There are no wizards or mythical creatures in this mystery novel. Set in the urban sprawl of London, we meet private detective Cormoran Strike. You probably would have never heard of this book or this author until it came out earlier in the year that THE CUCKOO'S CALLING author, Robert Galbraith, is really the pseudonym for J.K. Rowling.
Just in time for Halloween, DRACULA: THE JOURNAL OF JONATHAN HARKER, is an original adaptation by Orlando Shakes very own Jim Helsinger from the Bram Stoker novel Dracula. Jonathan Harker must make a delivery to Castle Dracula and is captured by the mysterious Count. Can Jonathan survive the ordeal and will he be able to stop the powerful undead creature of the night?
THE UNDERPANTS is an adaption from Carl Sternheim's 1910 play DIE HOSE. The adapter is comedian and actor, Steve Martin. Martin's humor is clearly present throughout the play with an absurd amount of overt sexual innuendos, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top characters. Though the humor is shallow, the story is nearly absurd.
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies. In popular culture the play was translated into the 1999 movie 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. To keep the content entertaining Orlando Shakespeare Theater staged this production in the wild west, which fit the material perfectly.
Orlando, Florida is one of the few places in the world that people directly correlate the city with fairy tale princesses. Orlando is also where it all started for creators Dennis Giacino and Fiely Matias, who were tired to the same old happily ever after stories. DISENCHANTED tells the tale of nine princesses who are tired of living the stereotypes.
Who knew nuns could be so fun? When the five nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken put on a showcase to raise money, hilarity ensues. NUNSENSE pokes fun with Catholic Church jokes and crowd-rocking song and dance numbers.
The innocence of childhood is alive and well in the Orlando Rep's production of IVY & BEAN: THE MUSICAL. Based on the hit children's book series by Annie Barrows, IVY & BEAN: THE MUSICAL starts at the beginning of the pair's friendship. Though they live on the same cul-de-sac, Pancake Court, Ivy and Bean could not be any different.
Orlando is no stranger to high-profile murder trials, so sensationalism hits home with the true life tale of LIZZIE BORDEN. Set to a pretty score with music composed by Rich Charron, book and lyrics by Michael Wanzie, and new arrangements by John B. deHaas, all Orlando residents, this original production is a comedic musical biography.
QUAKE: A LOVE STORY is the saga of a couple whose marriage is ending. A powerful earthquake traps Hannah and Joe in a small closet, where they are forced to be with each other for an unknown period of time.
THE FANTASTICKS boasts a claim of the world's longest running musical. It is also a musical for musical enthusiasts. Though the plot of boy and girl fall in love seems simple enough, first-time audience members may be confused by the intrusive breaks of the fourth wall. The songs and comedy are worth the trip.
What better way to beat the heat and have fun with the kids than seeing Orlando Shakespeare's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Brandon Robert's version of SLEEPING BEAUTY adds a modern twist that keeps the story fresh. It's short enough to keep the young audience's attention at 45-minutes, yet the dialog is sharp enough to entertain the adults too.
With three rotating fiancee, a visiting friend, and stressed out maid, what could possibly go wrong? Such is the hysterical unraveling of Bernard's perfectly timed life in BOEING BOEING. Audience members of Theatre UCF's production can take a break from the summer heat, grab a drink, and escape to 1960s Paris.
Kicking off Theatre UCF's summer season is BOEING BOEING, a play originally written by Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans. Set in Paris during the 1960's Bernard (Patrick Sylvester) happily juggles life with the aid of his maid (Kate Ingram) as a swinging bachelor with three beautiful women. Bernard's friend, Robert (Eric Earley) comes to town, at the same time a new Boeing jet throws off all of Bernard's careful planning.
The most striking thing about Mad Cow Theatre's production of DREAMGIRLS is the amount of sparkles on the costumes and the live band accompanying the performers. Few Orlando musicals use a live band because of logistics; however, with music written by Henry Krieger and lyrics/book by Tom Eyen, anything less than live music would be a travesty. Though the band is not seen, they are heard loud and clear.
QUAKE brings together Orlando-based actors, Kelly Kilgore and Justin L. Baldwin. BroadwayWorld.com recently sat down with Artistic Director of A.R.T. Co., Justin L. Baldwin to discuss QUAKE: A Love Story and its acceptance into the New York International Fringe Festival this summer.
The Orlando Rep rounds up its 10th anniversary season with THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER. This family friendly production was filled with adventure and songs with a country twang. Based off the novel by Mark Twain and adapted by Ken Ludwig, we find Tom Sawyer longing for adventure in his seemingly dull life.
It's all about the 50's and 60's this summer in Orlando local theater. What better place to keep cool and avoid the tourists then at one of our many local theaters. Enjoy an outdoor dinner then catch a show in a comfortably air conditioned theater.
Orlando has a lot of wizards, but no matter how many theme parks or big time blockbusters, there is one wizard that people old and young enjoy. The Garden Theater's production of THE WIZARD OF OZ combined the well-known story by L. Frank Baum with the catchy tunes of the original MGM motion picture.
CARMINA BURANA ran from April 12-April 14th at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. It was by far the best theatrical experience bringing together two of Orlando's best. CARMINA BURANA featured Orlando Ballet and the choir and orchestra of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park. Choreographed by Robert Hill and Conducted by John V. Sinclair, the production featured 150 chorus members, the full company of Orlando Ballet, and more than a 50 person orchestra.
At first impression the show seems gratuitously violent, but apparently revenge killings were a way of life during Shakespeare's time. Despite the blood and gore, TITUS ANDRONICUS became Shakespeare's most popular play. It is not recommended for the squeamish as buckets of stage blood is thrown about the stage along with chopped off body parts.
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