AN UPDATE!

We are so excited to share some fun, creative updates about the upcoming opening of our new space! (By the way, if you didn’t hear, Dingbat is getting its own space! What?! A New space?! YAS!!!) We’ve made positive steps with the county building department in getting our theatre project’s new home approved so it’s safe and welcoming for our audiences and artists. We are still planning and looking forward to having our grand opening with our upcoming production of Dingbat’s Hercules, or, the Laborious Labors of the Artist Formerly Known as Heracles (sponsored by GulfCoast Community Foundation) on September 20, 2024. Tickets are already available for purchase, so grab yours today!

The above photo is a rendering of the ground-plan for our future “DINGBAT LOUNGE.” We will be having small performances, readings, children’s theatre performances, cabarets, pop-up events, and more in the space throughout the week following our September opening. We hope that this space becomes a safe space for local artists, arts-enthusiasts, and arts-babies to share and enjoy each others’ craft. The Lounge will be open before and after all performances and other select evenings and weekends as well. We are working toward getting our beer and wine license so we’ll be able to serve our patrons some adult beverages when the Lounge is open.

This next photo is a rendering of what we’re thinking our first production will look like in our new immersive 70-seat blackbox theatre. Dingbat’s Hercules is an original chaotic and hilarious two-person comedy the re-imagines the myth of Hercules through a modern day lens. Which means crocodile hunters, those blow-up guys outside of car dealerships, puppets, lip sync battles, and more. You’ll just have to come and see it, I guess. As we enter rehearsals for this show in the coming weeks, we are excited to take you on our journey of bringing this new work to life. We’ll be documenting the process of putting this show and this new space together, so make sure you stay tuned in to our mailing list and social media for updates.

In the meantime, the best way support Dingbat Theatre Project is always through donating. Rent is expensive, renovations are expensive, and theatre is expensive. In true Dingbat fashion, we are being sparing and thoughtful with our resources, while also trying to make the space as comfortable and welcoming as we can AND making our shows as amazing as they’ve been (and more). We’re thankful to our donors who’ve gotten us this far, and to the individuals and organizations who are donating their services to us to make this dream come true. BUT! Of course, there’s still a long way to go. Even if you aren’t in a place to give financially, you can always help us out by sharing our donate link on social media or pointing us in the direction of people or organizations who would be interested in sponsoring us with a tax-deductible donation.

Sincerely,

​The Dingbats <3

Dingbat’s new venue is located at 7288 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231. The location is near Gulf Gate and the Stickney Point Bascule Bridge to access Siesta Key. This new central location allows Dingbat to be closer to their Sarasota/Bradenton-based and Venice/Charlotte County-based artists and patrons. Dingbat is located nearby to many restaurants including local favorites like Napulé and Mattison’s Forty-One across the street. 

We were hoping to share this exciting news earlier, but we have been patiently waiting for permits and other boring stuff to go through. Because of this, our production of Hercules is being rescheduled. Dingbat’s Hercules, a world-premiere two-person quick-change comedy, originally set to perform early this summer, will instead perform September 20-October 6, 2024 and will be the first production in Dingbat’s new space. Hercules will be followed by Dingbat’s 5th Anniversary Season with productions and events showing at the theatre November 2024 through June 2025. The season will be announced later this summer. Hercules ticketholders and subscribers will be contacted this week to get their tickets re-assigned to the new dates. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to see a story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery-all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts. Thank you."
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We are THRILLED to announce the incredibly multi-talented cast and production of our upcoming production of Chicago. More information on venue and ticket sales to come in the next week. Don't miss this amazing group this summer!

Tahlia Chinault ... Roxie Hart
Amanda Heisey ... Velma Kelly
Brian F. Finnerty ... Billy Flynn
Luke Manual ... Matron "Mama" Morton
Kelly Leissler ... Amos Hart
Cory L Woomert ... Mary Sunshine
Colleen Sudduth Buchmeier ... June / Ensemble / Billy Flynn (u/s)
Keely Karalis ... Hunyak / Ensemble
Amanda Lade ... Mona / Go-to-Hell Kitty / Ensemble / Velma & Roxie (u/s)
Sarah Johnson ... Annie / Ensemble
Andrea Keddell ... Liz / Ensemble
Hunter Day ... Ensemble
Casey Kelley ... Ensemble
Debbi White ... Mama & Mary (u/s)
Laura Grieme ... Swing

Gretchen Beaumier ... Technical Director / Scenic Design / Production SM
Andrea Michelle Downard ... Vocal Captain
Brian F. Finnerty ... Director / Choreographer / Costume Design
Keely Karalis ... Dance Captain
Michelle Kasanofsky ... Music Director
Lexi Lowther ... Asst. Director
Luke Manual ... Director / Scenic Design
Alisha Tyler-Lohr ... Asst. Choreographer
Darah Woomert ... Dramaturg
Ethan Vail ... Lighting Designer

Auditions: 04.20.2023 (deadline)
Callbacks: 04.22.2023
First Rehearsal: 05.30.2023
Opening Night: 07.12.2023
Final Performance: 07.30.2023
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Director: Brian F. Finnerty and Luke Manual McFatrich
Production Stage Manager/Technical Director: Gretchen Beaumier
Music Director: Michelle Kasanofsky
Choreographer: Brian F. Finnerty
Asst. Choreographer: Alisha Vail
Dramaturgy: Darah Woomert

Dingbat Theatre Project is seeking non-union performers for their upcoming production of Chicago. Performers of all ages, shapes, sizes, backgrounds, gender identities, etc are encouraged to audition, but due to the content of the show must be 18 years or older by June 1, 2023 to be considered for a role.

*All performers will be paid a gas stipend for their participation in the show. Rate negotiable.

Seeking Performers to fill the following roles:
ROXIE HART
BILLY FLYNN
ENSEMBLE 1 - To play Amos Hart, a Cell Block Girl, and others.
ENSEMBLE 2 - To play a cell block girl and others.
ENSEMBLE 3 - To play a cell block girl and others.
ENSEMBLE 4 - To play a cell block girl and others.
ENSEMBLE 5 - To play a cell block girl and others.

The roles of VELMA KELLY, MATRON “MAMA” MORTON, and MARY SUNSHINE have been filled, but swings and understudies for these roles and the other roles listed above will be cast from this audition.
The majority of performers must be comfortable wearing revealing costumes, as the staging will be heavily influenced by burlesque of the time period. Security will be present at all performances to protect the actors. Due to the nature of the show and choreography, performers will be asked to fill out a form detailing their boundaries and comfortability levels regarding costumes, physical touch, communication, etc. in order to foster a safe, creative environment where everyone feels comfortable and protected.

THE AUDITION

Auditions will be accepted virtually through end of day April 20, 2023. Dance call and callbacks will be held in person in the afternoon/evening of April 22, 2023.

Please submit a video (including slate) of you performing around 32 bars of a song in the style of Chicago. Send the video as a YouTube link to [email protected] with the subject line “YOUR NAME Chicago Audition” please also attach a headshot, resume, a list of conflicts between May 30-July 30, and, if you’ve never worked with Dingbat before, a brief introduction to who you are (we want to get to know you).

We will send you confirmation of receipt within 24 hours of you sending the email. If you don’t receive a confirmation, reach out again. Those called back will be altered via phone call on Friday, April 21, 2023.

THE SHOW

Rehearsals will begin Tuesday, May 30, 2023 and will be held at Dingbat Theatre Project at 6564 Superior Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231. Rehearsals will be Sunday 2:00-5:00 and 6:00-9:00 (select weeks) and Monday-Thursday 7:00-10:00 until going into tech July 2, 2023. There will be no rehearsal on June 19 or July 4.

Performances will be Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 4:00pm. There is potential for a 1-2 week extension following July 30.

Performances and rehearsals will be held at Dingbat Theatre Project’s TBA new performance space in South Sarasota.

Check out the reviews for our sold-out re-imagining of Shrek the Musical!

SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE - https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/2021/05/08/review-dingbat-theatres-outdoor-shrek-musical-opens-sarasota/4977016001/

BROADWAY WORLD - https://www.broadwayworld.com/sarasota/article/BWW-Review-SHREK-THE-MUSICAL-at-Dingbat-Theatre-Project-is-Pure-Entertainment-20210511
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TALKIN' BROADWAY - https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/wfla/wfla539.html

SARASOTA - Dingbat Theatre Project has announced casting and production team for its upcoming production of Shrek the Musical with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire writer of Rabbit Hole and music by Jeanine Tesori composer of Fun Home and Caroline, or Change. The musical is based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture Shrek which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The film is in turn based on the children's book by William Steig.
The musical is being reimagined by Dingbat Theatre Project with a cast of eight, brand new scenic and costume designs, and new staging reminiscent of Brechtian and Theatre of the Absurd storytelling techniques. Shrek will be directed by Luke Manual McFatrich and choreographed by Brian F. Finnerty, who are also in the cast. Michelle Kasanofsky is the music director and band leader for the performances. Matt Neier is the Lighting Designer, and David Walker is the costume designer.
The production will open on May 7, 2021 and will play outdoors in the courtyard at The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime at 821 Apricot Avenue in Sarasota through May 15, 2021. Food will be available before the performances from Hamlet's Eatery food truck located in the courtyard. Tickets are available at www.dingbattheatre.org. There is an ongoing gofundme campaign to subsidize the costs of the production at https://gofund.me/d1dd5fc7.
The cast is filled with community favorites led by Cory Woomert as Shrek and Alyssa Goudy as Princess Fiona. Donkey is being played by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe alum Derric Gobourne Jr. and the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad will be portrayed by Brian F. Finnerty who also serves as choreographer for the production. Rounding out the cast are Amanda Heisey as Pinocchio, Noelia Altamirano as Mama Bear, Jamie Molina as Gingy, and Luke Manual McFatrich as the Dragon. All cast members play various other roles in the production like a variety of fairy tale creatures, Duloc Dancers, Knights, etc. Special appearances will be made by Michelle Kasanofsky as the Fairy Godmother and Judah Woomert as Farquaad's Guard and guitarist.
Shrek the Musical tells the story of a unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek.
This is Dingbat Theatre Project's second onstage venture, following December 2020's sold out run of Brian and Luke's Amazing Terrific Jaw-Dropping Fantastical Specatular Tremendous Live Holiday Jamboree, conceived and performed by Brian F. Finnerty, Luke Manual McFatrich, and Michelle Kasanofsky.
McFatrich is a staff member at Venice Theatre where he is an instructor, development staff member, and director of teen improv programming. He was the founder of The Basket Cases Theatre Company in Starkville, Mississippi, where he wrote, co-wrote, or directed original productions of The Elves and the Shoemaker, The True Adventures of the Ugly Duckling, and Frost. He was also the solo performer in a production of The Call of the Wild, which he adapted from the Jack London novel. While in the Sarasota area, he has appeared onstage in Head Over Heels and Hello, Dolly! at The Players Centre and Peter and the Starcatcher and Born Yesterday at Venice Theatre, among others.
"We are approaching Shrek as if it has never been performed before. The choice to have only eight performers is a necessary one due to the pandemic, however it has opened the doors for us to tell this story in a more meaningful way," says McFatrich. "Rather than the typical exercise in pageantry, this approach makes Shrek the Musical a human story about overcoming how society views the atypical, celebrating yourself and others for who you and they are, coping with loneliness, and finding family where you least expect to. And fart jokes, there's also fart jokes, so that's fun. This show is a great opportunity for Sarasota audiences to see something completely new, unexpected, and off-the-wall exciting with an insanely multi-talented cast who play dozens of roles. It's really special and fun for the whole family."
Finnerty is the social media manager and a studio instructor at The Players Studio and The Players Centre for Performing Arts, where he directed and choreographed the critically-acclaimed productions of SHOUT! The Mod Musical, Hello, Dolly! (with co-direction from Amanda Heisey), and the area premier of Head Over Heels. Also a prolific performer in the area, he has appeared in Reefer Madness produced by Random Acts at The Starlite Room, Bubbling Brown Sugar at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Singin' in the Rain at The Players Centre, and 42nd Street and The Rocky Horror Show at Venice Theatre. Original works include Vaudeville's Dead and Christmas Belles of '45: An offensive radio play with Plump Sister Productions.
"Shrek the Musical centers itself around the relatable human experiences of prejudice, fighting insecurities and depression, finally embracing ones true self, and the search for love and acceptance. And of course, the musical delivers the witty sarcastic sass portrayed in the Dreamworks film. The story is strong, it doesn't need caricatured costumes and a cast of 30+ actors to convey what's important. There's a different appreciation that comes with viewing such a well-know fairy-tale parody in a way that actually mirrors our realities." says Finnerty. "Through this process, brilliantly envisioned by Luke, I've discovered that it's even more satisfying to grasp the hilarious story of Shrek with a cast of 8 versatile performers, swapping in and out of costume pieces, accents, intentions, and physicality. It causes everyone involved (cast, production team, and audience) to once again embrace the imagination and creativity behind the "playing pretend" we did as children. A plunger is a sword, a scooter is a horse, sock puppets are a villain's entourage. It's just so much fun. It's fresh and something this area hasn't seen before."
Dingbat Theatre Project's production of Shrek the Musical is made possible through the collaboration with The Players Centre for Performing Arts, The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, and Hamlet's Eatery.