A partnership with TheatreWorks USA will “take a break” for Orlando Family Stage’s upcoming season. But the theater will increase its focus on a teen-centered reading series and debut a play based on the popular Junie B. Jones children’s books.
The 2024-25 season at the theater, which specializes in productions for children and families, also will see a new production of the beloved “Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Orlando Family Stage artistic director Jeff Revels said the partnership with TheatreWorks USA will continue in a modified form this season through a series of seminars for students studying theater at local universities. But the larger aspect of the partnership, which saw Central Florida actors cast in TheatreWorks USA productions and given the opportunity to tour the country, is on hold.
“They are taking a break to re-examine how to cast out of Orlando,” Revels said. TheatreWorks USA, based in New York, also casts out of several other cities for its touring shows.
The theater’s Teen Perspectives Lab program of staged readings of plays diving into issues of interest to that age group, is getting an added boost of publicity as it continues to draw new fans.
“The work was strong enough to support that spotlight,” Revels said. “It’s because of the success of that program over the past few years.”
The new Junie B. Jones play — featuring Barbara Park’s adventure-prone 5-year-old — was commissioned by the theater and will be Halloween-themed.
“She’s so popular for our demographic,” said Revels of the character. “She could be the mascot of Orlando Family Stage.”
The work is possible because the theater has a longstanding relationship with Park’s estate, but also thanks to a $100,000 grant the theater received from the Kiwanis Club of Orlando in 2021 to develop new plays.
“That’s what making this happen,” Revels said.
The production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” presented in conjunction with Gershwin Entertainment, is based on the TV special starring Charles Schulz’s Peanuts. It will be onstage for more than a month, and could lead to a national tour.
Here’s a chronological look at the Orlando Family Stage 2024-25 season. For more information, go to orlandofamilystage.com.
- The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition: July 19-28, 2024. A Summer Youth Academy production of the popular cartoon character’s adventures. (Student production)
- P.Nokio: A Hip-Hop Musical: Sept. 3-22, 2024. A contemporary retelling of the “Pinocchio story” with story and lyrics by Psalmayene 24 and music by Nick tha 1Da. (Mainstage production)
- Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!: Sept. 25-Oct. 20. A 30-minute adventure on the high seas for theatergoers ages 1-5. (Theatre for the Very Young production)
- Junie B. Jones in BOO …and I Mean It! A Halloween Adventure: Sept. 30-Nov. 1. Precocious Junie B. is a little afraid of Halloween. But she learns to find her bravery in this world premiere. (Mainstage production)
- Pip-Squeak: An Anti-Bullying Magic Show: Oct. 15-18. Award-winning magician Tony Brent uses comedy, magic, juggling and more to teach children about coping with bullies. (Special event)
- Girls in the Boat: Nov. 14-15. Inspired by the U.S. women’s Olympic rowing team, female athletes forge bonds to compete in the male-dominated sport and go on to victory. (Teen Perspectives Lab reading)
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage: Nov. 11-Dec. 29. Linus, Snoopy and the gang help Charlie Brown discover what Christmas is really about. (Mainstage production)
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical: Dec. 6-8. The Youth Academy presents the story of rambunctious siblings who crash Sunday School and end up cast in the Christmas play; will it survive their shenanigans? (Student production)
- Dragons Love Tacos: The Musical: Feb. 3–March 9, 2025. A stage adaptation of the children’s book by Adam Rubin. (Mainstage production)
- Rosaline Wrecked It All: March 6-7, 2025. Everyone blames Rosaline for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, so she and her best friends rush to clear her name. (Teen Perspectives Lab presentation)
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical: March 10-April 20, 2025. Jeff Kinney’s creation, Greg, navigates middle school as he tries stay popular and true to himself. (Mainstage production)
- Dinosaur Dance Party: April 12–May 9, 2025. A 30-minute celebration of dinos, music and movement. (Theatre for the Very Young production)
- Cyrano de Burger Shack: May 2-4. The Spring Youth Academy show uses popular songs from the 1980s to the 2000s (think Madonna and Pink!) to tell of Cyrano, who plays cupid for his friend Roxanne, who has a crush new burger-flipper Christian in this update of the famous sound-alike tale. (Student production)
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