Orlando Theater Reviews

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - January 14, 2024

One of the things that I love the most about musical theatre as an artform is that the genre contains multitudes. From a thrilling, bombastic and electrifying show that takes your breath away to a quieter, more introspective and emotionally devastating production, and everything in between, they are...

Review: New Touring Cast Grounds an Imperfect ALADDIN in Its Return to Dr. Phillips Center
by Aaron Wallace - January 08, 2024

What did our critic think of ALADDIN at Dr. Phillips Center?While the Ashman-Menken music is undeniable and the underlying story is one of Disney’s finest, the stage translation has always had more problems than Prince Ali has purple peacocks. (I counted.)......

Review: FUNNY GIRL On Tour Is a Parade with Light Showers — Dr. Phillips Center
by Aaron Wallace - December 08, 2023

Early on, when Katerina McCrimmon breaks into “I’m the Biggest Star” — one of the beltier Brice numbers — it’s easy to think that lighting has struck thrice. There isn’t a note in the sweeping scale of this score that escapes her rangy, room-rattling voice. But when it comes time for the iconic “Don...

Review: MATILDA THE MUSICAL at Theatre South Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - November 05, 2023

Musicals that are adapted from previous works, including books and film, can be hit or miss. But sometimes, there is something magical about exploring a new way of telling a familiar story that elevates elements you missed while also bringing to life on stage favorite moments. This is the case with ...

Review: At Dr. Phillips Center, ANNIE Ain't Equity, But It Is Interesting
by Aaron Wallace - October 26, 2023

Mounting a non-union production of a story about unfair working conditions and class disparity in New Deal-era America takes some gall. Watching such a production on the heels of a record-breaking WGA strike and in the midst of an ongoing SAG-AFTRA one only adds to the irony. But setting aside the e...

Review: DRACULA by Opera Del Sol
by Joseph Harrison - October 22, 2023

There’s nothing I like more as a theatre reviewer than experiencing a production completely fresh. And going into a theatre with no prior exposure to a piece is so rare for me these days that when I do have the chance, I jump on it. Such is the case for Opera del Sol’s production of DRACULA, the 200...

Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Osceola Arts
by Joseph Harrison - October 14, 2023

“What makes a monster and what makes a man?” These lyrics illustrate so well the essence of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the soaring gothic musical based on the classic Victor Hugo novel and featuring music from the Disney film of the same name. This question sets the stage for an epic tale that is ...

Review: NEXT TO NORMAL by New Generation Theatrical at The Abbey
by Joseph Harrison - September 24, 2023

For many years there has been a stigma around talking openly and honestly about one’s mental health and those things many rely upon for treatment, including medication and therapy. This has been especially the case for those in the black/BIPOC community. And though there has been progress made over ...

Review: THE PROM at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - September 10, 2023

Titusville Playhouse has once again brought Broadway magic to life with their latest production of THE PROM. This heartfelt and exuberant musical, which has built a following due to its popular Broadway run and the Netflix film is a touching and joyous celebration of love, acceptance and the transfo...

Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Central Florida Vocal Arts
by Joseph Harrison - August 19, 2023

There is something extremely refreshing when a theatre company gives its patrons the opportunity to experience a rare gem. Now, there’s nothing wrong with producing a show that is popular with the masses, but out of the thousands of musicals out there waiting to be performed, giving a rarely produce...

Review: HONKY TONK LAUNDRY at The Winter Park Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - August 15, 2023

The Winter Park Playhouse, a staple in the Orlando arts community has opened its 21st season of professional musical theatre with HONKY TONK LAUNDRY, a jukebox musical featuring music from some of the most popular women of country music including Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette. Th...

Review: 9 TO 5 - THE MUSICAL at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - August 06, 2023

In 1979, the office was a very different place than it is today. Secretarial pools, typewriters, and carbon copy memos were regular fixtures as was, unfortunately, blatant misogyny and sexism in the workplace. Thankfully, we have grown and evolved as a society since then, but sometimes looking back ...

Review: Encore Performing Arts Found Its Grail with MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at Dr. Phillips Center
by Albert Gutierrez - July 09, 2023

Encore Performing Arts has a long and varied history of selecting projects for their appeal to the audience, both within the immediacy of the moment, as well as in the endurance it will hold in the memory for years to come....

Review: Spooky Vibes Hit Orlando Early with BEETLEJUICE, a Summer Musical Magic Show at Dr. Phillips Center
by Aaron Wallace - June 29, 2023

If you came for spookish vibes and special effects, then, as the title character says… “It’s showtime!” Beetlejuice is a full-fledged haunted house on stage, and that makes for an undeniably fun night. But if you’re looking for memorable music or clever comedy, I’m afraid this review reads more like...

Review: Fairy Tales Go Out of the Frying Pan and INTO THE WOODS at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
by Albert Gutierrez - June 07, 2023

A record 16 of the 17 credited cast members are transplants from the Broadway run, including an astounding 97% of its behind-the-curtain crew. In essence, we are getting the bona fide Broadway show, from its stars to its set decorators, here in the heart of Florida. I cannot fathom a better way for ...

Review: DESPERATE MEASURES at The Winter Park Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - June 04, 2023

Sometimes a production comes along that finds the perfect synergy between content, cast and creative vision ultimately delivering an elevated theatrical experience. And when that show is lesser known, but wildly entertaining that makes this perfect alignment seem even more rare. I am thrilled to say...

Review: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - May 26, 2023

“White. A blank page or canvas. The challenge: bring order to the whole.” These words begin Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE – an exploration of the passion and beauty found in creativity and art as told through the fictionalized eyes o...

Review: THE SECRET GARDEN by Central Florida Vocal Arts at Dr. Phillips Center
by Joseph Harrison - May 06, 2023

There are some musical theatre scores that burrow themselves into your subconscious and stay with you long after the first listen or the first time experiencing a show in a darkened theatre. For me, Lucy Simon’s score for THE SECRET GARDEN is one of those that has permanent real estate in my head ev...

Review: STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Osceola Arts
by Joseph Harrison - May 01, 2023

'Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion', states southern sage and beauty shop owner Truvy Jones in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. No line of dialogue describes so well the audience's experience while viewing this hilarious and touching play. And in Osceola Arts’ latest production of the Robert Harling cla...

Review: URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL at Theatre South Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - April 29, 2023

URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL may not be the most appealing title for a show, but it has proven over the last 20+ years since its journey to Broadway (scoring ten Tony nominations and three awards) that it can be a real crowd pleaser, despite the unfortunate title (and unique subject matter). With music an...

Review: THE SOUND INSIDE at Florida Theatrical Association
by Joseph Harrison - April 24, 2023

The latest offering by Florida Theatrical Association at the newly-opened Orlando Fringe Arts Space in downtown Orlando, is the Central Florida premiere of Adam Rapp’s, THE SOUND INSIDE. This Tony Award nominated play provides audiences with a complex and fascinating journey into an unlikely relatio...

Review: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Athens Theatre
by Joseph Harrison - April 22, 2023

In the world of theatre, there are some shows that simply resonate on a different level. In my experience, this happens when the perfect cast comes together with visionary creatives at the perfect moment in time. And when these puzzle pieces all snap into place, it delivers a performance that just f...

Review: KINKY BOOTS at Orlando Shakes
by Joseph Harrison - April 17, 2023

Some theatrical productions just come around at the perfect moment in time. And here today, in Florida, with self-expression and, specifically, drag queens, under fire seemingly every day, a show like KINKY BOOTS – conveying the importance of acceptance and walking a mile in someone else shoes (or h...

Review: INTO THE WOODS at Titusville Playhouse
by Joseph Harrison - April 09, 2023

In the skilled and creative hands of Titusville Playhouse, INTO THE WOODS is fresh and fantastic – with all the familiar elements, yes – but with a current sensibility and a unique aesthetic that made me feel like I was seeing this show for the first time again....

Review: Sorkin's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Is An Update Fit for the New Banned-Books Era — Dr. Phillips Center
by Aaron Wallace - March 23, 2023

Can you kill a mockingbird today without overkilling it? Sixty-three years after Harper Lee's iconic American novel released to instant controversy and enduring acclaim - nary a high schooler gets to cap or gown without an essay on it - this is the challenge confronting playwright Aaron Sorkin. Wor...