By Margot Thomas

Panama’s  welcome to 2018, continues well into the year with a potpourri of theatrical and musical events with some anticipated traditional favorites being joined by a new kid on the block - Panama The Musical.

Set in Panama  during the closing years of the Roaring  Twenties, when dances like the Charleston and the Black Bottom were the rage,  it is the story of a struggling love affair between a Zonian  American songwriter who  dreams of hearing her songs on the new invention called "radio" and a  young Panamanian  boyfriend who  win a contest to record their songs in New York with interventions by a casino owner forcing her young sister to pay off a family debt by working in a local casino, setting  the scene is for lively song and dance routines with  tunes that have already won critical acclaim in London’s West End.

The musical written by Canadian ex-pats Rob Brown and Yolanda Van Der Kolk promises to literally put Panama in front of the spotlights with performances scheduled for  Canada and beyond.

The cast and production lineup features many local celebrities and some newly discovered starlets.

Opening night is Feb 1, 2018, at the Ateneo Theater, City of Knowledge. Tickets at. www.panatickets.com.

Below are some of the Entertainment  highlights of the  first half of the year

JANUARY

Jan, 5-18

PANAMA JAZZ FESTIVAL

At the   Ciudad Del Saber (City of Knowledge), with happenings in and around Panama  City. The Festival in its 15^th year has gained world stature and attracts jazz fans and  party lovers

Jan 18 -20, 25-27

OTHER DESERT CITIES

The Anc0n Theatre Guild's (TGA) first presentation of the year. directed by former professional actress  Ramona Rhoades,   Brooke Wyeth (Linda Johnson) returns home to Palm Springs to visit her parents after a six-year absence. A once-promising novelist, she announces to her family the imminent publication of a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history - a wound that her parents don't want reopened.  Performances start at 8 pm at the TGA theatre in Ancon. Tickets $15, Arrive early and catch up  on the latest gossip  at the patio bar

THEATRE GUILD  OF ANCON annual meeting, to elect the enthusiasts who will run the country's  longest-running show during the upcoming year. They won't  let you starve while you are there. More details to follow.

FEBRUARY

Feb 1-3  

OTHER DESERT CITIES

The Anc0n Theatre Guild's (TGA) first presentation of the year. directed by former professional actress  Ramona Rhoades, 

Performances start at 8 pm at the TGA theatre in Ancon. Tickets $15, Arrive early and catch up  on the latest gossip  at the patio bar

Feb 1-8 – PANAMA THE MUSICAL –   at the Athenium  Theatre in  Ciudad Del Saber (City of Knowledge). Evening performances 8 pm Saturday and Sunday matinees 3 pm. With pre- world-premiere seat pricing, Your curtain raiser for an upcoming entertainment feast over the next three months.  Tickets at. www.panatickets.com.

Feb  10-13 PANAMA CARNAVAL
Four days of partying and celebrations across the country. In Panama City, the daily stage performances and fun center is on the Cinta Costera, but scores of thousands head to festivals in the interior leaving  Panama streets gloriously free of traffic jams.

Feb 17 -Mar 4 - PANAMA THE MUSICAL at the Athenium  Theatre in  Ciudad Del Saber (City of Knowledge)Evening performances 8 pm. Saturday and Sunday matinees 3 pm. Closed  Monday, Feb. 19 and Monday, Feb. 26.  Tickets at  www.panatickets.com.

Thu, Feb 22

 PANAMA THE MUSICAL – WORLD PREMIERE. at the Athenium  Theatre in  Ciudad Del Saber (City of Knowledge) Red Carpet event 6 pm.Your chance to meet the cast, directors and producers while you enjoy a pre-show libation and delectable snacks. Show starts at 8.30 p.m.

Feb 22-25

 BOQUETE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL - World-Class Jazz & Blues on the slopes of Volcan Baru in a cool location, with lots of places to explore and a treasure trove of restaurants for wining and dining, in between exploring local boutiques and souvenir stores.

APRIL 

 Apr 7-11

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (IFF)  The 7th festival bringing award-winning films to venues across the city and introducing movie lovers to new genres and talents. There are even some free performances, It promises to add another star to Panama's creative galaxy. Trailers, news and commentary will be published regularly in the New Year, with links here,

JULY

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE - At the Golden Tower Hotel, presented by the CanadaPLUS Foundation. This will be the seventh presentation with the audience given the chance to show their sleuthing skills. To reserve call 6619-6890