When audiences gave a standing ovation to the cast of “Tootsie” at both the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa Oct. 26 and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando Nov. 2, it marked more than a year and a half since either theater hosted a touring Broadway show.
“The last tour that came through Straz was Feb. 18-23, it was ‘Mean Girls,’” says Summer Bohnenkamp, Straz Center’s Chief Programming and Marketing Officer. “Broadway in New York made their announcement March 12 and we closed Friday the 13th. That was supposed to be the opening night of ‘Jersey Boys.’”
“Mean Girls” was the last Broadway tour to come through the Dr. Phillips Center as well. It played Feb. 25-March 1 and the cast and crew of “Miss Saigon” were planning to open at the end of March before the COVID-19 pandemic began to cause closures of all nonessential businesses, including theaters.
“At the start of the pandemic, everyone thought this would just be going on for a week, and then maybe it’s just a month. No one knew what was really coming ahead,” says Jacklyne Ramos, Senior Director of Public Relations at the Dr. Phillips Center. “I think once we realized this was going to go on for the long haul, our leadership got together and the conversation became instead of what now, it became what if, what’s next and what do we do?”
The temporary cancellation of shows for a few weeks was the same discussion happening at Straz.
“After we learned that Broadway had closed the day before, the management team came in at 8 a.m. that Friday morning and we stopped the load in of ‘Jersey Boys,’” Bohnenkamp says. “We closed the doors and said we’ll probably be back in about four weeks. We said anything up to April 19 we would cancel or postpone, we thought we’d be back in about a month.”
One month turned into 19 months for Straz and 20 for the Dr. Phillips Center before another Broadway tour came through, but that doesn’t mean entertainment wasn’t happening during that time.
“Creative people and artists are a resilient group of folks, but we had to be creative and flexible,” Bohnenkamp says. “We weren’t dark for too long. Our conservatory kept up with classes and some showcases. We resumed our Riverwalk Stage in October 2020 with some outdoor performances, we also resumed shows in our Jaeb Theater with some cabaret theater at about one third capacity. We sold the house by the table so people could socially distance and be masked indoors.”
The Dr. Phillips Center also came up with an idea to get artists working and shows up and running.
“Those conversations where leadership were asking what now, that’s when the idea of the Frontyard Festival started to happen,” Ramos says.
In November of 2020, Dr. Phillips Center announced it would be transforming the three-acre Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the arts center into an outdoor, entertainment experience that would allow attendees to watch shows, concerts, films and more safely from individual boxes spaced six feet apart from each other.
“I think we were very lucky because not a lot of venues had the same opportunities we did with the Frontyard Festival,” Ramos says. “We didn’t shut down 100% like other venues, we were able to keep people working, keep artists working, give them a place and opportunity to perform in front of live audiences again, and just stay relevant and stay in business.”
The Frontyard Festival, which opened in December 2020, was so popular that its initial six-month life was extended out another six months, and while Dr. Phillips Center plans to take it down in mid-December, there are plans to create something that will allow for entertainment to continue in the space.
Both theaters had announced their 2020-21 Broadway seasons in February 2020, before the pandemic had hit the U.S., but realized by May that adjustments would need to be made to the season. They and eventually both cancelled their full 2020-21 seasons, but as COVID-19 vaccines became a reality, things started to look up. On Feb. 10, 2021, the Dr. Phillips Center made the announcement that it would be back with Broadway tours in the fall.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Broadway back to the Dr. Phillips Center this fall for what will be a spectacular season,” said Susie Krajsa, president of Broadway Across America, in a press release at the time. “We have been working diligently with producers, booking agents and other national tour representatives to reschedule and rebuild the lineup for the FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando season. We are so grateful for the support of our subscribers and patrons who have remained steadfast awaiting the return of Broadway to the Dr. Phillips Center.”
“We’re eagerly anticipating Broadway’s return to Orlando and are confident we have the health protocols and training in place to do so responsibly,” said Dr. Phillips Center President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger of the announcement. “It’s terrific to think that fans are just months away from again experiencing the wonder of Broadway.”
While some adjustments had to be made based on the availability of tours, several shows from the 2019-20 season would be coming as a part of the new season, including “The Prom,” “Tootsie,” “Disney’s Frozen” and “Hadestown.”
In April, the Straz Center made an announcement of its own: that Broadway would return to Tampa in the fall as well.
“It’s been a long intermission, but we are excited for the return of touring Broadway to Tampa,” Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi said in a press release. “We’ve put together a remarkable season that includes a couple of welcome surprises along with a few shows that were postponed from early 2020 due to the pandemic and a number of shows originally announced for the 2020-2021 slate. It’s a season of blockbusters, audience favorites, award winners and classics … this line-up truly is the best of Broadway.”
Straz announced it would kick off its season with “Tootsie” and would feature shows throughout the season that included “The Prom,” “CATS,” “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” and “The Band’s Visit.”
Noticeably absent from both the Dr. Phillips Center and Straz Center’s seasons were Broadway’s blockbuster shows “Wicked” and “Hamilton,” both of which were originally announced for their 2019-20 seasons. But have no fear, both shows are sure to make their returns to each area.
According to its website, “Hamilton” will be returning to the Dr. Phillips Center for the 2022-23 season and “Wicked” is scheduled Jan. 23-Feb. 12, 2023. As for Straz, “Hamilton” will return at the end of 2022 during the holiday season. “Wicked” has a return date planned but no announcement is being made just yet.
Both theaters opened their seasons with “Tootsie” to an amazing response from both cities.
“The opening night of ‘Tootsie,’ there was just a different level of energy in the building,” Ramos says. “People were excited to be back for Broadway.”
That excitement was the same over at Straz.
“Everyone was in a great mood, people laughed and the crowd jumped to their feet at the end. It was a really amazing feeling,” Bohnenkamp says.
While Broadway is back, it doesn’t mean COVID is gone and both theaters have safety precautions in place for those planning to attend a Broadway show, or any one of the many other shows, concerts and performances coming to Straz and Dr. Phillips Center.
Both theaters will require attendees to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to enter the theater, allowing ticket holders to show proof of full vaccination as an alternative. Also for the time being, masks are required in both theaters for the duration of the show.
“We are working with our partners at Advent Health and local officials to constantly monitor the situation and update our policies as we go along,” Ramos says.
Straz has partnered with Tampa General in developing the safety protocols for its theater.
“We are hopeful that we may be able to relax some of these protocols soon but safety first. The health advice from our consultants and health partners will always come first,” Bohnenkamp says.
For more information on schedules, safety protocols and to purchase tickets, go to DrPhillipsCenter.org for the Dr. Phillips Center and StrazCenter.org for the Straz Center. Schedules for both theater’s 2021-22 Broadway series tours are below.
Dr. Phillips Center
“The Prom” – Dec. 7-12, 2021
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” – Jan. 25-30, 2022
“Disney’s Frozen” – Feb. 24-March 2022
“CATS” – March 29-April 3, 2022
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” – May 13-15, 2022
“Jesus Christ Superstar” – June 7-12, 2022
“Hadestown” – Dec. 13-18, 2022
Straz Center
“CATS” – Dec. 7-12
“Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” – Jan. 11-16, 2022
“Dear Evan Hansen” – Feb. 1-6, 2022
“The Prom” – Feb. 15-20, 2022
“Disney’s Frozen” – March 23-April 3
“My Fair Lady” – April 26-May 1
“The Band’s Visit” – May 4-8
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” – May 17-22
