INTO THE WOODS, THE GLASS MENAGERIE & More Set for Garden Theatre's 2016-17 Season

The Garden Theatre, located at 160 West Plant Street in historic Winter Garden, is pleased to announce its 2016-2017 Theatre Season, running from September 2016 - May 2017. In addition to the six full-length theatrical presentations, the season will be dotted with weekend events such as music and dance concerts, as well as movies and holiday offerings. Subscriptions will go on sale April 1 for current subscribers, April 15 for new subscribers, and May 1 for single tickets at gardentheatre.org or by calling the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736).

"This will be a season of wishes," said Garden Theatre's Consulting Artistic Director, Rob Winn Anderson. "Wishes come in many forms and fashion. They can be selfless and selfish, fantastic or realistic, personal yet global in nature. The Garden Theatre's 2016-2017 theatrical season is a Season of Wishes and, spread throughout our unique lineup of shows, you will experience the phrases 'wishes can come true' and 'be careful what you wish for' in ways that you might not expect."

Bonnie & Clyde
Book by Ivan Menchell; Lyrics by Don Black; Music by Frank Wildhorn
Produced by Garden Theatre | Central Florida Regional Premiere
September 9 - October 2, 2016
With a mutual craving for excitement and a wish for fame, two small-town nobodies in Depression-era Texas meet and immediately set out to chase their dreams. Together their bold and reckless behavior turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Resorting to robbery and murder while on the run, the infamous duo will do anything to survive. This musical, infused with blues, gospel and fiddle-filled rockabilly, was nominated for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding New Score by the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and for Original Score at the 2012 Tony Awards.

The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
Produced by Beth Marshall Presents
October 21- November 6, 2016
Amanda Wingfield is a faded southern belle who lives in poverty with her restless son, Tom, and her painfully shy daughter, Laura, in St. Louis during the late 1930s. While Tom works in a factory and dreams of becoming a poet, his fragile sister seems unable to find her place. Believing that marriage will be the answer for Laura, Amanda pushes Tom into finding a male suitor for her. What begins as a promising evening soon unravels, and the fragile fantasy world the family had begun to build is irreparably cracked. Tennessee Williams drew upon his own life to create a poignant tale that has become an award-winning American classic. Winner of multiple awards when The Glass Menagerie was first brought to the stage in 1945, the play was a 2014 Tony Award nominee for Best Revival of a Play.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
By Charles M. Schulz; Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson; Stage Adaptation by Eric Schaeffer; By Special Arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Person
Produced by Garden Theatre
December 2 - 18, 2016
The classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation. Charlie Brown is overwhelmed by the materialism he sees during the holiday season and wishes to find the true meaning of Christmas. After enthusiastically accepting the role of director for the school Christmas pageant, he soon becomes frustrated by his uncooperative actors and their portrayal of the story. After Charlie Brown selects a pitiful tree for the centerpiece of the play and flees the resulting criticism, all of the Peanuts gang come to realize what is important...now that Christmas-time is here.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn; Book by Rachel Sheinkin; Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Produced by Beth Marshall Presents
February 3 - 26, 2017
In this riotous ride, complete with audience participation, six young people in the throes of puberty candidly disclose hilarious and touching stories from their home life. The tweens spell their way through a series of challenging and off-the-wall words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. At least the losers get a juice box. Winner of the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Book, this musical continues to charm audiences with its wit and humor.

Garden Encore!
Anniversary Gala
March 4, 2017
Garden Encore! marks the Garden Theatre's largest fundraising event of the season, highlighting its impact as a cultural gem for residents and visitors to West Orange County. Celebrate the Garden Theatre with first class, nationally-recognized entertainment and exquisite food for its ninth anniversary.

Destiny of Desire
By Karen Zacarías
Produced by Garden Theatre | Southeastern United States Premiere
March 17 - April 9, 2017
A telenovela-inspired modern comedy by award-winning playwright Karen Zacarías brings music, high drama and burning passion to the stage. One stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two baby girls are born-one into privilege and the other into poverty. A former beauty queen with an insatiable lust for power swaps the babies and the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into one remarkable destiny. Winner of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, this Southeastern United States Premiere is sure to seduce audiences as they travel on a fast-paced ride in this "show within a show."

Into the Woods
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by James Lapine
Produced by Garden Theatre
April 28 - May 28, 2017
Follow a baker and his wife as they journey into the woods striving to lift a witch's curse. Along the way they encounter other fairytale characters, each of whom possesses something necessary to reverse the curse. Winner of the 1988 Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, Into the Woods explores the consequences of wishes and the responsibility that comes with getting what you want.

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