Orlando Shakespeare Theater Announces Season 29

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert have announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2017-2018 Season. Featuring a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, two Shakespearean epics, a madcap riff on a literary classic, critically acclaimed new works, an adaptation of a cinematic treasure, and stories ripped from the pages of today's most popular children's books, the nationally renowned Theater's 29th Season offers something for every audience in Central Florida and beyond.

Orlando Shakes will open their upcoming season with the multi-Tony Award-winning masterpiece, Man of La Mancha, starring Broadway veteran Davis Gaines. Inspired by one of the greatest novels in Western literature, the audience will enter the world of the "mad knight" Don Quixote as he pursues his quest for the impossible dream. The internationally acclaimed musical is a glorious affirmation of the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. Featuring the classic song "The Impossible Dream," this timeless tale of love and adventure continues Orlando Shakes' streak of bringing the best of Broadway to the intimate Margeson Theater.

"Right now, I feel it's more important than ever that we give our community hope and something to believe in," said Helsinger. "Man of La Mancha is more than just a classic Tony Award-winning musical. It's a reminder to everyone who watches it that the human spirit has an unyielding capacity for hope and love, and no matter how dark the world may seem, it is the light of our dreams that leads us on."

Also included in the Signature Series is The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson; the holiday classic inspired by Frank Capra's cinematic masterpiece, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; Karen Zacarías' contemporary new work, Native Gardens; an all-female production of Shakespeare's Timon of Athens; and an original Elizabethan production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night playing in repertory with the award-winning imagined origin story of Shakespeare's famous star-crossed lovers, Shakespeare in Love.

"Our repertory shows this coming Season will give audiences a unique sense of closure and anticipation," said Helsinger. "Shakespeare in Love ends with Shakespeare beginning to write Twelfth Night, which brings both productions full circle in a way."

Additionally, the Theater continues its commitment to new plays with PlayFest presented by Harriett's Charitable Trust. Tentatively scheduled for November 2-5, 2017, this season's festival will once again present readings of new works by local and national playwrights. Recent projects have included plays by Israel Horovitz, Karen Zacarías, Allison Gregory, Lee Blessing, and John Biguenet.

The 2017-2018 Children's Series includes three family-friendly productions: a new adaptation of a classic fairy tale, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp by BranDon Roberts; the world premiere of Mary Pope Osborne's Shakespearean inspired production, Showtime for Shakespeare: A Magic Tree House Adventure; and the spirited musical based on Judith Viorst's award-winning children's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

"We are thrilled to be bringing three treasured children's stories to life on stage during our 29th Season," said Anne Hering, Director of Education at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. "Between our fun, new take on Aladdin; the world premiere of the new Magic Tree House stage production, and the wildly entertaining Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day musical, next year's Children's Series at Orlando Shakes will have something for every family in our community to enjoy."

Individual tickets to Aladdin and the Magic Lamp will be available for purchase starting May 4, 2017. Group tickets (of 10 or more) are on sale now by calling the Box Office.

Current Orlando Shakespeare Theater subscribers may renew their subscription now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or in person at the Box Office (812 East Rollins Street). New subscriptions will go on sale starting May 4, 2017. Tickets to all remaining productions in Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 29th Season go on sale June 20, 2017. Subscriptions may not currently be purchased online. 2017-2018 titles and dates are subject to change; additional information about the season, including creative team and casting, will be announced at a later date.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of OrlandoAtPlay.com and UAArtsEd.com. This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program. This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the State of Florida.

SIGNATURE SERIES

Man of La Mancha
Book by Dale Wasserman | Music by Mitch Leigh | Lyrics by Joe Darion
September 6 - October 8, 2017
Inspired by one of the greatest novels in Western literature, Man of La Mancha tells the tale of the "mad knight" Don Quixote as he pursues his quest for the impossible dream. Trapped inside the walls of a dungeon during the Spanish Inquisition, Don Quixote transforms his surroundings into a magical landscape of epic battles, majestic lords and ladies, and beautiful dreams. The internationally acclaimed, Tony Award-winning musical is a glorious affirmation of the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. Featuring the classic song "The Impossible Dream," this timeless tale of love and adventure has inspired audiences for decades.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson
Based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
October 11 - November 19, 2017
The game is afoot this fall at Orlando Shakes! Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson journey to the English countryside to investigate the mysterious case of the Baskerville family. One by one the male heirs are dropping dead. But why? And who-or what-is responsible? In this hilarious and madcap take on the most famous detective of all time, a trio of actors play a dozens roles in a production that is a master class in funny and perfect for the Halloween season.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
By Joe Landry | Original Music and Musical Arrangements by Kevin Connors
November 29 - December 30, 2017
Inspired by Frank Capra's cinematic classic, this beloved holiday treat brings the spirit of the season to life right before your eyes. Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience, five actors play a dozens characters in Bedford Falls. A nostalgic blend of holiday cheer and theatrical magic, audiences will fall in love all over again with George Bailey and the angel Clarence who saves his life on Christmas Eve.

Native Gardens
By Karen Zacarías
January 3 - February 4, 2018
Gardens and cultures clash, turning friendly neighbors into feuding enemies as Pablo, a high-poweRed Lawyer, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement where you're guaranteed no one comes out smelling like a rose.

Shakespeare in Love
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
February 7 - March 25, 2018
Young William Shakespeare is stuck. The deadline for his new play is fast approaching, but he's having a massive case of writer's block. All that changes once he meets his greatest admirer, the smart and beautiful Viola, who ignites his creative flame. Against a buzzing background of mistaken identity, cutthroat conniving, and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blooms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece yet.

Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Performed in Traditional Elizabethan Style
February 21 - March 23, 2018
A pair of shipwrecked twins set into motion a tale of mistaken identity, eccentricity, and unlikely love. Separated from her brother Sebastian, quick-thinking Viola adopts a male disguise and enters the service of the handsome Duke Orsino-only to find herself in the middle of a love triangle. When Viola's new boss sends her to win his unrequited love, the Countess Olivia, her disguise proves too effective and the Countess falls for the young girl dressed as a boy instead. Orlando Shakes' Twelfth Night will feature an all-male cast performing a fully Elizabethan production with clothing, scenery, music, and dance of 1602.

Timon of Athens
By William Shakespeare
Featuring An All-Female Cast
March 28 - April 29, 2018
Featuring an all-female cast, Timon of Athens spins a tale of greed and revenge. Timon was once wealthy with a load of friends or so she thought. When her pockets run dry, she's now got champagne tastes on a beer budget, and her so-called friends are nowhere to be found. Realizing Timon should've taken the advice of her peers, she turns her back on the world. After coming by a bit of luck, and another fortune, Timon needs to take a moment to sit back and think about her next move. Should she sift through the dirt to find her true friends and rejoin society or get revenge on those who used her for her wealth?

CHILDREN'S SERIES

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
By BranDon Roberts | Based on Middle Eastern Folktale The Arabian Nights
June 15 - July 23, 2017
The timeless tale of a boy, a genie, and the power of pursuing your dreams! It's a swirling sandstorm of famous Arabian Tales as Aladdin seeks answers and advice from wise genies, a powerful sultan, and his own mother to find a way to meet the princess. However, Aladdin will have to learn that it takes more than a wish to make a good impression. Told with help from the younger members of the audience, Aladdin and the Magic Lamp is an adventure worthy of 1001 laughs.

Showtime for Shakespeare: A Magic Tree House Adventure
Book and Lyrics by Jenny Laird and Will Osborne
Music and Additional Lyrics by Randy Courts
Based on Magic Tree House: Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne
October 19 - November 17, 2017
The show must go on! That's what Jack and Annie learn when the magic tree house whisks them back to Elizabethan England. There they meet William Shakespeare himself-one of the greatest writers of all time. But Mr. Shakespeare is having a hard time with some of the actors in his latest show. Are Jack and Annie ready to make a big entrance? Or will it be curtains for Shakespeare? Don't miss Jack and Annie in the world premiere of their third musical adventure at Orlando Shakes!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Book and Lyrics by Judith Viorst
Music by Shelly Markham
April 5 - May 5, 2018
Alexander is having a bad day. A terrible day. A horrible day. To be quite honest, it's a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. But then, everybody has bad days, sometimes. In this delightful adaptation of her popular book, Judith Viorst sets Alexander's rather trying life to music and brings to the stage one of America's feistiest characters. Alexander's struggles with life's daily dramas will not only entertain, but educate young audiences as they identify with Alexander and the obstacles he encounters, encouraging them to share their feelings and to realize that bad days happen everyone.