Steven Lane News

Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved novel THE SECRET GARDEN has been thrilling the imaginations of readers young and old since 1911, and in 1991 Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's musical adaptation won three Tony Awards, bringing the classic story to life in a brand new way. Their musical, which is playing at Orlando's Mad Cow Theatre through December 20th, thrived on Broadway, and regionally ever since, because of its soaring music, life-affirming story, and the creativity that its magical world allows. Unfortunately, directed by Aradhana Tiwari, Mad Cow's production squanders a universally talented cast on a bleak and bland vision that lacks the magic and imagination that the story, on both page and stage, has inspired for over a century.

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for the poignant musical The Secret Garden, with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, based on the 1911 classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret Garden will open Nov. 20, 2015 in the Harriett Theatre at Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the poignant musical The Secret Garden, with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, based on the 1911 classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The Secret Garden will open Nov. 20, 2015 in the Harriett Theatre at Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando.

In the last two years, Orlando's Mad Cow Theatre has assumed the mantle as one of the Southeast's leaders in producing 'Science Plays.' In addition to their Second Annual Science Play Festival, which begins Friday, February 27th, the Church Street theatre recently premiered Anna Ziegler's affecting play PHOTOGRAPH 51, about the race to discover the structure of DNA. On first blush, such a technical topic doesn't seem like the most obvious choice for a compelling drama, but what Ziegler and director Denise Gillman obviously understand is that a good play, no matter its subject, is best when focused on human relationships and emotions. PHOTOGRAPH 51, which seems as if it was written for Mad Cow's intimate Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre, provides plenty of science, but truly excels when the actors pull back the layers on their characters' intricacies.

Mad Cow Theatre presents Photograph 51, by Anna Ziegler, opening tonight, February 20, 2015 in The Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre as part of Season 18.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of Photograph 51, by Anna Ziegler, set to open February 20, 2015 in The Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre as part of Season 18.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents A Christmas Carol from tonight, December 3-28, 2014.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Orlando Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents A Christmas Carol from December 3-28, 2014. Directed by Michael Carleton (Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker and The Tempest), with musical direction from Steve MacKinnon (A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs), Artistic Director Jim Helsinger's adaptation of Dickens' classic story comes to life on the Margeson Theater Stage. Single tickets to A Christmas Carol 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 in Partnership with UCF presents A Christmas Carol from December 3-28, 2014. Directed by Michael Carleton (Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker and The Tempest), with musical direction from Steve MacKinnon (A Night in New Orleans: A Magic Tree House Adventure and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs), Artistic Director Jim Helsinger's adaptation of Dickens' classic story comes to life on the Margeson Theater Stage. Single tickets to A Christmas Carol 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 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.

Follow the preparation for Orlando Shakespeare Theater's epic production of THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKELBY in this guest blog series.

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.

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 January 22 to March 9, 2014 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. 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. Dinner and hotel packages are also available at http://www.orlandoshakes.org/nickleby.

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 January 22 to March 9, 2014 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. 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. Dinner and hotel packages are also available at http://www.orlandoshakes.org/nickleby.

Mad Cow Theatre is pleased to announce one additional performance of Henrik Ibesen's Hedda Gabler, playing through March 25 in its intimate Stage Right. The additional performance will be on Wednesday, March 21 at 8:00 PM.