Slow Burn Theatre Company’s 15th Anniversary Season Soars in a Celebration of Love and Laughter

By Jennifer Sierra-Grobbelaar

In August 2009, South Florida saw the birth of a remarkable theater company that has continued to redefine the local arts scene since its inception. Founded by director-choreographer Patrick Fitzwater and actor Matthew Korinko, Slow Burn Theatre Company emerged with a bold mission: to produce contemporary, challenging, and modern musicals that were often overlooked by other theaters in the region. As it celebrates its 15th anniversary season, presented by American National Bank and Visit Lauderdale, and its 10th year at the Broward Center, Slow Burn has delivered an impressive array of entertainment, including 67 full-scale musicals, in a journey marked by innovation, resilience, and artistic excellence.

The company’s inaugural production, Bat Boy: The Musical, debuted in February 2010 at West Boca Community High School’s auditorium. This show set the tone for what audiences could expect from Slow Burn: daring performances that pushed the boundaries of traditional musical theater. The company’s commitment to this vision quickly garnered attention and support from both the community and the broader theater world.

The fall of 2015 marked a significant milestone when Slow Burn Theatre Company began a partnership with the Broward Center, broadening its reach exponentially. This collaboration allowed Slow Burn to stage productions in the Amaturo Theater, a state-of-the-art venue befitting its ambitious projects. The company’s southeastern premiere of Big Fish marked the beginning of this exciting new chapter.

“The partnership with Slow Burn has been instrumental in helping us deliver on our mission of building community through outstanding arts, entertainment, and impactful educational outreach,” said Matt McNeil, Broward Center’s Vice President of Programming and Marketing. “Patrick’s artistic vision and commitment to excellence advance these goals, while also reaching new audiences and providing memorable experiences.”

Slow Burn’s founders bring a wealth of experience and passion to their roles. Artistic Director Patrick Fitzwater, a visionary, has been nominated for 10 Carbonell Awards, winning for his choreography in Memphis and direction of Next to Normal. His personalized approach to theater has been a cornerstone of Slow Burn’s success. Over the years, he has also served as the company’s choreographer, sound designer, and wig designer. Executive Director Matthew Korinko complements Fitzwater’s artistic leadership with his strategic oversight and operational acumen. Korinko has also captivated audiences onstage in countless critically acclaimed performances with Slow Burn.

“When we started Slow Burn Theatre 15 years ago, we never could have dreamed the size and scope of what we’ve become. We truly wouldn’t be where we are now without the team at the Broward Center and our partnership,” said Korinko. “We’ve reached more people with our productions than we could have ever imagined, and together, we’ve been able to inspire the next generation of both theatergoers and theatermakers – and we’re just getting started.”

Slow Burn’s impact extends beyond the stage. Its commitment to fostering local talent has helped the company become a beloved institution in South Florida’s arts community. It provides a nurturing environment for creative professionals, offering a platform for actors, directors, and designers to develop their talent and showcase their skills. Just this past season, they offered 248 contracts to 119 union and nonunion actors, 82 production designers and crew, 21 musicians, 21 scenic carpenters, and five seamstresses.

The company’s educational programs and community outreach further underscore its dedication to making the arts accessible to all. This includes free performances for Broward County Public School students through the Broward Center’s SEAS program, teacher and student ticket discounts, programs for the neurodiverse and hearing-impaired through sensory-inclusive and open-captioned performances, and engagement of the senior community through Elder Arts workshops. For these many accomplishments, the company received the Carbonells’ 2024 Bill von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence.

This year, the company topped the Carbonell Award nominations list with an astonishing 28, including at least one nomination in every eligible category—the most of any local professional regional theater company. These nominations acknowledge Slow Burn’s work in its most recent season, featuring Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Into The Woods, and The SpongeBob Musical. The Carbonell Awards will be presented on November 11, 2024.

Looking to the future, Slow Burn remains steadfast in its mission. The upcoming 15th-anniversary season promises to be a celebration of its journey and a testament to the company’s unwavering dedication to high-quality, innovative theater. Audiences can expect a season full of creativity and excellence, defining Slow Burn from the start. “For our 15th Anniversary, we have curated an exciting and eclectic array of shows that will deliver highly theatrical, dramatic, and engaging experiences,” says Fitzwater. “True to our mission, we can’t wait to introduce audiences to the rarely performed.”

Last month, the season opened with the Southeastern premiere of the Olivier Award-winning musical The Witches of Eastwick, inspired by the iconic 1987 film starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Next up, Anastasia: The Musical is set to light up the holidays. With a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally and music by Stephen Flaherty, the stage musical is inspired by the beloved film and transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of 1920s Paris. The soaring score includes hits like “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December.”

Winner of the 1999 Tony Awards for Best Score by Jason Robert Brown and Best Book of a Musical by Alfred Uhry, as well as 2023 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade is a riveting and gloriously hopeful musical that follows a newlywed Jewish couple, Leo and Lucille Frank, who are struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice and devotion.

In spring, prepare for laughs with Something Rotten!, a smash hit nominated for 10 Tony Awards. This hilarious journey back to 1595 follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they compete to write a hit play against the insufferable superstar Shakespeare.

The season culminates with a sizzling summer production of the West End hit The Bodyguard The Musical. Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. This breathtakingly romantic thriller features a host of irresistible classics including “Queen of the Night,” “So Emotional,” “One Moment in Time,” “Saving All My Love,” “Run to You,” “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and one of the biggest-selling songs of all time, “I Will Always Love You.”

As its creative team continues to push the envelope, Slow Burn Theatre Company remains a beacon of contemporary musical theater in South Florida, promising to keep the fire burning for years to come.