If you have been following this column, you know how I feel about movie dates, but what you may not know is that I LOVE “going to see a show” dates! It’s not that I have anything against the movies. I enjoy a good chick flick and movie theater popcorn is second to none. Perhaps, my hatred of movie dates stems from the simple fact that when we do go to the movies, I usually spend a good chunk of the time elbowing Hubby to keep him awake. Why then, you may be asking yourself, would I think taking my husband to see a play would be such a great idea? Simple! Theatre is live with real people up there, which results in real emotional connections between the actors on stage and you (and whoever is lucky enough to be sitting next to you). That kind of shared experience doesn’t happen at the movies. (It’s true, there are studies that prove this and everything.) As if this is not enough to convince you that seeing live theatre makes for a great date, how about the fact that you will never have to experience boring small talk and awkward silences during post-show dessert conversations. There is just so much to talk about after watching an unedited performance happening right before your eyes. (Note: For those that may not know, there is an old unwritten commandment that states that one must digest what they saw happening on stage while eating a good slice of cheesecake or something just as equally as decadent. Hey, I didn’t write it, I just follow it.)
While flying to New York to see a Broadway show and eat Junior’s cheesecake sounds like heaven, it’s not very realistic. Nor is scoring tickets for one of the wonderful touring company productions at the Dr. Phillips Center. (Hamilton, I will see you one day!) But fortunate for us, there are so many hidden theatre gems in our city just waiting for you to discover them. Whether it is semi-professional or wholly amateur, local regional or community theatre, college or HS production, theatre IS readily available – as are places to get dessert afterwards! After finding out that a friend’s husband was starring in Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo, we decided to go check it out and head over to Osceola Arts in Kissimmee for a night of community theatre.
Community theatre is wonderful, for it brings both aspiring actors and experienced theatre veterans together. Whether the performers and crew intend to fly off to New York to audition on Broadway after the curtain closes or simply plan to go home to their families and day jobs, for a few short months, community theatre provides a second family, a support system, and a strong sense of accomplishment. In our case, the production we saw also provided a night of laughs and lots of conversation over our slices of key lime and peanut butter pies. In other words, it was a great date night.
Looking to change things up and take in a local performance yourself? Check out one of these great local theatre productions happening in the next few months. Don’t forget to save room for PIE afterwards! It’s the law!
Osceola Arts (www.osceolaarts.org) will be doing the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying until March 15, followed by the musical Once on This Island which opens March 27 and runs through April 5.
Mad Cow Theatre, in downtown off Church Street (https://madcowtheatre.com/), will be doing Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons, a story of a post-war American family in a tragic downfall of lies, greed, love, and loss, from March 25 to April 19.
Orlando Shakes, in partnership with UCF (Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Inc.), produces classic, contemporary, and children’s plays. Their signature series shows include The Three Musketeers by Catherine Bush, adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, and runs through March 22. The last children series production of the season will be Interstellar Cinderella, a musical which will run April 9 through May 2. (https://www.orlandoshakes.org/)
Garden Theatre, a beautiful historic theatre in Winter Garden, will be doing Patrick Barlow’s new adaptation of Ben Hur, a light-hearted comedic take on the timeless story, until March 15. Then, Roald Dahl’s beloved story of an extraordinary young girl comes to life in Matilda the Musical April 24 through May 24. (https://www.gardentheatre.org/events/plays/)
Lake Nona High School’s theatre department will be doing their version of The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical within a comedy. If you haven’t been to see a show at our high school, you are in for quite a treat. These kids are talented, and their theatre program is comparable, if not better, to any of the other mentioned professional or community theatres. There are only five public performances and they will be during April 16-20. Tickets will be available via www.teachtix.com.
