Jim Helsinger News

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces partial casting for the seven productions in its 2014-2015 Signature Series. Following an extensive nationwide search, Artistic Director Jim Helsinger has handpicked a talented group of Broadway veterans and local favorites to bring the Theater's 26th Season to life.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF and the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida are proud to present The Best of Enemies from October 15 - November 16, 2014 in the Goldman

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF has announced partial casting for LES MISERABLES.

The wildly hilarious Tony-Award winning comedy Lend Me a Tenor opens tonight, July 11 at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Running in repertory with Shakespeare's Macbeth, the production continues through August 3 in the PSF Main Stage theatre on the campus of DeSales University. Get a first look at the cast in action below!

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces a very special collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the passage and signing of the Civil Rights Act, the two organizations will partner to present The Best of Enemies from October 15 - November 16, 2014 on the Goldman Theater stage. The powerful new play by Mark St. Germain exposes the poison of prejudice and the beauty of friendship.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is pleased to present Les Miserables from September 10 - October 12, 2014 in the Margeson Theater. Directed by DJ Salisbury and Musical Director Ken Cliffton, the production will headline Orlando Shakespeare Theater's upcoming 26th Season. Single tickets to Les Miserables are available now by calling (407) 447-1700, visiting 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 has announced that Broadway star Davis Gaines will be featured in its Fall 2014 production of LES MISERABLES.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will present a hilarious retelling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel from June 19 - July 27, 2014. Based on the story by The Brothers Grimm, Orlando Shakes actor/playwright Brandon Roberts returns with another family-friendly adaptation after past summer hits Sleeping Beauty (2013) and Cinderella (2012). Complete with a brave princess, a clueless king, and a magical plunger, audiences of all ages will enjoy this silly production, presented in the intimate Goldman Theater. Single tickets to Rapunzel ($9 - $15) can be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St.

Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday with Orlando Shakespeare Theater's free screening of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, a modern retelling about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a clever way with words. The Bard's beloved comedy comes to life in this black and white masterpiece.Much Ado About Nothing runs 109 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief drug use.

Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday with Orlando Shakespeare Theater's free screening of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing, a modern retelling about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a clever way with words. The Bard's beloved comedy comes to life in this black and white masterpiece.Much Ado About Nothing runs 109 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief drug use.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is proud to present a hilarious retelling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel from June 19 - July 27, 2014. Based on the story by The Brothers Grimm, Orlando Shakes actor/playwright Brandon Roberts returns with another family-friendly adaptation after past summer hits Sleeping Beauty (2013) and Cinderella (2012). Complete with a brave princess, a clueless king, and a magical plunger, audiences of all ages will enjoy this silly production, presented in the intimate Goldman Theater. Single tickets to Rapunzel ($9 - $15) go on sale April 22, 2014, and can be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St.

Tennessee Shakespeare Company asked our actor playing Petruchio, Paul Kiernan?, five questions now that he's been through the first week of rehearsal with us for The Taming of the Shrew.

=Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF celebrates the Bard's 450th birthday with a Free Movie Night in the Park on April 26, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Presented in association with Enzian Theater, the free screening of Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing is open to the public and no RSVP is necessary to attend. The outdoor event will take place along the lawn of Loch Haven Park at the corner of Mills Ave. and Princeton St. For more information call (407) 447-1700, visit us online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert announced the 10 productions that will comprise Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF's upcoming 2014-2015 Season. Featuring a mix of Shakespeare favorites, popular stories for children of all ages, daring new plays, and a musical event of epic proportions, the celebrated Theater's 26th Season offers something for every audience in Central Florida and beyond.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is proud to present a timeless retelling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar from March 19 - April 20, 2014. The classic drama comes to life on the intimate Goldman Theater stage under the direction of Tina Packer, founder and former Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company, 'a troupe that has kept the Berkshires ringing with the sound of blank verse for 32 years' (The New York Times). The small cast includes Jason Asprey, Paul Bernardo, Nigel Gore, Anne Hering, Jim Ireland, A. Ross Neal, and Esau Pritchett. Tickets ($17 - $40) are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is proud to present a timeless retelling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar from March 19 - April 20, 2014. The classic drama comes to life on the intimate Goldman Theater stage under the direction of Tina Packer, founder and former Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company, 'a troupe that has kept the Berkshires ringing with the sound of blank verse for 32 years' (The New York Times). The small cast includes Jason Asprey, Paul Bernardo, Nigel Gore, Anne Hering, Jim Ireland, A. Ross Neal, and Esau Pritchett. Tickets ($17 - $40) are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803. Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents a timeless retelling of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar from March 19 - April 20, 2014. The classic drama comes to life on the intimate Goldman Theater stage under the direction of Tina Packer, founder and former Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company, 'a troupe that has kept the Berkshires ringing with the sound of blank verse for 32 years' (The New York Times). The small cast includes Jason Asprey, Paul Bernardo, Nigel Gore, Anne Hering, Jim Ireland, A. Ross Neal, and Esau Pritchett. Tickets ($17 - $40) are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is excited to unveil four of the productions in its highly anticipated 26th Season. Audiences will be inspired by the award-winning music of Les Miserables and challenged by the themes of Mark St. Germain's new play, The Best of Enemies (both part of the Theater's Signature Series). Previously known as the Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) Series, Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 2014-2015 Children's Series will include a World Premiere adaptation of Rapunzel, followed by The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. The complete 26th Season will be announced at a later date. Season subscriptions can be purchased by calling (407) 447-1700 or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park.

Orlando Shakspeare's 25th Anniversary promised to be its biggest season yet. It's finally time to see what all the buzz is about. Totaling 6.5 hours, the hyped mega-spectacle THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY lives up to its name. Make no mistake, it's a big production, but with the talented cast it does not feel like you're watching a lifetime.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF welcomes audiences to a pre-show celebration of Charles Dickens' 202nd birthday on Friday, February 7, 2014. Prior to the evening's performance of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Part I, ticket holders and the public are invited to gather in the lobby of the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center for birthday cake, donated by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs. Charles Dickens himself will be in attendance to kick off the special event (appearance courtesy of the Florida Theatrical Association and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation). The Charles Dickens' Birthday Celebration begins at 7:00 p.m.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is thrilled to present the epic theatrical event The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I and II. Written by David Edgar and adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens, the production is produced in Collaboration with Theatre UCF. Co-directed by Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Theatre UCF Chair/Artistic Director Christopher Niess, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II is presented in rotating repertory from today, January 22 to March 9, 2014 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park.