Friday: Dinner & Play to Benefit Drama Students

Here's a date night option that's easy on the wallet and will help some local kids achieve their dream of competing in the prestigious Southeastern Theatre Conference.

drama students performed the one-act play, Wiley and the Hairy Man at the Florida Theatre Conference last fall. Judges were so impressed with them, they awarded the teens with top honors at the competition. This earned them a spot to represent Florida at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga this March.

Now the kids are raising $11,000 for their trip. You can see a special performance of Wiley and the Hairy Man during a fundraising event Friday Jan. 27 that will also include dinner from Corteo's Italian Restaurant and a silent auction. The evening of fun is priced at $20 per person.

Wiley and the Hairy Man is a play by Suzan Zeder about a young boy who must confront his fears to triumph over the villainous Hairy Man. Wiley discovers his own potential in the face of danger. What makes this performance so unique, is the chorus forms a "living set" of tables, chairs and fireplace that transforms into a swamp.

Advance tickets to the dinner, auction and show are $20. Contact Missy Springer for ticket information at missy@thedubefamily.com or (727) 224-1359.

Dinner will be served at the Palm Harbor University High cafeteria. The special presentation of Wiley and the Hairy Man will follow in the school's theatre.

You can also buy tickets at the door for the dinner, auction and show at the same price of $20.  If you only want to see the play, it is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 18.