Michael Donald Edwards News

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces that it is the recipient of a $70,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant will support the theatre's highly anticipated 2018-19 season, which kicks off in November with a boldly reimagined production of The Music Man.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces that it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

Asolo Rep proudly kicks off its 60th season with a highly imaginative production of Meredith Willson's Tony Award-winning exuberant masterpiece THE MUSIC MAN. Directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Newsies), this tap dancing-infused production stars legendary Broadway song and dance man Noah Racey as Harold Hill. Calhoun and Racey previously collaborated on the smash hit world premiere of Noah Racey's Pulse at Asolo Rep in 2013. The perfect family holiday outing, THE MUSIC MAN begins previews on November 13, opens November 17 and runs through December 29 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Asolo Rep proudly presents an FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training touring production of William Shakespeare's magical masterpiece THE TEMPEST. This inventive, new 45-minute adaptation will be directed by Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal and adapted by Tyler Dobrowsky, who streamlined last season's touring production of Julius Caesar. The ninth annual educational touring production will travel to schools and community venues throughout the state of Florida from September 25 through November 19. There will also be a special performance for educators, press and the public on Friday, September 28 at 6pm in the Cook Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces Celine Rosenthal as its Associate Artistic Director. Rosenthal, previously an Artistic Associate and Directing Fellow at Asolo Rep, will serve as a member of the theatre's senior leadership team, collaborating with Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards in defining, planning and achieving the artistic vision of the theatre. This new Associate Artistic Director position is made possible, in part, through the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly presents the final production of its 2017-18 season: the world premiere of JUNGLE BOOK, a boldly re-imagined family friendly stage adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner Rudyard Kipling's beloved classic. From the creators of Asolo Rep's 2017 hit production of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, JUNGLE BOOK previews June 6 - 8, opens June 9 and runs through June 24 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. It is recommended for ages 5 and up and will be presented by Kidoons and WYRD Productions in association with the 20K Collective, produced by Jeff Lord, co-created and co-directed by Craig Francis and Rick Miller.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces that Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele will continue their tenure for five more years at the theatre, through the 2022 - 2023 season.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces its 2018-19 Board of Directors. Officers include Ann Charters (President), Carole Crosby (Vice President/President Elect), Sy Goldblatt (Vice President), Dennis Dirks (Treasurer), and Giselle Huberman (Secretary).

Asolo Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Directed by Peter Rothstein, founding artistic director of Theater Latte Da in Minneapolis, RAGTIME features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, who all garnered Tony Awards for the production. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Galati, who received a Tony nomination for his work and is an Associate Artist at Asolo Rep. A collaboration with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, RAGTIME previews May 1 - 3, opens May 4 and runs through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

On Monday, March 19, 2018, Asolo Rep and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training proudly unveiled their 2018-19 seasons.

Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly announces the induction of two new members to its Board of Directors: Garrett Heard, BMO Private Bank Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor; and William S. Villafranco, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Trustee and CEO of Villafranco Wealth Management. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training will unveil their 2018-19 seasons on Monday, March 19 at 4pm at the annual Season Announcement Event. Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director, will announce Asolo Rep's 2018-19 season, which marks the theatre's 60th anniversary, and Greg Leaming, Director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and Associate Artistic Director of Asolo Rep, will announce the Conservatory's season.   The Season Announcement Event, held in the Mertz Theatre, is free and open to the public,  however tickets are required. Asolo Rep subscribers and donors at the Angels level or higher will receive preferred seating.

Asolo Rep will host Inside Asolo Rep: RHINOCEROS and ROE on Wednesday, February 28 at 11am, with refreshments at 10:30am. This insightful behind-the-scenes panel will feature Frank Galati (Director, RHINOCEROS), Lavina Jadhwani (Director, ROE), Peggy Roeder (Queen Elizabeth, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; Mrs. Boeuf, RHINOCEROS); and Terri Weagant (Norma McCorvey, ROE). The discussion will be moderated by Asolo Rep Dramaturg and Literary Manager Paul Adolphsen.

Asolo Rep continues its record-breaking season with Lisa Loomer's ROE, a poignant new play that humanizes and examines both sides of one of the most polarizing Supreme Court cases of all time: Roe v. Wade. Asolo Rep is proud to be only the fourth theater in the country to be granted the rights to this must-see production. Directed by Lavina Jadhwani and based on the original production directed by Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director Bill Rauch,  ROE previews March 14 and 15, opens March 16, and runs in rotating repertory through April 15 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Asolo Rep's MORNING AFTER GRACE IllumiNation event will be held on Saturday, February 17. A stimulating series of theatre and conversation exploring the topical and social themes threaded throughout the season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a ticketed reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free, open-to-the-public conversation.

Asolo Rep, one of the few theaters in the country to perform in true rotating repertory, proudly announces the complete acting company for its 2017-18 rep season. The season, which kicks off Asolo Rep's 'Staging Our World' initiative, features Shakespeare in Love (January 10 - March 28, directed by Rachel Rockwell); Morning After Grace (January 17 - March 4, directed by Peter Amster); Rhinoceros (February 7 - April 14, directed by Frank Galati); and Roe (March 14 - April 15, Directed by Lavina Jadhwani).

Throughout Asolo Rep's sold-out run of EVITA (Nov. 14 - Dec. 30), the theatre has collected donations for Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria relief in Puerto Rico. The initiative was inspired by Ana Isabelle (Eva Per n in EVITA), a celebrated Puerto Rican recording artist and actress who traveled from New York City to Puerto Rico to be with her family during the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The theatre has raised more than $30,000.

Asolo Rep continues its repertory season withMORNING AFTER GRACE, a poignant comedy about new love for the older set. Penned by playwright Carey Crim, a fresh voice for the American stage, and directed by Asolo Rep Associate Artist Peter Amster (Asolo Rep: Born Yesterday, Living on Love, The Matchmaker, and more), MORNING AFTER GRACE previews January 17 and 18, opens January 19 and runs in rotating repertory through March 4 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

Asolo Rep proudly announces its 2017-18 IllumiNation Series, promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community. Held during select Wednesday and Saturday performances throughout the 2017-18 season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free and open-to-the-public community conversation where audience members can further explore the topical and social issues that they have just seen played out on stage. Five-play and three-play ticket packages are available for the series.

Asolo Rep proudly announces its 2017-18 IllumiNation Series, promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community. Held during select Wednesday and Saturday performances throughout the 2017-18 season, IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a free and open-to-the-public community conversation where audience members can further explore the topical and social issues that they have just seen played out on stage. Five-play and three-play ticket packages are available for the series.