WEST SIDE STORY to Launch Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 28th Season; Lineup Announced!

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert have announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2016-2017 Season.

Featuring a legendary Broadway musical, two adapted literary classics, boisterous and adventurous Shakespeare romances, a critically acclaimed new work, and stories ripped from the pages of today's most popular children's books, the nationally acclaimed Theater's 28th Season offers something for every audience in Central Florida and beyond.

Orlando Shakes will be opening their upcoming season with the internationally acclaimed American musical, West Side Story. The Tony Award-winning, production tells the tragic romance of idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony as they struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice. The celebrated musical score for the production contains several songs that have become iconic in mainstream society including "Maria," "I Feel Pretty," and "America."

"After our wildly successful runs of LES MISERABLES and Monty Python's SPAMALOT, we're thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing award-winning Broadway musicals to Central Florida with our production of West Side Story in September," said Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. "This classic American musical, inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, is a lot more than a spectacular stage production. With themes of ethnic prejudice, taboo romantic relationships, and gang related violence, West Side Story is just as relevant in today's society as it was when it first made its debut on Broadway 59 years ago."

Also included in the Signature Season is Jeffrey Hatcher's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, adapted from the celebrated novella by Robert Louis Stevenson; the hilarious modern holiday classic, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!); Steve Yockey's contemporary new work, Blackberry Winter; Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost and Antony and Cleopatra; and Simon Levy's stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's book, The Great Gatsby.

Additionally, the Theater continues its commitment to new plays with PlayFest. Scheduled for November 3-7, 2016, 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, Ellen McLaughlin, Mark St. Germain, Jacqueline Goldfinger, and Meridith Friedman.

The 2016-2017 Children's Series includes three family-friendly productions: a new adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast; a big adventure starring a mouse-sized hero, Stuart Little; and the sparkling musical about the color PINK, Pinkalicious, The Musical.

"We are so excited to bring three classic children's stories to life this upcoming season," said Director of Education Anne Hering. "Between the quirky magic in Beauty and the Beast, the larger than life adventures in Stuart Little, and the wild musical fun in Pinkalicious, this year's Children's Series at Orlando Shakes will have something for every family to enjoy."

Individual tickets to Beauty and the Beast are available for purchase starting May 3, 2016. 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 April 26. Tickets to all remaining productions in Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 28th go on sale June 21. Subscriptions may not currently be purchased online.

2016-2017 titles and dates are subject to change; additional information about the season, including creative team and casting, will be announced at a later date.

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SIGNATURE SERIES:

West Side Story

Book by Arthur Laurents | Music by Leonard Bernstein | Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Based on Concept of Jerome Robbins

September 7 - October 9, 2016

Idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony find themselves caught between rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. West Side Story's legendary jazz, Latin, and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs "Maria," "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty," and "America."

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher

Based on the novella "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson

October 12 - November 13, 2016

Dr. Henry Jekyll is a brilliant scientist frustrated by dull "respectable" life in 1888 Victorian London. He creates a potion to unleash his inner bestial nature, transforming him into the brutish, but eerily endearing Edward Hyde. Hyde lives the high life while Jekyll's mundane doctoral career continues-until Hyde's passions begin to turn up a body count. Equal parts thrilling and deviant, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will captivate those brave enough to step into Dr. Jekyll's laboratory.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)

By Michael Carlton, James Fitzgerald and John K. Alvarez | Original music by Will Knapp

November 30 - December 30, 2016

What begins as an annual production of A Christmas Carol, soon devolves into an irreverent look at all of our favorite "Beloved Holiday Classics" includingIt's a Wonderful Life, Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and more! Three actors (with the help of Santa) send up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in 90 minutes of high-octane jollity and frivolity.

Blackberry Winter

By Steve Yockey

January 4 - February 5, 2017

Years of success, meticulous planning, and an eye for detail have in no way prepared Vivienne Avery for her mother's slide into the grip of dementia. Vivienne recounts memories of her aging mother and the difficult decisions regarding her care. Interwoven with these stories is an evolving, wondrous 21st century Alzheimer's creation myth-an origin story about a White Egret who tries to protect forest animals as they lose their memories to a blind, oblivious Mole. Blackberry Winter is a moving, occasionally humorous, and deeply human new work.

Love's Labour's Lost

By William Shakespeare

February 22 - March 25, 2017

Self-denial is in fashion at the court of Navarre where a young King and three of his courtiers solemnly forswear all pleasures in favor of serious study. But the Princess of France and her all-too-lovely entourage have other ideas. The men soon find that love's labor complicates and conquers all things in Shakespeare's boisterous romantic comedy about love and marriage.

The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald | Adapted for the stage by Simon Levy

February 8 - March 26, 2017

When Young Nick Carraway is befriended by his mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby, he is drawn into his glitzy world of lavish parties and secret speakeasies. But as Gatsby's elusive past is uncovered and his intentions revealed, Nick finds himself a pawn in a love triangle so scandalous it threatens to destroy all those around him. This American classic is a poignant examination of prohibition America, exploring the notions of love, morality, identity, and the corruption of the American Dream.

Antony and Cleopatra

By William Shakespeare

March 29 - April 30, 2017

The victors of Rome's civil war have divided the Empire amongst themselves and Marc Antony has traveled to exotic Egypt to take up rule over his corner of the globe. There he encounters Egypt's mysterious monarch, the irresistibly entrancing Cleopatra. Their impassioned affair ultimately pits their two countries against each other and will change the face of the ancient world forever.

CHILDREN'S SERIES:

Beauty and the Beast

By Brandon Roberts | Adapted from the story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve

June 16 - July 24, 2016

Set in an enchanted castle in a far away land, Beauty and the Beast spins a magical tale where a young beauty has been locked away by a terrible Beast. The young woman's honest and enduring love for the unsightly Beast ultimately becomes a gift of kindness that brings magical results. From the team that created Orlando Shakes' The Frog and the Princess comes a bold new telling of the classic French fairy tale.

Stuart Little

Based on the book by E.B. White | Adapted by Joseph Robinette

October 27 - November 18, 2016

Stuart Little is an extraordinary mouse born into an ordinary New York City human family. Through a series of adventures-a boat race in Central Park, a drive in a gasoline-powered model car, and a chase to find his best friend, Stuart expertly navigates the challenges of being a small mouse in a big world.

Pinkalicious, The Musical

Book by Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann

Music by John Gregor | Lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann

April 6 - May 7, 2017

Based on the wildly popular children's book, Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe-a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Now celebrating ten pinkamazing years!

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Founded in 1989, Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary, and children's plays and musicals. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakes has grown into one of the region's most acclaimed professional Equity theaters, garnering national recognition from The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout. "Hence the high quality of Orlando Shakespeare, a company that deserves to be far more widely known outside Florida." With ambitious, high-caliber productions like 2014's The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II or 2008's chilling Macbeth performed "in the round", the Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its guests, while showcasing William Shakespeare's legacy as the cornerstone of the company. Orlando Shakes also offers immersive educational programming that serves Central Florida schools and the local community at large. For more information, visit www.orlandoshakes.org.