Nothing beats a smashing musical to lift your spirits and banish those post-holiday blues! Happily, our local theater companies are providing this “public service” by ringing in the New Year with a bounty of musical offerings – both classic and new.
When it comes to theater in South Florida, we are truly blessed. Yet it never ceases to amaze me when long-term residents only know of (or consider attending) the Big 3 Broadway-touring venues: The Arsht Center in Miami, Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. These are world-class destinations, to be sure, who typically host excellent productions. But their ticket prices are not affordable for many (especially orchestra seating – which is the only location I’d recommend unless you want to spend two hours squinting through opera glasses). And they all feature the same lineup of top Broadway hits. Finding parking nearby can also become a costly, logistical nightmare.
Meanwhile, we have all these wonderful small- and mid-size theatres (home to local professional companies) that offer phenomenal up-close (often stadium) seating, not to mention incredible talent (that still allows space for new rising stars alongside recognizable award-winners). South Florida actors, directors, and production teams are famous for putting their hearts and souls into every performance for the pure love of their craft. (And maybe because they know they can only exist through our continued support and repeat attendance. Unlike national touring troupes who come to town for one production, then leave to make room for another traveling show. Some are great; some not so much. The audience response hardly matters. By the time they’ve left their mark, they’re gone.)
So here are some highlights of what’s on offer, musical-wise, for 2025 by our independent theater companies and more intimate, mid-size venues. If you’re already a regular at some of these, thank you! Please consider someplace new, as well. And if you’ve never attended even one – now’s the perfect time to add a couple (or more) to your list of New Year’s resolutions. This is one easy promise to keep, with no pain for gain – only awakened, full-sensory pleasure. And free, adjacent parking!
DELRAY BEACH PLAYHOUSE
950 NW 9th St., Delray Beach 33444
delraybeachplayhouse.com 561-272-1281
Mainstage Productions:
Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville
January 31 – February 23
The Bridges of Madison County
May 9 – 25
Boca Stage’s Off-Broadway Series:
Living on Love
January 16 – 26
LAUDERHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Broadway at LPAC
Central Broward Regional Park 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill 33311
www.lpacfl.com 954-777-2055
9 to 5: The Musical
January 16 – February 2
Legally Blonde
February 27 – March 16
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
April 10 – 27
POMPANO BEACH CULTURAL CENTER: The Pompano Players
50 West Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach 33060
www.pompanobeachculturalcenter.com 954-501-1910
Jerry’s Girls
January 10 – 19
Respect: A Musical Journey of Women
March 28 – April 6
And the World Goes ‘Round
April 25 – May 4
I Do! I Do!
May 23 – June 1
THE WILLOW THEATRE in Sugar Sand Park
300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton 33486
myboca.us/2508/Willow-Theatre 561-347-3948
To Life 5 – Jewish Broadway to Hollywood! by Hy Juter and Shari Upbin
January 17 – February 2
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change by Off Glades Theatre Company
February 14 – 23
LOXEN ENTERTAINMENT at The Colony Theatre
1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach 33139
www.loxen.org 305-674-1040
The Drowsy Chaperone
February 28 – March 9
THE WICK THEATRE & MUSEUM CLUB
7901 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton 33487
thewick.org 561-995-2333
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
January 16 – February 16
No, No Nanette
March 13 – April 6
My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra
April 24 – May 18
SLOW BURN THEATRE COMPANY
Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33312
www.slowburntheatre.org 954-468-3280
Anastasia: The Musical
December 21 – January 5
Parade
February 8 – 23
Something Rotten!
March 29 – April 13
The Bodyguard: The Musical
June 7 – 22
The last three on this list (Loxen, The Wick, Slow Burn) will be more expensive but their venues are distinctly glamorous and their large, extravagant productions always first rate. You will need to pay to park, most likely in a lot, at Broward Center (or use their high-priced valet) and at The Colony Theatre, but The Wick offers a large, free parking area in addition to paid valet service.
I hope your immediate takeaway from this assemblage is the wide scope of musical theater currently available in your hometown – some practically at your doorstep or well worth the drive. Space constrictions prevent me from including even short descriptions of each show. I pray their titles, alone, or even locations, will intrigue you enough to stop by their websites where you’ll find a short paragraph about the plot, playwright, lyricist, composer … maybe some photos, sizzle reels, history and awards. And then there’s always Google.
Now I invite you to join me in a toast to a Merry Musical Year of Discovery and Joy!
The post Here’s to 2025 – The Year of the Musical! appeared on South Florida Theater.
