Jim Pugh

There is something extremely refreshing when a theatre company gives its patrons the opportunity to experience a rare gem. Now, there’s nothing wrong with producing a show that is popular with the masses, but out of the thousands of musicals out there waiting to be performed, giving a rarely produced and underappreciated property the chance to breathe on the stage is, to me, the ultimate gift to theatre fans. That is why I was thrilled to have the chance to experience A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC – the season opener for Orlando’s Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) at the Dr. Phillips Center. And I am here to tell you, CFVA’s production is absolutely magnificent – and one that you simply do not want to miss.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is on sale now with Saturday Night Live head writer and “Weekend Update” co-host, Colin Jost.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Orlando's premier entertainment venue, announces it has been selected as a recipient of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) 2023 Venue Excellence Award. 

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will present this summer’s Pre-Professional Production: A Chorus Line, directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Baayork Lee with music direction by Lauren Langa.

Produced by guitar-phenom Charlie Hunter in his new hometown of Greensboro, NC and set for release on Little Village, Everybody's Buddy is a reflection of an everyday Generation Z kid trying his best while facing unsurmountable challenges that most Americans deal with daily. Nic Clark pours his emotions out on Everybody's Buddy.

The powerful instrumental ensembles of Central Florida Community Arts are heating up this summer!

The Broadway League congratulates the honorees of the League Awards, which were announced today during the 33rd annual Spring Road Conference, celebrating industry professionals whose outstanding achievements contribute to the success of Broadway on the Road. Since 1992, the League Awards recognize those who have displayed exemplary service to the Touring Broadway industry and are regarded as innovators in their profession.

There are some musical theatre scores that burrow themselves into your subconscious and stay with you long after the first listen or the first time experiencing a show in a darkened theatre. For me, Lucy Simon’s score for THE SECRET GARDEN is one of those that has permanent real estate in my head ever since I first listened to the cast album 32 years ago . Maybe it’s Ms. Simon’s soaring, beautiful melodies or Marsha Norman’s poetic and poignant lyrics (and book) but THE SECRET GARDEN is, vocally, as luscious and verdant as the garden that features prominently in the play. It is a perfect vehicle, then, for a company with “Vocal Arts” in its name – and in Central Florida Vocal Arts’ (CFVA) production, now playing through May 7th at the Dr. Phillips Center, the music takes center stage and is allowed to blossom into something truly magical.

One of the first things I realized when I moved to Orlando back in 2020 was the extremely active and vibrant arts scene. This came as a real surprise because, as an outsider, I had previously only associated the area with theme parks and tourism. I quickly learned about the wealth of talent, artistic offerings and culture available to us all here in the City Beautiful and of the amazing venues and spaces where art and culture happen here every day and have since had a chance to personally experience so many of those spaces as I review performances there. One of those key spaces, or cultural “hearts” of the city, is the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – a stellar, state of the art venue that houses multiple performance spaces and makes its mission to provide “Arts For Every Life”. To learn more about the Dr. Phillips Center and everything it has to offer today (and for the future), I sat down with CEO Kathy Ramsberger who provided a bit of background on her own journey and discussed the role the center plays bringing arts and culture to the people of Orlando and beyond.

Singer/songwriter Eleri Ward will return to Joe's Pub in New York on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM to perform selections from her new album Keep A Tender Distance from Ghostlights Records.

Central Florida Vocal Arts concludes its decade anniversary season with Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman's masterpiece musical, The Secret Garden. Performances will take place May 5-7, 2023 in the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center in Downtown Orlando.

Orlando is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Our picks for April 2023 include Misery, Ragtime, Sunset Boulevard, and more!

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS has announced that the new album Keep A Tender Distance rom singer/songwriter Eleri Ward will be released in a special vinyl edition on Friday, June 2. 

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts education program, 6th & Jazz, returned to in-person performances in Walt Disney Theater this week. Fifteen thousand 6th graders from Orange County Public Schools attended the interactive jazz history and influences program and were introduced to the works of jazz legends such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and more.

GHOSTLIGHT RECORDS's new album Keep A Tender Distance – the sublimely introspective folk guitar exploration of Stephen Sondheim’s singular musical theater canon – from singer/songwriter Eleri Ward is available on CD now.

“I haven’t laughed so much in my life,” the audience member me behind remarked as curtains drew to a close. A fellow patron to my right turned around and declared, “Neither have I!” The two instantly bonded over how much they loved SORDID LIVES, a self-proclaimed “black comedy about white trash” - the latest production from Encore! Performing Arts.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has announced the hugely acclaimed and much beloved Grammy-winning Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning triumph, Into the Woods, will go on sale for single tickets Friday, February 17.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is celebrating Valentine's Day offering savings on select shows for gifting your loved one a memorable experience at the arts center.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announces summer camps are on sale now. Week-long camps in June and July at the arts center's AdventHealth School of the Arts are available for students of varying ages and skill levels in a range of performing arts featuring musical theater and comedy.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has announced their Jazz Series will return this season featuring unparalleled artistry with four upcoming performances taking place in the acoustically remarkable Steinmetz Hall supported by Massey Services, Inc. The downtown Orlando arts center is thrilled to welcome such talented artists that represent the many facets of the jazz genre all in the one-of-a-kind, multiform hall.