Haiti fundraiser at Funky Blue; comedy encore at FWBHS

In November, the Fort Walton Beach High School Drama Department produced a wonderful play titled “Is He Dead?” written by Mark Twain.

Because of timing issues, I didn’t get a chance to tell you about it here and instead posted something on my Facebook page hoping some of you would see it and be able to catch the last show.

Here’s what I said then: “Just saw ‘Is He Dead?’ at FWBHS. Hilarious. Fearless cast of students led by brilliant Christian Williams.”

It’s a farcical comedy whose humor is based largely on hidden and mistaken identities as well as innuendo.

In addition to Williams, the outstanding cast includes Andrew Knight, Zach Kuhl, Haylee Brit, Rachel Lewis, Joseph Imsand, Jared Wilson, Megan Mulgrew, Haley Chouinard, Chase Yakaboski and Storm Hooten.

I’m sharing this now because FWBHS has been awarded a mainstage slot by Florida State Thespians to perform “Is He Dead?” in Ferguson Hall at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on April 8.

More than 40 high schools were screened, and “Is He Dead?” was one of only six productions chosen to perform, according to a press release.

To raise the $10,000 needed to remount the show and take it to Tampa, the Drama Department will conduct several fundraisers including an encore performance of “Is He Dead?” at 7 p.m. on April 3.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 at the school office and are $10 each general admission. The school is at 400 Hollywood Blvd. Call director Christa Whittaker at 833-3300, ext. 1814 for more details.

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The Funky Blues Shack in Destin is holding a benefit at 7 p.m. Saturday for Planting Peace, “a nonprofit organization founded … for the purpose of spreading peace in a hurting world,” a press release says.

Haiti is specifically mentioned in the flyer publicizing the event, which will feature live music from Donnie Sundal, Dread Clampitt and Chris Alvarado.

Aaron Jackson of Destin is a co-founder of Planting Peace and has done extensive work in Haiti. He was interviewed for a story we published earlier this month.

Carmen Stiles, who owns Funky Blues Shack and Graffiti with her husband, Chuck, wrote in an e-mail to me:

“What has happened in Haiti is heart-wrenching, and we as humans are sometimes leery about sending money to organizations we know nothing about.

“Here is an opportunity to do something ‘BIG’ and feel comfortable knowing we are not only helping people in desperate need, but also helping one of our own.”

Donation is $10. Funky Blues Shack is at 707 Harbor Blvd. Call 654-2764.

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Hard Rock International is also collecting monetary donations for Haiti with its “Crank it Up!” effort.

Round up your bill to the nearest dollar amount or more and that will be

There’s a Hard Rock Café at Destin Commons in Destin. Call 654-3310.

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St. Mary’s School will hold its annual Brite Stars fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Monsignor Mullins Parish Life Center.

The gala evening includes a catered dinner, live music and dancing, cash bar and silent and live auctions.

Tickets are $60 per person and are available by calling the school at 243-8913. The Parish Life Center is on St. Mary’s Campus, 165 Coral Drive.