Jukebox musicals and rousing tributes are among the Winter Park Playhouse 2023-24 Mainstage Series of musical productions.
The list offers a wide variety of Broadway and Off-Broadway hits and southeastern regional premiers that includes:
• Honky Tonk Laundry: Aug. 4-27
Lana Mae Hopkins, laundry owner and aspiring country music star, is up to her elbows in soapsuds and cheatin’ hearts as her business is transformed into a honky tonk. This musical comedy is full of classic tunes made famous by Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and many more.
• Ruthless!: Sept. 22-Oct. 15
A 1950’s housewife and her 8-year-old daughter will do anything to get the lead role in the school play. This Off-Broadway spoof features twists, turns, and killer laughs.
• A Swingin’ Christmas: The Holiday Music of Tony Bennett: Nov. 10-Dec. 16
Winter Park Playhouse will host the southeastern regional premier of this celebration of the season. The setlist includes 18 holiday favorites along with “I Wanna Be Around,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and more of the tunes that made Tony Bennett a star.
• Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Jan. 19-Feb. 17, 2024
Set in 1960 during Labor Day weekend at a Catskills resort, this humorous and heartwarming musical features some of Neil Sedaka’s greatest hits with “Laughter in the Rain,” “Calendar Girl,” “Love Will Keep Us Together,” and more.
• Five Guys Named Moe: March 15-April 20, 2024
Five guys, all named Moe, comfort a heartbroken man with dozens of hit songs in this up-tempo Broadway musical. The production is set to an iconic rhythm and blues score by the legendary Louis Jordan.
• George M. Cohan Tonight!: May 10-June 9, 2024
Another southeastern regional premier; this Off-Broadway musical is a salute to the life and creativity of the man who almost single-handedly invented the American musical comedy. The hit song list features “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “Over There,” “You’re A Grand Old Flag” and “All Aboard for Broadway!”
Annual 6-Show Series subscription renewals have begun, and new subscription sales will begin Feb. 14. Both can be purchased by calling the box office at 407-645-0145. The “You Pick Three” mini-subscriptions, and single ticket sales will be available online, beginning March 21.
The Playhouse will also offer one evening and one matinee performance prior to opening night, at $23 per ticket for all seats. Check the Playhouse website for more details.
The Winter Park Playhouse is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and proudly affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association and The National Alliance for Musical Theatre.