Michael Donald 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 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 is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos of the new production below!

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 Rep continues its 2017-18 season with the celebrated American musical RAGTIME. Check out video of the cast in action below! 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 is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

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 is currently on stage through May 27 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos of the new production below!

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 Rep continues its season with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' gripping and engrossing GLORIA, a Pulitzer Prize-finalist and one of The New York Times' Best Theater Picks of 2015. Directed by FSU/Asolo Conservatory Director and Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Greg Leaming, GLORIA previews April 4 and 5, opens April 6 and runs through April 29 in the Cook Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. 

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 proudly kicks off its repertory season with SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, the stunning new stage adaptation of Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard's triumphant Academy Award-winning film. The film starred Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola, who garnered an Oscar for the role, Joseph Fiennes as Will, and Dame Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth. This lush, sweeping and timeless romantic comedy will be helmed by director and choreographer Rachel Rockwell. Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions and adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE previews January 10 and 11, opens January 12 and runs in rotating repertory through March 28 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.