WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – The Garden Theater’s return to live performances after a six-month hiatus came with dirty jokes, rock ‘n’ roll and a confetti cannon.
The Winter Garden establishment rose from the ashes that were left of one public feud between board and employees last summer with a boost of energy in “Rock of Ages” on Thursday night.
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The jukebox musical got the audience on their feet several times throughout the evening as they banged along to the cast’s ’80s rock anthems and power ballads like Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” REO Speedwagon’s “I Can” and sang along t Fight This Feeling’ and Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, the rousing finale that called for an encore.
“The other thing I love about the show that’s encouraged is that people sing along. You know, there are some great rock anthems, so when the ensemble sings, sing along if you feel moved,” said Fernando Varela, president and executive producer of Victory Productions, a local entertainment company.
The show takes you on a journey—small-town girl, big-city boy kind—as wannabe rock ‘n’ rollers try to save their musical oasis, a bar on Sunset Strip, from demolition.
It is also the first show under the new partnership of the theater with Victory Productions.
“I want to bring in talent from out of town who has world-class experience and mix that with our local talent and have them work together,” Varela said.
He does just that in “Rock of Ages,” where we see Bo Bice, the runner-up on 2005’s “American Idol,” as Dennis Dupree, the owner of the Bourbon Bar, alongside the season 22 finalist of “The Voice.” , Omar Cardona, sing and dance on stage as Drew, the aspiring rocker.
A cast of Broadway stars and local artists, including the standout Sherrie, played by Diana Huey, complete the show with an enthusiasm that can’t be stopped on stage, complete with light shows, aerial choreography, a smoke machine and a live band rock with.
However, the infectious energy doesn’t overshadow the raw talent on display – made all the more impressive by the fact that this production came about in a month.
“We signed on to produce shows here in December and we obviously want to get started right away,” Varela said, adding his first call was Justin Matthew Sargent.
He is the director, in addition to playing Stacee Jaxx/father on the show, and was tasked with bringing together Rock of Ages veterans to play a role in this production, given the short time they had to get it all done to put together.
And it led to some powerhouses.
“It’s an incredible honor to be a part of (this cast) so far,” said Sargent, who appeared on Broadway as Drew in Rock of Ages.
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This comeback follows a six-month hiatus from live performances after professional differences between the theater’s board of directors and its staff came to a head.
theater officials issued a public statement back in August Friction detailing.
“(We) have made the decision to take advantage of the short-term programming gaps and temporarily shift our operational focus to the organizational health of the theater,” The board of directors of the garden theater announced this in a Facebook post. “The Board and staff will spend this time conducting an in-depth review of our organizational structure and operations.”
It’s a controversy that makes waves and provokes waves in the theater community Responses from organizations such as Central Florida Entertainment Advocacywho, in a letter issued in January, questioned the “problematic leadership” at the helm of the Winter Garden establishment.
“My first hope is with all powers that listen to the pain of the community. The Garden Theater has been extremely damaging to the diversity and inclusion journey,” said CFEA Founder and Director Meka King. “We think the step forward is for (the Garden Theatre) to step down.”
She said the new partnership with Victory Productions “presents a unique opportunity to facilitate a changing of the guard, but they have to be prepared to hold the old guard accountable.”
“It’s not our job to burn down theaters,” King said. “We just want to burn down harmful behavior.”
“Rock of Ages” is the theater’s first live performance since this summer, when criticism of the theater board first became public.
“I wasn’t here when that happened, but I know a lot of people in the community. Honestly, one of the reasons I decided to get involved was to help build a bridge to help heal this. And I know it will take time. It doesn’t happen overnight,” said Varela.
The president of the production company said he admires the theatre’s former artistic directors, namely Joe Walsh and Roberta Emerson, and their fight for equality and inclusivity, which he hopes to continue.
“I think that’s one of the greatest things that happened in this theater and I admire Roberta and Joe for pioneering and really creating this, so I know I’m not making this up,” Varela said. “I’m really trying to build on that and honor that because I think it’s important and I think it’s necessary.”
He pointed to the cast of “Rock of Ages” as an example of progress towards that vision.
“You see two of the main actors who are usually played by white characters who are people of color and it’s powerful, you know, I want to continue that. And you know, I want to be the change that I want to see in my community,” Varela said.
Those interested can see “Rock of Ages” at the Garden Theater until February 26. For more information, see the theater’s website.
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