Fredy Ruiz News

Orlando Repertory Theatre (The REP) presents Rock The Presidents now through November 13, 2016, just in time for election season. This production is presented by Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs and supporting sponsor Walt Disney World. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

'Home' means many different things to many different people. For some, it is the physical structure in which they grew up; for others it is a town, state, or region; for others it is with the people that they care about most. No matter how you define the word, everyone is looking to find, maintain, or return to the 'home' that allows them to feel safe and loved and be the best version of themselves. In one way or another, all of the characters in Lin-Manuel Miranda's bi-lingual, hip-hop infused musical IN THE HEIGHTS, are striving to get 'home.' Set in Miranda's beloved New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, this cutting-edge show won four Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical. Now, the Greater Orlando Actors Theater and Baggy Pants Theater have collaborated on the Central Florida premiere of this deceptively challenging show, running through June 14th at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. While this engaging production never achieves the crispness of the Broadway original, the heart and love that makes IN THE HEIGHTS special is evident from the first note; this passionate ensemble has created a work that should be the example for what Orlando's professional theatres strive to achieve in musical storytelling.

In 2007, Lin-Manuel Miranda's energetic love-letter to his neighborhood burst onto the Off-Broadway scene. From there, IN THE HEIGHTS went to Broadway, earning four Tony Awards and a Grammy, making Miranda a star. As the show's creator, composer, lyricist, and original star, Miranda has become one of musical theatre's most exciting young voices. His new musical, HAMILTON, the multi-ethnic, hip-hop infused story of America's first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, is sweeping this year's Off-Broadway awards, and transfers to Broadway later this summer. 

Theatre UCF's fall musical, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is a show within a show that delights musical theater fans by spoofing everything that defines our obsession. It is definitely recommended for anyone who has listened to a show's cast album over and over again. While some jokes may fly over the heads of non-thespian loving civilians, there are still many great laugh out loud moments enjoyed by all.