Last night I stepped into the Winter Park Playhouse for Honky Tonk Angels, and it felt like opening…read morenight on Broadway, transported to Central Florida. The evening shimmered with energy--a perfect overture to the season. From the first note to the final bow, the cast carried us on a journey that pulsed with rhythm, harmony, and heart. Their voices soared, their timing danced, and their presence filled the stage with a brilliance that could rival any marquee in New York or London. Theatre, at its best, is a living symphony--dialogue weaving into song, song flowing into story--and this production captured that cadence flawlessly. As the curtain fell, I was struck by the artistry that thrives here in our own backyard. Having lived in Dubai, Las Vegas, London, and New York, I know the grandeur of global stages. Yet nowhere have I found such a steady stream of performances, each one crafted with care, directed with vision, and performed with soul, as I do here in the world's vacation capital. Heather Alexander and Roy Alan, the founders, discovered a rare niche: a theatre that doesn't rely on spectacle or technology, but on the timeless power of human talent. While Dr. Phillips Center dazzles with scale, the Winter Park Playhouse enchants with intimacy--family spirit, authenticity, and artistry that stands the test of time. This was more than entertainment; it was a celebration of craft, community, and pure theatrical joy. Honky Tonk Angels is a salute to the season and a reminder that the greatest value in Central Florida theatre lies not in spectacle, but in the artistry of performers who give themselves fully to the stage. Don't miss this production--it's a standing ovation waiting to happen.

Here with my Red Hat Society Ladies to see Wreck the Halls, a Christmas themed play. I didn't know…read morethere was a theater here so I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a short walk from several restaurants and bars so you can park in one of the large parking lots. I loved the sitting area in the lobby. Intimate seating behind large picture windows. There is a concession stand with wine available. As a matter of fact, you can pre-order a drink to pick up at intermission. So cool. I'm looking forward to returning in January for the next play.

I went here to see Carrie. I really like the theater and the surrounding areas. The theater looks…read morevery nice, the staff is friendly and the seats were very comfortable. The surrounding areas are very nice and are perfect for taking pictures. Parking is a bit challenging, but 5 minutes away from the theater were plenty.

What a great time today at the Annie Russell Theatre in Winter Park at Rollins College to see The…read more39 Steps! Since I can't afford a Renaissance or Eras ticket short of parting with a major organ, blowing 20 bucks to see college theatre will just have to do. Myself and about 50 or so senior citizens sat back to appreciate the chutzpah it takes to get up on a stage and PERFORM. This is a very charming theatre with decent-sized bathrooms. You can purchase concessions at the intermission for $2 each (did someone say Airheads?!?). There is also a shuttle operated by Rollins students that runs from the Truist Parking lot to the theatre and back for those that need it. I highly recommend checking out this lovely theatre and thanks to everyone on-site today who made the experience so much fun.

What a great little theatre! If you wanna feel like you are watching from within the show no matter…read morewhere you sit this is the place to go for a show. Plus all of the staff are super nice and helpful, the location is super clean and elegant. They have a small table for refreshments and snacks, plus a bigger bar area with some seating for even more refreshments and snacks to pre-game in the pre-show. The show we saw Fat Ham was excellent and honestly one of the best written and acted shows I've seen in a long time. Definitely grab a show here!

We went to Orlando Shakes for our annual visit to see A Christmas Carol, and it was fantastic. It's…read morealways a holiday favorite, but this year we especially loved it because they changed things up a bit--it kept us excited to see what was coming next and made the story feel fresh. The actors and actresses are very talented, and the performance overall was great. Tickets are reasonably priced, which makes it a more affordable option if you love theater but don't want to spend the higher prices at the Dr. Phillips Center. The venue itself is easy to enjoy: there's a private parking lot, a lobby with drinks and snacks, and even a little gift shop to browse before or after the show. All in all, Orlando Shakes delivered a wonderful holiday experience, and we'll definitely keep coming back for A Christmas Carol each year.

There are some amazing things about this theatre space…read more I love the way the doors can slide open so on nice Orlando nights it's like an open air entrance. I love how beautiful the stairwell is going up to two. I love how much they have expanded their food and beverage line up over the years. The sound tends to be pretty good, the communication from the theatre is always amazing. They waive fees if you come to the box office to buy your tickets. The seats are comfy and almost every seat has a solid view. The box seats are the exception so be warned. The volunteers are always amazing and they are so nice. It would be cool if they opened a second location that served coffee because that line for espresso beverages is always really long. I love the breadth of show types. There's always something for everyone.

Swan Lake October 2025…read more This is one of those performances that stays with you long after the curtain comes down. I saw Swan Lake back in October 2025, and somehow I'm only just now sitting down to write about it.... I apologize for not getting this review out sooner. The last time I had seen this ballet... I was in my twenties, which feels like another lifetime ago. Swan Lake sits right up there with The Nutcracker in terms of recognition. You grow up knowing it, even if you've never actually seen it live. As a little girl, it lives in your imagination. The costumes, the movement, the elegance, and that quiet belief that maybe one day you could be that dancer. For a lot of people, that dream gets planted early and never fully leaves. Walking into this performance, I felt that history. Not just personal, but cultural. Swan Lake carries weight because it's about illusion versus truth, about wanting something you can't quite have and mistaking appearances for reality. Tension is built into every movement. Swan Lake is not the same experience as The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is festive and structured more like a showcase. Swan Lake is continuous, demanding, and far more intense. The lead roles require stamina, precision, and emotional control from start to finish, and the corps de ballet has to move in perfect synchronization with no room for error. It really is the Olympics of ballet. This performance delivered. It was polished, immersive, and held my attention the entire time. I found myself watching not just the choreography, but the control, the discipline, and the way each dancer carried themselves on stage. One dancer in particular stood out to me, Bernardo Betancor. He was exactly what you imagine when you think of a leading male ballerina. He carried a statuesque presence on stage and was, without question, easy on the eyes. More than that, he had command. The kind that makes your eyes go back to him whether you mean to or not. I'm glad I finally made it back to Swan Lake after all these years, and even more glad I didn't miss this one. Huge thanks to Ronnald M. for pulling me into this night, because let's be honest... this is not exactly a bad way to spend an evening.

We had a wonderful experience at Orlando Family Stage seeing A Charlie Brown Christmas. The show…read morewas excellent from start to finish and captured the heart, humor, and charm of the classic perfectly. The performances were strong, the pacing was great, and it was genuinely enjoyable for both kids and adults. The venue itself was also fantastic. It's clean, comfortable, well organized, and feels very welcoming. Staff were friendly and everything ran smoothly, which made the whole experience even better. This was our first visit, but it definitely won't be our last. Orlando Family Stage is doing something really special, and we highly recommend it for a fun, high quality family outing.

The Orlando Family Stage is an AWESOME theater! We had the chance to attend their puppet play date…read morewith our daughter Ivy and she enjoyed it so much. The staff was super friendly and was great with all of the kids. If you're looking for an interactive, hands-on experience with your little one will love, this is the one! We saw peter rabbit and were able to do hands on arts and crafts as well. Definitely will come back again!

I love visiting The Ren for unique, captivating and contemporary theatre work. Part of the fun of…read morevisiting The Ren is discovering which space of their 15k square feet has been transformed and will be used in a custom design to match the current show - or in the case of annual Halloween spectacular Nosferatu, the entire space is turned into a sprawling maze of designed spaces filled with scary, sexy vampires. You can expect to see provocative, inclusive work that will challenge and excite you - and/or let you party into the night. The bartending team is always on point, with custom drinks to fit the show. Parking's easy and free in the AdventHealth garage next to the building. Expect a metal detector on entry and ID check as every show is 18+.

Although I love and support the theatre, I have to say Disco Boots is NOT worth $42. Way too…read moreexpensive and last year was a better production. The main cover should never be this expensive for this kind of event.

Great place to see local bands, grab a drink, and connect with other music lovers. Has a real sense…read moreof community about it that sets it apart from other venues. Really enjoyed our first visit to see some improvisational jazz. With the new location it sounds like they have some big plans to upgrade the space and expand their offerings. Looking forward to coming back soon!

How have I not been here???…read more First off, this is a non-profit music and art center in Winter Park just off of Fairbanks. They are doing so much in the community and are a fabulous place for local musicians. Chris and Melody make a very memorable experience from this location and the sound was fabulous. I was there for a Hurrican Ian fundraiser for Second Harvest and the Swamp Sistas were performing. The way this musical community comes together is nothing short of inspiring.

CFC Arts is such an incredible organization! To see people with all different levels of experience…read morewith instruments come together and perform as a synchronized orchestra was amazing! I went to their concert because my friend was performing so of course I had to show my support, but the entire performance was so enjoyable and I'd heard so many different renditions of holiday music! I look forward to attending other shows in the future and supporting this organization!

Small, but quaint community theater. Great way to support the arts! Looking forward to attending…read morefuture performances.

For those who are looking for some fun, inexpensive entertainment on Friday nights, you should…read morecheck out Mama's Comedy Show at Ten 10 Brewing Company . $15 for a 2 hour " who's line is it anyway" style comedy show is a great deal in the Orlando area. Plus they do a live pre show podcast for free which is a great time to get great food as well. If you are sensitive and can not take a joke, this isn't the place for you. Shows are every Friday and the comedians are not always the same every week.

They're back! And the show is earlier than before:) We went…read morelast night and what a fantastic return. I literally laughed so hard I cried. Before the covid times, this show was 10-midnight. Now it's earlier at 8pm! The cast last night were so quick witted and kept the chuckles coming. Think 'Who's line is it Anyway' but the adult version;) They are currently still offering full bar service and parking at this time is not too bad.

I'm always looking for an awesome show at an amazing venue and right here is exactly what that was…read morefrom start to finish! The given night I came here Driveways was playing and I must say it was a super fun show it sounded good the venue was awesome for music and the staff was very nice at the door! My gps did put me in the wrong spot so keep in mind that it's around the corner so if you don't see it right away keep venturing and you'll find it! Overall super cool venue with awesome sound hope to come back here again at some point for another show! Until then see you in the circle pit!

This place is great! We went for a live jazz performance. There is no food, just a bar…read more We were in section B and honestly it was great! I wouldn't recommend section C - they had those tall metal chairs that look uncomfortable in that section. I honestly wish I'd got section A, but those shows sell out so quickly that it seems harder to snag those. The sound was amazing & the band was really talented. The look/vibe is really great too! The doors don't open till right before showtime, but there's covered tables & chairs to sit & wait. Parking was a bit tight. The doormen were very fast & efficient. Everyone was friendly too! Overall I really like The Abbey & am going back again in a few weeks, Oh - pro tip - there's an absolutely OUTSTANDING sushi restaurant around the corner & they were very accommodating when we said we were in a hurry to get to the show on time. Check them out!