WINTER PARK — The Winter Park Playhouse just unveiled its new season that begins in August — and this season will be one like no other.
That’s because the musical theater company will be vacating its space at 711 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park — but not permanently. Having secured an $8 million arts grant, the theater company will be vacating its traditional space for this upcoming season so major renovations can be made to the property, including expansions of the main stage and the lobby area.
For longtime Winter Park Playhouse fans, this promises to be an exciting season of professional musicals in Central Florida, all in a new but familiar location to theater fans, and with some regional premieres on the way.
Why is Winter Park Playhouse Vacating its Building?
The Winter Park Playhouse’s 2025-2026 Series of Professional Musicals will run the gamut from Off-Broadway hits to regional premieres, for what marks the theater company’s 23rd season. But none of the shows will be performed at their current location.
“With the news that the theater’s current building is being renovated from July 2025 to June 2026, all Playhouse performances for this next series of musicals will be held at the Orlando Shakes complex in their Mandell Theatre,” the Playhouse noted. Orlando Shakes is just 10 minutes away from the Winter Park Playhouse theater, at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park, and has also been a highly popular spot for musicals.
When the owner of the Playhouse’s current theater building decided to sell the property, Playhouse artistic director Heather Alexander worked with the city governments in Winter Park and Orlando and the Orange County Commission to secure an $8 million arts grant to buy the property and renovate it.
While that renovation work is being done, the 5 new Mainstage productions in the new 2025-2026 series will be shifted to Orlando Shakes. That means some changes in ticket prices.
The Playhouse is now offering annual subscribers a discount off established single ticket prices. The 5-Show Annual Series subscription will be priced at $220 for evening shows, $210 for seniors 62 and older attending evening shows and $195 for matinees.
A “You Pick 3” Mini Series subscription will be priced at $138 for evenings, $132 for Senior evenings and $123 for matinees, while individually priced tickets range from $20-$47.
In addition, “In an ongoing effort to serve the community, accommodate demand and make the popular musicals accessible, The Playhouse will offer two preview performances — one evening and one matinee prior to opening night — at a reduced $23 ticket price for all seats,” the Playhouse noted.
Tickets for annual series subscribers are now on sale, while the “You Pick 3” Mini Series subscriptions will be available starting March 18.
What Shows Will be Performed in the New Season?
The shows being performed in the new season include:
Jerry’s Girls, with music & lyrics by Jerry Herman, running Aug. 8-31.
“This dynamic Broadway musical revue celebrates the music of the incomparable composer, Jerry Herman! The show highlights the broad spectrum of thrilling material he wrote specifically for female performers from such immortal musicals as Mame, Hello Dolly!, Milk and Honey, Mack and Mabel, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and La Cage Aux Folles.“
Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, running Sept. 26-Oct. 19.
“This hit Off-Broadway musical comedy pays homage to the close-harmony ‘guy groups’ of the 1950’s. The Plaids, a quartet of high-school chums, dreamt of becoming stars but never got the chance. They return from the afterlife for one final shot at musical glory.”
Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Hoedown, written by Ted Swindley, which will be staged Nov. 14-Dec. 20 as a regional premiere.
“This upbeat musical comedy continues the escapades of four beloved good ‘ole country gals, The Honky Tonk Angels, as they reunite for a show at the Hillbilly Heaven Club in Nashville. With the holiday spirit in full force and a little bit of charming family drama, this joyful musical is full of popular holiday classics, a Motown Christmas medley, country hits like Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors,” fun comedy hits like “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and much more!”
From My Hometown: A Celebration of the American Dream in Classic R&B, a musical conceived by Lee Summers with a book by Summers, Ty Stephens & Herbert Rawlings, Jr. This is a Southeastern regional premiere that runs Jan. 23-Feb. 21, 2026.
“This critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musical is a “rags to riches” tale of three young men just off the bus from their hit-record producing hometowns – Philly, Memphis, and Detroit – as they meet at the world famous Apollo Theatre. The musical is a tantalizing homage to the 3-man R&B groups of the 60’s and 70’s and features twenty-four Rhythm and Blues classic soul songs made popular by artists such as James Brown, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson and more!”
The Pin-Up Girls by James Hindman and Jeffrey Lodin, a regional premiere being produced on March 20-April 25, 2026.
“From The Andrews Sisters to hip-hop and Gershwin to Beyoncé, The Pin-Up Girls sing a cavalcade of hits inspired by letters home from our troops overseas! While singing at the local VFW hall, the ladies stumble upon a huge stash of letters that date back 100 years. Inspired by what they find – funny, sexy, romantic and poignant – they put on a show that celebrates the men and women who fight to defend our country.”
Where Can I Get Tickets To These Shows?
The Winter Park Playhouse will be producing its 2025-2026 Series at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park, while their own theater building at 711 N. Orange Ave. undergoes renovations. To purchase tickets, call 407-645-0145.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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