Orlando Shakespeare Announces 25th Anniversary Season

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2013-2014 Season. Featuring a mix of Shakespeare favorites, popular stories for children of all ages, daring new plays, and a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event, the celebrated Central Florida Theater's 25th Anniversary Season offers something for everyone.

Previously announced in January, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby will headline the upcoming season. Adapted by playwright David Edgar from the comic novel by Charles Dickens, the play will be the biggest production in Orlando Shakes' history, with 30 actors playing more than 150 characters. The play is six and a half hours long, and shown as two performances on different nights. However, audiences may opt to "Spend a Day at the Theater" to see the show in its entirety with a dinner break between the performances.

Orlando Shakes will be the third theater in the country to present this adaptation. With an event this massive in development, Orlando Shakes' continuing partnership with the University of Central Florida will be as crucial as ever. Theatre UCF will be working in tandem with Orlando Shakes in all areas of the production from costume construction to giving UCF students their first professional acting credits.

In addition to the six plays in the Signature Season, Helsinger revealed that Orlando Shakes is continuing its original play series with a new namesake, Harriett's New Play Series, which will also include the weekend-long PlayFest. PlayFest, scheduled for November 2013, presents readings of new works by local and national playwrights. Recent projects have included plays by Charlie Bethel, Jon Jory, Lauren Gunderson, Steve Yockey, and Mark Brown.

The 2013-14 Season also features three Theater for Young Audiences productions based on popular literature: a fun and unique spin on Sleeping Beauty, the jazzy musical, A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Treehouse Adventure, and the hilarious courtroom rock musical, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

"Celebrating 25 seasons is a milestone for any theater," said Managing Director PJ Albert. "We feel that this season offers something for everyone with two Shakespeare favorites bookending the Signature season, the theatrical event Nicholas Nickleby, and our continued commitment to finding the next great playwright through Harriett's New Play Series. This will be a fantastic season for our patrons."

The 25th Anniversary Season Gala in conjunction with The Taming of the Shrew, will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Tickets for this annual fundraiser go on sale June 1, 2013.

Season tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling the Orlando Shakes Box Office at (407) 447-1700, or by visiting orlandoshakes.org, and in person at the Box Office located inside the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street in Orlando's Loch Haven Park.

Single tickets for the 25th Anniversary Season go on sale June 4, 2013. The season is subject to change; additional information about the season, including creative team and casting, will be announced at a later date.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign and by State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.

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