red barn News
KONK Life Theater Review: POTUS
POTUS unfolds in a simple set of an unknown room in the White House (period wallpaper and wainscotting establish the scene). The show revolves around the inept, unnamed and philandering President of the US,. He remains an unseen presence whose unadmirable character and personality are implied by the ongoing chaotic farce.
REVIEW OF POTUS AT THE RED BARN THEATER
by EB aka Ennid Berger | January 31, 2024
Photo by Roberta DePiero
POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive takes the stage at Key West’s historic Red Barn Theater from January 30 – February 24, 2024. First debuting with great reviews on Broadway in 2022, POTUS is an entertaining farce with an excellent ensemble cast including some of Key West’s best actors.
POTUS unfolds in a simple set of an unknown room in the White House (period wallpaper and wainscotting establish the scene). The show revolves around the inept, unnamed and philandering President of the US,. He remains an unseen presence whose unadmirable character and personality are implied by the ongoing chaotic farce.
The comedy sketches that structure the show are hilariously funny interactions among and between the seven women in the excellent cast. Outstanding performances all around, with extra kudos to Susannah Wells, playing Dusty the Dalliance with charm and pizzaz, to Annie Miners, cast as Bernadette, POTUS’ outrageous drug dealing sister, and to Lynn Casamayor as Margaret, POTUS’ first lady., who exudes a powerful presence. POTUS is LOL funny with one liners and comedic interactions from the outstanding cast that also includes George DiBroud as Harriet the chief of staff, Lauren Thompson as Jean the press secretary, Jessicca Kruel as Stephanie the secretary, and Fritzie Estimond as Chris the breast pumping journalist.
The Red Barn’s theatrical presentation of POTUS was directed with great timing and sensitivity by the Red Barn’s Joy Hawkins. It is fast and funny with a sprinkling of obscenity. The show was written by Serena Fillinger, a writer for TV’s The Morning Show. According to Fillinger,. “It’s a story that you could put in any institution, any office, many homes. It’s about systems of oppression and systems of injustice.” POTUS is political, to be sure, but also an absurdist look at a very insular, patriarchal, workplace run, in reality, by the women in the office who try to offset the fumbling and bumbling of the incompetent man who never appears.
RED BARN’S “POTUS” IS ONE VERY FUNNY FEMALE-DRIVEN TOUR-DE-FORCE
It would be hard to deny that politics in this day and age has pretty much distilled itself down into a daily dose of outright farce. Just turn on any TV news channel for five minutes, and it’s obvious. Things are out of control.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
Cast of POTUS: Fritzie Estimond, George diBraud, Annie Miners, Lynne Casamayor, Jessica Miano Kruel, Lauren Thompson, & Susannah Wells
NOTICE ABOUT POTUS: This very funny play has language that is irreverent, bawdy, racy, sexual, smutty and gleefully filthy.
The extraordinary songstress Christine Mild will make her long-awaited return to the Red Barn Theatre in Key West with her brand new show, “This One’s For The Girls: Women of Country Music”. The show will run for four nights only, January 17 through 20, at the Red Barn, 319 Duval Street.
Well-known for her wildly-popular production, “Always, Patsy Cline”, Mild will be expanding her repertoire to include the top hits of close to two dozen of country music’s most fabled female artists, running from the classics of the 50’s and 60’s through to the rock-tinged hitmakers of the modern era.
“It really grew out of the ‘Patsy’ shows,” Mild said. “I realized that all the women singers I was listening to are kind of her legacy…she was the blueprint that laid the groundwork for them to become the marquees and bring the glamour. And there’s no denying that each of the women I’m featuring in this new show has done just that.”
Mild will be offering a swath of music from some of the most successful female country artists in history, including, among many others, The Judds, Shania Twain, Tanya Tucker, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Tammy Wynette, Taylor Swift (yes, she was originally a country artist before crossing over), Martina McBride, Little Big Town, The High Women, Casey Musgraves, and of course, the incomparable Loretta Lynn.
“She was an inspiration,” Mild said. “She made me think about these singers and what they went through to get where they are. When you really listen to their songs, they’re filled with what those women think is important. The messages are as profound as the music.”
Mild will be weaving many of those stories into her show, an element that will make the evening much richer. “These women have always lifted each other up, and I think this show will do the same for the audience,” Mild said. “It will be toe-tapping, heartwarming, and inspiring, with songs you’ll all know.”
Mild will have a terrific band backing her up, with musical director Jim Rice on piano, Mike Emerson on guitar, Gary Rivenson on bass, and Gary McDonald on drums. “It’s a great band,” she said. “We’re going to have a blast.”
Tickets for “This One’s For The Girls: Women of Country Music” are available at redbarntheatre.com or 305-296-9911. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased early, as Mild’s shows always sell out. Sponsored in part by Culture Builds Florida, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
COUNTRY ARTIST CHRISTINE MILD RETURNS TO THE RED BARN THEATRE
The extraordinary songstress Christine Mild will make her long-awaited return to the Red Barn Theatre in Key West with her brand new show, “This One’s For The Girls: Women of Country Music”. The show will run for four nights only, January 17 through 20, at the Red Barn, 319 Duval Street.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
The extraordinary songstress Christine Mild will make her long-awaited return to the Red Barn Theatre in Key West with her brand new show, “This One’s For The Girls: Women of Country Music”. The show will run for four nights only, January 17 through 20, at the Red Barn, 319 Duval Street.
Well-known for her wildly-popular production, “Always, Patsy Cline”, Mild will be expanding her repertoire to include the top hits of close to two dozen of country music’s most fabled female artists, running from the classics of the 50’s and 60’s through to the rock-tinged hitmakers of the modern era.
“It really grew out of the ‘Patsy’ shows,” Mild said. “I realized that all the women singers I was listening to are kind of her legacy…she was the blueprint that laid the groundwork for them to become the marquees and bring the glamour. And there’s no denying that each of the women I’m featuring in this new show has done just that.”
Mild will be offering a swath of music from some of the most successful female country artists in history, including, among many others, The Judds, Shania Twain, Tanya Tucker, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Tammy Wynette, Taylor Swift (yes, she was originally a country artist before crossing over), Martina McBride, Little Big Town, The High Women, Casey Musgraves, and of course, the incomparable Loretta Lynn.
“She was an inspiration,” Mild said. “She made me think about these singers and what they went through to get where they are. When you really listen to their songs, they’re filled with what those women think is important. The messages are as profound as the music.”
Mild will be weaving many of those stories into her show, an element that will make the evening much richer. “These women have always lifted each other up, and I think this show will do the same for the audience,” Mild said. “It will be toe-tapping, heartwarming, and inspiring, with songs you’ll all know.”
Mild will have a terrific band backing her up, with musical director Jim Rice on piano, Mike Emerson on guitar, Gary Rivenson on bass, and Gary McDonald on drums. “It’s a great band,” she said. “We’re going to have a blast.”
Tickets for “This One’s For The Girls: Women of Country Music” are available at redbarntheatre.com or 305-296-9911. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased early, as Mild’s shows always sell out. Sponsored in part by Culture Builds Florida, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
RED BARN GALA, “LIFE’S A DRAG!”, SET FOR JANUARY 14TH AT OLDEST HOUSE
Anywhere else but Key West, saying “Life’s a Drag” would be considered a bummer. But in Key West, it’s life as usual.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
Anywhere else but Key West, saying “Life’s a Drag” would be considered a bummer. But in Key West, it’s life as usual.
Some of Key West’s most popular entertainment are the drag shows that line Duval Street. The Drag Queens and Kings that perform there nightly are the heart and soul of our tiny island, whether entertaining, working community events and projects, or appearing at charitable events.
The Red Barn Theatre will be fully embracing and honoring this unique entertainment as they’ve chosen “Life’s A Drag!” as the theme for their annual fundraiser this year. The Barn’s party of the season will take place at The Oldest House, 322 Duval, on Sunday, January 14, from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $150 and include a cornucopia of food, drink, and over-the-top entertainment.
The always-popular QMitch will emcee a star-studded Drag show, produced by drag icon Elle Taylor, and featuring performances by Epiphany, Jessica Deveraux, Queen Mother, and Elle, and there are hints at a special star performer also dropping in.
There will be an open bar, a huge buffet catered by Destination Catering, a wine tasting provided by Breakthru Beverage, and a silent auction put together by Susie’s Estates.
An added bit of fun: the world-famous Bourbon Street Pub Red Shoe from the New Year’s celebration will also be there, and guests of the Gala will have the opportunity to have their picture taken sitting in the shoe.
Tickets are available at redbarntheatre.com, at the Barn’s box office at 319 Duval Street.
KONK Life Theater Review: TUNA CHRISTMAS
The Red Barn Theater has once again gifted Key West and the Florida Keys with a rollicking holiday treat, “A Tuna Christmas.”
A TUNA CHRISTMAS RED BARN THEATER REVIEW
by Guy deBoar | December 21, 2023
https://konklife.com/a-tuna-christmas-red-barn-theater.../
Actors David Black & Brandon Beach in Red Barn’s A Tuna Christmas
The Red Barn Theater has once again gifted Key West and the Florida Keys with a rollicking holiday treat, “A Tuna Christmas.”
This comedic gem, penned by the brilliant trio Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, transports audiences to the whimsical universe of Tuna, Texas, where holiday cheer collides with the peculiarities of small-town life.
Set in the cozy, fictional town of Tuna, this play is a delightful sequel to the beloved “Greater Tuna.” From the outset, it’s clear that this production doesn’t pull any punches in delivering a flurry of fast-paced humor, witty repartee, and an ensemble of characters as diverse as the Texas landscape itself.
Directed with finesse by Michael Marrero, the seamless transitions and lightning-fast costume changes by David Black and Brandon Beach, who deftly juggle multiple roles and genders, keep the audience engaged in this madcap journey. Yet, beyond the laughter-inducing antics and the holiday setting, “A Tuna Christmas” invites us to peer into a funhouse mirror reflecting our own quirks and idiosyncrasies. It’s a testament to the universal appeal of small-town charm, where regardless of our current locales, the characters’ tales resonate with a familiarity that elicits laughter and nods of recognition from the audience.
The Red Barn’s presentation encapsulates the heart and soul of this play, intertwining uproarious comedy with moments that tug at heartstrings. The synergy between the actors, the ingenious set design by Gary McDonald, costume design by Gary R. Marion, and the evocative lighting by Jack McDonald elevates the storytelling to an immersive experience.
This production is more than a mere play; it’s a pleasant celebration that unites theatergoers in shared laughter and nostalgia. Its magnetic blend of humor and heartfelt moments has rightfully earned it a place as a perennial holiday favorite for many.
To the residents and visitors of the Keys, I would like to ask you to please secure your tickets to this uproarious spectacle. Join in the laughter, spread the word, and revel in the sheer delight of “A Tuna Christmas.” Your time at the Red Barn Theater promises not just laughter, but an unforgettable journey into the heart of comedic storytelling. Tickets: (https://redbarntheatre.com/tickets)
RED BARN ANNOUNCES THEIR FABULOUS 44TH SEASON
Key West’s Red Barn Theatre will open their remarkable 44th Season in December with an eclectic mix of new plays and familiar faces on stage. Pre-Season tickets and subscriptions are now on sale through their website, redbarntheatre.com.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
Key West’s Red Barn Theatre will open their remarkable 44th Season in December with an eclectic mix of new plays and familiar faces on stage. Pre-Season tickets and subscriptions are now on sale through their website, redbarntheatre.com.
“I’m really excited about this season,” said long-time Artistic Director Joy Hawkins. “It’s very theatrical and risk-taking. We’re doing some new plays that are just out that are timely and funny, and we’re bringing back a new musical show by Christine Mild that I’m really looking forward to.”
Opening the season December 19 and running through January 13, 2024 will be “A Tuna Christmas”, written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, and Jaston Williams. It’s one of the popular “Tuna” series of plays, and will be a perfect show to point up the holidays. Two of Key West’s most popular and accomplished actors – Brandon Beach and David Black – will star, and between them will bring dozens of characters and voices to life in the hilarious production. It will be directed by Key West playwright/filmmaker/photographer Michael Marrero.
Next up January 30 through February 24 will be the very timely “Potus: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive,” written by Selina Fillinger. The title should tell you all you need to know about the play’s very funny and outrageous skewering of today’s political landscape. Hawkins will direct a Who’s Who cast of Key West’s top actresses – George Dibraud, Susannah Wells, Lauren Thompson, Jessica Miano Kruel, Marjorie Paul Shook, Lynn Clark, and Fritzie Esimond. Variety called the show “a delicious feminist farce…irresistibly funny”, and TimeOutNYcalled it “A broad, zany, old-school comedy.” If you want to laugh ‘til you cry, this is your show.
March 5 – 30, the Red Barn’s Managing Director, Mimi McDonald, will direct the big Off-Broadway and Broadway hit, “The Thanksgiving Play”, written by Larissa FastHorse. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month. The show will star Arthur Crocker, Jeremy Zoma, and Elena Devers. The New York Times called the play “…a delicious roasting…”, and the Hollywood Reporter calls it “…very, very funny…a clever satire”.
The season’s final production will be “The Lifespan of a Fact”, written by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell. A fact checker and a talented writer at a prominent but sinking New York magazine clash when the former must fact check the latter’s explosive essay that could save the magazine. It’s a comedic yet gripping battle over facts versus truth. What could be more timely?
Two special events will also punctuate this new season. The first will run January 17-20 and feature the return of the very popular vocalist Christine Mild, with her new show, “The Women of Country Music”. Mild, known for her accomplished interpretation of Patsy Cline, will deliver the top hits of the most iconic female singers in the long history of country music. She’ll be accompanied by pianist/arranger Jim Rice, bassist Gary Rivenson, and drummer Gary McDonald.
And the always-popular annual fundraiser for the Red Barn will take place on Sunday, January 14th at the Oldest House, from 5 pm until 9 pm. As always, it will be a themed party, this year being “Life’s A Drag”. Tickets will be $150 and will include a delicious spread catered by Destinations Catering and an open bar. Performances are planned by some of Key West’s most iconic entertainers. Attendees are encouraged to display their best costuming in line with the theme.
The Red Barn Journeys to “Parallel Universes” in Short Attention Span Theatre
There are those who believe our universe – the one our planet and galaxy currently exist within – is but one of many such universes, involving multiple dimensions, overlapping times, and repeating histories. While that concept may be hard to wrap your head around, the Red Barn Theatre in Key West may be able to help.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
Photo by: Roberta DePiero
Actors: (l to r) Iain Wilcox, Erin McKenna, Arthur Crocker, Susannah Wells, Jeremy Zoma, Cassidy Timms
There are those who believe our universe – the one our planet and galaxy currently exist within – is but one of many such universes, involving multiple dimensions, overlapping times, and repeating histories. While that concept may be hard to wrap your head around, the Red Barn Theatre in Key West may be able to help.
Their perennial favorite production, “Short Attention Span Theatre”, will return to their stage April 7 – 29, with this year’s theme being “Parallel Universes”. It’s an evening of six eclectic new one-act plays, each of which will take a skewed, often hilarious, look at the world (or universes) we live – or may live -- within.
“They’re all comedic plays, but they’re meaty,” said Mimi McDonald, who is executive producing the show. “They’ll make you laugh, but they’ll also make you think. They’re about things that could happen, or could be, or that make you wonder about reality. The show’s colorful, lots of cool costumes, lots of good music. It’s a great evening if you’re looking for something fun and out of the ordinary.”
McDonald spent a lot of time finding just the right plays for this year’s show. She researched the best new short plays that have won awards from 2021 and beyond, and took advantage of her relationship with Miami’s City Theatre, which is well-known for their short play roster. Each play McDonald chose has its own world and reality, with characters and situations that not only surprise but are highly entertaining.
“The concept of SAST is good writers, good actors, good directors,” she said. “I wanted new things by published writers. And we found them, for sure…David Ives is always good, and Laurie Allen. It’s hard to pick favorites -- they’re all terrific.”
Once again the entire McDonald theatrical clan – Mimi, husband Gary, daughter Amber, and son Jack – will be behind the scenes directing the various plays and creating the clever sets. They’ll be joined by Key West photographer/playwright Mike Marrero.
“Our kids have grown up in the theater,” McDonald said, “and it’s nice to have the youthful perspective on these particular plays. And Mike’s got a real sense of humor too. The audiences are going to be laughing a lot.”
It’s a rich veteran cast of solid Key West favorites they’ll be directing: Susannah Wells, Erin McKenna, Arthur Crocker, Cassidy Timms, Jeremy Zoma, and Iain Wilcox. Expect them to be pushing the envelope far into the parallel universes.
Tickets for “Short Attention Span Theatre: Parallel Universes” are available at redbarntheatre.com or by calling the Red Barn box office at 305-296-9911. Ticketholders for the Opening Night performance on April 7 will be invited to join the cast and crew for a catered Opening Night Reception in the Zabar Courtyard, catered by Michelle Chennault.
The show is sponsored by Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry of the Keys, Design Group Key West, and by grants from Culture Builds Florida, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
KEYS WEEKLY Theater Review: The Code
Theater Review: The Code
RED BARN SHOW RECALLS TINSELTOWN’S TARNISH
by Amy Patton | March 14, 2023
Read Review
KONK Life Theater Review: The Code
The Red Barn Theater’s newest show this season, The Code, let’s viewers into a pensive experience with its characters in order to contemplate society, change, and the price of being true to oneself. In the theater, the audience is taken back in time to 1950s Hollywood, where the glamorous were coming face-to-face with the tensions of blacklisting.
Theater Review: The Code
by Emily Weekley | March 9, 2023
The Red Barn Theater’s newest show this season, The Code, let’s viewers into a pensive experience with its characters in order to contemplate society, change, and the price of being true to oneself. In the theater, the audience is taken back in time to 1950s Hollywood, where the glamorous were coming face-to-face with the tensions of blacklisting.
Written by Michael McKeever and directed by Christopher Renshaw, The Code references the Hays Code that set moral guidelines on the film industry from 1938 until the late 1960s. The play itself takes place over one intimate evening in 1950 at a cocktail party in the fashionable home of Billy Haines, played by Tom Wahl. The events of the evening serve as a microcosm of the ripple effects of a government’s interference with identity. Tallulah Bankhead is brought to life in all her outspoken glory by Mary Falconer, as she and Haines illustrate the importance of honest, true friendship as they await the arrival of another guest.
Haines is attempting to live a life true to his sexual identity in a time that, as Bankhead tells the audience, wasn’t kind to homosexuality. Henry Wilson, played by David Black, is a foil to Haines, representing the acceptance of a stifling and sometimes violent and abusive culture. Wilson is intense and stiff, and Black inhabits the role in such a way as to make the audience appalled by a way of life common to the era and despicable to confront. Haines is, on the other hand, inspiring and steadfast, and Wahl balances the authority, modesty, and sensitivity of the character well. This all unfolds as the impressionable young Chad Manford, played by Carlos Ortega Amorin, observes the two paths from which he can choose to follow, represented by Wilson and Haines. Manford is confused, impressionable, and thinks he is on the cusp of realizing an impossible dream.
The stage evokes immediate nostalgia for the period, its black-and-white checkered floors, black walls, white lamps and frames, glass bar cart, and white, fur-covered settee. This color palette is cut only by the striking red of roses and the dress worn by Bankhead and designed by Gary R. Marion. As the rest of the cast dons black, white, and grey, the set becomes a metaphor for the false dichotomy that the enforcement of the moral codes of the era was.
As a viewer, the venue and all of the elements of the play come together to make you feel as if you are really at this intimate gathering, which can at once be uncomfortable and delightful. While moments of the plot are disheartening, the show’s message is unavoidably hopeful: people like Haines were living a life that would one day, perhaps the day you will walk into when you exit the theater after the play, become a story that may inspire real, permanent change.
The Code runs March 7th – 25th at the Red Barn Theater at 319 Duval Street (in back). You can get your tickets at redbarntheatre.com or by calling the box office, open from 3:00–5:00p.m. on weekdays, at 305-296-9911.
RED BARN BRINGS OLD HOLLYWOOD BACK WITH MICHAEL MCKEEVER’S NEWEST, “THE CODE”
It’s true: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or, since we’re in today’s Florida, it might be more relevant to say that no matter the strides we’ve made over the years, there’s always someone who sees the old ways as preferable.
PRESS RELEASE
For further information, call: Bob Bowersox at 302-540-6102
For Immediate Release
Photo by: Roberta DePiero
Actors: (l to r) Tom Wahl, Mary Falconer, David Black, Carlos Ortega Amorin
It’s true: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or, since we’re in today’s Florida, it might be more relevant to say that no matter the strides we’ve made over the years, there’s always someone who sees the old ways as preferable.
While playwright Michael McKeever may not have set out to write a play that resonates so vibrantly with what many in our community are struggling against today, his latest play, “The Code”, running March 7-25 at Key West’s Red Barn Theatre, does just that. Written about Hollywood in the 1950’s, it is most certainly germane to the LGBTQ issues that have arisen in today’s Southernmost State.
The play is set in the stylish home of Billy Haines, an actual silent film megastar who left the film business for personal reasons that become apparent as the story unfolds. Haines, now a successful interior designer, has invited a few friends for cocktails before they head out to a dinner party at famed director George Cukor’s house. Those friends include the glamorous and unfiltered film star Tallulah Bankhead; the oily and unpleasant agent, Henry Willson; and Willson’s latest find (and love interest) – aspiring young actor Chad Manford.
As the evening unfolds, it becomes clear that the “Code” which quickly dominates the conversation refers to the surreptitious rules that Hollywood has imposed to govern the way anyone LBGTQ has to behave in order to have a career and hope to succeed in Tinseltown. It’s a 1950’s version of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” seasoned with some “never admit” and a lot of “deny who you are and live a lie or go home”. To be gay in an industry policed by the Legion of Decency, the Hayes Code, and the House Un-American Activities Committee can not only get you labeled a deviant and a subversive, but it’s without doubt a death knell for a career on the silver screen.
McKeever’s skill with witty, very funny banter mixes perfectly with his ability to take a look at history from a different perspective. He channels Bankhead’s famous cutting wit, and nails the blackhearted Svengali a compromised agent can be. The play elicits its full share of laugh-out-loud moments in the way it looks at Old Hollywood and it’s foibles, but in the era of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” and overt attempts at marginalization of the LGBTQ community, it has serious moments of resonance to modern times that cannot be missed.
The play stars South Florida favorite Tom Wahl as Haines, Key West favorites Mary Falconer as Bankhead and David Black as Willson, and showcases newcomer Carlos Ortega Amorin as Manford. It will be directed by Christopher Renshaw, the accomplished British director who helmed the World Premiere of the play last year. Renshaw has a Tony nomination and a couple of Drama Desk Awards for his play direction, and will be directing a new play based on the life of Louis Armstrong next year on Broadway. It’s a coup to have him directing here in Key West.
Tickets for “The Code” can be purchased at redbarntheatre.com or by calling the Red Barn box office at 305-296-9911. Ticketholders for Opening Night, March 7, are invited to remain after the show for the Opening Night party, where they can mingle with the cast and crew and enjoy a light nosh.
The play is sponsored in part by Royal Furniture, Design Group Key West, Culture Builds Florida, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.