Small Theatres in South Florida

In South Florida, we are very lucky that we have three venues that bring national touring ensembles and Broadway shows to our area, but did you know that there are a ton of small, local theatres and theatre companies that count on homegrown talent and feature hundreds of shows ever year?

What follows is by no means an exhaustive list, but we wanted to tell you a little more about some of these smaller theatres and highlight a few shows, some you may recognize, and some you might never have heard of, but one thing is for sure; there is no lack of theatrical events going on, right here in our own back yard.

The Wick Theatre 7901 North Federal Highway - Boca Raton

The Wick Theatre was founded in 2013 when Marilynn Wick acquired the former Caldwell Theatre Company space in north Boca Raton, resurrecting the vacant property into the Wick Theatre and Costume Museum which opened for business in September with its inaugural production of "The Sound of Music." The production was heralded by the press and patrons alike, making the Wick Theatre a formidable contender in professional theatre in South Florida despite its newcomer status.

One of the most recognized shows of the upcoming season is "Westside Story," which will run from January 12 through February 26, 2017. Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.
Other season highlights include: "They're Playing Our Song," "Roslyn Kind Live," "Let's Hang On," "Sister Act- A Divine Musical Comedy," "Guys and Dolls," and "Beehive - The '60s Musical...Sealed with a Kiss." For more information, or to purchase tickets visit TheWick.org.

Arts Garage 180 NE First Street, Delray Beach

Arts Garage is a highly professional, culturally ambitious hub for those with a transformative spirit for bringing people together to enjoy the cultural arts in the heart of Delray Beach's vibrant downtown, including: Musicians, Theater Professionals, and Educators where you can meet a new friend while sipping wine, noshing on cheese and crackers, and enjoying some of the world's best jazz, blues, R&B and soul. It is also a place where you can expand your horizons and enrich your life by experiencing their Alternative Theater season and educational programs.

Get ready for "The Mystery of Love & Sex," the hit romantic comedy that is a multi-generational tale about shifting sexual mores. The show will run from October 1-31, 2016 at Stuart & Shelby Center (Formerly the Main Stage). Now in college, Charlotte's relationship with her childhood best friend Jonny is raising red flags with her parents. She's Jewish... he's Black. So her parents have to scramble to keep up as Charlotte and Jonny's sexual desires complicate everyone's relationships in a surprising, compulsive way.
Other seasonal highlights include: "Karina Iglesias," "The Rad Trads," "Dirty Bourbon River Show," "Cuddles," "Paquito D'Rivera," "Tito Puente Jr.," and "Blues in the Nights." For more information on Arts Garage, visit them at ArtsGarage.org or call the box office at 561-450-6357

Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables

Actors' Playhouse, Miami-Dade County's award-winning professional theatre company celebrates 28 years of great cultural offerings as a Florida Presenting Cultural Organization and one of 13 major cultural institutions in Miami-Dade County. The company is the largest self-producer of critically acclaimed dramatic and musical theatre for adults and children in South Florida.

"It Shoulda Been You" May 17 - June 11, 2017
Book and lyrics by Brian Hargrove, Music by Barbara Anselmi
Audiences are cordially invited to the wedding of the year, and the most entertaining and hysterically funny musical comedies to come direct from Broadway to Miami in years. The bride is Jewish. The groom is Catholic. Her mother is a force of nature; his mother is a tempest in a cocktail shaker. And when the bride's ex-boyfriend shows up, the perfect wedding starts to unravel faster than one can whistle, "Here Comes the Bride." USA Today called this South Florida premiere "endearingly old-fashioned in spirit and decidedly contemporary in execution.

Also in 2016/2017 Season: "Million Dollar Quartet," "Carousel," "All The Way," "Finding Mona Lisa." For more information or to buy tickets, visit them at ActorsPlayhouse.org or call the box office at (305) 444-9293

Broward Stage Door Theatre 8036 West Sample Road, Margate

Broward Stage Door Theater is a not-for-profit performing arts organization incorporated in Broward County, Florida on July 6, 1993. Now entering its 24th season, Broward Stage Door is the largest and longest running not-for-profit performing arts organization in the region. All productions produced -- including such extraordinary musical like "Mack and Mabel," "Parade," "Light in the Piazza," "La Cage aux Folles," to such memorable award-winning plays like "Talley's Folley," "Rumors," and "Glass Menagerie" -- since the inception of the organization have and continue to validate its missions. Stage Door's relentless pursuit to uphold its mission with uncompromisable quality have afforded the organization a reputation as a favorite cultural gem in Broward County.

Featuring "Sweet Charity" - A Tony Award Winning Musical, A story of Ups and Downs, Optimism, Love and Romance! November 4-December 11, 2016
While working at the seedy Fan-Dango Ballroom, Charity Valentine is often exploited by men, and has been strung along in a series of bad relationships. Nonetheless, she always holds out hope -- and she seems to have finally met a decent fellow in Oscar. Charity however remains hopeful although concerned that he will reject her because she is not honest about her profession.

Also featuring: "The Rothschilds," "Swing! Swing! Swing!," "VEGAS....A Night on the Strip," "The Most Happy Fella," "THE BRIS, THE BAR-MITZVAH & BEYOND!!," "Kid from Brooklyn," "No Way to Treat a Lady," "Nine," "Social Security," and "Minnies Boys."

For more information about the shows listed above or to purchase tickets, visit StageDoorTheatre.com or call the box office at 954) 344-7765

The Coral Springs Center for the Arts 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs

The Coral Springs Center for the Arts brings the finest in music, dance, comedy, and more to the community; offering a variety of entertainment and artistic events for all ages and interests. From the best of Broadway, to top comedians, jazz and pop concerts, and a diverse selection of family productions, the theater has something for every taste. The Center is the cultural lifeblood of the community, with approximately 200,000 people visiting the facility every year.

Featuring "Swan Lake," January 4, 2017 @ 7:30 pm

Founded by legendary dancer and former Prima Ballerina of The Bolshoi Theater Ballet, Maya Plissetskaya, The State Ballet Theater of Russia, now under the direction of award-winning dancer and Moiseyev dance company soloist Nikolay Anokhin, presents one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. This full-scale production, set to the music of Tchaikovsky and based on Russian folklore and German legend, follows a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. The State Ballet Theater of Russia presents 50 of Russia's brightest ballet stars to bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life!

During the 2016/2017 season, the Coral Springs Center for the Arts will also present: "Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show," "Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert," "Masters of Illusion," and "Chris Macdonald's Memories of Elvis," among others.

Island City Stage 2304 N. Dixie Hwy. Wilton Manors

Founded in 2012, Island City Stage has gained the reputation of being a multi-award winning professional theater that provides stellar performances for those in the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors/Oakland Park communities. They specialize in developing new work in addition to featuring the works of playwrights who expose audiences to different voices and experiences. These works are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists, both union and non-union, whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, National Tours, major regional theatres, film and television. The LGBT community is rich with history, with characters, with stories. And, at Island City Stage, it has found a place where a strong and vibrant voice is being given to those stories-ones of love and loss, of struggle and humor, of fear and courage.

This season Island City Stage presents "Perfect Arrangement," which will run from November 10-December 11, 2016. Topher Payne's biting comedy takes us back to 1950 where new colors are being added to the Red Scare. Two U.S. State Department employees, Bob and Norma, have been tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. The twist: Both Bob and Norma are gay, and have married each other's partners as a carefully constructed cover. Inspired by the true story of the earliest stirrings of the American gay rights movement, madcap "I Love Lucy" sitcom-style laughs give way to provocative drama as two "All-American" couples are forced to stare down the closet door, confronting the very struggles facing society today.

They will also feature "The First Step," "Son," and they round out the season with "The Goldberg Variations." For more information on Island City Stage or to purchase tickets, visit IslandCityStage.org or call the box office at 954-519-2533.

Empire Stage 1140 N FLAGLER DRIVE, FT LAUDERDALE

Empire Stage is an artist-driven collective that produces new and existing works for the diverse audiences of Ft Lauderdale, including the LGBT and Senior populations. They are committed to presenting dynamic works originating from both the New York City and South Florda theatrical communities. Their goal is to offer theater artists a supportive environment where they can collaborate, take risks and develop as writers, as directors, as actors, as designers and as producers.

This fall, Empire Stage presents "Mel Schwarts Sleeps with Mae West," which the theatre books as "A madcap transgender musical-comedy reminiscent of "La Cage aux Folles." Love, hate, lust and ex-wives collide in this zany musical comedy making its world premiere at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale. "Mel Schwartz Sleeps With Mae West" is the story of a homophobic senior citizen living in Miami Beach in 1981 who is stunned to discover that his beautiful mistress of the past five years used to be a man. If that wasn't enough of a shock, it turns out his transgender mistress is actually the long-lost child of his lifelong friend, Milty. When Milty finds out that his son is now a daughter and that Mel's been shtupping her, chaos ensues. Popular comic Sheba Mason co-stars in this fun new show penned by Ginger Jean Reiter (The Jackie Mason Musical).

For more information about Empire Stage, visit them at EmpireStage.com

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 3385 NE 188th Street, Aventura

The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is a beautiful 14,864 square-foot waterfront performing arts facility on the intracoastal in Aventura. Since it opened in 2010, the center has provided cultural opportunities and entertainment to South Florida, even welcoming Broadway legend Patti LuPone.

This year's highlight might just be "Avenue Q," which will run from December 1-4. Winner of the Tony Award "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, "Avenue Q" is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart. This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the internet sexpert), Lucy The Slut (need we say more?), and other colorful types who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life! Although many of the shows at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center are fun for the whole family, this show is not kid friendly and contains adult humor and language. Don't let the puppets fool you, this ain't "Sesame Street!"

Other highlights from the upcoming season are: "An Evening at The Copacabana," "Mustang," "Once in a Lifetime," "TANGObsession," "The Lion," "The Witch & The Wardrobe," "The Nutcracker," "Mia Madre," "Forbidden Broadway," and Steve Solomon's "My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish, & I'm in Therapy!" For subscription information, to book tickets, or for more info about the center, visit AventuraCenter.org

As mentioned above, there are so many local theatre companies that this list is nowhere near exhaustive or complete. For other theatre companies in South Florida, visit SouthFloridaTheatre.org. You will find an alphabetical list of tons of theatres that will keep you busy all season long. If you are a thespian or theatre lover, this is the site for you. We look forward to seeing you at many of the events listed above.