The Beatles add music to Orlando Rep lineup
The music of The Beatles will be heard at Orlando Repertory Theatre — though not as adults know it, the theater announced Monday. The Rep also will look to books and movies for inspiration in its 2018-2019 schedule of plays for families and young audiences. Among the favorite children’s characters taking the stage: The Cat in the Hat, Junie B. Jones and Frog and Toad. The holiday offering will be a musical version of the movie “Elf,” the 2003 comedy that stars Will Ferrell.
Here’s a chronological look at the season: ■ “A Year With Frog and
Toad,” Sept. 4-30. This Tony-nominated musical celebrates the value of enduring friendship while following the amphibious chums through four funfilled seasons. Based on the beloved books by Arnold Lobel, this young-audiences version of the show teaches life lessons as Frog and Toad plant gardens, go swimming, rake leaves and try sledding.
■ “Junie B. Jones Is Not
a Crook,” Sept. 24-Nov. 4. Someone steal’s Junie B’s furry black mittens! But when the precocious schoolgirl finds a pen, she thinks she can keep it because of “finders, keepers.” Junie B. struggles with the concept of honesty in this comic tale based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. ■ “Elf: The Musical,”
Nov. 12-Dec. 30. When Buddy the elf finds out he’s not really an elf, he leaves the North Pole in search of his true identity. That quest turns into a mission to help the people of New York City remember the magic of Christmas in this musical comedy based on the hit film. ■ “Ella Enchanted: The
Musical,” Jan. 28-Feb. 24, 2019. Based on the Newbery-winning book by Gail Carson Levine, this musical offers a modern twist on the Cinderella story. Strong-willed Ella sets out to reverse a curse that forces her to do whatever she is told, and discovers ogres, giants, a handsome prince — and her own voice — along the way. ■ “Beat Bugs: A Musical
Adventure,” Feb. 25-April
7, 2019. Five insect pals explore the world in this new musical, based on the Netflix animated series. Walter, Buzz, Jay, Crick and Kumi try to save their Strawberry Fields from a hostile takeover by a stink bug. Grownups will recognize such familiar Beatles tunes as “All You Need Is Love,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” ■ “Seussical The Musical,” April 8-May 12, 2019. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, and the Whos meet in up in a journey from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus. Based on the world of Dr. Seuss, this young-audience version of the show follows Horton as he struggles to protect the Whos from injustice while sheltering an abandoned egg.
Orlando Repertory Theatre is at 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando. For more information, go to orlandorep.com or call 407-896-7365.