Jim Helsinger News

The game is afoot this Halloween during Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's (Orlando Shakes) production of The Hound of the Baskervilles, running from October 11 - November 19, 2017 in the Goldman Theater.

With the 2017 summer season just reaching its halfway mark, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival boasts landmark attendance, record-breaking ticket sales, and critical acclaim throughout the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia.

Broadway veteran Davis Gaines and innovative in-the-round seating will be featured in Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's (Orlando Shakes) production of Man of La Mancha.

National New Play Network, the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays, announces its 2017-18 grant recipients, including the 2017 Smith Prize for Political Theatre, seven Producer Residencies, and five Collaboration Fund awards that will support partnerships between multiple Member Theaters, playwrights, and other theater makers in various projects.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF (Orlando Shakes) has announced that Meridith Friedman's The Luckiest People will be the final Signature Series production in its upcoming 29th Season.

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert announced updates to Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's (Orlando Shakes) upcoming 2017-2018 Season. The Margeson Theater-Orlando Shakes' thrust stage-will be transformed into theater in-the-round seating for Man of La Mancha (Sep. 6 - Oct. 8, 2017) and Showtime for Shakespeare: A Magic Tree House Adventure (Oct.19 - Nov. 17, 2017). The Theater's final Signature Series production, William Shakespeare's Timon of Athens, will change to a yet to-be-determined production due to a reduction in state funding for arts and cultural-related activities.

There is no doubt that Shakespeare's influence on theater is pervasive. No one in Orlando does Shakespeare better than Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Now combine that with the talent and resources of UCF and you get THE BARD TAKES BROADWAY. As part of UCF Celebrates the Arts, this one-night show featured songstress Laura Hodos, accompanied by UCF professor Brian Hoffman, and produced by Orlando Shakes' Jim Helsinger.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) will host renowned film, television, and stage actor, Michael Dorn for a one-night special event, 'An Evening with Michael Dorn.' Dorn will share stories from his illustrious career in an 'Inside the Actor's Studio' format hosted by Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. After the discussion, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a brief question and answer session.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF is thrilled to present William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra featuring Michael Dorn as Antony and Caralyn Kozlowski as Cleopatra.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF will host renowned film, television, and stage actor, Michael Dorn for a one-night special event, "An Evening with Michael Dorn" on Sunday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in the Margeson Theater. Dorn will share stories from his illustrious career in an "Inside the Actor's Studio" format hosted by Jim Helsinger, Artistic Director at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. After the discussion, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a brief question and answer session. Tickets ($30 - $60) are available now through www.orlandoshakes.org, by calling the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street). A limited number of $250 VIP tickets are available which include a private, post-event reception with Mr. Dorn and complimentary drink vouchers during the event. For more information, please call 407-447-1700 ext. 1.

Research tells us that LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST could be Shakespeare's first comedies. It is also a Shakespearean comedy that stands the test of time with a plot that could be in any modern day romantic comedy film. While the verse is long winded, the plot is easy to follow and provides great belly laughs that are worth sticking through.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents William Shakespeare's comedy, Love's Labour's Lost now through March 24, 2017 in the Margeson Theater. Set in the Roaring Twenties, Love's Labour's Lost will play in repertory with F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (now through March 26, 2017). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert have announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2017-2018 Season. Featuring a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, two Shakespearean epics, a madcap riff on a literary classic, critically acclaimed new works, an adaptation of a cinematic treasure, and stories ripped from the pages of today's most popular children's books, the nationally renowned Theater's 29th Season offers something for every audience in Central Florida and beyond.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents William Shakespeare's comedy, Love's Labour's Lost from February 22 - March 24, 2017 in the Margeson Theater. Set in the Roaring Twenties, Love's Labour's Lost will play in repertory with F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (February 8 - March 26, 2017). Tickets ($25 - $50) to both productions 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).

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary masterpiece, The Great Gatsby from February 8 - March 26, 2017 in the Margeson Theater.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF is thrilled to present William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra featuring Michael Dorn as Antony and Caralyn Kozlowski as Cleopatra. Dorn, best known for starring as Lieutenant Commander Worf in the syndicated television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Kozlowski, long-running stage actor with over 40 professional theater credits, will perform in Antony and Cleopatra from March 29 - April 30, 2017 in the Goldman Theater. Tickets ($25 - $60) for Antony and Cleopatra 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).

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF continues to expand its mission to bring thought-provoking new theatrical works to Central Florida through a commission with playwright Mark St. Germain to write an adaptation of John Updike's bestselling novel, Gertrude and Claudius.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents William Shakespeare's comedy, Love's Labour's Lost from February 22 - March 24, 2017 in the Margeson Theater. Set in the Roaring Twenties, Love's Labour's Lost will play in repertory with F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (February 8 - March 26, 2017). Tickets ($25 - $50) to both productions 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).

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 75 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2016 Orlando winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF presents Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter.