Hamilton. Wicked. Jersey Boys. These are just some of the marquee names coming to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts during its 2026-2027 season. But Foster Cronin, vice president of programming and education, hopes that Orlando audiences will also make room for something new.
“Sometimes the most rewarding experiences are the ones you discover unexpectedly,” says Cronin.
And this season there are plenty of opportunities for discovery with programming that ranges from major Broadway productions and world-class orchestras in Steinmetz Hall to intimate performances at Judson’s Live.
“That range is what allows us to bring Arts For Every Life® to life,” Cronin says. “Audiences can experience everything from major Broadway productions to intimate performances at Judson’s Live, where they can discover new artists and genres in a completely different setting.”
Broadway fan favorites Beauty and the Beast, Hamilton, Wicked, and Beetlejuice will have their runs, as well as newer productions like Buena Vista Social Club, BOOP! The Musical, and Death Becomes Her.
At Steinmetz Hall, the Great Orchestra Series brings ensembles like The Cleveland Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra to Orlando.
“I’d encourage audiences to explore our Great Orchestra Series and some of the local talent on our stages. Orlando has an incredible creative community, and productions like REDRUM: The Unauthorized Parody Musical of The Shining, featuring an all-local cast, are a great example,” Cronin says.
This season’s programming is planned to reach a wide-ranging audience.
“Orlando is incredibly diverse and our programming reflects that. We want audiences to see themselves represented while also having opportunities to experience something new,” Cronin says. “Judson’s Live is a great example, with 34 genres of music and counting, from jazz and country to Latin music, rock and singer-songwriters. We’re constantly looking at what resonates with our community and where we can introduce audiences to something new.”
Judson’s Live also provides a completely different experience from some of the larger spaces at the Dr. Phillips Center. With nearly 140 seats, audiences are much closer to the artist, creating a connection Cronin says that audiences don’t always get in a larger venue.
“You can come for the atmosphere, dinner and drinks, discover an artist you’ve never heard before and leave with a completely new experience,” Cronin says.
Families have plenty to discover, too, with family-friendly and sensory-friendly performances as well as education programs in music, theater and dance.
And as the holidays approach, one of Cronin’s recommendations doesn’t require a ticket at all.
Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center™, supported by AdventHealth, is free and runs
November 27 through December 31, with live entertainment, local performances, themed nights, movies, firepits, food and drinks, snowfall, interactive experiences and lights.
More than any individual show, Cronin hopes audiences come away from the season with memories — whether that’s seeing a favorite Broadway show, discovering a new artist, hearing a world-class orchestra or simply spending time with family and friends.
“We want people to feel that they discovered something meaningful and found a place where they belong,” he says.
