MEDIA RELEASE

Press Contact:

Melissa Braillard, Marketing Director 407-877-4736 x203

melissa@gardentheatre.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GARDEN THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 THEATRE SEASON

Gypsy, A Christmas Story and Billy Elliot: The Musical Will Bring Glamour, Nostalgia, and Laughs to Central Florida

Winter Garden, FL (January 19, 2018) – Garden Theatre (Nao Tsurumaki, Executive Director and Rob Winn Anderson, Artistic Director) announced today the seven productions to be offered as part of the Garden’s 2018-2019 theatrical season. The exciting season of extravagant stage adaptations, powerhouse musical productions, and regional premieres starts with the award-winning classic musical GYPSY opening August 24, 2018. New season subscriptions start at $84 and go on sale March 12, 2018 through the box office at 407-877-4736 ext. 0, and at gardentheatre.org. Single tickets go on sale on May 1, 2018. “The scope and breadth of the shows next season—ranging from musicals to reimagined classics to Central Florida premieres—will be entertaining and compelling,” says Rob Winn Anderson, Artistic Director. “We’re bringing to Orlando shows directly from Broadway and London’s West End, two Tony Award-winning musicals, and a psychological thriller based on a terrifying classic of the genre. We’re also continuing our commitment to presenting theatre year-round with a musical stage adaptation of the 80s movie, FLASHDANCE fresh from its national and international tours.” The 2018-2019 theatre season opens with the multi-Tony award-winning musical, GYPSY, the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success. Just in time for Halloween, the season continues with a suspenseful adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier classic short story, THE BIRDS. For the holidays the Garden Theatre

brings audiences a hilarious and heart-warming show for the entire family, A CHRISTMAS STORY. The season also includes the Central Florida premiere of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE by Matthew Lopez and the chilling, dystopian masterpiece 1984 by George Orwell. The Garden season continues with the heart-warming journey of a boy who hangs up his boxing gloves for ballet shoes. Winner of 10 Tony Awards and an electrifying score by music legend Elton John, BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL is an inspirational story set in a northern English town during the devastating miners’ strike of 1984. Rounding out the season is an inspiring dance musical about the power of holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds, FLASHDANCE. “The Garden Theatre leadership team has carefully curated an extraordinary combination of much-loved classics alongside exciting plays new to the Central Florida area.” said Executive Director Nao Tsurumaki. He added, “We believe these shows will elevate the Garden’s presence in the community, powerfully engaging our current patrons while opening doors to new audiences.” 2017-2018 season ticket holders may renew their subscription beginning January 23, 2018. New subscriptions go on sale March 12, 2018, and may be purchased online at gardentheatre.org, by phone at 407-877-4736 ext. 0, or in person at the Garden Theatre box office. Packages range from $84 to $528. Single tickets go on sale on May 1, 2018 with prices starting at $30. Discounts are available for groups, students, seniors, and military. All dates and plays are subject to change. More information about the season is available online at gardentheatre.org. 2018-2019 CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING All dates and plays are subject to change. GYPSY A Musical Fable, Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Suggested by memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee Original production by David Merrick & Leland Hayward Entire production originally directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins

August 24 - September 16, 2018 Overbearing stage mother Rose treks across the country with her daughters Baby June and Louise fighting for the success of their homespun act. After many tumultuous years, Rose is forced to accept the demise of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque, as reserved Louise transforms herself into the glamorous Gypsy Rose Lee. Drop everything for GYPSY – featuring a legendary, award-winning score that includes “Let Me Entertain You,” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” THE BIRDS Stage adaptation by Conor McPherson From a short story by Daphne du Maurier October 12 - October 28, 2018 In an isolated, abandoned house, three strangers take refuge from relentless masses of birds that viciously attack everyone exposed. There’s no electricity, little food, and the birds inexplicably always return. Their claustrophobic existence becomes even more treacherous as paranoia creeps into their refuge and they become obsessed with the need to escape. Inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s short story, the basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary film, this suspenseful adaptation is compelling, edge-of-your seat drama. A CHRISTMAS STORY By Philip Grecian Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story, © 1983 Turner Entertainment Co., distributed by Warner Bros. Written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark; and on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd November 24 - December 23, 2018 A fun holiday treat for the entire family. Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker spends most of the winter dodging a bully and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder BB Gun. Often at odds with his cranky dad but comforted by his doting mother, Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his hopes intact. Based on the humorous writings of Jean Shepherd and the motion picture of the same name, you’ll want to make this wonderful, nostalgic bit of Americana part of your family’s holiday celebration. THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE By Matthew Lopez Central Florida Premiere

January 18 - February 3, 2019 As an Elvis impersonator at a bar in the Florida Panhandle, 20-something Casey has everything going for him, including a new sequin jumpsuit. But just like that he’s lost his gig, rent is overdue, and his wife announces there’s a baby on the way. So when Elvis leaves the building and a drag show moves in, all hands are on deck for Casey’s transformation. He always knew he’d be a star—but not quite like this. With snappy zingers and show stopping musical numbers, THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE is a hilariously extravagant comedy of transformation that blurs the lines between past and future, masculine and feminine, and love and passion. 1984 Based on the book by George Orwell A new play by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan Central Florida Premiere March 1 - 17, 2019 What if one thought cost you everything? Following a wildly successful Broadway run, the nerve-jangling stage adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece opens at the Garden Theatre. 1984 presents a harrowing future in which a totalitarian government uses propaganda, brainwashing, constant surveillance, and torture to control its subjects. One of the most widely referenced and best-known fiction titles of all time, 1984 makes the dark implications of out-of-control state power feel urgent and real. BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL Music by Elton John Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall April 26 - May 26, 2019 Winner of 10 Tony Awards and an electrifying score by music legend Elton John, BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL is an inspirational story set in a northern English town during the devastating miners’ strike of 1984. 11-year old Billy journeys from the boxing ring to a ballet class to make his dreams come true while challenging the long held beliefs of his hometown. Along the way, he discovers a passion for dance that unites his family, inspires his community, and changes his life forever. Based on the smash-hit film, BILLY ELLIOT is an astonishing theatrical experience with a big heart. FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL Music & Lyrics by Robbie Roth Book by Tom Hedley Book & Lyrics by Robert Cary

July 5 - July 28, 2019 Dance like you’ve never danced before! FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dreams. Based on the Paramount Pictures film, FLASHDANCE boasts an iconic score and pop hits including “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “I Love Rock & Roll” and the sensational title track “Flashdance…What a Feeling”. Complete information is available at gardentheatre.org.

### ABOUT THE GARDEN THEATRE Garden Theatre of Winter Garden celebrates its 10th anniversary during the 2017-18 performance season. Originally built in 1935 as a single-screen cinema, the theatre was the first in Central Florida built for “talkies” and was a gathering place for locals to watch the latest newsreels and films of the day. The building was restored to its former glory in 2008, and the 299-seat Garden Theatre, with a current annual budget of nearly $1.5 million, has grown to a performing arts center with extensive programming that includes professional live theatre, concerts, dance, special events, movies and a thriving summer camp and arts education program. Visit gardentheatre.org or contact 407-877-4736 for details about upcoming programming.