New Garden Theatre Partnership To Bring Back Live Performances To Winter Garden In Early 2023

Following a period of turbulence at the Garden Theatre that saw it's 2022-23 season cut short by behind-the-scenes resignations and changes in leadership, the Garden Theatre is making a return to the main stage in early 2023 with the help of a newly announced partnership.

Local company, Victory Productions, who describe themselves as a full-service entertainment company specializing in concert promotions, the production of live theatre, and special events, has announced that it will be collaborating with the Garden Theater on its upcoming 2023 productions, which include the acclaimed musicals Rock of Ages and Dreamgirls.

According to Victory Productions, it will be responsible for all aspects of the Garden Theatre’s shows, including programming, design, casting, rehearsals, costuming and set construction.

“As a company and as a performer, my professional experience is diverse and broad, and as a result our business decisions are thoughtful and purposeful,” Victory President Fernando Varela said in a statement. “We care about our entire community and are excited to have this opportunity to bring in national talent from around the country. Central Florida is rich in talent, and we hope that in the weeks ahead we can provide an opportunity for local artists to share the stage with world renowned performers. Producing these initial 2023 shows is a positive step forward for professional community theatre as well as a showcase for artists and an impressive entertainment experience for audiences.”

This new chapter in the Garden Theatre's story, comes after the theatre ended its 2022-23 season prematurely amid a public squabble between the theatre's board and its employees.

Due to the in-fighting, the theatre announced the cancelation of its production, Paper Thin back in July.

At the time the theatre issued the following statement:

"Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate through leadership and organizational transitions. Our mission remains the same: to inspire discovery through theatrical experiences that are innovative, impactful, and inclusive. While our efforts to continue to bring forth these experiences to the community are a priority, we are mindful of the work, talent, and time that it takes to ensure our productions are also of high quality. It is our desire to keep our mission intact for you, our patrons, and theatre lovers alike. Unfortunately, this brings us to a bridge we must reluctantly cross.

We have made the difficult decision to cancel our production of PAPER THIN. We are working to make sure that our in house strategic plan and culture are healthy and viable, and we want to be able to use this time to ensure that we can move forward in a positive manner and showcase our theatre and productions with the quality the community has come to expect."

Now is appears that the theatre is ready to move on with the announcement of this new partnership with Victory Productions.

The first of the live shows under the new partnership, go on sale soon, with Rock of Ages coming to the theatre from January 25 through until February 26.

Rock of Ages – on sale soon!

January 25 - February 26, 2023

ROCK OF AGES is a big, energetic tribute to the classic rock of the ‘80s. This five-time Tony Award-nominated musical features all of your favorite rock anthems and power ballads including: “We’re Not Going to Take It,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “The Final Countdown,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Something Rotten!

April 21 - May 21, 2023

Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are writing their way through the Renaissance, but are stuck in the shadow of famed playwright William Shakespeare. Sick and tired of failure, Nick visits a less-than-reputable soothsayer, who predicts that musicals will be the next big thing in theatre! The Bottom Brothers scramble to write the world’s first musical while fighting social norms, family struggles, and “The Bard” himself. Will opening night be an over-easy success or a rotten mess?

Next To Normal

June 1 - June 30, 2023

To an outsider, the Goodmans are an average American family: two hard working parents and two witty teenagers. But on the inside, mom Diana is battling manic depression, daughter Natalie struggles to be the perfect child, son Gabe provokes his mother’s mania, and dad Dan is just trying to keep everyone together. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, sharing the family’s story with love and compassion.

Dreamgirls

July 7 - August 6, 2023

Meet the Dreams: Effie, Lorrell, and Deena, three young and talented African-American singers in the revolutionary 1960s. Dreamgirls will take you on a journey as the three friends embark on a musical roller coaster through the ruthless world of show business. Their relationships will be put to the test/tested by fame, fortune, and romance as the young women discover that their dreams come at a cost. Featuring iconic songs including “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “Family,” and “I Am Changing,” Dreamgirls explores themes of ambition, hope, and betrayal to a soundtrack of gospel, R&B, pop, disco, and more.

For more information on the Garden Theatre and its upcoming shows, click here.