Ricky Cona News

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Orlando Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

How do you take a brilliant piece of classic musical theatre and improve upon it? Orlando’s New Generation Theatrical's production of SWEENEY TODD, does this by breaking down the typical stage barriers and immersing the audience in the material, creating a fresh (and fantastic) production.

Get launched into Doo-Wop heaven with the nifty and nostalgic Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton.  Featuring over 25 of your favorite 1950s songs, Sh-Boom! will have you longing for the days of American Bandstand, the Twist and perfect 4-part harmonies.

Get launched into Doo-Wop heaven with the nifty and nostalgic Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton.  Featuring over 25 of your favorite 1950s songs, Sh-Boom! will have you longing for the days of American Bandstand, the Twist and perfect 4-part harmonies.  

In the world of musical theatre, there are some shows that feel fresh and new, no matter how many times you see them. These are the musicals you drop everything to experience even if it may be your fortieth time. For musicals like that, the thrill of seeing what a different theatre, director, designer, or actor may do with a favorite piece can often be just as thrilling as sitting in an audience for opening night of a world premiere musical. For me, this is the case with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS – a cautionary tale of what lengths some may take for love, fame and success all wrapped up in a colorful, fun, and nearly perfect book with catchy songs and memorable characters. A frequent choice when asked what my favorite musical may be (and I have seen/heard/performed in many), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the perfect mix of comedy, horror, camp and love story all rolled into one. So, imagine my thrill sitting outside (without a mask based on the new CDC rules!) at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre in Lake Eola Park on opening night of Orlando Shakes latest production as the chords of the opening number began. Excitement, anticipation, and curiosity - and I am here to tell you 100 minutes later (without intermission) my expectations were not only met, but exceeded.

For their second in-person, socially distanced production at Lake Eola Park, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF is taking over Orlando with the hilarious award-winning, musical send-up of sci-fi 50’s movies, Little Shop of Horrors (May 5 - 23, 2021).

For their second in-person, socially distanced production at Lake Eola Park, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF is taking over Orlando with the hilarious award-winning, musical send-up of sci-fi 50’s movies, Little Shop of Horrors (May 5 - 23, 2021).

Three long-time friends and theatrical collaborators, Director/Tony Award ®-winning Producer - Kenny Howard, Composer/Musician - Rich Charron, and Playwright/Lyricist/Producer - Michael Wanzie in conjunction with Watermark Publishing Group will present an online YouTube Cabaret to benefit the newly created CENTRAL FLORIDA PERFORMING ARTIST RELIEF FUND.

How to Succeed at Business Without Really Trying is at the Alhambra in Jacksonville, FL. The witty musical follows the story of J. Pierrepont Finch as he works his way up in a company through distinct steps, such as staying late at the office to look like an ambitious employee. The show was incredibly entertaining for the audience, and a little relatable for anyone who has worked in a corporate office.

A look back at the very best local productions that 2017 had to offer.

My daughter introduced me to the sarcastic wit of the music in Avenue Q on the way to college a few years ago, so I sort of knew going in, this wasn't your typical musical.

Inspired by iconic works examining LGBT culture such as 'The Velvet Rage' and 'Paris is Burning,' Stun is a new play by Jordan Stovall (www.jordanstovall.com) being presented in its entirety to the public for the first time after development at the Hamilton Project at the Barn Arts Collective in Tremont, Maine.

Inspired by iconic works examining LGBT culture such as 'The Velvet Rage' and 'Paris is Burning,' Stun is a new play by Jordan Stovall (www.jordanstovall.com) being presented in its entirety to the public for the first time after development at the Hamilton Project at the Barn Arts Collective in Tremont, Maine.

Make no mistake about it, there is a funny, intelligent, socially-conscious, slightly sardonic show inside of the new musical JOYCE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO DATING. Unfortunately, the show's writers, Scott Logsdon (book and lyrics) and Steve Marzullo (music) weren't able to find it in time for the world premiere production that ended its run at Orlando's Abbey earlier this week.

With tweaking and some rewrites, it has the makings of a cult classic.

Florida Theatrical Association's production of the brand new musical parody JOYCE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO DATING resumes performances on Thursday, August 10th at The Abbey in downtown Orlando and concludes its run on Monday August, 14th with an industry night.

Florida Theatrical Association presents the world premiere of JOYCE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO DATING August 4-14 at The Abbey. The musical parodies a dating book from the 1950's of the same name. FTA produced a staged reading of the musical last Fall as part of their New Musical Discovery Series.