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What's on stage this week: Hawk & Wayne does politics, Opera Tampa toasts Gilbert & Sullivan

 
Gavin Hawk plays improvises as conservative incumbent Scott Dempson in Trust Me, an \u201Coriginal immersive theater experience,\u201D held on July 20, 2018, at First Unity Spiritual Campus in St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of First Unity)
Gavin Hawk plays improvises as conservative incumbent Scott Dempson in Trust Me, an \u201Coriginal immersive theater experience,\u201D held on July 20, 2018, at First Unity Spiritual Campus in St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of First Unity)
Published July 19, 2018

OPEN SEASON: TRUST ME

Two candidates will square off Friday to debate one of the hottest topics of the political season: immigration. You can see them in action at the First Unity Spiritual Campus, where you also may spot campaign staffers, managers and the candidates' wives.

None of it, however, is real. Trust Me, an "original immersive theater experience," is the brainchild of four local actors and directors who "sat around a table and said, 'What would excite us?'?"

First Unity creative director Becca McCoy gathered three other longtime actors — Angela Bond, Vickie Daignault and Jan Neuberger — plus the improv duo Hawk & Wayne. Gavin Hawk, left, will play Scott Dempson, the conservative incumbent, while Ricky Wayne, right, will play progressive challenger Patrick Matheson. The creative team created scandals for each that show that their personal lives do not match their public statements. The audience may mingle with actors and improv students playing campaign aides at a pre-debate "cocktail reception," or question them at the debate. What happens apart from that is anyone's guess.

"We have created the concept and highlighted plot points," McCoy said. "But the actual content will be improvised that night." 7 p.m. 460 46th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $25. (727) 527-2222. firstunity.org.

OPERA TAMPA: GILBERT & SULLIVAN

Opera Tampa's stalwarts combine for a toast to W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, who revolutionized the operetta with a brilliantly syncopated, satirical touch. Directed by Melissa Misener, the evening's selections include Trial by Jury, a spoof on legal parlance that launched their careers; HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, Ruddigore and The Pirates of Penzance.

Singers include Mario Almonte, Cody Barth, Kristi Beinhauer, Jordan Campbell, Todd Donovan, Luis González, Meghan Hone, Jenny Kim-Godfrey, Christopher Longo, Jonatan Rodriguez, Vanessa Rodriquez, Melody Joy Rubin, Nicole Stickeler, Sean Christopher Stork, Ashly Thomas and Timothy Wilt. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and July 28, and 3 p.m. July 29, at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Jaeb Theater, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. $25. (813) 229-7827. strazcenter.org.

LAST CHANCE: SPRING AWAKENING

The Eight O'Clock Theatre's production of Spring Awakening is generating some buzz. More than 90 auditioned for 17 roles in Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's alt folk-rock musical, which explores themes of sexuality and despair in grippingly realistic, sometimes dark terms. The show closes out its run this weekend. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo. $28.50. (727) 587-6793.
largoarts.com/ticket.php.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: PROJECTFREE

After four years, Gulfport's ProjectFree Gallery, the home base of RisingStarz Theater Group and the Free2Rock Band academy, is moving. And they can use some bodies.

By moving from 2825 Beach Blvd. to a former warehouse at 2026 51st St. S, the program hopes to increase enrollment and expand services for young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, ProjectFree co-founder Sharon Vanderlinde said. In the meantime, RisingStarz is planning its performance of Guys and Dolls Sept. 14 to 16 at the Catherine Hickman Theater. Contact Vanderlinde at sharonprojectfree@gmail.com.