Theatre South Playhouse fundraising through cast reunion concert

Theatre South Playhouse will present a special concert for one night only featuring previous cast members to help raise much needed funds for the nonprofit following the state's veto of all arts and culture funding. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed about $900 million in state projects, including $32 million in cultural and museum grants and related funding, as he signed the 2024-25 $116.5 billion state budget.

The decision has left some of the 577 arts programs and 33 facilities around the state scrambling to plug holes from the loss of the anticipated financial help. Locally, organizations such as HAPCO, Garden Theatre, Theatre South Playhouse and Horizon West Theatre Company are feeling the impact.

Read the full story here.

The playhouse's management staff said this was the first time the organization had sought out and was approved for state funding. The veto came as a shock.

The playhouse had applied, a process staff said was extensive and exhaustive, and had been recommended for $25,000 in General Programming Support from the Florida Department of Arts & Culture. 

The funding was to be split evenly over staffing, the theater’s new paid internship program — which now will have to be re-evaluated — and two of the planned professional productions, “Puffs” and “Annie.”

Hillary Brook, Theatre South Playhouse executive director, said the nonprofit plans to continue forward with its fall production of "Annie" with the help of the raised funds, which also will support the theater's internship program. 

'FINDING NEMO, THE REUNION CONCERT'

"Finding Nemo, The Reunion Concert" will feature actors from the original cast of "Finding Nemo, The Musical," who are coming together to support the theater in its time of need. 

The night will include performers from Broadway, the Broadway National tour and local regional theaters as they share their memories of creating the Big Blue World.

Performers participating in the concert include Brook, who played Dory and Deb; Bert Rodriguez, who played Crush; Billy Flanigan, who played Mr. Ray; and Hannah Laird, who played Nemo and Deb.

Broadway actors participating include Lulu Picart, "1776"; Michael Dean Morgan, "Amazing Grace"; and Michelle Knight, "Jersey Boys."

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the playhouse, which is located at The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7601 Della Drive, Suite #15, Orlando.

Those who wish to purchase tickets can visit the box office here. 

Those who cannot make it to the show also can donate to play a role in the nonprofit's fall programming by clicking here. 

For more information on Theatre South Playhouse, visit its website here or call (407) 601-4380.