'King Kong' comedy, new spin on 'Little Women' among Gainesville's January theater offerings

One big ape, four little women, bipolar rock and way too many hats.

Listen, there’s something for everyone this month in Gainesville theaters.

Here are the four plays premiering in January.

• On Jan. 19 the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre opens with “Little Women,” an adaption of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.
• Also on Jan. 19 the Star Center Theatre kicks off its production of “Crowns,” a gospel-style musical celebration of Black history and culture as reflected in…hat styles.
• On Jan. 26, the Gainesville Community Playhouse opens its production of “Kong’s Night Out,” a tour de farce improbably based on the 1933 classic film “King Kong.”
• And on the same day the Hippodrome will premier “Next To Normal,” an exploration of grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse and other modern family ills set to a rock beat.

To recap:

'Little Women'

“It’s always great to find plays that feature women actresses in strong roles. They are sometimes hard to come by,” says Andrea Young, director of the ART’s “Little Women.”

The play centers around a series of hearthside discussions among Alcott’s four main characters — Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy — as they navigate the challenges and perils of growing up in Civil War-era America.

“It’s kind of a timeless story,” Young said. “There are some very talented young actresses in this show. And because the story takes place over several years, they get to play young and old versions of themselves.”

This adaptation by Heather Chrysler, reframes “Little Women” as an examination of women’s empowerment. “It’s an old story told in a new way. You may think you know what to expect, but you’re not going to expect it.”

“Little Women” runs Jan. 19 through Feb. 4. For showtimes and ticket prices, visit acrosstown.org.

'Crowns'

The Star Center’s newest production is a gospel-themed musical about a young Black woman sent to live with her grandmother in the South after her brother is killed in Brooklyn. 

“It’s about a young woman coming into her own after a traumatic experience,” said director Kareena Wallace. “She gets support when her grandmother’s community rallies around her.”

As for the play’s title, “Crowns,” it’s not for nothing that one of the songs complains of “Too Many Hats.” The play’s emphasis on the wide variety of colorful headgear worn by the elderly ladies at church is a reflection of Black history, style and culture.

“The hats are really important because they give characters their identity. They are a bit vain and catty about their hats. It’s like finding a good pair of shoes.”

Evoking a line in the play, “Put something on your head,” Wallace said “You didn’t go to church on Sunday without a head covering.” Even today organizations like the Black Hat Divas and Red Hat Society continue the tradition of celebrating headwear.

The play runs Jan. 19-28. For showtimes and ticket information visit starcentertheatre.org.

'Kong’s Night Out'

There’s this big ape, see. And he’s minding his own business on his little island tropical paradise when a bunch of show biz wise guys show up, put the snatch on him and whisk him away to The Big Apple where they plan to get rich by making him a Broadway star.

And if you think the only noteworthy thing that happened to King Kong in New York was to meet his doom atop the Empire State Building while cradling his tiny true love in his big mitt, think again.

“This is the backstory to the movie,” said director Pat Thompson. “It’s about the conflict between King Kong’s promotor and another producer who’s trying to find out what exactly his rival is up to.”

So will the giant ape actually make an appearance in the GCP play? “Yes, but not all of him,” Thompson said. “The stage isn’t big enough.”

Thompson calls “Kong’s Night Out” a “classic farce." There are a lot of doors opening and closing. It’s a fast paced, wild ride. Some of the characters in the play were characters in the movie.

“Kong’s Night Out” runs Jan. 26 through Feb. 11. For ticket prices and showtimes visit gcplayhouse.org.

'Next to Normal'

If “Crowns” is a joyous celebration, the Hippodrome’s “Next To Normal” is a more sobering musical about a mother beset with bipolar disorder and the chaos it wreaks on her family.

“It’s about human beings struggling to find a way to survive, and doing it together,” said the play’s director, Stephanie Lynge. “One of the reasons we chose it is because, after the pandemic, a lot of people were struggling on this front.”

In bringing the “Next To Normal” to Gainesville audiences, the Hippodrome is partnering with local mental health organizations to “speak to the community about how we can help each other. There’s still a lot of stigma attached to this subject and any time we can talk about it in a positive way is good.”

But make no mistake. If the subject matter of “Next To Normal” seems unlikely entertainment fodder, Lynge insists that viewers will be pleasantly surprised by the sheer energy behind the its presentation.

“This is absolutely a rock musical,” she said. “The music is stunning and energizing and gorgeous, and it complements a more serious story. And it ends with hope, with everyone on that stage finding ways to make it work.”

For showtimes and ticket prices visit thehipp.org.