Everyone loves a good showbiz comeback. Today we’ll look at some of the things, including the reopening of unique theatres and the return engagement of the popular Broadway musical. (Hint: On Wednesday, they’re wearing pink.”
But first, beware of some new productions.
Mount Dora’s Ice House Theater will be holding two women from Roger Bean, the country jukebox musical “Honky Tonk Laundry” on March 21st. The storyline looks forward to a singing career that Lanamey hasn’t pursued, turning everything into her head as Katie is looking for a job.
The production, directed by Darling Barry, stars Laurie Sullivan as Lana May and Christy Duffer as Katie. Songs include “Stand by Your Man,” “Independence Day,” and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin.”
Evening performances will be on Saturday and Sunday until April, and Thursday and Friday. 13. (Additional shows will be available on Wednesday, April 9th). Tickets are $25 and there’s a discount for young people on Icehousetheatre.com. The theatre is located at 1100 N. Unser St., Mount Dora.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic “Carousel” is the next production of Little Radical Theralic, with four performances at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Pew Theatre in Orlando on March 21-23.
“Carousel” tells the love of Carnival’s Barker Billy Bigelow and innocent Julie Jordan. The show literally goes to heaven and explores the weaknesses of humans, resilience, and the power of love and forgiveness. Its most famous songs include “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin’ Antover,” and “You’re Never Walk Alone.”
Travis Eaton oversees the production, featuring a live orchestra. Emma Ricata stars as Julie and Austin Radikan as Billy. Tickets start at $40 at drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2025/carousel.
Another new category is the Timucua Arts Foundation’s first opera festival that continues this weekend and the next weekend. On March 21st and 22nd, Central Florida Vocal Arts ‘Opera del Sol presents the concert “Vino E Voce,” which combines Arias with a fantastic wine. Opera Orlando took part in action on “Mozart and others” from March 28th to 29th, featuring performances from Arias such as “Magic Flute,” “The Barber of Seville,” “Lucia Dylain Marmore,” and “Don Giovanni.”
All events will be held at 2000 Summerlin Ave. in Orlando, with $30 in-person and $10 video-on-demand tickets at Timqua.com.
I’ll talk about one more thing. It successfully bridges the gap between newcomers and returning visitors. As part of the Opera Festival, Helena Collective will be a huge hit at the 2019 Orlando Fringe Festival, “6/viii: The Six Wives of King Henry VIII,” a huge hit. Take a musical journey with the Queen of Henry at this inspiring show, which will take you to 7:30pm on March 23rd.
OK, this time we’ll move on to another return.
First, the stage adaptation of “Mean Girls” returns to the Walt Disney Theatre at Dr. Phillips Center. This tour musical comedy is based on a film about high school social pecking orders and is in town with five performances only on the weekend of March 28-30.
The tour features a different cast, but when “Mean Girls” came to Orlando in 2020, I called it a “fun surprise” and praised it for bringing energy, some fun songs, some real surprises, gorgeous use of lighting, and high-tech predictions to the stage.
Tickets start at $55 at drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2025/mean-girls.
Next is the return of Edge Theatre, a unique small theatre in Edgewood, south of downtown Orlando. When I say a little, I make a little sense – it’s like watching play in your living room.
The 25-seat theatre has been suspended for several years, but will resume with “North American Birds.” This is the drama of two people following a father and daughter who tackle a changing world and its relationships during birdwatching.
Ereisa Quinn and Alan Whitehead will be appearing in a production directed by Marco Digage. It will run from April 12th to May 18th, with tickets ranging from $18-$34 at TheaterOntheedge.org. The theatre is located at 5542 Hansel Ave.
Looking further, there are some recently announced comebacks to ride the calendar.
9 Events to Make the Most of Artistic Margins
Donald Loupe’s “Gorgeous” – a musical comedy that roughly parodies the film “Drop Dead Gorgeous” – will return April 11th and March 3rd at the Renaissance Theatre on 415 E. Princeton Street in Orlando. Set in a Florida beauty contest, the show follows eight women competing for the crown. Find out more at Renteatre.com.
Finally, Winter Park Playhouse has solidified its lineup of new musicals that will receive staged readings at Florida’s new musical festival. The annual fest will be held from June 19th to 22nd. The offerings are a mix of lighthearted comedy and drama, but should be particularly interesting for the Floridians in the middle. The Daniel E. Moore musical, entitled “Ink & Paint,” tells the story of the first All-Woman Disney animation unit assembled for the film “Fantasia” in the 1940s. Find more information at winterparkplayhouse.org.
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