November 24 – December 24, 2023

Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play

Adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio broadcast by Lance Arthur Smith
Original songs and arrangements by Jon Lorenz

When a department store Santa claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, his case gets taken all the way to the Supreme Court, and a little girl’s belief makes all the difference. With live Foley effects and a score of beloved holiday carols, Miracle on 34th Street is a holiday classic that will melt even the most cynical of hearts.

Presented by: Clark-Schine Family Foundation in celebration of Marjorie Clark-Schine’s centennial
Community Partners: Hal Freedman & Willi Rudowsky

November 29, 2023

freeFall At The Movies: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Hosted by Matthew McGee

Catch the original 1947 movie in addition to the “Live Radio Play” adaptation at freeFall. In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain’s main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity. Also starring George Seaton, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and an 8 year old Natalie Wood!

December 7, 2023

Deejay Young: Home For The Holidays

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Fresh from the First National Tour of the hit-Broadway musical HAMILTON, and most recently part of “Team Legend” on this season of the Emmy winning series THE VOICE, Tampa native & award-winning singer/songwriter Deejay Young returns to freeFall Theatre for one night only! Join Deejay in HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS – an evening of reimagined holiday classics from his album “An Unplugged Christmas,” show tune favorites, and much more in this soulful and spirited evening of song. This musical concert is part of freeFall’s popular Tandem Series and is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

December 15, 2023

ORILLA: Holidays Around The World

Celebrate the season at freeFall Theatre with a joyful evening of holiday music with Orilla!

Orilla (O-ree-yah) is co-led by Catalan-Spanish singer/multi-instrumentalist Ona K and Colombian-American bassist Alejandro Arenas. Like the meaning of the Spanish word orilla; where the ocean meets the sand, the combination of these two accomplished musicians produces a rich musical ecosystem: Latino and European roots mix with American culture giving way to a uniquely creative multicultural sound. They captivate audiences with their warm, vibrant and expressive sound, varied repertoire, and outstanding musical skills.

Guitarist LaRue Nickelson joins Orilla for this special concert of creative interpretations of holiday music from Colombia, Spain, France, United States and more!

January 19-21, 2023

From BIRMINGHAM To BROADWAY

Tarra Conner Jones as Nell Carter

Direct from her Drama Desk Nominated performance in Off-Broadway’s WHITE GIRL IN DANGER and Westcoast Black Theatre’s ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Tarra Conner Jones brings her award winning one act portrayal of Nell Carter to freeFall Theatre in “From Birmingham To Broadway.” Written and performed by Jones, “From Birmingham To Broadway” is a snapshot of Carter’s career, demonstrating the determination this nontraditional Black woman possessed despite the odds against her. Faced with early tragedy, Carter’s refusal to give up on her dreams and her buoyant, larger-than-life onstage persona have left a lasting legacy. Highlights include a window into her work on television’s GIMME A BREAK, musical numbers from her breakout Broadway show AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, and her inspiring gospel repertoire.

February 9 – March 10, 2024

Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Additional lyrics by Dennis Green

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, pays homage to Vonnegut’s witty humor and energetic dialogue with an infectious score by the Oscar-winning team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors). Bored and unfulfilled by philanthropy, Millionaire Eliot Rosewater sets off on a journey to find his life’s purpose. This search takes him to Rosewater County, Indiana, his family’s former home, that has lost all hope. Through a series of misadventures, both Eliot and the town find themselves irrevocably changed in a musical that is both deeply funny and wildly sincere.

Show Sponsors: Gary & Linda Hansen | Betsy Schweitzer | Bill Ward
Community Partners: Rick Behnke & Robert Newell | Ralph & Joanne Contursi | Judy Heintzelman | Cherie Willard

April 12 – May 12, 2024

Nollywood Dreams

By Jocelyn Bioh

It’s the nineties in Lagos, Nigeria, and the “Nollywood” film industry is exploding as the second-highest producing film industry in the world. This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy follows the story of Ayamma, a young woman who works with her sister at their parent’s travel agency, who dreams of leaving her job and becoming a star. When she auditions for a new film by Nigeria’s hottest director, tension flares with his former leading lady, and sparks fly with Nollywood’s biggest heartthrob.

Community Partners: Hal Freedman & Willi Rudowsky | Betsy Schweitzer | Cherie Willard