Here’s your heads up, there’s a lot going on in downtown Orlando this weekend. You may want to steer clear or participate, depending on what piques your interest.
Hey, I’m News 6 producer Brooke Savage, the writer behind this Setting The Stage newsletter.
Let’s take a look at what’s going on. ⤵
🐘 Step right up: ‘Water for Elephants The Musical’ stops in Orlando
Get ready to get a feel for the circus life with acrobats, aerialists, and large-scale animal puppets taking over a Central Florida stage.
“Water for Elephants The Musical” is based on Sara Gruen’s novel. It takes place during the Great Depression, and it tells the story of a young man who jumps a moving train, not knowing where it will take him.
He ends up finding a new home with a traveling circus. The story is told through the eyes of the young man’s older self, where he recounts his time of adventure, love, and the harsh realities of the era.
The musical will be inside Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts through this Sunday. I posted ticket information and my full interview with two cast members from the show. Anchor Lisa Bell also saw the musical this week; see her review.
✨ Electric Daisy Carnival returns to downtown Orlando
The 3-day festival is already underway at Tinker Field. It appears some tickets are still available. EDC is just one of the several events happening in downtown Orlando this weekend. Stephanie Rodriguez shares what to expect.
🐰 Try everything! “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” is now open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
In the Loop newsletter writer, Haley Coomes, got a sneak peek of the new show that has replaced “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” inside Tree of Life Theater.
She also heard from Ginnifer Goodwin and Nate Torrence, who voice Judy Hopps and Benjamin Clawhauser, in the “Zootopia” movie. They spoke about their experience working on “Zootopia: Better Zoogether.” Check out her first look.
🦇 Phantasmagoria wraps up ‘Hauntingly Whimsical Tales’
Phantasmagoria Orlando and DiDonna Productions is wrapping up their series of shows based on the tales of the late artist and author Edward Gorey. This year would have been his 100th birthday.
The Victorian Horror Troupe blends together storytelling, dance, puppetry, projections, original music, and more. The group will be bringing Gorey’s worlds to the big stage.
Friday and Saturday, they’ll have their final show at Theater West End in Sanford. Click here for details.
🎶 What’s happening in showbiz:
⚔ Now–Nov. 16: “The Crucible” at Ocala Civic Theatre
❄ Now-Dec. 21: Disney’s “Frozen” at Titusville Playhouse
🐛 Now-Sunday: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show” at Orlando Shakes
🎤 Nov. 8: Lainey Wilson at Kia Center in downtown Orlando
🤠 Nov. 14-15: Niko Moon at House of Blues in Disney Springs
🎄 Nov. 14-Dec. 14: “It’s a Wonderful Life The Musical” at The Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse in Mount Dora
🤣 Nov. 15: Gabriel Iglesias at Kia Center in downtown Orlando
😂 Nov. 21-22: Damon Wayans Jr. at Funny Bone Comedy Club
👩🦰 Nov. 21-Dec. 14: “Annie” at Cocoa Village Playhouse
⛄ Nov. 24-Dec. 23: “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage” at Orlando Family Stage
That’s a wrap for this week’s “Setting The Stage” newsletter.
If you have any story ideas on the theatre and arts scene, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bsavage@wkmg.com.
Also, let me know if there are any local theatres you want me to cover more often.
- 🎭 Brooke