The Fairwinds Broadway Across America series announced its 2010-2011 season January 14, 2010 at a swanky party at the downtown Fairwinds Corporate Tower (135 West Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801):
The announcement took place in the bank lobby and the party was on the top floor of the building. I entered the wrong side of the building and parked in the wrong spot. I need to learn how to read press releases. The correct entrance was lavished with green-tinted "red carpets," green swagged fabric and palm trees in tall vases.
The bank lobby was not decorated, but the dulcet tones of a capella singing (which I cannot stand) provided by 42Five (I think they dropped out of Fringe in 2007 or 2008?) streamed through a well-mixed sound board and speakers, provided audio decor, at least. I made a bee-line for the free bar, as everyone in there looked like former presidents and wore suits: I was intimidated.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomed the crowd.
Then President and CEO of Fairwinds, Larry Tobin, unveiled a new debit card dedicated to supporting the arts in Central Florida. The card features a painting on the front done by a local artist, and a portion of the proceeds from the card go to the arts. Dunno how/where/when yet.
President and CEO of Florida Theatrical Association, Ron Legler, got the fun job of announcing the season. Right after he said the title of each show, a B-roll video corresponding to that show played on a monitor next to him.
Once every show was announced (and each's video played), a handful of singers from Disney’s ENCORE! group sang songs from Wicked, Shrek and Hair and they were all very, very good. I was told they only perform one concert a year way out in Kissimmee. I told someone at Florida Theatrical Association they need to pressure ENCORE to do a show downtown at the Lake Eola amphitheater 6 months after the Kissimmee performance, each year.
I stayed for the first 1.5 songs (had to hear how the singer handled the final notes of "The Wizard and I") then snuck up to the top floor to scope out the party room(s).
The DJ played songs from the season's shows and spoke to himself on the mic while I roamed the rooms, judging the decor and the mannequins dressed in costumes inspired by the show.
The first person I met up there was the person who did said decorating and mannequins: Randy Lowe, President of Lowe And Behold.
Elevator car by elevator car, the invited crowd made their way to the top floor...
...and enjoyed brisket sammiches, (a unique take on) pigs in a blanket and another free/open bar...
I left early to scoot to the Otronicon press preview night right after I stuffed 6 beef brisket sammiches into my emerald green schwag bag handed to me by Jeremy Seghers.
Young Frankenstein November 30 – December 5, 2010Buy tickets online or call 1-800-448-6322.
Rock of Ages January 11 – 16, 2011
West Side Story February 1 – 6, 2011
Wicked February 23 – March 27, 2011
Shrek the Musical May 17 – 22, 2011
Hair June 21 – 26, 2011
The announcement took place in the bank lobby and the party was on the top floor of the building. I entered the wrong side of the building and parked in the wrong spot. I need to learn how to read press releases. The correct entrance was lavished with green-tinted "red carpets," green swagged fabric and palm trees in tall vases.
The bank lobby was not decorated, but the dulcet tones of a capella singing (which I cannot stand) provided by 42Five (I think they dropped out of Fringe in 2007 or 2008?) streamed through a well-mixed sound board and speakers, provided audio decor, at least. I made a bee-line for the free bar, as everyone in there looked like former presidents and wore suits: I was intimidated.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomed the crowd.
Then President and CEO of Fairwinds, Larry Tobin, unveiled a new debit card dedicated to supporting the arts in Central Florida. The card features a painting on the front done by a local artist, and a portion of the proceeds from the card go to the arts. Dunno how/where/when yet.
President and CEO of Florida Theatrical Association, Ron Legler, got the fun job of announcing the season. Right after he said the title of each show, a B-roll video corresponding to that show played on a monitor next to him.
Once every show was announced (and each's video played), a handful of singers from Disney’s ENCORE! group sang songs from Wicked, Shrek and Hair and they were all very, very good. I was told they only perform one concert a year way out in Kissimmee. I told someone at Florida Theatrical Association they need to pressure ENCORE to do a show downtown at the Lake Eola amphitheater 6 months after the Kissimmee performance, each year.
I stayed for the first 1.5 songs (had to hear how the singer handled the final notes of "The Wizard and I") then snuck up to the top floor to scope out the party room(s).
The DJ played songs from the season's shows and spoke to himself on the mic while I roamed the rooms, judging the decor and the mannequins dressed in costumes inspired by the show.
The first person I met up there was the person who did said decorating and mannequins: Randy Lowe, President of Lowe And Behold.
Elevator car by elevator car, the invited crowd made their way to the top floor...
...and enjoyed brisket sammiches, (a unique take on) pigs in a blanket and another free/open bar...
I left early to scoot to the Otronicon press preview night right after I stuffed 6 beef brisket sammiches into my emerald green schwag bag handed to me by Jeremy Seghers.