Terry Olson News

Former Orlando theater and opera mainstay Frank McClain, who left Orlando in 2012 to assume the role of Managing Director of Opera Tampa and who then relocated to Dubuque, Iowa (2015) to become the Executive and Artistic Director of the Grand Opera House, will return to Orlando this summer to direct Stephen Lewis and Michael Wanzie in the Wanzie Presents production of Mass Appeal – opening on Friday, July 14th, 2023 for a limited 3-performance run.

Cece Teneal's ICONS celebrates 20 years of arts and entertainment of Central Florida's homegrown and internationally known blues-centric soprano, Cece Teneal. Featuring the Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) Symphony Orchestra and Community Choir, ICONS is a celebration to recognize ICONS who are pioneers for the preservation and advancement of performing arts in Central Florida.

Cece Teneal's ICONS celebrates 20 years of arts and entertainment of Central Florida's homegrown and internationally known blues-centric soprano, Cece Teneal. Featuring the Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) Symphony Orchestra and Community Choir, ICONS is a celebration to recognize ICONS, who are pioneers for the preservation and advancement of performing arts in Central Florida.

The anonymous survey aims to measure the impact of the pandemic on the region’s arts and entertainment industry professionals.

Village Theatre is closing out their season with an all-new stage production of the Broadway hit musical, Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger dream: to dance her way onto national TV, dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of the local heartthrob, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her 'do! The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical teach us to look past skin color and size in the fight for equal rights. "What excites me about this show," says co-director Timothy McCuen Piggee, "is that we get to tell stories that humanize in a world that constantly works to dehumanize. This play is really clever because it offers the opportunity to examine issues like racism, sizeism, homophobia, and bias. This show is thoughtful and courageous and I'm excited to bring it to life with such a strong team of individuals."

Village Theatre is closing out their season with an all-new stage production of the Broadway hit musical, Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger dream: to dance her way onto national TV, dethrone the reigning teen queen, win the affections of the local heartthrob, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her 'do! The Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical teach us to look past skin color and size in the fight for equal rights. "What excites me about this show," says co-director Timothy McCuen Piggee, "is that we get to tell stories that humanize in a world that constantly works to dehumanize. This play is really clever because it offers the opportunity to examine issues like racism, sizeism, homophobia, and bias. This show is thoughtful and courageous and I'm excited to bring it to life with such a strong team of individuals."

There's a lot you know to know, so let's get started!

The Winter Park Playhouse jumps into the national spotlight as it prepares to launch the first annual Florida Festival of New Musicals, a nationally-recognized festival new to the state and nation. The Festival is being created to advance and elevate the original American art form of Musical Theater by fostering the development of new musicals and the artistic growth of writers and composers. The date is set for August of 2017. 

In the American theatrical cannon, there is perhaps no play more beloved than George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's Pulitzer Prize-winning YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. The cherished comedy has been one of the most enduring works on American stages since its debut in 1937, and Church Street's Mad Cow Theatre Company has brought a charming production to Orlando through October 25th. Directed by David Russell, the original madcap family comedy still carries as many life lessons as it did nearly 80 years ago, all the while providing a laugh a minute. While there is a layer of subtext seemingly missing from this production, it is nonetheless thrilling to see such an incredibly talented cast dive head first into these delightfully bonkers characters.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of the classic comedy You Can't Take It With You, by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. You Can't Take It With You is set to open Oct. 2, 2015 in the Harriett Theatre as the first production of Season 19.

The Winter Park Playhouse sets sail with the well-loved tap dancing musical comedy Dames At Sea tonight, July 24 - August 22, 2015.

The Winter Park Playhouse sets sail with the well-loved tap dancing musical comedy Dames At Sea July 24 - August 22, 2015.  This is the first production in a series of six professional musicals the Playhouse is offering through June 2016. 

The Winter Park Playhouse sets sail with the well-loved tap dancing musical comedy Dames At Sea July 24 - August 22, 2015. This is the first production in a series of six professional musicals the Playhouse is offering through June 2016. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30p.m., Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2p.m. and select Wednesday, Friday and Sunday matinees at 2p.m. The preview performance is Thursday, July 23 at 7:30p.m.

For the first time ever, three Florida based public art programs will host Slow Art Day events on April 27th. Slow Art Day is a worldwide event in which people look at a few selected works of art slowly and then get together to discuss what they have seen. More than 261 Slow Art Day events will take place worldwide, many of them at Florida art museums, galleries and public art venues. The Florida public art programs hosting Slow Art Day events include Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, St. Lucie County Art in Public Places and Broward County Public Art & Design. All three are members of the Florida Association of Public Art Professionals (FAPAP).

The Garden Theatre will present The Wizard of Oz showing April 19 - May 26 at the Garden Theatre (160 West Plant Street), presented by CenturyLink. Directed by Rob Winn Anderson, The Wizard of Oz has a cast of over 50 children and adults ranging in age from 5-65 as actors, singers, and dancers from across the Central Florida area in this fresh take of the classic musical. Several performances dates will feature celebrity walk-on roles.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast for Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose. Twelve Angry Men is produced as part of The Gary and Maureen Fries Modern Classics Series.

Mad Cow Theatre presents Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose, running August 3 through August 26, 2012, in downtown Orlando. Twelve Angry Men is produced as part of The Gary and Maureen Fries Modern Classics Series. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Mad Cow Theatre has announced the cast for Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose. Twelve Angry Men is produced as part of The Gary and Maureen Fries Modern Classics Series.