BroadwayWorld.com Orlando Stories

Now Playing Onstage in Orlando - Week of 5/19/2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

View All Show Listings for Orlando
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Orlando Calendar

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Garden Theatre
4/19-5/26/2013
The Wizard of Oz marks the Garden Theatre's fourth self-produced musical! Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.
Click Here for More Information
Tom Sawyer TYA in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer TYA
Orlando Repertory Theatre
4/18-5/26/2013
The season wraps up in high spirits with this special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical production finds Tom matching wits with stern Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky Thatcher and that irresistible renegade, Huckleberry Finn. Filled with foot-stomping, toe-tapping songs, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer TYA (April 18 - May 26, 2013), is based on the novel by Mark Twain, and conceived and written by Ken Ludwig, with music and lyrics by Don Schlitz. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer TYA is a tale of thrilling escapes, comedy, and inspiration for the whole family.
Click Here for More Information
TJ AND MR. OAKSITE
Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival (Brown Venue)
5/16-5/26/2013
TJ Andrews is a science major whose geological studies have caused her to question her religious upbringing. As she prepares for a panel discussion on faith vs. science, she is visited by the mysterious Mr. Oaksite, who tells her she has 30 days to convince her friends and family, with no physical proof whatsoever, that he is real. Show times: Thu. 5/16, 9:45pm Sat. 5/18, 8:00pm Mon. 5/20, 9:00pm Thu. 5/23, 11:15pm Fri. 5/24, 11:30pm Sat. 5/25, 6:15pm Sun. 5/26, 5:45pm
Click Here for More Information
THE BOXER
Jester Theater Company
5/16-5/29/2013
A Bootstraps Comedy Theater production, THE BOXER is a superb heartfelt award winning one hour silent comedy play with live music set in the 1940s depression era. The play depicts young Velma (Kim Lyle) who posed as a man in order to find work humorously ends up becoming the boxer's (Jeff Swearingen) manager
Click Here for More Information
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Pinocchio's Marionette Theater
5/8-6/30/2013
45 minute string puppet musical of Dorothy's classic adventure over the rainbow.
Click Here for More Information

View All Show Listings for Orlando
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Orlando Calendar

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre Presents FUNNY MONEY, Opening 6/13

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:41:53 PST

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre presents the "side-splitting comedy," Funny Money playing June 13 through August 10, 2013. Written by Ray Cooney, this show is described as great summer fun for the whole family!

In Funny Money, mild-mannered Henry Perkins accidentally picks up the wrong briefcase and discovers it's full of cash. He tries to convince his wife they should keep the money and leave the country. When the neighbors arrive on the scene, the situation goes from bad to worse. Then a couple of cops show up and things really get crazy!

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre is an intimate 102-seat theatre, located in the main lobby of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. With no seat further than 25 feet away from the stage, you become part of the show.

What would you do if you found a million dollars? Funny Money will be at The Off Broadway Palm Theatre June 13 through August 10, 2013. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $28 to $49 with group discounts available for parties of 20 or more. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Mad Cow Theatre's DREAMGIRLS

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:42:00 PST

Mad Cow Theatre has announced additional performances for the upcoming production of Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, to be produced in The Harriett Theatre at 54 W. Church Street. The new performances are scheduled for: Thursday, July 4 at 7:30 pm; Friday, July 5 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, July 7 at 2:30 pm. Dreamgirls opens June 7, 2013.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in the photos below!

A musical based on 1960's music, show business aspirations and the success of acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, and the incomparable J Ames Brown, this Tony Award winning musical captures the spirit of hope and Motown when a girl group from Chicago get their big break in a business controlled by men. As they struggle to find their musical and cultural identity, they also fight for fellowship, sisterhood, and true love at any cost. A rich, glowing spectacle about the price of show-biz success, Dreamgirls sizzles with sparkling dance and R&B soul.

Dreamgirls will be directed and choreographed by Ray Hatch and features a company of talented artists making their Mad Cow debut. The Dreams will be played by Cherry Hamlin as Deena Jones, Jasmine Thompson as Lorrell Robinson, and Jayne Trenette as Effie White.

Dreamgirls runs from June 7-July 7, 2013, at Mad Cow Theatre, 54 West Church Street in Downtown Orlando. Preview performances are June 5 and 6 at 7:30pm. All tickets are $10. Opening night is Friday, June 7, 2013, with a reception following the performance. There are two Monday night performances scheduled on June 17th and 24th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and at the door. Tickets start at $27.00 and are available online at madcowtheatre.com and by calling the Mad Cow Theatre box office at 407.297.8788 x1.

Photo Credit: Tom Hurst

Jayne Trinette, Cherry Hamlin and Jasmine Thompson

Jayne Trinette

Cherry Hamlin

Jasmine Thompson

Cherry Hamlin, Jayne Trinette and Jasmine Thompson

Jasmine Thompson, Cherry Hamlin and Jayne Trinette

Valencia College Theater to Present FAT PIG, 6/6-16

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:14:19 PST

The Valencia College Theater is proud to present Neil LaBute's hilarious and biting comedy "Fat Pig," premiering June 6, and running through June 16.

The play, which depicts the budding romance between Tom, an upwardly mobile corporate type, and Helen, a plus-sized librarian, balances black humor and social commentary. LaBute's caustic, hilarious and touching comedy not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty, but also boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves. The play is a distinctly comic and politically incorrect observation of the world around us.

Valencia College Theater presents this brilliant contemporary work by LaBute in a production directed by John DiDonna, with set design by Greg Loftus, lighting design by Kristin Abel and costume design by Kayleigh Raymondo. The cast includes Chris Markcity, Olivia Richardson, Andrew Romano and Jessica Meguiar

All performances will be in the Valencia College Black Box Theater, located on Valencia's East Campus in Building 3. Curtain times will be7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Sunday performances will begin at 2 p.m. Special talk-back with cast and director slated for Friday, June 14th after the production.

General admission tickets cost $12. Senior citizens, Valencia faculty, staff and students may purchase tickets for $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.valenciacollege.edu/arts.

Use the code "VALENCIAWEB" for a $2 discount on each ticket. The discount is for online purchases only. Tickets and more information are also available by calling the college box office at 407-582-2900. Seating is limited in the Black Box Theater, so advance purchase is advised. The play is performed without intermission.

Please note: The play contains adult subject matter and language that may not be suitable for children.

Neil LaBute's "Fat Pig" runs in The Valencia College Theater, Thursday, June 6 - Sunday, June 16. Evening performances: Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances: 2 p.m. Valencia College East Campus - Building 3, Black Box Theater is located at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, Fla. Tickets: $12 general admission; $10 for Valencia students, faculty, staff and senior citizens. Box Office: 407-292-2900 or online: www.valenciacollege.edu/arts.

Surfside Players Announce Summer Improv Class

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:21:46 PST

This summer, Surfside Players is offering a class in Improv! This class, taught by Mario Busacca, will provide a basic introduction to Improv comedy as a tool to help performers become better at their craft, while providing them with new tools to call upon when they are on stage. Open to adults of all ages, and students in high school or older. More information is on the attached PDF flyer.

Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 at Surfside Playhouse beginning June 6 and run throughAugust 8, 2013. The class will run for eight sessions, with one break for July 4th.

Each session will explore a different aspect of Improv. The ninth week (August 8) may be reserved for a potential performance, depending on the interest and capabilities of the class.

Cost for the entire course is $40 for adults, $25 for students. Payment by cash or check (payable to Surfside Players) will be collected at the first session you attend.

To register you can call or e-mail Mario Busacca at (321) 258-2185 or mbusacca@cfl.rr.com

Class size is limited. All registrations must be made by Saturday, June 1, 2013.

Garden Theatre Announces 2013 SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:45:49 PST

The Garden Theatre has announced the 2013 Summer Movie Series, running from June 13 through August 23 at the Garden Theatre (160 West Plant Street). This summer's line-up includes 20 feature-length films: Thursday Vintage Favorites and Friday Cult Classics.

All movies begin at 7pm and tickets are $5 General Admission. Tickets are sold online at gardentheatre.org or beginning 2 hours prior to show times at the Garden Theatre Box Office.

The highly popular Summer Movie Pass is also available for sale. For just $55, the passholder and two others may attend any and all of the 20 movies in the 2013 Summer Movie Series at the Garden Theatre. A limited number of passes are sold.

Along with the lineup of classic movies, the Garden Theatre is offering audience participation opportunities for three of theFriday Cult Classic movies:

• For those who consider themselves "Trekkies", "Trekkie Trivia" will begin at 6:30 pm on July 5, prior to the showing of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Fans can test your knowledge against others of the movies and TV series and compete for prizes.

• On July 26, dress up as your favorite Monty Python character for the showing of Monty Python & The Holy Grail. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

• Patrons can get their Ghostbusters on with a two-hour Historic and Paranormal Tour of the Garden Theatre on August 23 in partnership with American Ghost Adventures. The tour begins at 9pm following the showing of Ghostbusters. The tour guide will lead guests back in time, discovering the lasting marks of days gone by, and perhaps the echoes of those who may still inhabit the space.

2013 Garden Theatre Summer Movie Series

Thursday Vintage Favorites
Date	Title	Year	Rating
June 13	Singin' in the Rain	1952	G
June 20	Maltese Falcon	1941	NR
June 27	The Searchers	1956	NR
July 11	Citizen Kane	1941	NR
July 18	Chinatown	1974	R
July 25	The Apartment	1960	NR
August 1	Rear Window	1954	PG
August 8	All About Eve	1950	NR
August 15	The Philadelphia Story	1940	NR
August 22	Mr. Smith Goes to Washington	1939	NR



Friday Cult Classics
Date	Title	Year	Rating
June 14	Goonies	1985	PG
June 21	Pink Panther	1964	NR
June 28	Yours, Mine and Ours	1968	NR
July 5	Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan	1982	PG
July 12	Spaceballs	1987	PG
July 26	Monty Python & The Holy Grail	1975	PG
August 2	The Birdcage	1996	R
August 9	Waiting for Guffman	1997	R
August 16	Ferris Bueller's Day Off	1986	PG-13
August 23	Ghostbusters	1984	PG

ABOUT AMERICAN GHOST ADVENTURES
With a mission to "have fun while educating people about the paranormal," American Ghost Adventures has held various interactive ghost tours and investigations throughout Florida since 2010. Past and current tours include Downtown Orlando, Deland, Sanford, and many more. For more information, visit www.americanghostadventures.com

ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATRE
Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is a not-for-profit community organization committed to enriching, engaging, and entertaining through creative experiences. The theatre, which reopened 2008, showcases an atmospheric theatre in a Mediterranean Revival style venue. The Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies, and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden. For tickets or additional information, contact the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736) or gardentheatre.org.

Florida Rep Announces the Opening of LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL, 5/31

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:19:42 PST

Florida Rep's Education Department has announced the opening of the hit Broadway Musical, LEGALLY BLONDE.

Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery playing May 31st at 7pm and June 1st at 2pm and 7pm in the Historic Arcade Theatre.

[Legally Blonde]

Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside-down, however, when her boyfriend dumps her so he can start getting serious about his life and attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charm to get into the Ivy League School. Once there, she struggles to keep up and to fit in. With the help of some true friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.

Legally Blonde is presented as part of Florida Rep Education's Theatre Conservatory, an audition-only program that puts young actors onstage. The Conservatory Program is designed to give students an introduction to the professional world with real-life regional theatre experience.

This is Florida Rep's third season producing musicals for its highly popular Cconservatory Program. "This program has attracted the area's best and brightest students," says Education Director, Rachael Endrizzi, "many of whom work professionally already with Florida Rep, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre and the Herb Strauss Theater on Sanibel. This cast in particular is incredibly talented, and I know the audiences will fall in love with the fun story."

The production features a company of 38 of Florida Rep's finest young performers ages 13-21. The cast consists of students from Cypress Lake Center for the Arts, Cypress Lake Middle, Edison State College, Evangelical Christian, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers High, Gulf Middle, Lehigh Senior High, North Fort Myers High, Oasis Middle and Three Oaks Middle Schools. These young artists auditioned in February with nearly two hundred other students for spots in this competitive Conservatory Program. Over the course of 3 months, the cast of Legally Blonde has rehearsed with Working Theatre professionals to learn staging, choreography and music.

Florida Rep's Education Director, Rachael Endrizzi (The Odyssey Experience; Pippin), directed and costume designed the production and was joined by an expert team including music director, Matt Koller; choreographer, Amy Marie McCleary; set designer, Christopher Todd Simpson; lighting designer Kate Smith and Asst. Director, Taylor Murphy Hale. Lehigh Senior High School student, KateLynn Foster is stage managing the production as part of the Florida Rep Explorer training program.

Legally Blonde, book by Heather Hach, music & lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, is based on the novel by AmanAda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer motion picture. It plays in the Historic Arcade Theatre for 3 performance only on Friday, May 31 at 7pm and on Saturday, June 1 at 2pm & 7pm. Legally Blonde contains some adult language and is rated PG-13. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available online at www.floridarep.org or by calling the Box Office at 239-332-4488.

Florida Rep's Educational programming is generously sponsored by Grampy's Charities, the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee, LCEC, Florida Theatrical Association, Parent & Child Magazine, Publix Charities, the Alliance for the Arts, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and Arthur Zupko.

Now Playing Onstage in Orlando - Week of 5/12/2013

Sun, 12 May 2013 10:00:00 PST

View All Show Listings for Orlando
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Orlando Calendar

MEMPHIS
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
5/14-5/19/2013
Turn up that dial...From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves -- filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock 'n' roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Memphis features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway's most exciting new destination... Memphis.
Click Here for More Information
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Garden Theatre
4/19-5/26/2013
The Wizard of Oz marks the Garden Theatre's fourth self-produced musical! Little Dorothy Gale of Kansas, like so many girls her age, dreams of what lies over the rainbow. One day a twister hits her farm and carries her away over the rainbow to another world. Come join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as they travel the universe of Dorothy's imagination.
Click Here for More Information
Tom Sawyer TYA in Broadway" border="0" height="100" width="100" align="right"> THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer TYA
Orlando Repertory Theatre
4/18-5/26/2013
The season wraps up in high spirits with this special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical production finds Tom matching wits with stern Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky Thatcher and that irresistible renegade, Huckleberry Finn. Filled with foot-stomping, toe-tapping songs, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer TYA (April 18 - May 26, 2013), is based on the novel by Mark Twain, and conceived and written by Ken Ludwig, with music and lyrics by Don Schlitz. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer TYA is a tale of thrilling escapes, comedy, and inspiration for the whole family.
Click Here for More Information
THE BOXER
Jester Theater Company
5/16-5/29/2013
A Bootstraps Comedy Theater production, THE BOXER is a superb heartfelt award winning one hour silent comedy play with live music set in the 1940s depression era. The play depicts young Velma (Kim Lyle) who posed as a man in order to find work humorously ends up becoming the boxer's (Jeff Swearingen) manager
Click Here for More Information
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Pinocchio's Marionette Theater
5/8-6/30/2013
45 minute string puppet musical of Dorothy's classic adventure over the rainbow.
Click Here for More Information

View All Show Listings for Orlando
Click Here to View BroadwayWorld.com Orlando Calendar

Florida Playwright Competition Calls for New Plays

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:28:53 PST

Valencia College Theater announces a call for script submissions for its 23rd annual Florida Playwrights' Competition. As it has since 1991, Valencia will produce a full-length original play in Spring 2014 as part of its regular subscription series.

Playwrights (who must reside in Florida) are invited to submit a cover letter, resume or bio, one page synopsis, and the first 15 pages of no more than two never-before-produced manuscripts. The deadline for this first phase of submission is July 30, 2013. A committee will evaluate the excerpts and selected playwrights will be invited to submit the full manuscript as part of the second phase of the submission process.

From these manuscripts, one play will be chosen for development as a workshop production with the playwright's participation. The writer will receive a stipend to cover travel and other expenses related to the production. The administrator of the competition plans to announce the winning play in early September 2013, and the workshop process will begin in late fall 2013 or early spring 2014.

Scripts must be original, previously unproduced, full-length plays. Scripts that have received staged readings may be submitted. Collaborations are acceptable, but children's plays, adaptations, and musicals are ineligible at this time.

Electronic submission of the cover letter, resume or bio, one-page synopsis and 15-page excerpt is required. Please send submissions and questions to Valencia's incoming Artistic Director (May 2013), John DiDonna, at jdidonna@valenciacollege.edu.

Mad Cow Theatre Adds Performances to DREAMGIRLS Run

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:17:01 PST

Mad Cow Theatre has announced additional performances for the upcoming production of Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, to be produced in The Harriett Theatre at 54 W. Church Street.

Additional Performances will be:
Thursday, July 4 at 7:30 pm
Friday, July 5 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, July 7 at 2:30 pm

Dreamgirls opens June 7, 2013.

A musical based on 1960's music, show business aspirations and the success of acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, and the incomparable J Ames Brown, this Tony Award winning musical captures the spirit of hope and Motown when a girl group from Chicago get their big break in a business controlled by men. As they struggle to find their musical and cultural identity, they also fight for fellowship, sisterhood, and true love at any cost. A rich, glowing spectacle about the price of show-biz success, Dreamgirls sizzles with sparkling dance and R&B soul.

Dreamgirls will be directed and choreographed by Ray Hatch and features a company of talented artists making their Mad Cow debut. The Dreams will be played by Cherry Hamlin as Deena Jones, Jasmine Thompson as Lorrell Robinson, and Jayne Trenette as Effie White.