Nine Shows To Look Forward To In South Florida In 2019

2018 has given South Florida a fun cornucopia of live theatre, from the Southeastern premiere of Freaky Friday at Slow Burn to the national tour of Hamilton at the Broward Center. Since 2019 is already well underway, here is a look at what South Florida theatre has to offer this year.

Jekyll and Hyde @ Slow Burn Theatre Company

Slow Burn Theatre Company has made a name for itself by producing an exciting fare of contemporary musicals for younger South Florida audiences. Based on the dark novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, this musical concerns Dr. Henry Jekyll, a scientist who accidentally transforms into his demonic alter-ego, Mr. Hyde, during one of his medical experiments. This macabre musical explores the age-old conflict between good and evil. Tony Edgerton, who recently dazzled audiences and critics as Rooster in The Wick Theatre's production of Annie, will take on the dual role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Audiences can enjoy Frank Wildhorn's powerful score, with memorable songs such as "Someone Like You," "I Need To Know," and the ever-popular "This Is The Moment."

Jekyll and Hyde will play from January 31 to February 17 at the Broward Center's Amaturo Theater, located at 201 Southwest 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $47-$60, and students under 25 can take advantage of $25 student tickets. For more information, please go online to slowburntheatre.org or browardcenter.org.

Bette and Barry @ Island City Stage

Island City Stage continues to enhance South Florida's LGBTQ theatre scene with Bette and Barry. This world premiere production, written by Tony Award nominee and South Florida Theatre veteran Michael Leeds, is a fun tribute to the music of Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, and their journey "from the Bathhouse to Broadway." Carbonell winner Mallory Newbro plays Midler while Carbonell nominee Michael Ursua plays Manilow. Some of the hits featured in this production include "Wind Beneath My Wings," "Copacabana," "The Rose," and "I Write The Songs."

Bette and Barry is open now until February 10 at Island City Stage, located at 2304 North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased over the phone at (954) 519-2533 or online at islandcitystage.org.

Indecent @ Gablestage

This Tony-nominated play by Paula Vogel comes to the Gablestage after a successful run at Palm Beach Dramaworks (which just garnered nine Carbonell nominations). Indecent is inspired by the controversial Sholem Asch play God of Vengeance, which tells a lesbian love story between a prostitute and a brothel owner's daughter. This ensemble-driven piece discusses topics of anti-Semitism, homophobia, and censorship with dignity and emotion.

Indecent will play at the Gablestage, inside the Biltmore Hotel located at 1200 Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables. Tickets are $50-$65, and $15 student tickets are available with valid ID on Thursday and Sunday nights. For more information, please go online to gablestage.org or call (305) 445-1119.

The Producers @ The Stage Door Theatre

The Stage Door Theatre has come a long way since moving from its duplex storefront venue in Margate. By moving to its new home at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, The Stage Door's productions have grown in scale and scope. The Stage Door will soon open what will be its most grandiose show to date-The Producers. Based on the 1968 Mel Brooks film, this 12-time Tony-winning Best Musical tells the story of a washed-up theatre producer and a mousey accountant as they attempt to mount a great big Broadway flop. Ken Clement, who was last seen in The Big Bang at Actors' Playhouse, will assume the role of big, boisterous producer Max Bialystok, while South Florida newcomer T.J. Lamando plays squeamish accountant Leo Bloom.

The Producers is open now through February 10 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, located at 3800 Northwest 11th Place in Lauderhill. Tickets range from $48 to $58, and discounts are available for groups and students with ID. For ticket information, please call (954) 344-7765, or go online to stagedoorfl.org.

We Will Not Be Silent @ Florida Atlantic University TheatreLab

This play by historian David Meyers makes its Southeastern premiere after debuting at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. We Will Not Be Silent is based on the real-life story of German student Sophie Scholl, and her peaceful protests against the Nazis during World War II. According to TheatreLab, "The play examines the role that ordinary Germans played in the rise of Hitler-and the moral strength and courage that led a group of German students to risk their lives for a righteous cause."

We Will Not Be Silent will play from February 8 through February 24, with a preview performance on February 7. Performances will take place at FAU TheatreLab, located inside Parliament Hall on the FAU Campus. FAU is located at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Tickets are $25 for the February 7 Preview, while regular tickets are $35. For more information, please go online to fauevents.com or call (561) 297-6124.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown @ Slow Burn Theatre Company

Based on the Peanuts comics by Charles Schultz, this intimate musical will take you back to your childhood. Join Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang as they fly kites, create new philosophies, and devise a holiday around Ludwig van Beethoven. Carbonell-nominee Cameron Jordan, who recently played Lonny Barnett in Slow Burn's production of Rock of Ages, will take on the role of Charlie Brown.

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown will run from February 28 through March 10 at the Broward Center's Abdo New River Room, located at 201 Southwest 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $47-$60, and students under 25 can take advantage of $25 student tickets. There will be a sensory-friendly matinee for audiences on the autism spectrum on March 6. Tickets for this performance are $10.50. For more information, please go online to slowburntheatre.org or browardcenter.org.

Fiddler on the Roof @ The Broward Center

Based on the Tony-nominated revival directed by Bartlett Sher, this production of Fiddler on the Roof will star Israeli actor Yehezkel Lazarov in the role of Tevye the Milkman. Tevye is a simple man fighting to maintain the dying traditions in his Russian Jewish village of Anatevka. Audiences will hum along to songs like "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were A Rich Man," "To Life," and "Sunrise, Sunset."

Fiddler on the Roof will play from February 20 through March 3 at the Broward Center's Au Rene Theatre, located at 201 Southwest 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $35 and are available over the phone at (954) 462-0222 or online at browardcenter.org.

Adam Pascal with Seth Rudetsky @ The Parker Playhouse

Sirius XM host and Broadway Chatterbox Seth Rudetsky returns to the Parker Playhouse, having previously performed at the Parker alongside Broadway power couple Audra McDonald and Will Swenson. Tony-nominee Adam Pascal returns to South Florida after playing William Shakespeare on the national tour of Something Rotten. Pascal made his Broadway debut as Roger in the original company of Rent, and has also appeared in the Broadway companies of Aida, Memphis, Chicago, and Disaster! Don't miss this memorable evening of music and Broadway banter.

This event will take place on Sunday, March 24 at 7:00 pm at the Parker Playhouse, located at 707 Northeast 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $37-$67 and are available online at parkerplayhouse.com or by phone at (954) 462-0222.

Dear Evan Hansen @ The Broward Center

Written by Oscar and Tony winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Dear Evan Hansen deals with themes of social anxiety, teenage suicide, and the impact of social media. Evan Hansen is a teenage boy with no friends, a single mom, and extreme social anxiety. When local bully Connor Murphy dies by suicide, Evan fabricates a friendship with the deceased student in an effort to gain trust from Connor's family, and win the heart of Connor's sister Zoe. This touring production stars Broadway veterans Ben Levi Ross, Jessica Phillips, Aaron Lazar, and Tony-nominee Christiane Noll.

Dear Evan Hansen will play from March 26 through April 7 at the Broward Center's Au Rene Theatre, located at 201 Southwest 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets start at $35 and are available over the phone at (954) 462-0222 or online at browardcenter.org.