‘Dreamgirls’ Tickets Are Nearly Sold Out, So Grab Yours Now! 

The New Tampa Players Production of “Dreamgirls” has only three performances left — Feb. 9-11 — at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. (Above, l.-r.) Caron Davis, Patty Smithey, & NaTasha McKenzie. (Rehearsal photos by Charmaine George)

Get ready, theatre enthusiasts! The vibrant and talented cast of the New Tampa Players’ production of “Dreamgirls” is in the middle of two weekends of an unforgettable experience, as the Players bring this iconic musical to the stage at the brand-new New Tampa Performing Arts Center (off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., behind the plaza that is home to Sprouts). 

In what promises to be a showcase of local talent, this production is set to captivate audiences with signature songs, like “Dreamgirls,” “Move” and “Hard to Say Goodbye.” 

By the time this issue hits your mailbox, “Dreamgirls” will already have completed its first weekend, with only shows on February 9-11 remaining. If you haven’t seen it as you’re reading this, hurry to NewTampaPlayers.org to get any of the very few tickets that may be left. 

Since its premiere on Broadway in 1981, “Dreamgirls” has had a revival, three US tours, an international tour, and a West End run, as well as a hugely successful movie adaptation. With the New Tampa Players’ production, the musical is receiving a fresh and dynamic interpretation under the skilled direction of Clay Christopher, who brings a unique vision to this beloved classic. The excitement is palpable as the cast and crew pour their combined passions into every rehearsal, promising a show that resonates with energy and spirit. 

“‘Dreamgirls’ is more than just a show; it is a celebration of local talent, community spirit, and the transformative power of theater,” says New Tampa Players Producing Artistic Director Nora Paine. “The echoes of the soulful melodies and poignant moments will undoubtedly linger in the hearts of the audience, showing once again that the magic of Broadway is alive and well in our own backyard.” 

Dreamgirls isn’t just a Broadway musical spectacle: the plot takes inspiration from the tumultuous rise of R&B and soul music during the 1960s and ‘70s. Written by Tom Eyen with music by Henry Krieger, the show delves into the challenges faced by a female African- American singing group, the Dreams, as they navigate the cutthroat world of the music industry. 

The musical’s portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of the Dreams mirrors the real-life stories of several iconic R&B groups, including The Supremes and The Shirelles. The show deals with themes of ambition, betrayal and the cost of success while shedding light on the challenges faced by artists, particularly women of color, in an industry that often prioritized image over talent. 

Don’t miss your chance to see the magic unfold on the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.) stage. Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or a first-time attendee, this community production of Dreamgirls promises an evening of entertainment, inspiration, and incredible talent. Get your tickets now at NewTampaPlayers.org. 

The New Tampa Players Present “Dreamgirls”
Featured Cast 

Effie White….. NaTasha McKenzie 

Deena Jones…. Caron Davis 

Lorrell Robinson….. Patty Smithey 

James Early…… Christan McLaurine 

Curtis Taylor…. Eric Erte Stillings 

CC White… Javen Jackson 

Marty….. Yolanda Cabrera-Liggins 

Michelle Morris…. Leia Ambrister 

Tiny Joe Dixon….. Michael Dixon 

Ensemble 

LaVette Berrian 

Kieshia Clarke 

Alyson Gannon 

Angel Larrieux 

Bill Liggins 

Stephon Mikell 

Joseph Moore 

Monica Paine 

Makayla Raines 

Jamyra Rainey 

Monai Saberille 

Pavonne Scott 

Jake Veit 

Genesis Wiley 

Director: Clay Christopher 

Musical Director: G. Frank Meekins 

Choreographer: Eboni Graham 

BellaBrava Bexley Cuts A Ribbon; Has Local Connections!

Photos by Charmaine George

Although it is located ten miles west of Wesley Chapel off S.T. 54, the new BellaBrava New World Trattoria Bexley has connections to both of our distribution areas.

We’ve been visiting the newest BellaBrava location in The Hub at Bexley since it’s pre-opening last month & our most recent visit was for the restaurant’s North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon cutting on Jan 30.

All three Bella Brava locations are owned by 2B (it’s actually 2 over B but I have no idea how to write that here) Hospitality, which is led by president Thomas Sanborn. Sanborn was the original chef at Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms under then- (and long-time former) proprietor Dave Rathbun. Rathbun, who left Stonewood a few years ago, is now a manager at BellaBrava Bexley. 

In addition, Sanborn says that before finding the Bexley location, he actually negotiated with two separate locations in Wesley Chapel. 

“We looked at the space where Azteca D’Oro is now in the Shops at Wiregrass,” Sanborn says. “We also looked at the (still-open) space next to the new Cooper’s Hawk on State Road 56, but we couldn’t come to an agreement on either site, so we went with the Bexley location.” 

The 7,000-sq.-ft. BellaBrava at Bexley is an elegant restaurant with a premium full-liquor bar and is definitely worth a visit — especially if you’ve ever dined at the original BellaBrava location on Beach Dr. in downtown St. Petersburg or the recently opened Midtown Tampa restaurant. Sanborn’s 2B Hospitality also owns Stillwaters Tavern two doors down from the original BellaBrava. 

Anyway, our first couple of visits to the Bexley location have been excellent. We all agreed that our favorite dish was the hot honey pepperoni pizza (top left photo), although we also enjoyed the Bella bruschetta (top middle; which has a unique layer of goat cheese between the diced tomatoes and Jamison’s breadhouse ciabatta toast points), the bucatini with meatballs (top right), the lasagna Bolognese and the Trattoria chicken parmesan. Oh, and BellaBrava’s wine list is HUGE (and fairly priced), too! 

Photographer Charmaine George (who took all of these pictures) also gave high marks to her seafood fra diavolo (not pictured) and Italian gimlet cocktail (right). 

BellaBrava also offers wonderful-looking sandwiches, Rhode Island-style calamari fritti and a prime NY strip steak. 

Tell Sanborn, Rathbun and general manager Tina Stormer we sent you. 

BellaBrava Bexley is open every day for lunch & dinner. For info, call (813) 489- 4890 or visit BellaBravaBexley.com. 

Gary’s 2023 Favorite Mexican Restaurants In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel

Every restaurant on this list has at least one Mexican dish I like, but the 2023 opening of Azteca D’Oro and its more authentic menu (with items like the chicken taquitos shown here), plus great “vibe” nudged it past Cantina, which has equally great fajitas, and Señor Tequila, which revamped its menu in 2023. 

1. Azteca D’Oro

2. Cantina Real Mexican 

3. Señor Tequila  

4. Vallarta’s Mexican Restaurant 

5. Tacos El Patron

Gary’s 2023 Favorite Bars & Taverns In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel 

No one has ever doubted that Jannah and I love to sit at the bar and enjoy a great cocktail with our meal and there are several other favorite places that didn’t make this list, including Miller’s Ale House, Carrabba’s, Bonefish, Grillsmith and Outback, but Grill at Morris Bridge gets this year’s nod for its consistency. 

1. Grill at Morris Bridge 

2. TrebleMakers 

3. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 

4. Fat Rabbit Pub 

5. Cooper’s Hawk 

6. Joe Whiskey’s

7. Via Italia 

8. The Living Room 

9. Bubba’s 33 

10. (tie) Brass Tap & Noble Crust 

Bubba’s 33 — Wesley Chapel’s Scratch Kitchen Celebrates Four Years! 

The new BBQ chicken pizza (above), the bacon cheeseburger (below left), the Super Stromboli (Below) and the Signature ribeye steak (below, Middle) at Bubba’s 33, located off S.R. 56 near I-75. 

Unlike most other local restaurants, Bubba’s 33’s menu has changed very little since it first opened on the south side of S.R. 56 (just east of I-75) in Wesley Chapel four years ago. 

“That’s an indication that our customers enjoy our food,” says managing partner (since July 2021) Joe Vergona. “And we take a lot of pride in it. Almost everything we make is from scratch.” 

Vergona says that although Bubba’s 33’s fries and pickles aren’t made from scratch, “pretty much all of our sauces are. We even make our own spice mixes.” 

Bubba’s 33, the sports bar chain created in 2013 by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor, today has 45 locations in 15 U.S. states, with Texas having 19 of those. The Wesley Chapel Bubba’s 33 was the chain’s first link in Florida. 


Try the California chicken entrée. 

Jannah and I have been Bubba’s 33 fans since the beginning, and many members of our family have their own favorites. I love both the grilled and the espresso-marinated Signature, Texas Roadhouse-quality ribeye steaks; Jannah’s favorites are the classic cheeseburger with crispy bacon (and the tasty sweet potato fries) and the California chicken (grilled chicken breast topped with avocado, pico de gallo, jack cheese and scratch-made honey lime sauce); Jannah’s daughter Lauren is partial to the creamy chipotle pasta (with shrimp and grilled chicken, roasted peppers, onions and mushrooms tossed in spicy chipotle cream sauce and topped with cilantro and parmesan); and our granddaughter Rosie is crazy for the chicken & bacon mac n’ cheese. I’m also a fan of the fried chicken dinner (although I get the scratch-made cream gravy on the side) and I recently also enjoyed the Super Stromboli (homemade pizza dough stuffed with pepperoni, Genoa salami, sweet Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, mozzarella, provolone and pizza sauce). 

Meanwhile, photographer Charmaine George sings the praises of the shotgun shrimp appetizer (“It’s just spicy enough and delicious,” she says), the new BBQ chicken pizza (with pepper jack cheese added to the usual Bubba’s 33 blend of cheeses, plus red onions, banana peppers and scratch-made honey chipotle BBQ sauce) and especially, the “Big Ol’”onion rings. 

“We think our onion rings are the best in Wesley Chapel,” Vergona says, and it’s hard to argue with him. “The crunchiness and the flavor of the batter are definitely different,” Charmaine adds. 

And, while Bubba’s 33’s hand-made pizzas can’t be called “New York style” (which is, of course, my favorite), they are super-tasty, have a crispy crust and are made with outstanding ingredients. My favorites are the meaty-meaty and the Dickie V (with Italian sausage, cherry peppers, fresh basil, grated parmesan and a zesty garlic buttered crust). 

The desserts can’t be called anything but decadent. Both the chocolate chip cookie sundae and Oreo® brownie are served with vanilla ice cream and the Bubba’s cheesecake is NY-style and offered with your choice of strawberry glaze, fudge, caramel and pecan toppings. 

About The Place 

Bubba’s 33 features high-definition TVs all around, and has an excellent drink menu with a full premium-liquor bar and imported, domestic and craft beer options at great prices, so it’s the perfect place for watching football and hockey games and we also appreciate the nonstop rock videos. 

The delicious “Big Ol’” onion rings at Bubba’s 33.

Specials include Monday Madness, when any burger on the menu is just $10.99. Mondays also are “Ditch the Digital” nights, where you get a free dessert or appetizer for keeping your phone in a sealed pizza box and playing board games throughout your meal. 

“We have lots of regulars coming in for Ditch the Digital,” Vergona says. “It’s fun!” 

Speaking of free appetizers, you also can get one (up to $8.99) with the purchase of any entrée with the ad on pg. 45 of this issue. See the ad for details and restrictions. 

Tuesday is Pizza Night, when any 12” (small) pizza is just $12.99. Tuesday also is free Music Bingo night (7 p.m.-9 p.m.). On most Wednesdays, Magic Mike (a magician, not a male dancer) performs and one kid 12 & under eats free with each paid adult meal. 

Vergona says a four-year anniversary celebration is in the works for later this month. Call or visit Bubba’s 33 for details. 

Bubba’s 33 (26340 Silver Maple Pkwy.) is open every day, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. For more info, call (813) 522-5090, visit Bubbas33.com.