Mark Lehman DR – An elderly woman was attacked Tuesday night by a burglar at an assisted living facility in the Dr The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the burglary and battery happened around 7 to 8 p.m [Watch the video below to learn more about security concerns] but details about the attack have not been released A friend of the victim said the attacker knocked down the elderly woman and tried to smother her but she’s OK and was not taken to a hospital no details have been released about the attacker Deputies said they are looking for any doorbell camera video captured in the area during that time period [Watch the video below to see neighbors’ reaction] Anyone with video to share can call the sheriff’s office’s non-emergency number at 407-836-4357 A deputy will come by to collect the video We are working to get more information on what happened and will update this story with the latest, so stay with ClickOrlando.com and News 6 Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014 but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer While most people are fast asleep in their bed Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Nashville Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music Life's greatest tragedy is the passage of time It is a lesson we all must learn eventually there is only a beginning and an end that occurs in the immediacy of our own lifetime and rebirth ensures that our spirit will carry on in legacy rather than in flesh Disney’s The Lion King transposes this message from screen to stage through an international collaboration of talent that supercedes the strength of the 1994 animated film from which it came so much so that it’s inspired countless extensions of its unexpected media franchise: two direct-to-video sequels and just as many television series and – perhaps the most beloved of them all – a Broadway stage musical their first project involved turning the immensely popular 1991 animated hit Beauty and the Beast into a stage musical as well Out-of-town tryouts had the show running three-and-a-half hours Trims and modifications were finally being made before its 1994 Broadway debut… to lukewarm critical reviews but not great theatre – an assessment with which this critic agrees and gave them the opportunity to continue to create more productions As Disney Theatrical decided to look into another film to adapt for the stage They knew they couldn’t simply expand the material by inserting deleted songs and elongating existing scenes from the animated film They knew that in order to be taken seriously by the Broadway theatre community It had to be unlike anything currently seen on the stage Mainstream critics and audiences of this era, by nature, had always taken exception with the success of Walt Disney Animation Studios They were quick to shower a good film with accolades but the stigma of being a “children’s movie” could still be found in the subtext of any assessment Beauty and the Beast may have been nominated for Best Picture The Lion King may have been the highest-grossing film of 1994 and The Hunchback of Notre Dame may have had the best orchestral score of any Disney film but most adults still looked down upon the company’s success as being strictly for the kids once The Lion King hit the stage in the fall of 1997 it marked a greater turning of the tide for Disney And it all boiled down to the talented ensemble that brought a unique and unforgettable approach to the material Those who know me in my own life are familiar with my personal assessment of the animated film though I never deny it the cultural impact its had on its fans I’ve only seen the film a mere three times in the last fifteen years whereas I recently went through a phase of watching 1959’s Sleeping Beauty once a month for three years straight just because I wanted to And yet within the stage musical of The Lion King a performance brings with it a freshness and intimacy Being in that room with this company of players simply appeals to me more than watching the animated film The human element and connection makes The Lion King on stage much more relatable to me than on celluloid as I share both an apathy and a passion for this material that is dependent upon its presentation that is perhaps also why The Lion King on stage has become such an enduring classic for theatregoers A movie only ever exists within the context of its creation It remains forever in lock-step to the same scenes and sequences The experience of watching the film may differ over the years but the film always remains the same: trapped within a vacuum of space and time perpetually living these lives down to the second as they had done since they were first struck to celluloid Each room where it happens will never be the same some element will be different enough to always ensure no two performances are the same That is why the theatre has endured for as long as recorded history It’s a cultural and folkloric heritage passed down each one finding something new within its sacred words and gifting that interpretation to a fresh audience each and every time respectively) taunt both cubs (“Chow Down”) Mufasa has a stern discussion with Simba about the danger he was in as well as Mufasa’s own fear of losing his son (“They Live in You”) it is revealed that Scar has allied himself with the hyenas in order to stage a coup for the kingdom (“Be Prepared”) They manipulate a herd of wildebeests to stampede into a canyon in which Simba has been innocently waiting for his father Scar allows his own brother to fall into the stampede Distraught over his unintended role in Mufasa’s death Simba runs away at the insistence of his trusted uncle though unbeknownst to Scar they merely threaten him to never return While loafing with his two buddies in a river that becomes near-fatal for Timon Simba has a traumatic flashback to his father’s death as he realizes he never truly faced the consequences of that event (“Endless Night”) Nala then discovers Simba is alive and well in the oasis but their happy reunion (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight”) is cut short as he rejects her plea to return to Pride Rock and re-claim his birthright Mufasa then appears to Simba in the night sky imploring him to not forget his role and his purpose (“He Lives in You”) and Rafiki gather up the lionesses to fight Scar’s hyena allies Simba then reveals his role in Mufasa’s death and the guilt he carried for years because of it then reveals to Simba that he – not Simba – had been responsible for killing Mufasa all along This confession gives Simba the strength to overpower Scar only to fall to the depths and victim to the hyenas Simba then takes up the mantle as Lion King (“King of Pride Rock”) and time passes as we return to Pride Rock one year later to see the presentation of his and Nala’s newborn cub There are a few notable additions made to the stage version including that poignant scene showing Simba’s post-traumatic stress disorder after the river accident but the stage play remains roughly 85% faithful to the scripting of dialogue from the 1994 film watching this all unfold in a theatre is a vitally different and superior experience to watching the film One reason that the stage version feels like a wholly superior experience can be found in its approach of blending different cultures into one cohesive experience for the audience Much of this can be attributed to the hiring of Julie Taymor as director Taymor was a relative unknown outside of the Shakespeare stage community She had mounted several productions at Off-Broadway's Theatre For a New Audience though had yet to break out on the Great White Way Yet her distinctive vision and approach to Shakespeare – check out her 1999 film adaptation of Titus Andronicus – made her the perfect candidate for Disney’s own “Hamlet in Africa.” Granted even that moniker does not truly befit The Lion King whose various story changes since its first 1989 development has led to continued comparisons and inspirations but not outright or direct adaption of Shakespeare although the filmmakers do admit there are intentional similarities it was Taymor’s creative blend of the pathos of a Shakespeare play like Hamlet with the puppetry of an Indonesian theatre like her own Teatr Loh to create a visionary approach to the African lore and story of The Lion King The puppetry never goes for full coverage of the performer it’s a delicate and finely-skilled balance that allows a performer to become their characters either through the flexibility and manipulation of artificial limbs or controlling a whimsical machine around them with finesse and ease Nobody gets lost or hidden in their character the way that a Christmas panto would hide two people in an obvious horse costume their relationship with their own costume becomes a commentary and example of the relationship between man and nature and the responsibility to make it a mutually beneficial one for both Taymor had an active hand in designing these costumes reflecting in 2011: “The dimensionality of theatre allows the audience to focus on the puppet and forget about the puppeteer and you’d enjoy the art of seeing how the actor moves [the puppet] but then you’d believe in [the puppet] as well.” The mechanics of this sort of puppetry alludes to the illusion of life the mere removal of part of this costume becomes a direct narrative choice that allows the audience to better understand Mufasa’s own characterization It’s a visually-metaphoric moment as the actor removes the lion mask atop his head It signifies that he is not speaking to Simba as the King And it carries with it a newfound understanding of how the mask becomes both his identity and his vulnerability Nowhere else in the play does anyone intentionally remove their puppetry or part of their costume thus turning this moment into a truly memorable one The entire design of the stage production draws inspiration from so many sources, although it ensures the story’s African lore and culture are prevalent. This is most evident within the score and songs for The Lion King. Original film composers Elton John, Tim Rice and Lebo M returned to add new songs to the musical John & Rice’s additions are more of the Disney variety while Lebo M modified and expanded original songs he created for the 1995 sequel soundtrack Rhythm of the Pride Lands into show tunes now integral to the narrative Perhaps the strongest of those is “They Live in You” and its follow-up “He Lives in You two songs that bring full circle the themes of parenthood and legacy For all the recognition given to The Lion King how it deals with the death of a parent has always been the linchpin of its narrative and emotional maturity for its audience And that invincibility gradually chips away Reality settles in through unexpected ways we’ll take care of them the way they took care of us We’ll hold their hand to guide them up the staircase the way they held ours in our first steps And we suddenly now see the world as our parents did: a dangerous place where any threat to our child must be met with a fierceness and strength that they worry about a threat because we’re already protecting them The Lion King brings about its most dramatic conflict to the narrative by having Simba lose his parent too soon at an age when he cannot fully comprehend the loss This makes one of the most jovial tunes in the story “I Just Can’t Wait to be King,” a bittersweet dramatic irony as becoming King can only come about through the loss of his father Yet it is this trauma that prepares Simba to fully understand his purpose even if – like any guilty victim – he first attempts to run away from it a veteran of both touring and regional productions having been with the touring production of The Lion King since September of last year Patrick’s approach to Simba is one that heightens the internal conflict His anguish and freeze-up during Timon’s river accident reveals new layers to the character that I had not picked up before the last time I saw this production Nala also features two performers in the role. Tonight’s performance saw Ritisha Chakraborty as Young Nala, while Adult Nala was played by performer Thembelihle Cele Chakraborty has amazing chemistry with Villela the two’s playfulness feels authentic and endearing especially as Patrick and Cele must recapture that same magic when their two characters meet again Cele has worked on The Lion King’s tours not just in the US but overseas as well in the United Kingdom and Ireland she focuses on Nala’s strength – a self-appointed leader among the lionesses who has earned a proverbial mane with her take-charge attitude Performer Mukelisiwe Goba also hails from South Africa bringing an authenticity to Rafiki’s role that has taken her not just on tour Her continued familiarity with the role never translates to a boredom or tiredness with the same lines or movement creating within Rafiki a more fleshed-out character whose purpose feels more impactful than the “magical Negro” tokenism that Rafiki otherwise faced in the animated film As the performer who opens and closes the show Goba’s vocals stand out eternally as one of power and vitality She becomes emblematic of the motherland for all characters on that stage her role carries with it a sense of nature healing itself through the actions of those she influences He looks to making Scar’s ambition a relatable journey even if the character goes about it in the wrong way at every step of the narrative Hargrave also ensures that while Scar is a threatening figure to those on the stage those in the audience will love him through his calculatedly off-beat performance one of his best moments comes when he isn’t even in the spotlight of a scene During the menacing “Be Prepared” villain’s song a cadre of male Hyenas come out for a dance break that seems to knowingly wink at that hidden queer-coding of Scar It’s such an amusing arrow pointed to Scar’s unspoken sexuality as Hargrave leans into that repressed attraction by showing – off center to the sidelines – a vested interest in virile shirtless men gyrating amidst strobing lights when “The Madness of King Scar” comes along his interest in Nala stems less from attraction and more from securing his bloodline Yet Scar’s own question to prompt that song points more towards the loneliness he also feels as an outsider to the heteronormative behaviors of those around him even though such a line may prompt sympathy for the devil he faces the consequences for his actions in more ways than one The ambiguity of how Scar descends from Pride Rock to his death leave it up to the audience as to whether Simba struck him or Scar slipped of his own accord decades before her work here earned her the status of Disney Legend I don’t know when my next viewing of this musical will be. And I don’t know what circumstances they may be under. Whether I review it again for Broadway World or attend as an enthused theatre patron remains to be seen. It’s a curve in my own circle of life that I have yet to make a left or right turn upon. But last night’s viewing for Media Night at Dr. Phillips Center, if I may get personal for a moment, will probably always be my favorite for years to come. THE LION KING plays April 23 through May 18 at Dr. Phillips Center. Tickets can be acquired online or at the box office, pending availability. Montverde Academy's New Play Festival opened last night which features the premieres of 'Parallel Lil' by Crystal Skillman directed by David Ian Lee and 'Carl' by Aidan Fracker directed by Dean Bell as part of their Black Box Series. Check out photos here. Naughty Bits: A Modest Proposal for Banning Shakespeare, HudsonWerks Theater exposes the Bard's bawdiest bits in a whip-smart, zany satire landing at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. High octane musical - Route 66 - celebrates classic hits from the '50s and '60s at Winter Park Playhouse! AQUILA: Pole Dance X Prometheus Bound is produced by Project no.19 Performance Company at the Orlando International Fringe Festival on select dates: May 14, 6:05pm ($6 tickets); May 17, 12:00pm; May 21, 6:25pm; May 23, 8:05pm; May 24, 8:55pm. function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Get our Weekly Top Picks of Things to Do Around the Orlando Area An unforgettable night at the theater is as close as downtown Orlando You can experience AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando at the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 10th Broadway season lineup is impressive. The 2025/2026 season will bring the best of Broadway to Walt Disney Theater including: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child If you're looking for tips for attending a show Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a spectacular venue and your night at the theater deserves to be the best it can be Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is located in the heart of downtown Orlando It's easily accessible from both I-4 and the 408, and located within walking distance of several downtown restaurants. The remarkable architecture of the arts center makes it an icon within Downtown Orlando If you don't have time to go out to eat before the show feel free to grab soft drinks and prepackaged snacks like trail mix and chocolate-covered pretzels at one of the theater concession kiosks Important tip: Plan on arriving about 45 to 60 minutes before the show starts so you're not stressed and don't miss the start of the show A Broadway in Orlando date night is a special occasion that should not be rushed you can take your drink and snacks into the theater with you Outside food and beverages are not permitted (813) 949-4400info@datenightguide.com320 W This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page “Disney’s The Lion King” musical is making its grand return to the Dr Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater “The Lion King” brings together one of the most imaginative and creative teams on Broadway Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals “The Lion King” also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice “The Lion King” has been touring North America for more than 22 years and has played more than 10,000 performances in over 90 cities to more than 23 million theatergoers making it North America’s longest-running and most-attended Broadway tour The iconic production has held the attention of over 110 million audience members worldwide spectacular set design and dazzling choreography An essential aspect of the show that brings the Serengeti to life in the theater is visual storytelling with the massive animal puppets and awe-inspiring costume design In a recent interview with “The Lion King’s” touring assistant stage manager we learn a bit about how the backstage crew brings the show to life what drew you to stage management in theatre and how did you wind up with “The Lion King” Karen Parlato: I started out when I was young aiming towards something in the entertainment industry I grew up just outside of New York and I had access somewhat to Broadway shows but I don’t think I quite registered “Oh that’s a job you can do.” I was interested in some kind of storytelling medium my parents took me to see “Phantom of the Opera” and that was the actual catalyst for me to put all the pieces together and decide I wanted to do that It has something to do with the musical nature of it the collaboration between staging and music and the way that telling a story with music makes people feel things in a deeper way I really connected to that and began to pursue that route through middle and high school I started working on Broadway when I was 16 selling merchandise for “Phantom.” I thought I wanted to be a director so I went to NYU for directing and while I was there it just didn’t connect for me I started to really doubt whether I could come out of school on the right trajectory to be a Broadway director but I knew that I could be a Broadway stage manager I started working in New York and once I got my equity card I started subbing on “Phantom,” so that was my Broadway debut I was a sub there for 17 years on and off until the pandemic and afterwards I got “The Lion King.” How has your experience been shifting from working on Broadway to now touring the country with “The Lion King” It’s funny because when I was coming up in the business I thought save some money and then come back to New York,” that was kind of where I was looking at at the time I thought I’d do the tour thing and then I’d really want an apartment forever and settle down I never got the big contract that allowed me to do that it was weird when I finally got the job I’ve wanted my whole life at 42 All my stuff is in two suitcases and a trunk and a little drawer that travels with work I love being free to go anywhere and do anything I’m much more of a homebody but I really like the touring family aspect of it because you kind of have a little friend group that moves around the country with you What are some key differences you’ve noticed between stage managing a Broadway show and a touring show in terms of production the show always has to be designed in a certain way that makes it easier to travel and can accommodate the base level of what each venue can provide With “The Lion King,” you generally assume that the theater doesn’t have a basement that can handle heavily designed scenery but it’s really ingenious the way it works on tour it has tracks on the stages and switches so that it can change tracks and spin around to get back off things are mostly just designed to be portable and come apart the costumes and puppets are still basically the same Can you tell us about the production and design of the large-scale puppets and how that contributes to the show experience known for its puppets and in large part because of the opening procession of the “Circle of Life” where all the puppets come through the audience It’s one of those things that you can’t compromise on for the tour That part of the experience would just be really lost if we kept the whole thing on stage because the theaters are different my specific job on the show is to figure out that procession I do lots of normal stage manager things but my specialty is everything involving how the cast is in the house where to hide the puppets; I literally spend my entire day of the load-in figuring that stuff out All those details work to make that procession possible and I think it is one the best parts of the show It makes a huge difference to me when I hear people talk about their experience of the show and being able to deliver that moment Can you give us some insight into how culture and entertainment come together in such a classic story we have seven South African performers in the company and the idea behind that is that there’s always grounding in the actual culture of where the story comes from Our show has more African languages than originally featured in the movie (Swahili Congolese) and so it really is multinational in production everybody brings their own sort of lived experience and diversity having people there that really understand the material from a native speaker’s perspective Do you have a favorite memory since joining “The Lion King” on tour I just love watching “Circle of Life” from the house I’m always right there watching with the audience you never doubt it if you see people experience that part of the show What would you say to someone to convince them to see “The Lion King” on tour I think it is the world’s number one musical for a reason there’s something in us as humans that is triggered by the show It’s also not just like you’re taking your kids to watch the movie that they watch all the time it has an additional cultural element that is interesting for adults in a way that maybe goes over kids heads It’s really designed to where it’s not just something that parents are taking their kids to “Disney’s The Lion King” plays in the Dr. Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater for an epic four-week run April 23-May 18. Tickets are available now at DrPhillipsCenter.org Sign up to receive our weekly newsletters today Deputies released video of the person who on Tuesday walked into HarborChase of Dr The person in the video is wearing all dark clothing and has the hood of a hooded sweatshirt over their head A friend of the victim said the attacker knocked her down and tried to smother her HarborChase released the following statement Friday regarding the incident: 911 was called by HarborChase of Dr.Phillips’ senior living community regarding an alleged trespasser and incident with a resident within one of the Independent Living apartments The resident did not require medical treatment and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident Video security footage was released to the Sheriff’s Office by HarborChase to assist in the investigation The suspect was seen in the video surveillance and HarborChase is working closely with law enforcement to help identify the trespasser HarborChase of Dr.Phillips has security cameras throughout the community including in the Independent Living section Doors other than the main entrance remain locked from theoutside Associates are staffed 24/7 throughout the entire community Individual resident apartments are also secured with individual locks It is the mission of HarborChase to serve and care for seniors and their families with dignity Providing a safe home and working environment for our residents and associates while providing peace of mind for their loved ones remains paramount to our family of senior living communities and to respect the integrity of the ongoing investigation we are currently unable to provide additional details and transparent reporting to help bring the investigation to a satisfactory resolution Harbor Retirement Associates will release an additional statement following formal investigation results and in full cooperation with law enforcement officials CAN YOU ID? Sometime between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, someone entered the home of an elderly person at HarborChase on Della Drive in Dr. Phillips and battered the 90-year-old resident. The man is this video is a PERSON OF INTEREST in this crime. If you know his… pic.twitter.com/xShFJQFsQ9 Anyone who might know who the person in the video is asked to call 911 or the sheriff’s office at 407-836-4357 [Watch video below for initial coverage of story] CAN YOU ID? Sometime between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, someone entered the home of an elderly person at HarborChase on Della Drive in Dr. Phillips and battered the 90-year-old resident. The man is this video is a PERSON OF INTEREST in this crime. If you know his… pic.twitter.com/xShFJQFsQ9 When you're ready for a night at the theater together, either on a date or with friends, you need to be prepared. You can experience Broadway in Orlando and many other amazing shows at the Dr This blog post will cover what you need to know before going to a show at the Dr Here's the essential info you'll find below… Phillips Center for the Performing Arts445 S The Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center is located in the heart of downtown Orlando, directly across from City Hall. The central plaza faces Orange Avenue, flanked by the Grand Bohemian Hotel on one side You'll immediately see why it is a beloved venue It's easily accessible from both I-4 and the 408 and located within walking distance of several downtown bars and restaurants. The remarkable architecture of DPAC makes it an icon within Downtown Orlando Before your date night at DPAC, be sure to read over the Parking and Transportation Options Phillips Performing Arts Center offers event parking at the City Commons Parking Garage and Curbside valet parking services are also available on Magnolia Avenue Parking can be reserved online alongside theater tickets or purchased separately up to 24 hours in advance through the Bill and Mary Darden Box Office Same-day parking is also available at a slightly higher rate If you have drinks at Bosendorfer Lounge or dinner at Boheme, valet fees at the Grand Bohemian Hotel are fairly reasonable You can also valet park here for 3 hours or more regardless if you dine there you’ll need more than three hours to see a show Valet Parking is also available at Kres Chophouse which is an excellent choice to stop in before or after the show The wait for valet parking here is far less than at Dr Phillips Center the staff will scan your ticket and direct you to one of the four theaters Phillips Performing Arts Center is a major entertainment complex with four floors and three theaters: Steinmetz Hall is one of the most “acoustically perfect” spaces in the world making it the best place to soak up grand orchestral and choral acts although some seats can be a little tight and close together feel free to grab drinks and prepackaged snacks from one of the multiple theater bars and chocolate-covered pretzels are available at each theater bar making it easy to snag a glass of wine or a cocktail before the show or during intermission Most people crowded the large bar on the first floor and overlook the bars on the second and third floor An Orlando theater date night is a special occasion and an amazing experience that should not be rushed The Crafts bar on the second level also serves coffee and pastries fresh from Le Gourmet Break down the street Pro-tip: The bars downstairs are the largest the smaller bars upstairs carry all the same staples and tend to have shorter lines As you walk around before heading into your theater you'll probably observe how this awesome facility is a great place for the entire community BONUS IDEA: Post Show Drinks at Judson's Live Phillips Center’s newest venue Judson’s Live is NOW open post show every Thursday This will be an ongoing nightcap on those days for post-show grab dinner or drinks before or after a Broadway in Orlando show Downtown Orlando is full of energy and creativity Here are some of our favorite restaurants near Dr AC Sky Bar333 S Garland Ave Floor 18, Orlando, FL 32801Dine on Spanish-inspired tapas and artisanal cocktails with a view at AC Sky Bar, one of our favorite rooftop bars in downtown Orlando The BohemeThe Grand Bohemian Hotel325 S Orange Avenue FL 32801Set the mood at the Grand Bohemian's alluring hotel restaurant named for the rare Imperial Grand Bösendorfer piano in the lobby Kres Chophouse17 W Church St FL 32801Savor fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks at this intimate steakhouse or stop by during happy hour for handcrafted cocktails and half-priced appetizers at the bar Artisan’s Table55 W Church Street Suite 128 Orlando FL 32801Enjoy creative American fare with a global-inspired twist at Artisan’s Table or share an innovative meal in the dining room before heading over to the theater For budget friendly, Solita Tacos & Margaritas has a nice happy hour and making magical memories with loved ones Beth moved to Florida on a whim in 2007 and has been chasing adventure ever since Some of her favorite travel memories include climbing the Eiffel Tower in a thunderstorm and getting lost in the winding streets of Rome Find her at Walt Disney World trying all the latest snacks and online at www.adventuringthegreatwidesomewhere.com ORLANDO, Fla. – If you want to be wowed by choreography, singing, costumes and set design, “MJ” the musical is the show for you It’s the latest in a string of jukebox musicals now showing at the Dr. Phillips Center from March 4 through March 16 as part of the 2024-2025 Broadway in Orlando series This musical showcases Michael Jackson’s creative process as he develops his 1992 Dangerous World Tour dancers and managers fine-tuning his upcoming concert An MTV crew who wanted to produce a piece about the legendary singer asks to follow Michael for 48 hours to capture some of that process Jackson agrees to allowing the camera crew inside their rehearsals the musical does not really delve deep or reveal any new insights into the many controversies that surrounded the legendary singer Personally, one of the reasons I enjoyed “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” and even “The Cher Show” so much is because I learned a lot about the personal histories and struggles of those musical icons MJ briefly touched on the abusive relationship between his father and the rest of the Jackson family as well as some of the racial biases they endured The MTV crew also pointed out that they caught Michael taking pills and questioned whether that was becoming a problem but most of the show was centered on Michael’s creative visions thoughts and insecurities — including financial concerns — surrounding this tour and future musical career [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Everyone I spoke with who attended the show on opening night said they were blown away by the dancing and singing The lead actor who plays Michael Jackson has perfected his distinct voice and style While we were entertained with flashbacks to some of Michael Jackson’s earlier hits with the Jackson Five such as “ABC,” some people in the audience were also hoping for an appearance by his sisters As someone who was coming of age in the ‘90s I wanted to hear MJ singing even more of his many hits throughout the show “Man in the Mirror” was primarily performed by family members and I will forever equate lyrics like “I’m gonna make a change” to MJ’s mom as well as other family members who seemed to be referring to the well-documented abuse they’d endured at the hands of Joe Jackson More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Lisa Bell has been in Central Florida since 2007 covering the big stories that impact our community Lisa was promoted to News 6 evening news co-anchor in May 2014 Jayna Manohalal the festival highlights the theme of “Transforming Experiences” with 50 diverse performances and exhibits according to a news release from the venue The two-week showcase runs from April 1-13 across five venues and spaces with the theater production “Fiddler on the Roof” headlining the event Students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in various art majors work year-round to plan and operate this impressive showcase One of those students is senior stage management major Delayna Wahlberg Wahlberg initially pursued a dual degree in music education at Florida State University but discovered during an internship that teaching wasn’t her calling She then applied to UCF to pursue a bachelor’s degree in theater with a focus on stage management Wahlberg credits a professor at UCF for taking a chance on her which allowed her to grow and succeed in the program She has worked on multiple theatrical productions at UCF including serving as assistant music director for “Sweeney Todd,” production stage manager for “Fiddler on the Roof” and completing a production internship at the Dr she will work as an Actors’ Equity Association assistant stage manager at Theatre by the Sea [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] expressed admiration for both the young cast members and those working behind the scenes they work so hard at their craft,” Nunn said because you’re not only learning the skill set but you are learning how to develop people When reflecting on the dedication of these students and their efforts in one word UCF will provide six or seven different candidates and they all have very different backgrounds.” The festival showcases not only artistic excellence but also leadership development among students — both onstage and behind the scenes — making it a transformative experience for all involved To see a list of scheduled events and times, click here Jayna Manohalal joined WKMG in December 2024 LAKELAND — Winter Haven girls basketball's long-awaited rematch with Orlando Dr Despite playing the first half without two starters Winter Haven its on a mission to avenge last year's loss in the state semifinals While being short two starters might have slowed Winter Haven it came no where close to short-circuiting its mission in Friday afternoon's semifinal game vs Having senior guard Serenity Hardy was enough for Winter Haven to take an eight-point halftime lead and when Qyun'Nya Gray de Sanders finally entered the game to start the third quarter the Blue Devils turned up the pressure and went on the 24-point victory More: How Billy D. Washington's late family sparked a historic Winter Haven girls basketball run Winter Haven's 65-41 victory over Ocoee in the semifinals of the 2025 FHSAA Class 7A Girls Basketball State Championships at the RP Funding Center never really was in doubt Ocoee hung around and managed to make it an one-point game early in the third quarter but Winter Haven never relinquished the lead Phillips will meet in the rematch at 7 p.m Winter Haven played the first half without Sanders and Dariasia Pitts and we had some discipline issues," Lawson said they did everything they were supposed to do and were ready to play the second half." Hardy scored 14 of her game-high 28 points in the first half She shot 8 of 17 from the field and and was 6 of 10 from 3-point range sat in the first half but she provided a much-needed spark that allowed Winter Haven to finally take control of the game Sanders scored 10 points in the third quarter and finished with 16 points and four steals we didn't rally have a lot of energy until we came in and we just kept on going for their," Sanders said It took about half the third quarter for the Blue Devils to finally get in sync After Hardy and Ocoee's Dakara Merthia traded 3-pointers that made it 34-31 with about four minutes to play in the quarter Winter Haven went on an 11-0 run to go up by 14 points and ended the quarter with a 50-36 lead If Ocoee thought about getting back in the game to start the fourth quarter Winter Haven turned back-to-back steals into layups by Sanders and Pitts quickly making it an 18-point game less than a minute into the quarter "She likes to play defense," Lawson said of Sanders Winter Haven had seven players other than Hardy and Sanders score points Amaya Shaw was just 2 of 11 from the field but her 10 rebounds helped Winter Haven keep pace on the boards with Ocoee having just a 34-33 edge the Blue Devils had the chance to take control in the first half but shot just 18.8% from the field in the first quarter on 3 of 16 shooting "We've got kids who never been here before," Lawson said The Blue Devils now turn their attention to Dr "We can't drop the ball again," Hardy said "We're going to have her (Sanders) for the whole game we're feeding off her energy defensively and my energy offensively ORLANDO – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is making its Florida debut right here in Orlando Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Friday announced the Broadway show lineup for the 2025-26 season including the debut of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Among the 10 shows in the 2025-26 season will also include the return of “Hadestown” and “SIX.” The Tony-Award® winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new tour The Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse performances Visionary sets” and the Chicago Sun-Times proclaims THE WIZ is “An eye-popping and high-intensity revival!” This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world Everybody rejoice -this dynamite infusion of ballet and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road “Many wonders await audiences in this gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical,” (The New York Times) The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.” After losing what matters most a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus and a life—and love—beyond his wildest dreams his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride Tony Award® -nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony-Award® nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel and a soaring score by the acclaimed PigPen Theatre Co step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS “the best new musical on Broadway” (Theatermania) Winner of eight 2019 Tony Award® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today.. Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go This classic coming-of-age story takes you to Tulsa and their family of Greaser “outsiders” dream about who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. THE OUTSIDERS features Danya Taymor’s Tony Award® winning direction that’s “refreshing and endlessly effective.” (The New York Times) With “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), THE OUTSIDERS has been described as “more pulse-pounding than anything else on Broadway!” (Time Out New York) flips the script on the greatest love story ever told imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn’t ended it all over Romeo and got a second chance at life and love –on her own terms This audience favorite is created by the Emmy-winning writer of “Schitt’s Creek” and features a playlist of iconic pop hits from Max Martin and his collaborators including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “I Want It That Way,” “Confident,” and more Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before with this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony-Award® including Best Play “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes) When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine) the award-winning Broadway musical created and inspired by Alicia Keys takes you on the journey of Ali – a 17-year-old girl full of fire The music—a mix of Keys’ classics and new songs written exclusively for the show—and exhilarating choreography bring to life a story that speaks to you no matter where you’re from Come experience where dreams begin: HELL’S KITCHEN A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order) KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony-Award® including BEST MUSICAL It features Tony Award® -winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek) a Tony Award® -winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home) choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-Award® nominated director Jessica Stone (Water for Elephants) Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker) Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of Allie and Noah who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly) THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says THE NOTEBOOK is “absolutely gorgeous not to be missed,” and The New York Daily News calls it “a love story for the ages.” THE NOTEBOOK is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida) and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s “This Is Us”) the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing inspirational illumination this town aches for!” The SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT Broadway album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard cast album charts and surpassed one billion streams worldwide Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021 She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday Brooke Savage ORLANDO, Fla. – My, my, how can you resist this classic? “Mamma Mia!” is bringing songs from ABBA to downtown Orlando The touring Broadway musical will be in Central Florida for two weeks giving people more of an opportunity to see it “Mamma Mia!” takes place on a Greek island It tells the story of a woman getting ready to get married but also questioning her identity In her quest to figure out who her father is she invites three men from her mother’s past to the wedding and back to the island they last visited decades ago The musical “Mamma Mia!” first opened in London in 1999 before it made its Broadway debut in 2001 Some of the top songs from ABBA in the show include “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” and “Take a Chance on Me.” Phillips Center will have an American Sign Language interpreted performance on Jan 18 and an audio-described performance on Jan Click here for ticket information Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Brooke is a news producer and has been with News 6 since January 2018 She grew up in Coral Springs and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism ORLANDO, Fla. – A new musical premiering at the Dr. Phillips Center is setting the record straight on how the Brooklyn Bridge was built and finally giving credit where credit is due “Brooklyn’s Bridge” is inspired by the extraordinary life of Emily Roebling wife of Brooklyn Bridge Chief Engineer Washington Roebling while working in the caissons under the East River Washington had a debilitating attack of the bends and became bedridden delivering plans and handling both engineering and political issues so does their love for one another while Emily navigates the uncharted waters: a Victorian woman in a man’s world The New York Times recently revised their obituary for Emily Roebling 21 to March 6 in the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater It comes as we approach Women’s History Month in March a time to celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to society including Laurel Hatfield as Emily Roebling Hatfield describes Emily as a woman whose mind was constantly at work knowing that the bridge could be built despite the challenges Playing Emily is a dream role for Hatfield who has spent 25 years in the acting profession she was a genius,” said Hatfield. “Her mind didn’t stop and she knew that this bridge could be built but nothing had ever been done like that in the past it was new and she was one of the only people who truly knew that mathematically and scientifically it could be done.” the master mechanic of the Brooklyn Bridge highlights the close relationship between the Roeblings and his character He notes that Emily’s contributions were crucial to the bridge’s completion “People who are the top leading researchers of the Brooklyn Bridge know that Emily had her hands in it from the get-go and it’s her bridge,” said Love written by Ray Roderick with music by Joseph Baker tells a story of inspiration and empowerment as she worked tirelessly to fulfill his dream of building the bridge Phillips Center thanks to Roderick’s close ties to the community who recognized the local talent and saw an opportunity to bring this compelling story to the stage emphasizes the importance of telling Emily’s story the Brooklyn Bridge might never have been completed accessible way to hear the story and know what was happening and it’s so important to recognize the people who actually made those accomplishments,” said Cronin. “At the time she wasn’t able to say out loud that she was the one who actually did it they say there’s a strong woman or there’s a woman who actually leads the way and that’s what it was in this case and I think it’s just a great tale of women empowerment and a wonderful story to to get out there.” For more information on “Brooklyn’s Bridge,” click here On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media ORLANDO| Orlando Ballet is bringing the classic tale featuring Peter Pan and his band of Lost Boys back to the Dr The ballet company previously performed an abridged version of the production in 2021 due to pandemic protocol “That means this production contains more flying dancing and more fairy dust than ever,” says Jorden Morris Morris approached the production with the same courage edge and enthusiasm the original story possesses noting an abundance of flying and sword fighting throughout his rendition “Peter was happiest when he was taking risks and having adventures which are my creative drivers,” Morris says “His life was more than just a fairy tale about a wild young boy but was a way for J.M Barrie to tell a story that is fundamentally about the importance of family — all told through a prism of whimsy and sparkle.” Morris hopes to encapsulate all of the beloved elements of the traditional story while embedding the production with exciting flair “Peter Pan” follows a sold-out run of the company’s popular production of “The Nutcracker.” “There is so much thought and intention behind telling a story through dance and music with these classic tales that have been a part of everyone’s lives for decades,” Morris says “Presenting a bright and fresh production while protecting and preserving the nature of these classics is why we are able to build new generations of audiences that will enjoy ballet and the performing arts for years to come.” Morris’ commitment to authenticity and engaging balletic experiences is also evident through his creative choices for the show’s score he curated a selection of music that was either written or performed by composers during the period when J.M was writing his beloved story of a young boy who never wanted to grow up “Tying the author to the music that was being played and performed while he was writing the book wraps these characters in a world that they’re able to truthfully be telling the story from the people that really originated the recipe,” he says Morris is committed to cultivating an experience for his audience that accurately represents the beloved tale “There’s been lots of different recipes for ‘Peter Pan,’ so what I tend to do is go back to the genesis and where it started and then look at what fun and interesting things that we can do there were talking about the flying in ‘Nutcracker,’ that’s all automated flying so it’s done by a computer they take off exactly the same time,” says Morris “In ‘Peter Pan,’ when they originally did the play in London people were pulled on hemp ropes into the air and flown and it was really important to me in this version that we didn’t go automated that we actually kept it the way it was first performed in London at the turn of the century.” honing in on every detail of the choreography gracefully leaping around the iconic London bedroom scene with toy swords to various pieces from Montague Phillips Symphony in C demonstrating his vision himself to the cast He doesn’t just tell them what he wants them to do I love this ballet because I love Peter’s youthful perspective about life,” Morris says “This is a particularly challenging production for our dancers but they thrive on the challenge so their joy of performing this story can be felt by everyone That is the magic of telling stories through movement and music.” The dancers capture the youthfulness and sense of adventure integral to the story of “Peter Pan.” They embrace the comedy essential to the tale while exploring deeper emotional themes between their characters Morris explores those elements from Peter’s story of childhood and maturity down to the details of Tinkerbell’s explosive tantrums Collaboration has been essential to production for both Morris and the dancers The company similarly embodies the nostalgia and excitement of the story in their interpretations so seeing that coming up on the rep for this season I think we’re all really excited to get the opportunity to be a part of such a classic story,” says Maya Fazzari one of the Tinkerbells for this production A benefit to working so closely with the choreographer is establishing the relationships between characters to facilitate a more accurate portrayal of the story “I think he’s great with character interactions and making it light but still driving the story forward,” says Rowell “With a story like this that’s so fun and has a lot of camp to it it’s nice for the audience to have that relief because there are so many ballets that are intense and heavy leave them at the door of the theater and just watch something that’s fun.” One of the more notable aspects of the story is Wendy’s relationship with her siblings and the exploration of familial bonds finds that to be a driving force in her own portrayal of the beloved character “I see a lot of myself in her character,” Iannotti says In the beginning scenes of the ballet you see Wendy reading fairy tales to her younger siblings and keeping stories and make believe things alive longer than she would on her own for a younger sibling I love acting those scenes out because I feel like I get to sort of relive how I did that when I was younger with my little sister.” This production emphasizes a modern interpretation while paying extensive homage to the original story A noteworthy difference in this version is changes made to Wendy’s choreography “There are a lot of moments where Wendy gets to do things in this ballet that a lot of the time only men get to do in ballet We just did ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and all the men in that ballet get to do sword fighting and none of the women got to do any of that,” recalls Iannotti “There’s a couple scenes where Wendy does get to pick up a sword and she gets to play-fight with Peter and she wins so there’s just these little moments where women are given a little more power in Jorden’s version.” To those intimidated by the idea of attending a ballet Morris believes that this show could be your “entry-level” ballet one that appeals to those appreciative of the original story and to those looking to introduce the tale to a new generation “These are the kinds of shows that I do to bridge the gap between really serious classical ballet and dance being a form of entertainment and emotional movement at the same time,” he says “There’s an accessibility factor to it don’t be afraid to come and see ‘Peter Pan’ … It’s the same story with all the wonderful sets and costumes and lights and flying and humor.” Orlando Ballet’s production of “Peter Pan” runs at the Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall in Orlando Feb. 20-23. Tickets and performance details can be found at OrlandoBallet.org WINTER HAVEN — Winter Haven coach Johnnie Lawson was pondering the question of what makes a dynasty The Blue Devils have been to the state tournament more than 20 times since LeDawn Gibson first took the team to the state tournament in 2000 and they had won five state titles coming into the season but Lawson felt one more title was needed to solidlify that description There shouldn’t be any questions about the dynasty tag anymore Winter Haven’s six-season drought ended. The Blue Devils avenged two Final Four losses to Orlando Dr. Phillips in nail-biting fashion with a 45-42 victory on Saturday in the title game of the 2025 FHSAA Class 7A Girls Basketball Championships at The Lakeland Center From 2024: Winter Haven fights, loses close one to Dr. Phillips in girls basketball state semifinals State Semifinals: Winter Haven girls basketball turns up the heat in second half to beat Ocoee in FHSAA semifinals The title is Lawson’s fourth state title as head coach — he has two more rings as Gibson’s assistant — and he ties Lakeland Christian girls soccer coach Jason Streets for the most state titles by an active Polk County coach Lake Gibson’s Danny Walker has 10 titles combine in wresting (6 duals team title and Bartow softball coach Glenn Rutenbar has eight Winter Haven won titles in '05 and '07 under Gibson and won three in a row under Lawson from '16 to '18 and it was especially sweet for senior guard Serenity Hardy Rolijah and Derajah won in football at Lakeland and Trinity won in girls basketball at Winter Haven when will you get one?” Hardy said laughing Phillips made it especially sweet as Winter Haven had been eliminated by Dr including a heartbreaking 47-43 loss in the 7A title game in 2023 so we knew what it was coming in and we got the job done,” senior point guard Jaeden Williams said Winter Haven leaned heavily on Hardy offensively to get the job done Her 22 points were just about half her team’s total points She had 17 field goal attempt while six teammates combined for 20 In the third quarter she had eight of Winter Haven’s nine field goal attempts “I wanted to get her in the post,” Lawson said “But then the big girl starte coming over a little bit and I thought maybe Serenity was forcing a little bit So I was just telling Jaeden to just run the play.” Hardy knew a lot was expected from her but she also knew she had the support of her teammates “I'm the offensive threat for the team with the backup of Jaeden but my mindset coming into this game is we need revenge Winter Haven trailed after the first quarter but opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run to go up by nine points The Blue Devils made defensive stops and had a few possessions where they had the chance to extend their lead to double digits and really take control of the game But turnovers or missed shots kept Winter Haven’s lead under 10 points and Dr making it the only quarter it outscored the Braves Lake Gibson stayed within striking distance the entire game who played at Lake Gibson as a freshman before transferring to Dr He shot 7 of 15 from the field and finished with 18 points and eight rebounds she missed nearly the entire season as she rehabbed a knee injury and saw very limited action against Winter Haven Williams made two free throws to give Winter Haven a seven-point lead with under five minutes to play but the Blue Devils did not score against until Quin’Nya Gray de Sanders made a free throw with 5.3 seconds to play Phillips had cut the lead to two points but missed two shots in the final minute with Winter Haven getting the rebound each time They each has six rebounds to lead Winter Haven and an outstanding Equity cast make this two-week tour stop one to see “I don’t really like Mamma Mia!” I must have said it a hundred times before always muttered hesitantly to someone who does I only knew the all-ABBA jukebox musical from the 2008 movie version which I first saw as the lone 20-something in an all-grandmas matinee singular in my inability to sing along to every word “Maybe I’d like it better if I saw it on stage,” I’d always offer in conciliation just kicked off its two-week tour stop at Orlando’s Dr and though I may have gone in with something of an “SOS,” I walked out a tune-humming ABBAite grateful to have finally found my way into the club Silly stories like this work better on stage where the particulars of the real world aren’t around to underscore implausibility It’s quite a setup: 20-year-old bride-to-be Sophie has never known a father identified three old flames as the could-be dad invited each of them to a remote Greek island for her upcoming wedding and concocted an elaborate rouse to keep all of this from her betrothed The objective: lay eyes on each potential pop for a “vibes check” in hopes of finally IDing her dad The show’s structure includes a pairing of trios — Donna and her besties a hilariously triangulated take on the Hecate Sisters trope Much of the comic intrigue stems from how they inevitably align which I’m pleased to report isn’t quite what we suspect While many of the hit ABBA songs fit the shoehorn narrative surprisingly well — aided in part by liberal lyrical changes — some don’t (In the aforementioned “SOS,” for instance how can I even try to go on?” in spite of not having seen or spoken to her in twenty years.) And the ending makes that terrible mistake common among so many musical comedies: betraying the stakes established over the last two hours with a shrugged-off “who cares!?” But it’s easy to forgive Mamma Mia’s mea culpas, particularly in the hands of an Equity touring cast who quickly render Pierce Brosnan’s singing voice a distant memory whose comic relief is less a lampoon here than in the film and more believable too The tour’s costumes span an impressive array of outfit changes which naturally include more than a few sequined bell bottoms those only serve to underscore the uninspired set design — a basic Greek taverna set in front of a barely-used projection screen there’s a different feast for the eyes in the form of choreography offering endlessly entrancing dance moves worthy of a cast that twice sing “Dancing Queen.” Sound design is difficult to assess: the show sounded great (the rare Dr Phillips show to sidestep hiccups on opening night) but was at times almost painfully loud the Act II opener causing hundreds to jump from their seats ABBA are responsible for dozens of the most delicious disco bops to top the charts this side of Sweden and the touring cast effectivley translate them to showtune style The producers have offered audiences a very easy way to enjoy themselves for three hours Photo Credit: (L to R) Lena Owens (Lisa), Amy Weaver (Sophie Sheridan), and Haley Wright (Ali). Photo by Joan Marcus Has been captivating audiences around the world for decades with its lively score based on the iconic and timeless music of ABBA this heartwarming and hilarious story follows Sophie on a quest to discover her father’s identity before her wedding day the ultimate feel-good show based on the songs of ABBA will return to San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre for a limited two-week engagement beginning Wednesday Single tickets for the upcoming engagement of MAMMA MIA in Houston will go on sale to the general public this week Learn more about the production and see how to purchase This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Phillips Panthers taking on the Winter Haven Blue Devils Follow along at High School On SI for live updates throughout the morning to see who will be crowned champions in the Class 7A championship game on Saturday Phillips is seeking their fourth consecutive state title Winter Haven is seeking their sixth state title in school history (1st since 2018) (Keep refreshing page for live game updates) The Class 7A girls' basketball championship game between Dr Phillips and Winter Haven will tip-off at 7:00 p.m Winter Haven Starting Lineup: Jaeden Williams Dariasia Pitts (Winter Haven) misses free throw 1 of 2 Pitts (Winter Haven) misses free throw 2 of 2 Jaeden Williams (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Williams (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Amaya Shaw (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Serenity Hardy (Winter Haven) scores a 3-point field goal.. Quin Nya Gray de Sanders (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Serenity Hardy (Winter Haven) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Hardy (Winter Haven) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Azzariah Styles (Winter Haven) scores a 3-point field goal.. de Sanders (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Hardy (Winter Haven) makes free throw 1 of 3.. Hardy (Winter Haven) makes free throw 2 of 3.. Hardy (Winter Haven) makes free throw 3 of 3.. Azzariah Styles (Winter Haven) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Styles (Winter Haven) misses free throw 2 of 2 Phillips 15 with 3:21 left in the second quarter Phillips 22 with 4:35 left in the third quarter Serenity Hardy (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Hardy (Winter Haven) misses free throw 1 of 1 Serenity Hardy (Winter Haven) makes a 3-point field goal.. Phillips 35 with 7:07 left in the fourth quarter Quin'Nya Gray de Sanders (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Hardy (Winter Haven) scores a 2-point field goal.. Jaeden Williams (Winter Haven) makes free throw 1 of 2.. Williams (Winter Haven) makes free throw 2 of 2.. Phillips 42 with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter de Sanders (Winter Haven) makes 1 of 2 free throws.. Phillips 42: Winter Haven wins their sixth state title in school history ROSS VAN DE GRIEKRoss Van De Griek has been a high school sports writer covering the state of Florida since 2021 Ross also has been scouting high school basketball and Grassroots Basketball across the Southeast Region since 2022 Ross has been covering basketball and recruiting for High School on SI since August 2024 and On The Radar Hoops throughout his scouting career You can follow him on X @rossvdg14 or reach him via email rossvdg14@gmail.com for story ideas © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER A highlight of this season, making its Florida debut exclusively in Orlando, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will run for four weeks. Widely recognized novels will also come to life on the Walt Disney Theater stage including Water for Elephants and The Notebook the arts center has become a premier Broadway destination,” says Kathy Ramsberger “We’re thrilled to debut Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Florida—right here in Orlando Our 25/26 season features award-winning productions fresh from Broadway reinforcing our commitment to expanding Broadway in Orlando and delivering world-class arts directly in our community.” the arts center has become one of the top Broadway markets in the country welcoming more than 1 million guests and doubling the number of subscribers over the past ten seasons Current AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando subscribers can renew their subscriptions starting today Due to the expected demand and overwhelming interest of this 25/26 AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando Season, future subscribers are encouraged to join our waitlist to be one of the first to know when new packages are available Learn more about the 25/26 season here. Montverde Academy's New Play Festival opened last night which features the premieres of 'Parallel Lil' by Crystal Skillman directed by David Ian Lee and 'Carl' by Aidan Fracker directed by Dean Bell as part of their Black Box Series. function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos Little Radical Theatrics will present its Spring 2025 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel March 21st-23rd at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater in the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando Voted the best musical of the 20th century by Time Magazine Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel is the classic American musical spanning heaven and earth in its exploration of human frailty This American classic features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most iconic pieces and the iconic “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Join LRT as we examine the concepts of temptation afterlife and emotional intelligence in the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical Stage Managed and Assistant Directed by Nessy Entertainment Starring Emma Licata as Julie Jordan, Austin Radican as Billy Bigelow, Akilah Etienne as Carrie Pipperidge, E Scott Arnold as Enoch Snow, David Clark as Jigger Cragin, Stephanie Viegas as Nettie Fowler, Sarah DiLeo as Louise Bigelow, Taz Scheiber as Mrs Mullins, Warner Zingg as Starkeeper, Kassidy Harff as Heavenly Friend, Payton Hubert as Heavenly Friend, Daniel Kermidas as Carnival Boy Featuring Derek Hayden as Mr. Bascombe, Tyler Moylan as Enoch Snow Jr, Mackenzie Adamek as Margaret Snow, Elaina Dixon as Arminy, Daniel Silva as Jonathan, Kirk Klemasch as Policeman, Fransiscus Fendrian as Policeman, Isabella Blohme as Jenny, Laura Davis as Penny, Sydney Rafferty as Hannah, Amanda Hopkins as Virginia, Emily Derderian as Susan, Melinda Lanie as Jessie, Grae Jordan as Bessie, Jack Fedit as Captain, Hunter Erquitt as Boatswain, Marcia Bauer as School Principal The cast also includes Apollo Minkoff, Aria Minkoff, Ariana Ogerio, Lia Zinnurova, Tanyarut Kamolpechara, Libbie Bartholomeu as Snow Children, and Judy Minkoff, Clara Atsinger, Julia Jensen, Kristina Burdeshaw, Mikayla Acree, Shannon Ricks, Dave Fremland, Sam Kacergis, Amanda Mahoney as Ensemble  Orlando Sings will present the fourth annual Orlando Sings Choral Festival, a three-concert celebration of the human spirit through powerful choral storytelling. The SpongeBob Musical is now playing at Ocala Civic Theatre, running through May 18. Check out all new photos from the show and learn more about the production here! function closestickysocial(){document.getElementById("foxsocial").style.display="none";}@media(max-width:1024px){.most-popular,.video-row{display:block;margin-top:25px}}Videos It’s been five years since the very first PechaKucha Night was held in Orlando. 16 sold out events and hundreds of amazing presentations later, this innovative and engaging speaker series will host its 17th event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts eight speakers will take to the stage in the intimate and elegant 294-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater for two separate performances on Friday