Laura Bell Bundy and company in the stage musical version of the hit MGM movie "Legally Blonde"
(Credit: Associated Press)
Mention
Orlando
entertainment, and most people think of *Nsync , Britney Spears
and those inevitable mouse ears. But we can do
better than that. As Ron Legler, President of Florida Theatrical Association,
pointed out,
Orlando
offers every genre of the performing arts, with year-round productions by the
Orlando Opera, Orlando Philharmonic
and
Orlando Ballet. If it’s professional theater you crave, the FTA brings
Broadway
to the Bob Carr. The 2008-2009
Suntrust Broadway Across
America season has something for everyone, from
theatrical classics to side-splitting newbies.
The season opens up with
"Wizard of Oz" (October 21-26). The success of "Wicked" and the Sci-Fi
Channel’s “Tin Man” mini-series might be an indication of America’s Oz obsession. Now the classic movie you
grew up with comes to life in live-action splendor, with a large cast of dancing
Munchkins, flying monkeys, rival witches and the fantastic foursome of Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man. This
show of a different color features a raging tornado, art deco Emerald City and all the familiar songs, like
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “We’re Off
To See The Wizard” and “If I Were King
of the Forest.”
The season continues with the Tony award-winning
"Avenue Q," (December 2-7), one of the funniest plays to
hit the stage. If you’ve ever seen “Crank Yankers” or “Wonder Showzen,” you know that puppets aren’t just for “Sesame Street.” In this hilarious modern musical, the actors
use hand-held puppets to portray a lovable cast of characters all trying to
survive in the Big Apple on very little
money. The show follows Avenue Q residents like Princeton the college grad, Rod
the Republican investment banker and Trekkie Monster the Internet addict as
they make it through life with rousing numbers like “I’m Not Wearing Underwear
Today,” “If You Were Gay” and “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist.”
Next up on the list is the 1970’s dance sensation "A Chorus Line" (February 10-15). This play gives you a
glimpse into the minds of actors as they audition for the chance of a lifetime,
a role in the chorus line of a Broadway musical. "A Chorus Line" opens at a casting call with all the hopefuls
singing, “God I Hope I Get It.” The
group is whittled down to 17 dancers who share their experiences,
insecurities and passion for dancing with memorable solos like “I Can Do That,”
and “What I Did For Love.” It’s like a
musical version of “elimiDATE,” and if
your favorite actor doesn’t make it, don’t worry. They bring everyone back
onstage for the big finale, “One Singular Sensation.”
Oh my god, you guys, "Legally
Blonde the Musical" (March 10-15) is like, totally coming to Orlando! Couldn’t you just
die? Well, you probably could if you happen to be one of the unsuspecting
hubbies to get dragged to this estrogen-soaked affair. This hilarious,
high-energy show is based on the Reese Witherspoon movie “Legally Blonde,” and follows sorority queen Elle Woods as she braves the trials of Harvard Law to win back her main squeeze. Even the guys
might surprise themselves by clapping along to catchy numbers like “Omigod You
Guys,” “So Much Better” and “Bend
and Snap.”
If you’ve ever had to drive a beaten up old car, you
probably didn’t feel like breaking into song, but the people behind "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (April 14-19) must have. This musical
adaptation of the 1968 movie takes you on the road trip to end all road trips
with the mad inventor Caractacus Potts, his children Jemima and Jeremy, Grandpa Potts and the lovely Truly Scrumptious. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a magical car that
can sail through the skies and sail the seas, but it will never look as cool as
the Batmobile. Bring the grandparents
and buckle up for a night of big dance numbers and classic songs like “Truly
Scrumptious,” “Toot Sweet,” “Hushabye Mountain” and the Oscar-nominated “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
The season goes out with a bang as the dreamy "Jersey Boys" roll into town (May 6-24). The show will have
to be pretty good to compete with the Orlando Fringe Festival, but these smooth-talking crooners are up to
task. This 2006 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical tells the real-life rags to riches story of
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and features timeless chart-topping hits
like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What A Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”
