- December 26, 2024
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Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast; Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, and Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, stars as Ellie Turner, alongside Crosby Adams, who stars as Dr. Scott Williams. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach, stars as Dr. Scott Williams. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Larry Schnabel, of Palm Coast, stars as Mr. Manicotti. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Shirey Brown and Dominique Tate, who plays Ellie Turner's best friend Myrna. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dominique Tate plays Ellie Turner's best friend Myrna. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Riley Barnes, of Daytona Beach, stars as Mike, alongside Kirsten Lindemulder, of Orlando, as Sophie, and Riley Sparks, of Palm Coast, as Jimmy. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast; Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, and Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast, stars as Lena Turner. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, stars as Ellie Turner. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Arlene McManus, of Palm Coast; Shirey Brown, of New Smyrna Beach, and Crosby Adams, of New Smyrna Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Riley Barnes, of Daytona Beach; Kirsten Lindemulder, of Orlando; and Riley Sparks, of Palm Coast. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Crosby Adams and Shirey Brown play lovebirds Dr. Scott Williams and Ellie Turner. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Crosby Adams and Shirey Brown play lovebirds Dr. Scott Williams and Ellie Turner. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dominique Tate, as Myrna, and Shirey Brown, as Ellie Turner. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Shirey Brown, as Ellie Turner, and Crosby Adams, as Dr. Scott Williams. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dominque Tate and Shirey Brown. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Kristen Lindemulder, of Orlando, plays the part of the Time Dancer. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Riley Sparks, of Palm Coast, stars as Jimmy. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Shirey Brown, as Ellie Turner, and Dominique Tate, as Myrna. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
A new, original musical written by Volusia County residents will be gracing the Seabreeze High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 14.
The premiere of "Riding Time with No Hands" will mark the culmination of a five-year production journey. Written by composer and lyricist Mary Beth Koplin and her husband Ed Koplin, of Edgewater, the play tells the story of an aspiring songwriter named Ellie Turner, who pursues her dream while dealing with the challenges of living in a working class, steel town community.
"It's an old-fashioned story about personal heroism and being successful in the face of overwhelming odds against you," said Producer Gary Broughman, of Positively Florida Theater Company.
New Smyrna Beach resident Shirey Brown plays the lead role of Ellie Turner. Broughman said Brown was made for the role.
"It's great to watch her taking on a role that really has to carry this show," he said. "I've seen her grow as she's been doing it."
The show, inspired by a true story, is composed of a cast of 18 — professional actors, community theater veterans and a couple Seabreeze High School students. The cast has been rehearsing since April, meeting four nights a week.
Director Harriet Winokur, of New Smyrna Beach, said it's exciting to finally be able to premiere the show, which she believes has the potential to be shown in other theaters in the future.
The music is outstanding, Winokur said. Her favorite number is "Treasure Hunting," and it's one that may bring some members of the audience to tears, she said.
"It's a story about memories, about when your children grow up, or your family grows up and leaves," Winokur said. "... The first time two of the cast members heard it, they cried."
The show features 19 original songs in the pop and soft jazz genres. The musical director is Leigh Ann Singleton, and Tosha Williams of the Orbit Academy in Port Orange choreographed the show.
"Riding Time with No Hands" was originally supposed to premiere at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, but due to the fire that occurred less than a month after its reopening following a $1.7 million renovation, the show was relocated to Seabreeze's 700-person auditorium.
Positively Florida Theater company has been hosting live theater in the area since 2015. Broughman said he loves being involved with theater. To put on "Riding Time with No Hands," his arts organization launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised $10,000 in two days.
He's looking forward for audiences to finally see the show, and believes the message will resonate.
"I think the audience is going to love the show, and we hope to build audience as we as we go along," Broughman said.
