Theatre Beat — “Dreamgirls,” “Spelling Bee,” “Ember” & “Broadway!” 

Christan McLaurine stole the New Tampa Players’ production of “Dreamgirls” as James “Thunder” Early. (Dreamgirls Photos by Charmaine George)

When I grew up and later lived in New York in and near Manhattan, I was fortunate to be able to see dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and although musicals may not necessarily be everyone’s cup of tea, I came to appreciate musical theatre, as well as stage comedies and dramas, and the incredibly talented people who performed in all of those shows. 

What I will admit that I never expected is that there also could possibly be so many talented people performing in local community theatre. I also have no problem admitting that I probably should have attended at least a few more local theatre performances in the years leading up to the opening last year of the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. 

So, Jannah and I have kind of gone on to sit in the audience of several shows since I was a bit player in the New Tampa Players (NTP)’s opening performance at NTPAC of “Grease.” We were in the audience for the fun and adorable “Shrek the Musical,” but we didn’t stop there. Here is a rundown of the other shows that we either recently saw or plan to see in the coming weeks…and I think you should, too. 

“Dreamgirls” 
The “Dreamgirls” were (l.-r.) Patty Smithey as Lorrell Robinson, NaTasha McKenzie as Effie White & Caron Davis as Deena Jones.

The first stop on our post-”Shrek” theatre journey was the New Tampa Players’ production of “Dreamgirls” at the NTPAC. Like “Grease” and “Shrek,” this award-winning Broadway hit that also spawned a successful movie, also ran for two weekends and six performances and the entire second weekend of the show’s run was fully sold out, while the first weekend had probably fewer than 20 total unsold tickets. 

And, for good reason. While NTP’s “Dreamgirls” couldn’t possibly match the Broadway talent or the voices in the film starring “American Idol” winner Jennifer Hudson, the cast and show were nonetheless super-impressive and talented, especially for community theatre. 

And, although the women who portrayed the Dreams singing group — NaTasha McKenzie as Effie White, 

Caron Davis as Deena Jones and especially, Patty Smithey as Lorrell Robinson — were all excellent singers, dancers and actors, for our money, the dynamically talented Christan McLaurine as James “Thunder” Early stole the show. 

Up next for the Players are auditions for “Singin’ in the Rain,” the song-&-dance musical based on the classic 1952 film starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. The show runs July 19-28 at NTPAC. 

The show combines the talents of director Nora Paine, musical director G. Frank Meekins and choreographer Sarah Walston, the trio who also led the production of “Grease.” 

If you know any talented male or female singers and tap dancers, auditions for “Singin’ in the Rain” will be held in April. Look to these pages for additional information or visit NewTampaPlayers.org. 

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” 
(L.-r.) Richard Brown (William Barfee), Gabrielle Ray (Olive Ostrovsky), Chris Cordero (Chip Tolentino), Jillian Koehn (Marcy Park), Taylor Skolnick (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre) & Dylan Fidler (Leaf Coneybear) made MAD Theatre of Tampa’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” a blast from beginning to end. (Photo provided by Mad Theatre)

If you were looking for a fun, hysterically funny and light-hearted musical theatre experience, I hope you got to check out MAD Theatre of Tampa’s “Spelling Bee” at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. This tiny playhouse was the perfect setting for this Spelling Bee, which was chock full of amazing, talented characters, including Chris Cordero and Dylan Fidler, who played the title roles in NTP’s “Shrek” and “Grease” (Danny Zuko), respectively. 

But, it wasn’t just the six young actors portraying the pubescent spellers who gave amazing performances. The entire cast, led by director Casey Vaughn, music director Megan Zeitler and choreographer Evan Lomba (who played Donkey in NTP’s “Shrek”) all deserve big kudos for a show that truly was a laugh riot. 

Up next for MAD Theatre, which is celebrating 25 years as a performance troupe, are performances of “Urinetown The Musical,” with performances June 14-30, also at the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center. 

For tickets and more information, visit MadTheatre.com.

“Ember: A New Musical” 

One show that I have no idea what my expectations are or should be is the World Premiere of “Ember: A New Musical,” written by Kyle Griffin Fisher, the young man who gave local audiences memorable performances as Kenickie in NTP’s “Grease” and the hysterical Lord Farquaad in NTP’s “Shrek The Musical.” 

According to Kyle’s Facebook page: 

“Discover the dark allure of desires in ‘Ember,’ a spellbinding musical that explores the boundaries between dreams and damnation. In a world where the mundane meets the magical, farm boy ‘Guy’ yearns for adventure. When the enigmatic demon ‘Sequins’ offers to fulfill his deepest desires in exchange for his soul, Guy plunges headfirst into a Faustian bargain. 

“‘Ember’ is a captivating journey of redemption and unexpected alliances. Can a demon, driven by ambition, rediscover forgotten compassion and love? Will Guy, armed with newfound powers and a heart full of hope, conquer the challenges laid before him? In ‘Ember,’ the stakes are high, the magic is potent, and the battle for the soul takes center stage.” 

In addition to Fisher, the “Ember” cast features fellow NTP performers Dylan Fidler, Makayla Raines, Heather Rich, Kristin Nelson, Zachary Smith, Tripp Peavyhouse and Zane Sarsour. 

Although “Ember” is not an NTP production, all performances will be at NTP’s Uptown Stage in University Mall. This production is recommend for audience members ages 14 and up due to adult language and situations. 

Performance Dates: Saturday, March 2, 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 3, 1 p.m. For tickets & more info, visit NewTampaPlayers.thundertix.com. 

“Broadway Through The Decades: Contemporary Era” 

The Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG) presents Part 2 of its Broadway musical revue series. The show will feature songs from popular musicals of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s performed in a cabaret-style show. WCTG has teamed up with the Zephyrhills Lions Club to bring new entertainment to the Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel areas. 

Proceeds from the show will go to help WCTG continue to produce performing arts for our community and to the Zephyrhills Lions Club’s sight program. 

“Broadway Through The Decades” will be performed Sat., Mar. 9, 7 p.m., and Sun., Mar. 10, 2 p.m. The Sat. show includes dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the Sun. matinee includes coffee and dessert at intermission. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the Zephyrhills Lions Club (5827 Dean Dairy Rd.) or at WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org.

Massive Two Rivers Development Taking Shape 

 Is The Two Rivers Development Expanding Both Wesley Chapel & New Tampa To East Of Morris Bridge Rd.? 

Research by Joel Provenzano 

This map of Two Rivers shows the portions that are currently under development, as well as the future plans in both Hillsborough & Pasco counties. (Two Rivers map modified by NN) 

 If you haven’t taken a ride on S.R. 56 eastbound past Morris Bridge Rd. recently, I believe you probably should do so. 

While Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents online complain about how every remaining shred of land in our communities is being developed, adding to our ever-increasing traffic at the expense of open space and a more pastoral way of life, it seems that others outside of any known boundary of Wesley Chapel (as I presented in our Oct. 3 issue) are now creating new communities that may ultimately finally move what even I call Wesley Chapel (and, to a lesser extent, New Tampa) well to the east, too. 

Before the creation of the huge 6,000-acre Two Rivers Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD), the only community in Zephyrhills that pretty much anyone would confuse with being Wesley Chapel-like was Lake Bernadette, which has fewer than 1,000 total households with entrances on both Eiland Blvd. and S.R. 54, all in zip code 33541. 

But, it seems that you could fit all of Lake Bernadette inside Two Rivers, which is being developed by Eisenhower Property Group, due east of Morris Bridge Rd. in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In fact, Two Rivers is actually larger than the 5,000-acre Wiregrass Ranch development to its west. 

And, like Lake Bernadette, the zip code for the Pasco portions of Two Rivers that began being developed in December of 2023 is 33541. That means that if I decide to start mailing the Neighborhood News there, I will be expanding our all-direct-mail distribution east of Wesley Chapel for the first time. 

More About Two Rivers 

Although I had heard of Two Rivers before now, I didn’t really take notice of it until I saw a billboard on S.R. 54 near mine and Jannah’s apartment (which has a Land O’Lakes address) that proclaimed Two Rivers as a “New Community — Wesley Chapel.” What? Did I somehow miss that Two Rivers was actually west of Morris Bridge Rd.? 

The answer is a resounding “No,” but the community is being marketed as basically an extension of Wesley Chapel — and who could blame the developer or the home builders? 

According to its promotional materials, Two Rivers is “near Wesley Chapel” and will “give residents a best-of-both-worlds living experience.” Two Rivers will feature more than 7,500 planned residential homes, townhomes, apartments and villas: “Those who make their home here will enjoy access to clubhouses, pools, parks, trails, sports courts and shared green spaces…and plans include K-12 schools, as well as retail space, future options for dining, cafés, groceries and beauty services, fitness and more.” 

One of the first two villages already selling homes in Two Rivers is Childers by Lennar Homes, with “447 total homesites, about 100 sold and 65 closed or moved into,” according to new home consultant Brooke Politano. Homes in Childers start in the mid-$300,000s. 

The other village now selling is Northwater by D.R. Horton, with 360 total homes, also starting in the mid $300s, with about 30 homes already with residents. Both subdivisions are north of S.R. 56. 

When Wayne Thomas purchased the first portion of the Two Rivers Ranch in the 1930s, he couldn’t possibly have known that his cattle ranch would expand to more that 17,000 acres stretching from northeast Hillsborough through Pasco and even reaching to Hernando counties. 

A little more than 500 acres of that property was located in Crystal Springs, sort of between Thonotosassa and Zephyrhills and which today is home to Poland Springs waters, the large company now bottling and selling Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water. 

But, the Thomas family has been good stewards of their land since before World War II, so much so that in 2014, Two Rivers Ranch was honored as one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners. The award, which is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, is presented to farmers and ranchers “who work hard to protect America’s natural resources.” 

Two Rivers Ranch began as a cow/ calf operation that has now been owned and managed by Robert Thomas’ family for more than 90 years. 

“The Hillsborough River supplies approximately 90 percent of the city of Tampa’s drinking water, so it’s very important for the city,” said Wayne Thomas, Executive Vice President, Two Rivers Ranch, and himself a fourth-generation cattle rancher. 

“We have a very high profile here as a result of the importance of our natural resource,” added his father Robert Thomas, who is the CEO of Two Rivers Ranch. 

The ranch was honored with the ESAP award for its proven land management techniques to enhance their operation. “The Thomas family keeps their herd size limited so as not to negatively impact wetlands, water quality of the adjacent river bodies, native vegetation or wildlife populations,” was part of the reason the family received the award. 

Today, as explained on this issue’s front page, the Thomas family is no allowing Two Rivers to be developed as another huge Master Planned Unit Development, but which promises to have more than 3,000 acres of wooded landscapes, with lots of open space, parks, walking trails, dog parks, passive parks, court and lawn space and more. 

Two Rivers Today & Tomorrow 
The largest homes currently available in Two Rivers are the Trenton model from Lennar Homes (left) in the Childers community and (right) the Hayden model from D.R. Homes in the Northwater village. (Photos taken from Lennar.com & from DRHorton.com) 

Also expected to be part of the Pasco portion of Two Rivers is a central health, wellness and dining club for residents. This facility will include tennis, pickleball, pools, playgrounds, various interior and exterior gathering spaces and a bar and restaurant. There also is a planned regional district park as well as shopping, dining and office spaces planned. 

At Northwater village, D.R. Horton’s smallest home is the 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Allex II model, with 1,560 sq. ft. of living area, starting at around $344K. The largest is the 5-bedroom, 3-bath Hayden model with 2,605 sq. ft. of living area, starting in the $424s. 

Meanwhile, in the Childers village, Lennar’s smallest home is the 3-bedroom, 2-bath Annapolis model, with 1,448 sq. ft. of living space starting at around $329K. The largest is the Trenton model, with 6 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3,326 sq. ft. of living area, starting at around $489K. 

Now that the first two villages are well under way, here are the plans for additional villages and home builders that are planned to arrive this year: 

• Tamarack Village (early 2024) – This gated village will include homes by Park Square Homes and William Ryan Homes. 

• Ryals Field Village (mid-2024) – Gated village featuring Homes by WestBay. 

• Delyle Village (mid-2024) – Offering Pulte homes. 

• Shortgrass Village (late 2024) – Offering M/I Homes. 

• Additional villages and phases will feature Casa Fresca, Meritage Homes and Taylor Morrison Homes. 

But Wait, There’s More! 

As we also mentioned on pg. 1, Two Rivers also is planned to expand into Hillsborough County by sometime next year. 

The first new section to be built across Morris Bridge Rd. from New Tampa is Flatwoods, described in Two Rivers’ marketing materials as, “Our luxury section (that) will be home to Flatwoods Golf & Country Club. This community will feature a private country club with a spa, recreational amenities and an 18-hole golf course. The course, designed by renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay-Kidd of DMK Golf Design, is estimated to be completed in 2025. DMK Golf has designed several very prestigious resort and private golf courses in the world, including The Castle Course at St. Andrews Links in Scotland, and Nanea Golf Club in Kailua Kona, HI. 

Some Transportation Info 

Although Two Rivers’ Flatwoods village will be set back quite a bit from both Morris Bridge Rd. in New Tampa and U.S. Hwy. 301 in Thonotosassa, according to plans filed with Hillsborough County, there will be another future connection from Two Rivers to Morris Bridge Rd, which will be located basically on the county line, adjacent to a TECO-owned power substation and aligned with Camerton Rd. on the west side. 

There currently are plans for three future traffic signals along S.R. 56, all of which the developer will pay for and construct (under permit) when warrants are met. The locations will be for the intersections with Two Rivers Blvd., Widewater Way, and Lodge Grass Blvd., all where the existing full median openings are currently located. A fourth signal along S.R. 56 might be considered between Lodge Grass Blvd. and U.S. 301 (also a full median opening), depending upon the amount of traffic that portion of the development, which will be commercial, might generate. 

In addition, there also will be a connection to U.S. 301 in Hillsborough, which also will be signalized by full build-out. Two more signals for U.S. 301, at Lodge Grass Blvd., and Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave., also are planned. The right-of-way along Morris Bridge Rd. is now 80’ but the MPUD conditions for Two Rivers requires the family to convey a 44’ wide strip of its property over to the county. 

The River Landing development on S.R. 56 west of Morris Bridge Rd. also was required to provide a similar strip, which will allow for the potential widening of Morris Bridge Rd. to four lanes in the future. 

In addition to the signals, the county also will require Two Rivers to construct left and right turn lanes along Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave. The only other entrance/exit along Morris Bridge Rd. for Two Rivers will be a gated emergency-only access near the southern part of the development. 

This will bring the grand total of traffic signals for Two Rivers to potentially eight: four on S.R. 56, two on Morris Bridge Rd. and two on U.S. 301, subject to meeting warrants and final approval by the transportation departments of the local and state governments. 

SOHO Wellness Med Spa Brings A South Tampa Experience To Wesley Chapel 

Becky (left) and her mother Debbie Dubikas are the owners of two SOHO Med Spas, including the location in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Long-time former aesthetician Becky Dubikas and her mom, certified hypnotherapist Debbie Dubikas, came up with the idea to collaborate and open a business together in 2014, providing their services to clients in South Tampa at their SOHO Wellness Med Spa on S. Blvd. 

Over the past nine years, they have added services and considered how to make the experience of visiting SOHO Wellness Med Spa more relaxing and sensual as they offer personalized treatments in cosmetics (also known as cosmetic services) for skin and for body. 

Becky and Debbie have lovingly built up their business — even as they have stepped away from providing services at their med spa themselves — so much that they knew they needed to open a second location to keep up with demand. 

They chose Wesley Chapel, opening a new med spa this past May in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off of S.R. 56, between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

They named their med spa SOHO, for the “South Howard” (Ave.) area of Tampa, a part of the Hyde Park neighborhood that is home to the pair’s original location. Becky and Debbie recognized that areas of large cities also called SOHO are often the most high-end areas of those cities throughout the world, and Becky and Debbie want their clients to know that SOHO Med Spa is a high-quality boutique spa that brings an abundance of services together. 

What started as a mother and daughter merging their specialties together has evolved into a relaxing, luxurious med spa that has any service you need in skin care, cosmetics and body treatments all under one roof. 

“Today we offer a wide range of services from each category,” says Becky, “From injections and Botox to cosmetic machines, body treatments such as wraps and scrubs and basic facials to dermaplaning, microneedling, and peels — even laser hair removal.” 

Becky says clients love that the place they go to get their monthly massage also can be the place they get a facial or even Botox or facial fillers. 

Laser hair removal with the Soprano ICE Platinum machine by Alma is quick and painless.

She says laser hair removal is a new service being rolled out at both locations. Debbie and Becky have held off on offering the service as they were evaluating the very large number of machines available on the market to ensure they chose the very best one for their clients — the Soprano ICE Platinum by Alma. 

“The machine is awesome,” Becky says. “It’s absolutely painless and we’re excited to launch it in both locations.” 

Becky says the Wesley Chapel location of SOHO Wellness Med Spa was designed to create a clean, modern space that is relaxing and calming, while their South Tampa location is a little more “homey.” 

Both locations feature a relaxation lounge, showers and an infrared sauna. Anyone taking advantage of the spa’s packages can use the relaxation lounge to wait between services. 

Anytime a client is scheduled for more than one service, they are given a robe so they don’t have to get dressed and undressed as they move from room to room. 

Use of the infrared sauna is complimentary with the purchase of spa services, along with extras such as champagne, wine or a mimosa, hot tea or coffee, and snacks. 

Amazing Reviews… 

Becky also says the Wesley Chapel location is growing and getting busier, and that people have had wonderful things to say about it when they come in. 

In fact, every Google review posted for SOHO Wellness Wesley Chapel so far has been five out of five stars. 

“I went in for a glow facial, infrared sauna and therapeutic massage and had the most relaxing experience,” says Emmalee Gregory in her Google review. “The spa was beautiful and decorated to perfection. The girls at SOHO all had a great attitude and I can’t wait to go back!” 

A review from Darieliz Lopez echoes Emmalee’s compliments. 

“This new location is so beautiful and I absolutely loved my experience,” Darieliz says. “The front desk staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home before my services. My aesthetician and massage therapist were so sweet and very knowledgeable, too. I can’t wait to book again!” 

Lip fillers are a popular service at the Wesley Chapel location of the SOHO Wellness Med Spa 
(Photo from SOHO-Wellness.com). 

Becky wants everyone who walks through the doors to feel comfortable and have as wonderful an experience as Emmalee and Darieliz did. 

“We want to provide people in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area with excellent services so they will hopefully find their home with us,” Becky says. 

She describes SOHO Wellness as “kind of an oasis of wellness where cosmetics and relaxation combine.” She believes so strongly in this idea that she and her mom made “Where Cosmetics and Relaxation Combine” their tagline for the spa. 

Becky explains that means your cosmetic procedures are provided as part of a spa experience. You won’t be rushed in and out for a 15-minute appointment like you might be at a clinical facility such as a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office. 

All medical procedures are performed by a nurse practitioner and overseen by medical director Joseph Castellano, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon who also has his own practice in Tampa. 

If you have questions about the wide variety of services, discounts and specials, or how to address a specific skin, cosmetic, or body issue, the friendly staff at SOHO Wellness Med Spa is happy to take your phone call and discuss the many options available. 

Every service starts with a consultation to make sure the staff understands each client’s goals and is ready to meet his or her expectations. 

There also is a variety of packages that are designed to help clients save money, or you can “buy and bank” services, such as purchasing a package of five services, for example, and get one free. 

Appointments can be made quickly and easily online at SOHO-wellness.com. Also, be sure to check the website for specials, which change every month. 

For those who read this article, Becky and Debbie are offering a new client special of $10 off any service at the Wesley Chapel location if you mention that you saw this story in the Neighborhood News. 

To make an appointment or for more information about SOHO Wellness Med Spa’s Wesley Chapel location (2008 Ashley Oaks Cir.)., call (813) 512-6920 or visit SOHO-wellness.com. 

Winners Grabbing “Big Game Squares” Prizes!

Since the Kansas City Chiefs won the “Big Game,” four of the six winners in our “Big Game Squares” contest have already claimed their prizes, including both of our $100 gift card winners — Carrie Frump of Easton Park, who grabbed a gift card to the historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, and Meadow Pointe resident Jim Headley (photo), who took a PopStroke gift card. 

Also already claiming their prizes are $75 winner John Sousa of Lake Jovita (who also teaches at Cypress Creek High), who is getting a $75 gift card to Bonefish Grill, and Maggie Rich of West Meadows, who is getting a $25 gift certificate to Taste of New York Pizza.

Still to claim their prizes are $75 gift card winner Pamela Smith of Meadow Pointe & $25 gift card winner Daniela Quintana of Heritage Isles. 

Thanks to all 195 people who submitted a valid entry form! Better luck next year to those who didn’t win a prize!

Gabe Hassan Passes Away After Graduating From Wharton

On the cover of our Feb. 6 New Tampa issue, we told the story of Gabriel Hassan, the Wharton High senior who received his diploma for graduating from the New Tampa high school with a 4.7 GPA on Jan. 22, despite suffering from terminal leukemia. 

It was with heavy hearts that we learned yesterday that Gabe had succumbed to his cancer a few days ago and was buried on or the day before Valentine’s Day. We also learned that his specific form of leukemia is called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, or SDS.

Out of respect to the Hassan family, we didn’t try to contact them, but we did want to at least acknowledge his tragic passing here, as well as post the story we published about him in the paper.

To help those afflicted with SDS, please search “Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Alliance” on Facebook.