In 2013, The Florida Theatrical Association celebrated 25 years of Broadway with the Broadway Across America – Orlando Series. The first 26 seasons were performed at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Livingston Street in Downtown Orlando. Beginning with the 27th season, the Broadway Series will be presented at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.
The Zev Buffman Broadway Series.
Pace Theatrical acquired the series from producer Zev Bufman and renamed it the Orlando Broadway Series. Special performances by Mitzi Gaynor in Anything Goes and Peter Marshall in Rumors. The cost for the 5 series subscription was $93 – $189.
Season highlights included the 1989 Tony Award-winning musical Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Former gymnast Cathy Rigby played the leading role in Peter Pan and Sarah Brightman stared in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Season tickets for the 5 shows cost $104.20 – $199.50.
The Florida Theatrical Association season included a new production of the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie, which starred Tommy Tune. The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber was again included in the series, this time featuring Michael Crawford. Additions to the series were the long-running Broadway hit of Les Miserables and Cats – this is the third time both of these shows have come to the Bob Carr. The 5 show series cost was $110.90 – $252.
Four musicals were included in this series: Will Rogers Follies, Aspects of Love, Camelot and My Fair Lady. The fifth show is the musical revue; And The World Goes ‘Round showcasing the Songs of Kander and Ebb. The non-subscription offering for the season is the musical A Chorus Line. Pricing for this season is not available.
Historic information and pricing for this season is not available.
Due to the Carr Centre’s renovations, the long awaited Miss Saigon with its big set and need for special effects was able to land in Orlando this season for a month-long run. Other highlights to note include Elliot Gould & Mariette Hartley staring in Deathtrap, Man of La Mancha with Robert Goulet and How to Succeed in Business with Ralph Macchio. The 6 series season subscription was $176 to $366.
Three headliners gave wonderful performances for this six season series. Faye Dunaway played opera singer Maria Callas in Master Class. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals; The King and I and State Fair starred Hayley Mills and John Davidson, respectively. The cost for the six-show season subscription was between $100-$349.