Garden Theatre 2019-2020 Season Announced

At the opening of the 2018-2019 season production of The Legend of Georgia McBride, Garden Theatre's Artistic Director Rob Winn Anderson took the stage to announce the Garden's 2019-2020 season. Current subscribers can renew their subscriptions immediately. New subscriptions start at $90 and go on sale March 19. Single tickets go on sale May 8, 2019.

"The 2019 - 2020 theatrical season is one of our most dynamic yet," said Artistic Director Rob Winn Anderson. "It showcases the Garden difference and brings a range of entertainment and thought provoking pieces to our ever-growing audiences."

The exciting 2019-2020 season opens with the musical RAGTIME, an inspirational show that displays the true portrait of America. The thriller-comedy DEATHTRAP will frighten audiences just in time for Halloween, and guests will be filled with holiday spirit as A CHRISTMAS CAROL- A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS closes out 2019. 2020 begins with the powerfully stirring folk musical VIOLET, followed by a comedic adaptation of BEN HUR, complete with lawnmower chariot races. The Tony Award-winning MATILDA THE MUSICAL and '50s classic GREASE finish the entertaining and uplifting season.

2018-2019 season ticket holders may renew their subscriptions beginning January 21, 2019. New subscriptions go on sale March 19, and may be purchased online at gardentheatre.org, by phone at 407-877-4736 ext,0, or in person at the Garden Theatre Box Office. Ticket packages range from $90 - $572. Options include a 3-Show Build Your Own Subscription, 7-Show Subscription, and a 22 Ticket Flex Subscription.

Single tickets go on sale May 8, 2019, with prices starting at $30. Discounts are available for groups, youth, seniors, and military personnel.

Garden Theatre 2019 - 2020 Theatrical Season All plays and dates are subject to change.

RAGTIME THE MUSICAL Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Based on the novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow August 23 - September 15, 2019

At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing... and anything is possible. In the melting-pot of New York City, a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant, and a daring young Harlem musician are brought together by the promise of the future. Filled with compassion, courage, and America's great historical figures, Ragtime is an inspirational musical that displays the true portrait of America.

DEATHTRAP By Ira Levin October 11 - 27, 2019

Sidney Bruhl would do anything to publish the next great play. He would even kill for it. This dark comedy thriller will have audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next as Sidney discovers he may not be the only murderous playwright in the room.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS By Michael Wilson, Adapted from the original by Charles Dickens November 22 - December 22, 2019

This spirited version of A Christmas Carol puts the ghostly qualities of Charles Dickens' classic tale center stage. A swirling and dancing chorus of ghosts weave through this uplifting Christmas story of redemption, magic, hope, and holiday spirit.

VIOLET Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics and Book by Brian Crawley Based on "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts January 24 - February 9, 2020

Years ago, a stray hatchet left its mark on Violet's face. She has spent a decade struggling to find a doctor to heal her disfigurement, with no success. Violet is a powerful folk musical that tells the story of a young woman who travels cross-country with one last hope to be healed by a minister, and how she discovers the meaning of true beauty along the way.

BEN HUR By Patrick Barlow February 28 - March 15, 2020

What happens when an amateur theatre troupe tries to perform the epic story of Ben Hur? As the struggling actors rehearse the grand tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant, offstage rivalries and romances interfere with their chariot races and sea battles, with hilarious results. Patrick Barlow's new adaptation of Ben Hur is a light-hearted comedic take on a timeless story.

ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA THE MUSICAL Book by Dennis Kelly, Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin April 24 - May 24, 2020

Roald Dahl's beloved story of an extraordinary young girl comes to life in Matilda the Musical. Unloved by her parents, tormented by Headmistress Trunchbull, and armed with a vivid imagination, five-year-old Matilda finds solace in stacks of library books. With the help of her caring teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda's magic appears as she dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

GREASE Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey July 10 - August 2, 2020 When sweetheart Sandy Dumbrowski starts a new school year at Rydell High, she doesn't expect to see Danny Zuko, her summer boyfriend. The energetic musical includes hits like "Summer Nights," "There Are Worse Things I Could Do," and "Greased Lightnin'."

Tickets: Tickets for the 2019-2020 season range from $20 - $37. Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount on tickets and should call 407-877-4736 x208 or email groupsales@gardentheatre.org.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 407-877-4736 ext. 0, in person at the Garden Theatre Box Office at 160 West Plant Street in Winter Garden, or online at gardentheatre.org.

Complete season information is available at gardentheatre.org.

ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATRE Garden Theatre of Winter Garden celebrates its 11th anniversary during the 2018-2019 performance season. Originally built in 1935 as a single-screen cinema, the theatre was the first in Central Florida built for "talkies" and was a gathering place for locals to

watch the latest newsreels and films of the day. The building was restored to its former glory in 2008, and the 295-seat Garden Theatre, with a current annual budget of $1.5 million, has grown to a performing arts center with extensive programming that includes professional live theatre, concerts, dance, special events, movies and a thriving year-round arts education program. Visit gardentheatre.org or contact 407-877-4736 for details about the 2018-2019 season.