Theater West End Opens In Sanford, Announces Inaugural Season

Theater West End will soon occupy a space that has been home to a variety of theaters over its 117 years in historic downtown Sanford, Florida. Theater West End will continue this live theater tradition in a fresh way, bringing a new kind of artistic endeavor and energy to the area.

Theater West End produces high-end musical theater productions year-round, and will be a home for professional performers throughout Central Florida to showcase their talent in an intimate setting. As an educational arm of Theater West End, youth and intensive high school programs give children the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, grow in their talent, gain confidence, and perform for the community.

For our inaugural 2018-2019 season, Theater West End will produce six Main Stage productions, 5 Rising Star youth productions (including one summer camp), and 5 Musical Theater Intensive high school programs (including one summer camp). In addition, our newly renovated space will house special events, programs and presentations through available space rental.

Theater West End is thrilled to announce its inaugural mainstage season.

Kicking things off September 7-23 is is Central Florida Regional Premiere of The Color Purple. Celebrating the very best of the human spirit The Color Purple is an epic tale of 40-years in the life of a family in rural Georgia. At its center, is fourteen-year-old Celie. When Celie is forced by her abusive father to marry a cruel farmer, called "Mister," she is separated from all that she loves. Ultimately, Celie conquers the odds to find her voice and her strength, coming into her own.

Following The Color Purple, The Bridges of Madison County will take the stage November 2-18. The Bridges Of Madison County tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson, a beautiful Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It's an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

Coming into 2019, we are thrilled to present the timeless classic West Side Story from February 8-24, just in time for Valentine's Day. Pulled directly from the pages of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the musical takes place on New York's West Side in the mid-1950s amidst widespread racial and social tension. The show begins as a war is building between two rival gangs fighting over the same piece of turf: born and bred New York boys, The Jets, and Puerto Rican immigrants, The Sharks. In the midst of the battlefield are two young romantics, good-boy Tony, a Jet ready to leave the gang life behind, and wide-eyed Maria, the sister of Sharks leader, Bernardo. When Tony and Maria unexpectedly meet and fall for one another, tension between the rival groups only escalates, leading to a bloody and senseless rumble that costs both sides young lives. In spite of the violence, the true story at the core of the show is two lovers trying to find a way to be together-and whether either can survive when hate and ignorance are unwilling to yield.

After West Side Story comes to a close, we shake things up with Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party from March 29 to April 14. Based on Joseph Moncure March's 1928 poem of the same name, Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party tells the story of a vaudeville dancer named Queenie and a vaudeville clown named Burrs-her passionate and violent lover. Queenie and Burrs decide to throw the party-to-end-all-parties in their Manhattan apartment. After the colorful arrival of a slew of guests living life on the edge, Queenie's wandering eyes land on a striking man named Black. As the decadence is reaching a climax, so is Burrs' jealousy, which erupts and sends him into a violent rage, which eventually leads to his own demise. Queenie is left to decide what is next for her in this violent and tragic 1920s world.

Ghost The Musical launches us into summer 2019 from June 14-23. This iconic musical is adapted from the 1990 Academy Award winning film starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. It follows the story of Sam and Molly, a young New York couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam's untimely death. Trapped between two worlds, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who helps him protect Molly and avenge his death.

Rounding out our season, choice and fate collide in the musical If/Then appearing from August 6 to September 1. If/Then simultaneously follows one woman's two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives that we lead, as well as the lives that we might have led. Elizabeth, a city planner, moves back to New York to restart her life in the city of infinite possibilities. When her carefully designed plans collide with the whims of fate, Elizabeth's life splits into two parallel paths. If/Then follows both stories simultaneously, as this modern woman faces the intersection of choice and chance.

Individual tickets are available for the low price of $22, but the real deal lies in our Dinner & Show packages, and season subscriptions starting at $110 for all six shows. Tickets, subscriptions, educational classes, and affordable space rentals can all be found at www.theaterwestend.com, or by calling our box office at 407-548-6285. Theater West End is located at 115 W 1st Street, Sanford.

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