Preview All of the Shows in 2016-2017 Broadway in Orlando Series

On Monday, Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced the eight shows that would comprise the 2016-2017 Broadway Season. Since 2014, the gorgeous Walt Disney Theater has been Central Florida's home for the best in theatrical entertainment, and the Dr. Phillips Center has pulled out all of the stops for next season.

While the first two years in the series' new home have had incredible highlights, like THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, THE BOOK OF MORMON, PIPPIN, RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, KINKY BOOTS, and more, the recently announced, upcoming season is by far the most exciting and ambitious.

Not only are five of the eight shows in the season currently running on Broadway (and two others that finished their runs in January), but all of the plays and musicals are produced on Equity contracts, guaranteeing the highest level of production value and experienced talent.

Below check out a short description and a video preview for each show in the 2016-2017 Season. For more information, or to purchase season tickets, visit the Dr. Phillips website or call 844-513-2014.

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THE ILLUSIONISTS: October 4 - 9, 2016

On the heels of a highly successful multi-city tour and run on Broadway, the world's best-selling touring magic show's Orlando engagement is part of a 45-city U.S. tour. Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, THE ILLUSIONISTS has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages. Creative Producer Simon Painter said, "We can't wait to bring this electrifying show to Orlando for a truly entertaining experience for the whole family." THE ILLUSIONISTS is the most non-stop and powerful mix of outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on the live stage.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME:
November 1 - 6, 2016

Hailed as "one of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway" by The New York Times, this "dazzling" (Associated Press) new play by Simon Stephens is adapted from Mark Haddon's best-selling novel and directed by Tony-winner Marianne Elliott. Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever. THE CURIOUS INCIDENT won five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Play.

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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS: December 13 - 18, 2016

Direct from Broadway, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the new hit musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Acclaimed director-choreographer and 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with Tony Award-winning orchestrations of unforgettable works from George and Ira Gershwin in the four-time Tony Award-winning production that earned more awards on Broadway than any other musical in the 2014-2015 season!

WICKED: January 11 - 29, 2017

Broadway's biggest blockbuster returns to Orlando this winter. The surprising tale of an unlikely friendship between two women in the Land of Oz, WICKED tells the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, long before Dorothy dropped in. Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. Glinda is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. The remarkable odyssey of how these unexpected friends changed each other's lives for good has made WICKED one of world's most popular musicals. Declared "a cultural phenomenon" by Variety and "the best musical of the decade" by Entertainment Weekly, WICKED has been performed in over 100 cities in 13 countries around the world.

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A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER: February 7 - 12, 2017

Getting away with murder can be so much fun...and there's no better proof than the knock-'em-dead hit show that's earning unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical - A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER! Coming direct from New York, where a most gentlemanly NPR critic said he'd "never laughed so hard at a Broadway musical," GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by - you guessed it - eliminating the eight pesky relatives (all played by one fearless man) who stand in his way.

All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she's after more than just love), his fiancée (she's his cousin, but who's keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance...and be done in time for tea. The Hollywood Reporter raves, "GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE restores our faith in musical comedy," and The New York Times cheers, "It will lift the hearts of all those who've been pining for what sometimes seems a lost art form." The new musical that will have you dying with laughter.

THE LITTLE MERMAID: March 7 - 12, 2017

Proclaimed by the Houston Chronicle as "colorful entertainment, wrapped up in an attractive production," DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID is sure to charm audiences of all ages! In a magical kingdom fathoms below, we meet Ariel, the little mermaid who is tired of flipping her fins and longs to be part of the fascinating world on dry land. Joining her are Sebastian, Ariel's crabby sidekick, Ursula, the evil sea witch, Triton, King of the Sea, and the handsome human Prince Eric. Based on the Disney animated film and hit Broadway musical, the Theatre Under The Stars production of THE LITTLE MERMAID is making its Orlando debut. The show features all the favorite songs like "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World," as well as new songs written by Oscar-winning Disney composer Alan Menken, the mastermind behind BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, POCAHONTAS.

MATILDA: May 9 - 14, 2017

"Welcome to the deliriously amusing, heartwarming, head-spinning world of MATILDA. You won't want to leave," cheers Bloomberg News. TIME Magazine's #1 Show of the Year and the winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards, MATILIDA is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, this new musical continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway, London's West End, and in Sydney, Australia. The New York Times proclaims, "Rejoice. It is even more glorious than promised," and The Wall Street Journal says, "The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible - triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany and stupendous fun."

FINDING NEVERLAND: June 6 - 11, 2017

Broadway's biggest new hit and the winner of Broadway.com's Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash "captures the kid-at-heart," says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, "It's a must-see you'll remember for years to come!" Directed by visionary Tony-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award-nominated film starring Johnny Depp, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world's most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys' enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie's classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is "far and away the best musical of the year!" (NPR).

Which show are you most excited to see in the 2016-2017 Season? Let me know what you thought in the comments below, or by "Liking" and following BWW Orlando on Facebook and Twitter by using the buttons below. You can also chat with me about the show on Twitter @BWWMatt.

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