Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Host Charles Dickens' Birthday Celebration This Friday

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF welcomes audiences to a pre-show celebration of Charles Dickens' 202nd birthday on Friday, February 7, 2014. Prior to the evening's performance of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Part I, ticket holders and the public are invited to gather in the lobby of the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center for birthday cake, donated by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Charles Dickens himself will be in attendance to kick off the special event (appearance courtesy of the Florida Theatrical Association and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation). The Charles Dickens' Birthday Celebration begins at 7:00 p.m.

Orlando Shakes' The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II, written by David Edgar and adapted from the Dickens novel, kicks off "What The Dickens!" --- a season celebrating the life, works, times, and issues of Charles Dickens. Throughout 2014, dozens of local arts, cultural, and social service organizations will contribute to offer 202 event days celebrating the popular English author. "What The Dickens!" is organized by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit www.whatthedickensorlando.com.

Produced in Collaboration with Theatre UCF and co-directed by Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Theatre UCF Chair/Artistic Director Christopher Niess, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II is presented in rotating repertory from January 22 to March 9, 2014 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets ($17-$40) are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803. Dinner and hotel packages are also available at http://www.orlandoshakes.org/nickleby.

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II is sponsored by UCF Office of the President, UCF Arts & Humanities, and Orlando Shakespeare Theater's Special 25th Anniversary Donors. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.