Ray Hollister
With a career beginning in 1997 on the stage as Stewpot in South Pacific in the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts summer musical, Ray Hollister has since evolved into a luminary of the local theatre scene. At the helm of JaxPlays as its creator and executive director, Ray is dedicated to enriching Jacksonville’s cultural landscape through preserving the past, promoting the present and propelling the future of live theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, and its surrounding areas. Ray is also a proud member of the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association, further cementing his dedication to the art form and its critical examination.
Theatre reviews and articles by Ray Hollister
Limelight Theatre’s 'Bright Star' Is a Devastatingly Beautiful Bluegrass Musical Journey of Love and Redemption
Jason Woods Delivers Myriad Magic in 'Bing!'
In a one-night benefit performance at the Grace Darling Studio Theatre, Bing!, formerly known as The Near Disaster of Jasper and Casper will mesmerize audiences with its unique blend of fairy-tale whimsy and sharp modern humor. This solo show, masterfully written and performed by Jason Woods, is a brilliant display of theatrical craftsmanship.
'Driving Miss Daisy' at Theatre Jacksonville Captures the Timeless Journey of Dignity, Friendship, Trust and Change
Driving Miss Daisy at Theatre Jacksonville is an incredibly touching and beautiful production, effortlessly blending humor with poignancy. Set in Atlanta from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, it artfully and vividly chronicles the evolving relationship between Daisy Werthan, a headstrong Southern Jewish widow and Hoke Colburn, her patient and dignified chauffeur. As they navigate societal changes and personal growth, their deepening bond reveals layers of mutual respect and affection. Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play shines here, offering a heartfelt and profoundly moving exploration of prejudice and the transformative power of friendship.
'The Revolutionists' Is a Fierce and Funny Journey Through the French Revolution
Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists unfolds at Players by the Sea as a vibrant, audacious exploration of sisterhood, revolution and the power of storytelling. Set during the upheaval of the French Revolution, this play brings together four dynamic characters: playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, the infamous Marie Antoinette and Marianne Angelle. Marianne is a fictional embodiment of the free Black women who were vital to the revolutionary movements in Saint-Domingue, modern-day Haiti. Though their paths never crossed in reality, Gunderson brings them together in this bold, meta-theatrical drama, filled with modern language and self-referential wit. The production delves into themes of female empowerment and artistic expression, offering a fresh lens through which to view history.
'Mame In Concert' Transforms Florida Theatre with Musical Magic
A Tale of Ambition and Heartbreak: Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s 'Gypsy' Delivers a Stirring and Dynamic Performance
Amelia Community Theatre’s 'The Mousetrap' Keeps Audiences Guessing
The Mousetrap, performed at the Amelia Community Theatre, plunges its audience into a suspenseful game of cat and mouse, where every character is a suspect and every word could be a clue. Agatha Christie’s legendary play, known for its intricate plot and surprising twists, opens in the remote Monkswell Manor, where a group of strangers is snowed in during a fierce winter storm. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that one of them is not who they appear to be. Tensions rise as Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives with alarming news: a murderer is in their midst, and they must work together to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
ABET's 'Bat Boy: The Musical' is a Delightful Mix of Madness and Heart
In the eerie, backwoods town of Hope Falls, West Virginia, an unsettling discovery is made — a boy with bat-like features and feral instincts — is found in a desolate cave. ABET - All Beaches Experimental Theatre’s production of Bat Boy: The Musical confronts the tensions between humanity and monstrosity in a darkly comedic satire that examines the terrifying power of fear and ignorance.
'9 to 5' Serves Up Laughs and Liberation at Limelight
Satire, Sincerity and Show-Stopping Performances in The 5 & Dime's 'Urinetown'
In a grim future where water is worth its weight in gold, The 5 & Dime’s production of Urinetown throws you into a world where paying to pee is the norm, and defiance comes with steep consequences. This Tony Award-winning musical is a satirical take on corporate greed, environmental issues and social justice, blending humor and biting commentary in a dystopian setting that is as thought-provoking as it is absolutely ridiculous.
'Tarzan' Wildly Triumphs at Players by the Sea
Players by the Sea’s latest production of Tarzan plunges its audience into a lush, vibrant jungle, transforming both the lobby and the theater into a fully immersive experience that blurs the lines between stage and seating. As the house lights dim, the audience is immediately drawn into the world of Tarzan through a poignant and creatively rendered shadow-play that recounts the character’s beginnings, setting a profound emotional tone from the outset.
Amelia Musical Playhouse Makes a Case for Fun with 'Legally Blonde'
Legally Blonde has arrived at Amelia Musical Playhouse, bringing with it a flurry of pink, passion and empowerment. This exuberant musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods, a seemingly naive sorority girl from Malibu, chasing after her ex-boyfriend to Harvard in an attempt to win him back, only to find herself mastering the law and redefining her life’s purpose. What starts as a quest for love transforms into a journey of self-discovery.
How DeSantis's Draconian Arts Funding Cuts Are Impacting Northeast Florida Theaters
Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of state arts funding sent shockwaves through the theater communities of Northeast Florida. The veto eliminated over $400,000 in funding earmarked for nine theater and opera companies in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties. A combined total of nearly $3.4 million had been requested by 45 arts organizations in these counties.
Joseph and His Dreamcoat Dazzle at the Alhambra Theatre
The Alhambra Theatre & Dining’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat dazzles with its vibrant retelling of the classic Biblical story of Joseph, favored for his prophetic gifts and his radiant coat. Betrayed by his jealous brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph endures trials in Egypt, rising from despair to triumph through his extraordinary ability to interpret dreams. This vibrant production, with its eclectic musical styles, stunning choreography and brilliant costumes, beautifully captures the themes of forgiveness and redemption.
A Delightfully Boozy Bard Bash - Lumen Repertory Theatre's ShakesBeer: A Brewery Tour
ShakesBeer: A Brewery Tour returns with its unique blend of Shakespeare, interactive storytelling and brewery tour, creating a boisterous, booze-infused celebration of the Bard’s works. The talented ensemble of Jas Abramowitz, Josh Andrews, Rina Hajra-Gjoka, Katie Johnston, Amy Love, Nicole Maahs, Hayley Smith, Christopher Watson and Brian Niece, transforms local breweries into impromptu stages, delivering a show that is part theatre, part game show and entirely entertaining.
Dive into the Decadence of 1930s Berlin with Greenlight Theatre Company's 'Cabaret'
Greenlight Theatre Company’s Cabaret centers on the burlesque theatre called the Kit Kat Club in 1930s Berlin, Germany, where American novelist Cliff Bradshaw meets and falls in love with the excentric cabaret singer Sally Bowles, as the shadow of Nazism begins to fall over the city.
Cabaret at the John McManus Mainstage Theatre transports audiences straight into the heart of the Kit Kat Club. VIP tables adorned with low-lit lamps, champagne bottles and glasses along the front rows create a vibrant, club-like atmosphere, perfectly capturing the era’s essence. With this immersive setup, the audience feels swept into the the events of Cabaret rather than just watching it.
Non-Stop Laughter on the Flight Path for 'Boeing Boeing' at Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Boeing Boeing at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining, is a high-flying farce that catapults audiences into the comedic chaos of Bernard, a smooth-talking and insanely chauvinistic bachelor juggling three fiancées — all flight attendants on different airlines. The unexpected arrival of his school friend, Robert, coincides with the airlines introducing newer, faster jets, disrupting the stewardesses’ flight plans and unraveling Bernard’s meticulously scheduled life in a delightful turbulence of confusion and comedy.
Cold Feet and Warm Laughs: 'Southern Fried Nuptials' at St. Marys Little Theatre
Following the rollicking success of Southern Fried Funeral in 2022, St. Marys Little Theatre brings audiences back to the bayou bliss of New Edinburgh, Mississippi, with its sequel, Southern Fried Nuptials. The play is as delightful and comforting as a warm Southern evening, filled with the laughter and eccentricities one would expect from a family wedding set in the heart of the South.
Creating Good Trouble on Stage: Confronting Prejudice and Stereotypes in 'Trouble in Mind'
Trouble in Mind at Players by the Sea is a compelling, provacative and sometimes hilarious dramatic comedy that whisks audiences to the backstage world of 1950s New York City. The play centers around Wiletta Mayer, a talented, veteran Black actress who, after years of playing secondary characters, finally lands a lead role in a Broadway-bound play. Her excitement quickly sours when she discovers that her character perpetuates biased stereotypes.
Enchanted Ice: The Stage Spectacle of Disney's 'Frozen'
Presented by the FSCJ Artist Series at the Moran Theater in the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, Disney’s Frozen elevates the original film with a more complex narrative, dynamic stagecraft, stunning costumes and powerful performances.