The REP Sets 2015-16 Season: Ashley Brown, FANCY NANCY & More

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP), in partnership with UCF, is proud to announce its 2015 - 2016 Season! The REP is Orlando's premiere professional theatre for families and young audiences, and has staged recent box-office hits such as Shrek The Musical and A Christmas Story The Musical and completed a run for 13,000+ 8th grade students of The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The season kicks off in a big way with a special concert by Broadway's original Mary Poppins, Ashley Brown! She is set to perform An Evening With Ashley Brown at The REP on June 27, 2015. Ms. Brown will spend time earlier in the week working with the cast of the Youth Academy production of Mary Poppins, playing July 17 - August 2, 2015. For her role as Mary Poppins, Ms. Brown received Outer Critics, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress. She also starred on Broadway as Belle in Disney's Beauty and The Beast. Ms. Brown made her solo concert debut at The Kennedy Center and has performed with virtually all of the top orchestras in North America. Ticket information for Ms. Brown's concert is forthcoming.

The fall kicks off with Fancy Nancy The Musical (September 8 - October 11, 2015). From the tip-top of her twinkly tiara down to her sparkly slippers, Nancy is ready for the spotlight in her first dance recital. But when someone else gets picked to be the prima ballerina (that's a fancy word for "star of the show"), Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Through practicing kindness, Nancy must become a musical hero by finding the fancy flair in her new role. Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch adapted the show from the best-selling books of Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser; this year is the 10th anniversary of the first book - Ooh la la!

From the creators of a past REP favorite, Junior Claus, comes Orphie and the Book of Heroes (October 12 - November 8, 2015). Spunky and curious Orphie, a young girl in Ancient Greece, sets out to save the famous storyteller Homer and his Book of Heroes in this humorous quest where she encounters Zeus, Atlas, the Sirens, Pegasus, and more! Will she be brave enough to save Homer? Much like the Percy Jackson stories, this new musical finds its own clever take on Greek mythology as modern day references find their way into this mythical world! Book and lyrics are by Chris Dimond with music by Michael Kooman.

Back by popular demand, Rudolph is flying back into town! Perennial favorite Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical returns to The REP November 9 - December 27, 2015. This stage version features all the great characters and songs from the classic Rankin-Bass television special. From fleeing the Abominable Snow Monster to saving Christmas, join Rudolph and his friends Hermey, Clarice, and Yukon Cornelius as their adventures show us that what sets you apart can be a very good thing. Featuring the music and lyrics of Johnny Marks and adapted for the stage by Robert Penola, this holiday tradition speaks to the little misfit in us all! This production is sponsored by Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The New Year begins with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (January 25 - February 21, 2016). Oh, brother! Attention-stealing little brother, Fudge, makes Peter feel like a fourth grade nothing! In this story by Judy Blume, adapted for the stage by Bruce Mason, Fudge is a toddler terror that gets away with everything, and Peter has had about all he can take! Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is a humorous look at family life and the troubles that can only be caused by a younger sibling!

Prepare yourselves as Skippyjon Jones (February 22 - April 3, 2016) takes over Orlando! Skippyjon Jones is a rambunctious Siamese kitten with big ears and an even bigger imagination. When his loving yet exasperated mother puts Skippyjon in time-out, he cannot help but daydream. His imagination takes him far, far away to Mexico, where he pretends that he is a swashbuckling Chihuahua. This silly, sweet tale, adapted from Judy Schancner's beloved book by Linda Daugherty and Nick Martin, celebrates the power of imagination. As Skippyjon would say, "Mucho fun!"

She's back with an all-new show! Junie B. Jones The Musical, adapted from the books of Barbara Park by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, plays April 4 - May 15, 2016. It's Junie B.'s first day of first grade and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie's friend Lucille doesn't want to be her best pal anymore, and on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher Mr. Scary thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and a "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal", and first grade has never been more exciting! Junie B. Jones The Musical will capture your hearts, just as the books have captivated an entire generation of students.

But that's not all... The REP's 2015 - 2016 season also includes several special limited engagements! Orlando's favorite rock band for children and families stops by for A Mr. Richard & The Pound Hounds Halloween Concert on October 30 & 31, 2015. With sing-along tunes about fish, skunks, cool snakes, and Halloween fun, Mr. Richard & The Pound Hounds play great music for hip kids, who can preview their costumes by wearing them to the concert before the big night! The REP's elite performance troupe, Power Chords, present a holiday event on December 18, 2015. Award-winning magician and comedian Tony Brent returns with Pip-Squeak: An Anti-Bullying Magic Show (January 11 - 16, 2016). Because of his small size as a child, Tony was bullied in the cafeteria, in the gymnasium, on the playground, and generally anywhere there were no adults present. Now using comedy, amazing magic tricks, juggling, and a coat-rack loaded with costumes, Tony gently and humorously teaches children how to cope with being bullied. In addition, children learn to recognize the signs of bullying and whether or not they themselves might be guilty of bullying. Tony portrays various people from his childhood and role-plays with children about various ways they could respond if they or a friend are bullied.

The season also includes productions by students of The REP Youth Academy, including Mary Poppins on July 17 - August 2, 2015, Elf The Musical Jr. on December 11 - 13, 2015, and The Sound of Music G2K on April 29 - May 1, 2016, as well as the 13th Annual Writes of Spring production, comprised of winning entries from Central Florida's school children. The REP continues its successful community engagement programs with such groups as Edgewood Children's Ranch, Girl Scouts of America, and the Orlando Union Rescue Mission. The REP also continues a partnership with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Orange County Public Schools, focused on training teaching artists for school residencies, as well as a partnership with Blue Man Group focused on sharing arts integration techniques with Central Florida educators.

There are also a few special events this season as well! Enjoy an exclusive reception and a special chance to snag a basket of goodies before watching a private of performance of Mary Poppins on July 23. Afterwards, mingle with the cast during a dessert meet-and-greet.

The REP's 3rd Annual Holiday Family Gala is back after overwhelming patron response. The only holiday gala designed specifically for families features a private holiday dinner, themed photo booth, visits with Santa, and opportunities to win gift baskets before an exclusive performance of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical on December 13. Detailed ticketing information is forthcoming.

The REP also provides ASL-interpreted shows and Sensory-Friendly performances, specially designed for children with autism, Asperger's, or other sensory processing disorders and special needs. There are also select dates for Backstage Tours and Papa John's Pizza Nights.

Public performances of The REP's season productions are Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm and 5:30pm, with tickets starting at just $14. School matinee performances are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. For more information about Season Subscriptions, Field Trip Reservations, or The REP's 2015 - 2016 season, please call 407.896.7365 or visit www.orlandorep.com.