jupiter Theatre * Donate to Outre Theatre * Donate to Palm Beach Dramaworks * Donate to Playground Theater * Donate to Promethean Theater Company * Donate to Naked Stage * Donate to New Theatre * Donate to Slow Burn * Donate to Women’s Theater Project * Donate to Zoetic Stage

Dine with Dan Lauria this Tuesday!

Mosaic Theatre on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm

Avi Hoffman of Too Jewish & Too Jewish Two has joined the cast along with Skye Whticomb (Outre Theater Comapny).  Mosaic Theatre in Plantation will be will present a staged reading of a new play by Dan Lauria, Dinner With The Boys, a dark comedy, where friendship meets murder and mayhem. Mr. Lauria, star of The Wonder Years and the original Broadway production of Lombardi, will also be reading one of the roles. He will be accompanied by Ray Abruzzo, a Hollywood veteran who has appeared on The Sopranos, Dynasty and The Practice – and who is currently portraying the title character in Lombardi at Mosaic Theatre (through Dec 4).  Also joining them is Richard Zavaglia, a well-known actor who also has numerous credits on film, television and Broadway.

Tickets are $30.  Subscribers to either theater are $25 and TLSF/AEA members are $15.  Reservation required. Click here to buy tickets at Mosaic Theatre and if you can’t make it on Tuesday, see it Monday at GableStage by clicking here.

MEET & DISCUSS WITH DAN LAURIA
Sunday, Nov. 20 following 7:00 performance – BUY TICKETS
Lauria is best known for his portrayal of Jack Arnold, the intimidating and money conscious father on the TV series The Wonder Years which ran from 1988 to 1993. In 2010, Lauria appeared as Vince Lombardi in the Broadway play Lombardi. The play received positive reviews, as did Lauria’s performance, with sports writer Jim Hague commenting, “Lauria truly becomes Vince Lombardi. You almost forget you’re watching an actor. He’s Lombardi through and through, down to the wire-framed glasses and intimidating scowl.” North Bergen football coach Vince Ascolese, who met Lombardi, raved, “I really felt like he was Lombardi. It was uncanny.”
 

MEET & DISCUSS WITH DWIGHT STEPHENSON
Saturday, Nov. 12 following 8:00 performance – BUY TICKETS
Hall-of-Famer Dwight Stephenson excelled at center for the Miami Dolphins for eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. An All-American at the University of Alabama, the 6′ 2″, 255-pound Stephenson lived up to all his advance notices as a Dolphin. In just a few years, he was universally recognized as the premier center in the NFL. He earned both All-Pro and All-AFC recognition five straight years from 1983 to 1987. He was named the AFC or NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in various major polls for years. Stephenson was selected for five straight Pro Bowl games, the first four as a starter. Stephenson was the starting center in the 1982, 1984 and 1985 AFC championship games and in Super Bowls XVII and XIX.

MEET & DISCUSS WITH SUSAN LOMBARDI
Sunday, Nov. 20 following 7:00 performance – BUY TICKETS
Meet the real-life daughter of legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi.  Join us for an engaging and enlightening conversation with Susan Lombardi, as she shares her thoughts about the play, memories of her father, and her unique insights into the man behind the iconic figure. 

MEET & DISCUSS WITH JIM BERRY

MEET & DISCUSS WITH JIM “CRASH” JENSEN
TBA
Nicknamed “Crash,” he played 12 seasons in Miami where his best years came while teamed with quarterback Dan Marino and legendary coach Don Shula. Jensen wore #11 because he entered the league as a quarterback. After Dan Marino was selected in the 1983 NFL Draft, it became evident that Jensen would need to find another way to survive on the Dolphins roster. He became a human Swiss army knife, with a knack for making tackles on punt and kickoff coverages and converting third down opportunities as a running back or wide receiver in the offensive set with Marino. In 1989, he caught Dan Marino’s 200th career touchdown pass. Jim was also the 1988 NFL Special Teams Player of the Year and elected the 2006 Miami Dolphins “Unsung Hero.”
 

MEET & DISCUSS WITH KEITH BYARS
TBA
A fan favorite of the Miami Dolphins, Keith played fullback and tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles (1986-1992), Miami Dolphins (1993-1996), New England Patriots (1996-1997), and the New York Jets (1998). Byars was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1993. A superb rusher, blocker, and pass receiver, Byars was a vital contributor for every team he played on. In 1988 he rushed for 517 yards, recorded 71 receptions (ranking him 9th in the NFL), and scored 10 touchdowns.
  

MEET & DISCUSS WITH WILL MANSO
TBA
Will Manso came back home to South Florida when he joined Local 10 in March of 1999. During his time here, Will has kept busy by working in sports, news and he’s even dabbled in entertainment. He is now Local 10′s Sports Director and also enjoys the chance to serve as host for special shows on Local 10.

Individual Tickets are $39.50 for Adults, $34 for Seniors (over 65) and $15 for Students (with ID). Flexible Season Packages are $167 for Adults, $145 for Seniors and $64 for Students. Reserve tickets by calling (954) 577-8243 or visiting our website.

“Side Effects is a roller-coaster ride and at Mosaic, it becomes MUST-SEE THEATER!” — Miami Herald

FINAL 10 PERFORMANCES THROUGH OCT. 9
TICKETS: (954) 577-8243

BUY TICKETS NOW!

SEE WHY SO MANY PEOPLE ARE SEEING THE SHOW NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE! IT’S THAT GOOD!

Greetings from Mosaic Theatre! We just received fabulous reviews in all the newspapers on our new hit production of Michael Weller’s Side Effects. We are currently offering discounted tickets for special performances on Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30. Receive $10.00 off the Adult Ticket Price when you mention promo code HOLIDAY. Take a look at the reviews below and let us know how many tickets you would like! Click here for tickets.

The theater has regular performances Thursdays @ 8:00, Fridays @ 8:00, Saturdays @ 3:00 & 8:00 and Sundays @ 2:00.

LOOK AT WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING!

“Fresh from its New York world premiere in June, the emotionally harrowing and gloriously mesmerizing play is kicking off the new season at Plantation’s Mosaic Theatre where two highly skilled actors, an insightful director and a terrific design team are bringing it vividly to life…” Miami Herald

“Mosaic scores with a POWERFUL PRODUCTION… STUNNING… FASCINATING TO WATCH…This is a star-making, EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT, NOT-TO-BE-MISSED PERFORMANCE! An OUTSTANDING kickoff to Mosaic’s new season!” Florida Theater On Stage

“Savor every minute of Mosaic’s POWERFUL, TRENCHANTLY FUNNY, DEVASTATING production.” Miami Herald

“MESMERIZING CAST…EXCELLENT PRODUCTION VALUES.” Sun-Sentinel

BUY TICKETS NOW!

Join the conversation this Saturday!

Side Effects is one of those plays that you will be talking about long after you leave the theatre.  Join us for a lively post-show discussion this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 3 pm.  We are privileged to have two exciting Guest Speakers for this special event. 

Published author/speaker Joan Childs has appeared on The Oprah Show and Montel Williams, as well as hosting her own TV show Solutions. She is the author of The Myth of the Maiden: On Being a Woman and Why Did she Jump? An Angel to Remember, a moving memoir about her daughter’s battle with bipolar disorder and tragic suicide. 

John Burkin is a clinical therapist with Henderson Behavioral Health, South Florida’s oldest and largest not-for-profit behavioral healthcare system.  Henderson serves over 20,000 people with a full array of health services, and their Crisis Center receives more than 170,000 calls each year. 

The talkback will begin after the matinee performance and is included in the ticket price.  Buy tickets here.