Alexander Mrazek News

What did our critic think of INTIMI(DATING), SINGLE RIDER SONGBOOK, AND MORE at The Orlando Fringe Festival?

When it comes to theater, seeing an original work is always a gamble.  Yes, I know that many popular pieces of theater started as original works, but this does not mean I personally want to invest my time in it.  

“What do you do with a drunken sailor?” An age-old question sung by scalawags and ne’er do wells as they drank rum on the deck of a ship on its way to pillage and burn. Sound familiar? For any fan of pirate popular culture, this conjures a particular image. Maybe it’s of Captain Jack Sparrow stumbling around and getting into all kinds of misadventures or the local fan favorite ride at the Magic Kingdom. Maybe your reference is more of the classical nature, Blackbeard or Treasure Island. Whatever your pirate point of reference, it is likely you haven’t seen pirates like the ones inhabiting the latest offering from New Generation Theatrical (Sept 19-29 at the Abbey), GOTHIC SEAS: FATHOMS OF INTOXICATING FORTUNE – an original play that offers comedy, a touch of improv and of course, plenty of drinking to ensure audiences have a jolly good time. A Jolly Roger, that is.

Neil Sedaka's musical 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do' is coming to The Winter Park Playhouse from January 19 through February 17, 2024. Don't miss this captivating show filled with love, laughter, and Sedaka's iconic songs.

New Generation Theatrical, an Orlando-based non-profit that supports the theatrical arts, today announced the Orlando premiere of Significant Other, a play by Joshua Harmon that explores friendships, courtships and the possibility of being terminally single.

Sometimes a production comes along that finds the perfect synergy between content, cast and creative vision ultimately delivering an elevated theatrical experience. And when that show is lesser known, but wildly entertaining that makes this perfect alignment seem even more rare. I am thrilled to say that The Winter Park Playhouse has found just such a production in DESPERATE MEASURES, the final offering in its 20th season. This rollicking, hilarious and superbly performed musical comedy is sure to thrill and shows off why The Winter Park Playhouse is truly a gem in the Orlando theatre community.

Closing the highly successful Winter Park Playhouse 20th Anniversary Series, the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - makes its way to the theatre's Mainstage May 12 - June 11, 2023. 

 New Generation Theatrical, an Orlando-based non-profit that supports the theatrical arts, has announced its 2023 Season with a slate of seven shows, including two original productions written and directed by New Generation Theatrical producer Michael Knight.  In addition, in January, New Generation Theatrical will present a preseason run of last season’s sold-out show, Gothic Manor.

How do you take a brilliant piece of classic musical theatre and improve upon it? Orlando’s New Generation Theatrical's production of SWEENEY TODD, does this by breaking down the typical stage barriers and immersing the audience in the material, creating a fresh (and fantastic) production.

Direct from New York City after its closing last Fall, The Winter Park Playhouse opens the country's first professional production of the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - September 20 through October 13.

Direct from New York City after its closing last Fall, The Winter Park Playhouse opens the country's first professional production of the Off-Broadway hit - Desperate Measures - September 20 through October 13. This uproarious musical comedy won both the 2018 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards and is set for its national premiere at The Winter Park Playhouse September 20 through October 13. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Thursday and Saturday matinee performances at 2 p.m. and select Friday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

DRAGONFLY STUDIO & PRODUCTIONS has announced the cast of the upcoming cabaret, CASUALTY OF LOVE!, the second installment from the series: CELEBRATE? DON'T MIND IF I DO! This fun look at relationships is in celebration of a holiday some of us have come to know all too well: Single's Awareness Day! When best to celebrate this holiday you ask? Well on Valentine's Day of course!

Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF invites patrons to the center of the creative process at PlayFest presented by Harriett's Charitable Trust (PlayFest 2018) from November 2 - 4 and 10 - 11, 2018.

Fresh off a sold-out run and Critics' Choice Award winner at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2018, F*ckboys the Musical will make its international debut at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival 18-23 September.

Fresh off a sold-out run and Critics' Choice Award winner at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2018, F*ckboys the Musical will make its international debut at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival 18-23 September.

Fresh off a sold-out run and Critics' Choice Award winner at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2018, F*ckboys the Musical will make its international debut at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival 18-23 September.

The Luckiest People, a tense, new family dramedy produced by Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF, comes to the Goldman Theater from March 28 - April 29, 2018. Tickets ($25 - $50) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF (Orlando Shakes) invites audiences to take a risk on new plays at PlayFest presented by Harriett's Charitable Trust (PlayFest 2017) from October 27 29, 2017 and November 3 5, 2017. Tickets to individual PlayFest readings ($10) are available now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, visiting www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

MAN OF LA MANCHA runs at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre through October 8, and the critics are weighing in!