Kristin Shirilla

a?oeThat's the worst thing I've ever seen,a?? said an elderly woman on her way out the door. a?oeI couldn't have said it better myself!a?? her friend agreed. Far be it for me to differ a?' they probably saw Ben-Hur in theatres while I still didn't know who was going to win the chariot race a?' but I loved it.

Four misfit actors playing dozens of characters, a shoestring budget, and an unrequited love. What can go wrong? Directed by Jason Horne, Garden Theatre's hilarious comedy Ben Hur will feature Central Florida's funniest actors. The show will run February 28 - March 15, with an ASL-interpreted performance on Thursday, March 12. 

Cameron Francis (Arthur de Bourgh) and Kristin Shirilla (Mary Bennet) star in MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY at Orlando Shakes. The play checks in with the main characters of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE two years after the story.  I sat down with Francis and Shirilla to talk audience response, a hypothetical sequel, and more!

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF, runs from December 4 - 29, 2019. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon., produced by Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF, runs from December 4 - 29, 2019. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Style. Status. Success. A group of twentysomething editorial assistants are pursuing it all at one of New York's most esteemed cultural magazines. When a seemingly normal day at the office turns out to be anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. In this dark comedy, MacArthur 'genius' grant winner Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media.

Style. Status. Success. A group of twentysomething editorial assistants are pursuing it all at one of New York's most esteemed cultural magazines. When a seemingly normal day at the office turns out to be anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. In this dark comedy, MacArthur 'genius' grant winner Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media.

Style. Status. Success. A group of twentysomething editorial assistants are pursuing it all at one of New York's most esteemed cultural magazines. When a seemingly normal day at the office turns out to be anything but, these aspiring journalists recognize an opportunity to seize a career-defining moment. In this dark comedy, MacArthur 'genius' grant winner Jacobs-Jenkins skewers the cutthroat, opportunistic culture of modern media.

If you're looking for the perfect summertime family activity that does not involve standing in the blazing sun, then Orlando Shakes' THE FROG AND THE PRINCESS is exactly what you're looking for. This super silly show encourages giggling out loud and lots of audience participation, which young audience members will find fun and entertaining. While the story may be about a princess, young princes will also love this production.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater invites Central Florida dads and their families to a fun afternoon at the Theater this Father's Day. All fathers will be honored with one free adult ticket to either performance of The Frog and the Princess, adapted by Brandon Roberts, on Sunday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. Dads will also be presented with a special Father's Day gift, as well as the opportunity to become part of the show.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF kicks off its 2015-2016 Children's Series with a World Premiere adaptation of The Brothers Grimm's The Frog and the Princess. Adapted by Brandon Roberts (2014's Rapunzel and 2013's Sleeping Beauty), the family-friendly production will play from tonight, June 18 - July 26, 2015 in the Goldman Theater.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF kicks off its 2015-2016 Children's Series with a World Premiere adaptation of The Brothers Grimm's The Frog and the Princess. Adapted by Brandon Roberts (2014's Rapunzel and 2013's Sleeping Beauty), the family-friendly production will play from June 18 - July 26, 2015 in the Goldman Theater. Individual tickets ($9 - $15) may be purchased online at www.orlandoshakes.org, by phone at (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, or in person at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF continues its 2010-2011 Bright House Theater for Young Audiences Series with a musical adaptation of Judith Viorst's colorful children's book, Alexander Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from March 31 - April 24, 2011.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF continues its 2010-2011 Bright House Theater for Young Audiences Series with a musical adaptation of Judith Viorst's colorful children's book, Alexander Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from March 31 - April 24, 2011.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF continues its 2010-2011 Bright House Theater for Young Audiences Series with a musical adaptation of Judith Viorst's colorful children's book, Alexander Who's Not Not Not Not Not Not Going to Move, playing at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center from March 31 - April 24, 2011.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, one of the most enduring love stories of all time, tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers and their famously feuding families. As tensions between the Montagues and Capulets approach a deadly breaking point, the children of each house fall more and more deeply in love. Orlando Shakespeare Theater's age-reversed reading allows audiences to see this classic story from a new angle - the lovers will be 45 years old and up, and the parents will be 40 and below. Come see this classic romance through a pair of older eyes, with their children desperately trying to control them! What might we learn about the relationships between parents and children, how age changes our outlook on life, and the nature of love?

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF concludes its popular free reading series, Cross-Dress'd Shakespeare, with a reading of Romeo and Juliet on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, one of the most enduring love stories of all time, tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers and their famously feuding families. As tensions between the Montagues and Capulets approach a deadly breaking point, the children of each house fall more and more deeply in love. Orlando Shakespeare Theater's age-reversed reading allows audiences to see this classic story from a new angle - the lovers will be 45 years old and up, and the parents will be 40 and below. Come see this classic romance through a pair of older eyes, with their children desperately trying to control them! What might we learn about the relationships between parents and children, how age changes our outlook on life, and the nature of love?

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF concludes its popular free reading series, Cross-Dress'd Shakespeare, with a reading of Romeo and Juliet on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Jane Austen's literary classic Pride and Prejudice comes to life in Jon Jory's fast-paced, engaging new adaptation.