A number of new movies will hit theaters this week, including the following film opening in wide release:
Star Trek Into Darkness Genre: Science fiction Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alice Eve and Peter Weller Director: J.J. Abrams Rated: PG-13
In Summer 2013, director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness.
In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.
As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
The following will open in limited release. It may be several weeks before these films appear in local movie theaters.
33 Postcards Genre: Drama and musical Cast: Guy Pearce, Zhu Lin, Claudia Karvan, Elaine Jin, Rhys Muldoon and Lincoln Lewis Director: Pauline Chan Not rated
For 10 years Chinese orphan Mei Mei (Zhu Lin) has been supported by donations from her Australian sponsor Dean Randall (Guy Pearce) - who sends her postcards that describe his idyllic family life.
By now, this role should be second nature to Robert Downey Jr.
“Iron Man 3” - this summer’s first blockbuster - marks Downey’s fourth feature film appearance portraying the dour yet snarky Tony Stark and his formidable but dysfunctional alter ego Iron Man. Honestly, it’s a role he was born to own. One might even be tempted to think that Stark’s character development might have borrowed elements of Downey’s own personal life - but that’s impossible, since Iron Man has been around longer than the actor. Downey was born in 1965 Iron Man first appeared in “Tales of Suspense,” issue 39, in 1963.
Summer is almost here - isn’t it? Well, not according to the Gregorian calendar, which indicates the first day of summer, falls on June 21. Hollywood doesn’t pay much attention to such pesky details. As far as the film studios are concerned, summer commences in early May and coincides with the start of blockbuster season.
Last summer’s blockbuster lineup included many successful films that all paled in comparison to the box office champion, “Marvel’s The Avengers.” The film opened May 4 and earned more than $207 million on its opening weekend. Worldwide, the film went on to gross more than $1.5 billion in 2012.
Alas, there is nothing quite like “Marvel’s The Avengers” scheduled for this summer. A sequel to the film is in development, but filming isn’t expected to begin until 2014.
There are plenty of other comic book franchises out there. Last summer, Hollywood offered up “The Dark Knight Rises” and “The Amazing Spider-Man.” This summer, there will be a few heroes returning to the big screen hoping to score a blockbuster win.
American Idiot
“American Idiot,” May 17-19, in Carol Morsani Hall, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Performances are Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.strazcenter.org.
Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical “American Idiot” tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Based on Green Day's Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album and featuring the hits "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "21 Guns, "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "Holiday" and the blockbuster title track, “American Idiot” boldly takes the American musical where it's never gone before.
The production features direction by Michael Mayer, choreography by Steven Hoggett and orchestrations and arrangements by Tom Kitt. “American Idiot” contains adult content and strong language.
Bayside String Quartet
Bayside String Quartet, Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m., at Tarpon Springs Heritage Museum, 100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs. Tickets are $24 for adults and $20 for members and students. Call 942-5605 or visit www.tarponarts.org.
The Florida Orchestra’s Bayside String Quartet will perform a chamber concert. The quartet features principal players from the Florida Orchestra, including Saundra Buscemi Kitts (violin), Virginia Respess (violin), Kathie Aagaard (viola), and James Connors (violoncello).
Behind the Gates
“Behind the Gates,” by Wendy Graf, presented by Jobsite Theater, May 1-26, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Call 813-229-7827 or visit www.jobsitetheater.org. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Sunday, 4 p.m. Tickets are $28.
Blast Off exhibit Blast Off, Sept. 7 through Aug. 17, 2013, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. One of four exhibits designed to present an array of work gathered to reflect a broad, though singular theme, in Blast Off: The Final Frontier, the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum casts its gaze to the stars with a trip to outer-space for the entire family. An exhibit of work from DFAC Summer Camp artists shares the same name, but occupies its own space in the Kokolakis Family Youth Gallery. DFAC galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery admission is free. DLM Children’s Art Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for DFAC members and children 2 and younger. Call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits
“Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits,” created and written by Gerard Alessandrini, May 3-19, presented by Eight O’Clock Theatre, at Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. Performances are Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets are $25.50 for adults and $12.50 for children 19 and younger. Call 587-6793.
John & Jen
“John & Jen,” by Tom Greenwald and Andrew Lippa, May 3-26, at freeFall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Call 498-5205 or visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Performances are Thursday, 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets are $37 for adults and $34 for students, seniors and military members. There is a $7 surcharge for premium seating.
Pippin
“Pippin,” by Stephen Schwartz and Roger Hirson, May 9-26, at Francis Wilson Playhouse, 302 Seminole St., Clearwater. Call 446-1360 or visit www.franciswilsonplayhouse.org. Performances are generally Thursday through Saturday, 8 p.m. Matinees are Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets for nonmusicals are $21 for adults, $11 for students. Tickets for musicals are $26 for adults, $13 for students.
Sound Lives and Moves
Sound Lives and Moves, presented by The Studio Dance Company, Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m., at The Mahaffey, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg. Tickets start at $16. Call 892-5798 or visit www.themahaffey.com.
S.L.A.M showcases the talent of dancers at The Studio Dance Company. The show will feature amazing performances in hip-hop, ballet, contemporary modern, lyrical, jazz and break dancing. Attendees will experience dance at its finest. S.L.A.M also will feature performances and choreography from its ballet partner the Sarasota Ballet.
The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee
“The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee,” by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn, American Stage Theatre’s 28th annual American Stage in the Park, April 27 through May 26, with previews April 25-26.
The production will be staged at Demens Landing Park, on the corner of First Avenue North and Bayshore Boulevard Southeast in downtown St. Petersburg.
For ticket information and performance times, call 823-PLAY (7529) or visit www.americanstage.org.
Blast Off exhibit Blast Off, Sept. 7 through Aug. 17, 2013, at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin. One of four exhibits designed to present an array of work gathered to reflect a broad, though singular theme, in Blast Off: The Final Frontier, the David L. Mason Children’s Art Museum casts its gaze to the stars with a trip to outer-space for the entire family. An exhibit of work from DFAC Summer Camp artists shares the same name, but occupies its own space in the Kokolakis Family Youth Gallery. DFAC galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Gallery admission is free. DLM Children’s Art Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for DFAC members and children 2 and younger. Call 298-3322 or visit www.dfac.org.
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