Orlando’s Broadway Season Is Getting A Blockbuster Reset

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has unveiled its 2026 to 2027 AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando lineup. A mix of returning megahits, enduring classics and first time touring productions that reflect both the city’s growing appetite for theatre and Broadway’s evolving identity.

At the center of this year’s programming is a deliberate balance, one that blends nostalgia with novelty.

Claudia Bennett as Glinda and Aline Mayagoitia as Elphaba in the North American Tour of WICKED, photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of The Dr. Phillips Center

“We wanted a season that captures the full range of what Broadway is right now, the shows that built our audience over the last decade and the ones defining where Broadway is headed next,” said Foster Cronin, Vice President of Programming and Education at the Dr. Phillips Center. “That’s why you see titles like Hamilton and The Sound of Music alongside brand new, to Orlando, productions like Buena Vista Social Club and The Great Gatsby.”

The upcoming season is a curated playlist of theatrical genres and eras. Crowd favorites such as Wicked and Beauty and the Beast anchor the lineup, while newer, stylistically bold productions like Death Becomes Her and BOOP! The Musical introduces audiences to the next wave of musical comedy. The inclusion of The Sound of Music, celebrating over six decades to cultural impact, adds a timeless touch.

But beyond individual titles, it’s the order of the season that shapes the experience.

Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard in the Original Broadway Cast of DEATH BECOMES HER. - Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, courtesy of The Dr. Phillips Center

“Balance comes from sequencing as much as selection,” Cronin told Orlando Life. “We don’t want six months of family spectacle back to back or six months of drama.”

Instead, this season alternates between large scale spectacles, contemporary works and classic storytelling. That strategy is rooted in data as much as instinct. With more than a decade of ticket sales and subscriber feedback to draw from, the Dr. Phillips Center has developed a clear understanding of its audience.

”Orlando has shown it will turn out for Broadway, but also for character driven, award winning storytelling,” said Cronin. “So we’re building a season that speaks to both instincts.

The return of juggernauts like Hamilton and Wicked signals confidence in Orlando’s theater going base. Both productions have previously sold out runs in the city, and expectations remain high.

Company - HAMILTON National Tour, photo by Joan Marcus 2024, courtesy of the Dr. Phillips Center

“We expect great demand,” said Cronin. “That’s part of why we’re encouraging people to stay engaged and secure their tickets now.”

Orlando’s continued appeal as a tour stop plays a major role in securing these high profile productions. With a venue purpose built for large scale performances and a steadily growing subscriber base, the city has become a reliable market for national tours.

“We’ve doubled our subscriber base since opening,” Cronin told Orlando Life, adding that the Walt Disney Theater’s technical capabilities allow productions to arrive with their full staging intact.

The infrastructure is critical. Touring Broadway shows travel with extensive sets, orchestras and technical crews, making each transition between productions a logistical test.

“Load in and load out are the big ones,” said Cronin. “Our production team works months ahead with each tour to make sure rigging, power and staging needs are ready before the trucks even arrive.”

Samantha Pauly (center) & cast in the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby, photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, courtesy of The Dr. Phillips Center

Among the most anticipated additions this season is Buena Vista Social Club, which will launch its tour in Florida. The production carries particular resonance for Orlando audiences, reflecting the region’s cultural diversity and connection to Latin music traditions.

“It’s a special story with unique ties to our community,” said Cronin.

Ultimately, the Broadway season extends beyond the theatre itself. Each show contributes to the broader cultural and economic ecosystem of downtown Orlando, drawing audiences for full evenings of dining entertainment, and nightlife.

As the Dr. Phillips Center enters its next decade, the 2026 to 2027 season signals both a celebration of what has worked and a commitment to what’s next. For Orlando audiences, that means a year of theatre that is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself.

“Broadway is one of the most consistent draws we have for activating downtown Orlando,” said Cronin. “It reinforces the city’s identity as a genuine cultural destination.”

Enchanted Objects in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Photo by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of The Dr. Phillips Center

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