Big Things, Including Hamilton, Coming to Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center

One of the amazing things about Orlando is the variety of entertainment options. Sure, if you are reading Laughing Place, Walt Disney World is your #1 reason for visiting Florida but sometimes you just need a break from the theme parks and a night out at the theater is a perfect escape. Four years ago, one of the prime performing arts centers in the world opened in Downtown Orlando in the form of the Dr. Phillips Center, somewhere you can plan a trip to see a ballet or the latest Broadway show. Since its opening Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts been named one of Travel + Leisure magazine’s “25 New Tourist Attractions Worth Adding to Your Bucket List” and one of Southern Living magazine’s “50 Best Places in the South Now” and the future is promising BIG THINGS!

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Walt Disney Theater

The 2018 Holiday Season is a very busy one for Dr. Phillips Center, with performances at the arts center include:

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays!” (Nov 24) – a musical celebration capturing the spirit of the season, with Albert George Schram leading the orchestra, choirs and guest artists. Bob Carr Theater, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., tickets start at $25.
Handel’s “Messiah” performed by the Messiah Choral Society (Nov 25) – Considered the most magnificent classical masterwork of all time, Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented by the Messiah Choral Society led by Dr. John Sinclair. Orlando’s longest running free cultural performance will feature a local professional orchestra and 100-member volunteer choir. Bob Carr Theater, 3 p.m., free.
The Piano Guys: Christmas Together (Nov 30) – an avant-guard cellist and pianist who rose to fame through social media present a fresh, modern take on Christmas. Bob Carr Theater, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $54.50.
Many Moods of Christmas (Dec 1) – the Bethune Cookman Concert Chorale entertain with an evening of holiday, jazz and gospel music. Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, 5 p.m., free.
Songs of the Season (Dec 1) – Dr. Phillips Center, Rollins College and Full Sail University team up to present the annual free outdoor concert including an evening of holiday sing-alongs, dancing and state-of-the-art visual artistry under the stars. Seneff Arts Plaza, 7 p.m., free. Lauren Daigle: The Behold Christmas Tour (Dec 7) – two-time Billboard Music Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee and American Music Award recipient Daigle brings her unique, soulful sound to this very special holiday concert. Bob Carr Theater, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $24.75.
Orlando Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” (Dec 7–9, 13–16) – the spectacular holiday classic of Clara’s beloved story. Walt Disney Theater, showtimes vary, tickets start at $19.
Orlando Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Family Show (Dec 8 & 15) – the holiday classic for younger audiences in a special one-hour performance. Walt Disney Theater, 11 a.m., tickets start at $15.
Home Free: A Country Christmas (Dec 8) – the country group Home Free will perform all-new music and country holiday favorites. Bob Carr Theater, 8 p.m., tickets start at $19.50.
Jane Lynch: A Swingin’ Little Christmas (Dec 14–16) – Emmy and Golden Globe winning-actress, Jane Lynch and friends produce a hilarious and ‘unapologetically sentimental’ evening. Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, showtimes vary, tickets start at $55.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Dec 18 –23) – Part of the FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando Series, the classic movie comes to life on stage. Walt Disney Theater, showtimes vary, tickets start from $54.25.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

In November of 2014, when Dr. Phillips Center had its ribbon cutting, it was promised that was just Phase 1 of the project. Now, four years later, the massive undertaking of Phase 2 is well underway. With a projected completion date of mid-2020, the addition of Steinmetz Hall and The Green Room will nearly double the size of Dr. Phillips.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Steinmetz Hall

Steinmetz Hall is the larger of the two theaters coming with this expansion. Designed to accommodate up to 1,700 seats this theater will be one of the most acoustically perfect theaters in the world but also is able to be rearranged depending on what type of show will take place there. The stage, walls and floor will move, getting longer, shorter or lower to host all kinds of entertainment. From theater in the round to a standard theater set up, this location could be very different each time you visit. Here is a look around Steinmetz Hall about two years from completion:

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts - Steinmetz Hall Construction

The Green Room, a more intimate performance venue adjacent to the new hall, will be perfect for small performances including the 19-member Jazz Orchestra at Dr. Phillips Center. With a separate entrance if needed this theater will add a different feel to Dr. Phillips Center.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – The Green Room Construction

With this new expansion one of the back of house things that has been missed since the opening will be a full production kitchen that will add many options for food when complete.

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Hamilton

Now for the biggest thing coming in the near future to the Dr. Phillips Center – FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando Presents Hamilton. With 24 performances January 22nd through February 10th, 2019 the hottest ticket on Broadway is going to take over Orlando. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 16 2018 at 9 a.m. what a more perfect way to make your vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth even better? As anyone knows, Hamilton is the hot ticket wherever is plays and here are a few tips on how to help see the show of the decade.

Create or update your account at drphillipscenter.org. Make sure have your credit card, debit card or PayPal info on your account to help with a speedy transaction. Online will be the fastest means to purchase tickets, there will be no over the phone and at the theater tickets will go on sale at the same time as online and none are set aside for the ticket booths so they could be sold out long before making it to the window.
Know the date and time of your preferred performance. Instead of clicking trying to find an open date have yours in mind as all shows WILL SELL OUT!
Only buy from Dr. Phillips Center! If you have bought or plan to buy from other sites, you are likely overpaying and may be buying invalid seats.

The process for purchasing the tickets on Friday November 16 2018 at 9 a.m. is very simple –

No need to log in hours before the on-sale time. Anyone logged in between 8 – 9 .a.m will be placed Virtual Waiting room.
At 9am those that are in the Virtual Waiting room will be RANDOMLY chosen to be placed into the purchase queue to complete the transaction.
Anyone logging in after 9am will be put in a first come first serve queue for any tickets that may be remaining after the Virtual Waiting room has cleared out.
Max of 4 tickets per log in, new security measures have been put into place to help stop scalpers and ticket bots, so pick which of your family you really want to give a shot to.

Online lottery will be taking place for each performance but for the most up to date information visit HERE.