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Michael Raabe

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Michael Raabe BIO

Originally from South Dakota, Michael has graced the stages of Busch Gardens, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and numerous regional theaters. He is an in demand vocalist/accompanist/music director for many theaters and cabaret artists in central Florida including the award winning freeFall Theatre.

In 2014 and 2015, Michael music directed and did additional arrangements for the Off-Broadway hit DISENCHANTED!

In Summer 2023, freeFall Theatre produced the World Premiere of "OZ: A New Musical" about the life and work of L. Frank Baum with music by Michael, book by Eric Davis, and lyrics by Michael & Eric. This is the first original musical by the songwriting team. A cast recording is coming this fall!

Michael is a member of the band "RETROTASTIC!" and his cabaret shows have played to sold-out crowds including "THE PURSUIT OF SNAPPINESS" and his collaborations with Sara DelBeato "The BETTE Set - A Musical Journey to MIDLER Earth," "RING-A-DING-DING!" and "TOO DARN HOT!"

He has also been a vocal director/arranger for shows at Busch Gardens and has worked around the world for Event Show Productions, Wizard Studios, and Club Med Resorts.

Michael's musical influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Jamie Cullum, Blossom Dearie, Sinatra, Mel Torme', and Steve and Eydie.

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ThinkTank Theatre And FreeFall Theatre Present YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN


Join ThinkTank Theatre and freeFall Theatre for a performance of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN.

Review: Societal Consciousness in A Political Era With GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER at freeFall Theatre


God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater is Kurt Vonnegut’s fifth novel and was published in 1965. Its Post-Modern Satire context paved way for Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, arguably his most well-known work. In the novel, Vonnegut highlights the life and times of the consciously-bound multi-millionaire Eliot Rosewater.

Casting Set For FreeFall's GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER


Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, pays homage to Vonnegut's witty humor and energetic dialogue with an infectious score by the Oscar-winning team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Tampa Awards; Voting Ends 12/31


It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Tampa Awards; THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, LA GRINGA, American Stage Theatre Company & More Lead!


There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards December 5th Standings; THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Leads Best Musical!


It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Review: MIRACLE ON 34TH ST: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY HERALDS IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT at FreeFall Theatre


Miracle on 34th Street is an American Christmas comedic/drama from 1947 that was produced by 20th century Fox. Based on the story by by Valentine Davies, the film was directed by George Seaton and features Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn. Winning three Academy Awards, Miracle on 34th Street takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and the events that transpire when a Department store Santa Claus claims to be the real Santa.

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards; LA GRINGA Leads Best Play!


Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Previews: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL RADIO PLAY at FreeFall Theatre


Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play is a captivating journey back in time, immersing the audience in the ambiance of a bygone era. The production ingeniously unfolds as a live radio broadcast, with a skilled ensemble and a meticulous foley artist weaving each sound effect into the intricate auditory tapestry.

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards; THE DROWSY CHAPERONE Leads Best Musical!


The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 20th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

freeFall Theatre Celebrates the Holidays With MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET


It's 1947, and a group of America's best and brightest entertainers have joined forces to present a radio production of the beloved holiday classic, Miracle on 34th Street. This classic story is presented in a radio format before a live studio audience and stars the voice talents of Larry Alexander, Jonathan Harrison, Joe D. Lauck, Michael Raabe, Julia Rifino, Hillary Scales-Lewis and Mya Simpkins (freeFall debut).

Previews: OZ at FreeFall Theatre


Michael Raabe described the new musical OZ: “My 5-second pitch is… Sunday In The Park With George meets Finding Neverland about the creator of The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz and its 13 sequels.”

Review: A Beautiful Vision of How the Classic Tale of Oz Came to Be With OZ: A NEW MUSICAL at FreeFall Theatre Company


Oz: A New Musical, is an original musical exploring the genius of L. Frank Baum and his complicated relationship with his most famous creation, the Land of Oz. This is the story of a dreamer at the dawn of a new age who reinvented the fairy tale in a distinctly American way, painting an idealized and magical vision of a world where witches might be good, and what you’re seeking is already inside you.

World Premiere Musical OZ Makes Its Debut In Two Weeks!


Preempted from freeFall's 19/20 season, this much-anticipated world-premiere musical by freeFall's artistic director Eric Davis and resident music director Michael Raabe finally takes its turn on June 2. OZ explores the genius of L.

David Foley, Jr. to Lead World Premiere Musical OZ at FreeFall Theatre Company


Preempted from freeFall’s 19/20 season, the world-premiere musical OZ by freeFall’s artistic director Eric Davis and resident music director Michael Raabe finally takes its turn.

freeFall's Tandem Series Presents A One-Night Only Concert With The Hilarious Varla Jean Merman, March 3


International drag chanteuse Varla Jean Merman is a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown! After the craziest time in memory, the loosest gal in town is at loose ends. What's a distressed diva to do? Tease her hair, steal someone's Ativan, and get on with the show, of course!

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards; American Stage Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards; at American Stage Theatre Company Leads Best Ensemble Performance!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards; American Stage Leads Favorite Local Theatre!


The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Tampa Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Review: THE NIGHT BEFORE is the Perfect Gift at FreeFall Theatre Company


Allow me if you will a little indulgence as I set the scene. The year is 2020, the Global Pandemic that has riddled the world, and the country as we know it to shutter/ shelter in place. Like many Performing Arts Organizations, the folks at freeFall Theatre, known for their motto “Just escape awhile...” and their inventive way of producing live theatre, was struggling to find the best outlet to keep producing, while safely doing so for both performers and patrons alike. Producing Artistic Director Eric Davis and Director Matthew McGee began discussions about how to safely produce a Christmas Show that was full on Christmas versus just taking place around Christmas. In the past freeFall has produced works such as Peter & The Starcatcher, and The Lion in Winter that work for Christmas shows, but are not necessarily Christmas shows. They have also in the past produced A Christmas Carol, but being inventive, Eric Davis and company wanted to shake things up a little, and if any theatre is well known for doing just that, its freeFall. So you can say the show itself was born out of a challenge, and freeFall delivered ten-fold. The Night Before was such a hit, freeFall decided to bring it back this season for the second year in a row, with some new adaptations and new characters.

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