Summer is the perfect time to plan for all the wonderful performances taking the stage in the fall and spring. Even better, many of our local arts organizations offer subscriptions with premium seating and discounted tickets to their performance series.
Founded in 1989, Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) in Partnership with UCF produces classic, contemporary and children’s plays. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Managing Director PJ Albert, Orlando Shakes has grown into one of the region’s most acclaimed professional Equity theaters. The Theater continues to provide an innovative world-class theatrical experience to its guests, while showcasing William Shakespeare’s legacy as the cornerstone of the company.
The 2018-19 Signature Series will include popular classics such as A Christmas Carol and Hamlet, as well as more modern productions like In the Heights, with music and lyrics Lin-Manual Miranda and based on the book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. A Doll’s House, Part 2, a sequel that addresses Nora Helmer’s return home years later, and Gertrude and Claudius, a prequel to Hamlet, will also be showcased. And the 2018-19 Children’s Series will bring the well-known tales of The Little Mermaid and The Jungle Book to life.
ShakesInLove – Photo by Tony Firriolo features John P. Keller in 2018’s Shakespeare in Love.
2018-19 Signature Series
In the Heights – September 5 – October 7
The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful – October 10 – November 18
A Christmas Carol – November 28 – December 30
A Doll’s House, Part 2 – January 2 – February 3
Hamlet – February 6 – March 24
Gertrude and Claudius – February 20 – March 23
Richard II – March 27 – April 28
2018-19 Children’s Series
The Little Mermaid – June 14 – July 29
The Jungle Book – October 18 – November 16
Jack and the Beanstalk – April 4 – May 4
Company Celebrates Robert Hill’s 10th year as Artistic Director
This season marks Robert Hill’s 10th anniversary as artistic director with Orlando Ballet, and the upcoming season includes several audience favorites from the past decade.
Arcadian Broad will also create a new full-length ballet, Wonderland: Mad Tales of the Hatter, featuring an original score composed by him as well. The production will include live accompaniment by Central Florida Community Arts, and acclaimed Carmina Burana will also feature live music by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park.
“Over the past decade, I have watched Orlando Ballet grow by leaps and bounds in every aspect of the organization,” says Artistic Director Robert Hill. “The upcoming season is no different. After a successful 2017-18 lineup, with so many sold-out shows, we are bringing an ambitious repertoire that celebrates the classics while welcoming inventive new works. I especially look forward to continuing Orlando Ballet’s tradition of partnering with our community’s artistic talent, including Central Florida Community Arts, the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park and Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra.”
To meet growing demand, Orlando Ballet will add a fourth performance (Saturday matinee) to each Mainstage series and perform The Nutcracker over two weekends instead of one.
Dancer: Arcadian Broad; Photo credit: Michael Cairns 2018
2018-19 Season Lineup
Carmina Burana – October 12-14
The Nutcracker – December 7-16
Bailamos – February 15-17
Fast Forward – March 29
Peter & the Wolf Family Weekend – March 30-31
Arcadian Broad’s Wonderland: Mad Tales of the Hatter – April 26-28
Season subscriptions can be purchased by calling 407-418-9828. For more information, please visit orlandoballet.org.
The highly-acclaimed Hamilton will headline the 2018-19 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando series at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to Hamilton, the season includes the six-time 2017 Tony and 2018 Grammy Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen and the 2017 Tony Award-winning Hello, Dolly! starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley.
“This will be a stand-out season on so many levels,” says Dr. Phillips Center President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger. “Hamilton has become a theatrical phenomenon, and three of the seven shows made their debut on Broadway just last year, so the content is fresh and relevant. The other big benefit is that we’ve had great success securing show performers for special appearances and educational workshops in our local schools, including our own School of the Arts. Extending the arts beyond our facility and into the community is one of our top priorities.”
2018-19 FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando series:
Hello, Dolly! — November 27–December 2
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical — December 18–December 23
Hamilton — January 22 – February 10
Fiddler on the Roof — March 5 –March 10
Dear Evan Hansen — April 16 –April 21
Anastasia — May 14–19, 2019
Come From Away — June 11–16
The season will also feature the return of audience favorite as a Season Option:
Jersey Boys — October 30–November 4, 2018
For more information, visit orlandobroadway.com.
(photo: HAMILTON Chicago Company (c) Joan Marcus 2016)
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra 2018-19 season will include five concerts on the FAIRWINDS Classics Series, and five programs of two concerts each on the Pops Series, with all performances taking place at Bob Carr Theater. The Focus Series includes five concerts at The Plaza Live Theater.
FAIRWINDS Credit Union has committed to continuing its sponsorship of the Classics Series through the 2020-21 season. “We are so grateful for the past and future support from FAIRWINDS Credit Union,” says Chris Barton, OPO executive director. “This ongoing support helps us to enrich the community, inspire our audiences, and build our organization to serve Central Florida for the next 25 years.”
Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón will be featured as composer-in-residence for the 2018-19 season. The OPO will perform her compositions and arrangements, including a world premiere on the Focus Series, on four programs throughout the season.
Angelica Negron by Quique Cabanillas
FAIRWINDS Classics Series
Pines of Rome – September 29
The Planets – November 3
Tango! – January 19
Beethoven’s 7th – February 23
French Soirée – April 27
Pops Series
American Blues featuring Rhiannon Giddens – October 13
Home for the Holidays! – November 24
The Second City Guide to the Symphony with Colin Mochrie – February 2
Mardi Gras in New Orleans – March 9
Star Wars and More: The Music of John Williams – April 13
Focus Series at The Plaza Live
Schumann and Schumann – October 8
Tchaikovsky & Mozart – November 19
Mahler’s Song of the Earth – January 14
Mozart’s Symphony No. 33 – March 18
Symphony Storytime Series at The Plaza Live
Peter and the Wolf – September 15 & 23
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – December 1 & 9
Ferdinand the Bull – February 9 & 17
Aesop’s Fun Fables – May 4 & 11
For more information, please contact the Box Office at 407-770-0071 or boxoffice@orlandophil.org, or visit orlandophil.org.
Central Florida’s freshest performing arts experience is back for a third season and filled with great entertainment, artistic excellence, added performances and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Opera on the MainStage is Opera Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center Series with performances at The Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Opera on the MainStage
The Tales of Hoffmann – October 24-30
Hansel and Gretel – December 8-9
Pagliacci and Pulcinella – March 20-26
Purchase a special subscription package for all three productions at a discounted price. Visit operaorlando.org for more information.
Opera Orlando will also continue Opera on Park Summer Concert Series with up-close and personal performances at the University Club of Winter Park.
Dates:
July 29 – Alex Mansoori, Tenor
August 5 – Laura Leon, Soprano
August 12 – Suzanne Kantorski, Soprano
Purchase tickets at operaorlando.org.