Skip to main content
Partly Cloudy icon
64º

Where it began I can’t begin to know when ...

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" at Dr. Phillips Center. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

“Sweet Caroline” from Neil Diamond always gets the crowd going at any big event.

Hey, I’m News 6 producer Brooke Savage, the writer behind this Setting The Stage newsletter.

Recommended Videos



There’s obviously a reason why Neil Diamond is top of mind right now.

Let’s take a look at what’s going on. ⤵


🎤 Students get to show off their new-found skills during an evening of spoken word

"Voices of Freedom" showcase is coming to Dr. Phillips Center Feb. 7 (Shawn Welcome)

Orlando’s Poet Laureate, Shawn Welcome, is started off Black History Month holding poetry workshops at three local high schools this week as part of a program with Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

It all ends with the “Voices of Freedom: An Evening of Spoken Word” showcase tonight where students will get to show off their skills in front of their families.

The event will also feature K-Love The Poet from Chicago, a local step team out of New Image Youth Center in Parramore, a group of four singers performing a theatrical spoken word, and DJ T-VEL.

See my interview with Shawn and the impact his workshops have on kids and their families here.

Shawn Welcome on Setting the Stage (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

✨Good times never seemed so good ... SO GOOD! SO GOOD!

Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center) with 'The Noise' and the Band in "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical." (Jeremy Daniel)

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” tells the story of how Neil Diamond rose to fame, becoming a chart-topping, award-winning icon.

The show was created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself.

He’s known for a number of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world. Click here for ticket info.

I had the chance to see the show earlier this week. I really enjoyed it and not going to lie, I teared up at some parts. Anchor Lisa Bell was also there. She wrote up her review.

Don’t forget, more Broadway shows are coming to Central Florida. I posted what’s happening during the first half of this year.


🎻 Bach Festival Society of Winter Park celebrates 90 years

John V. Sinclair has served as the artistic director and conductor of the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park for 35 years. (Bach Festival Society of Winter Park)

The Central Florida Music and Arts scene has a rich history. This weekend kicks off the celebration of the 90th Bach Festival hosted by the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park.

It is the third oldest continuously-running Bach Festival in the country and Central Florida’s longest-running performing arts organization.

Anchor Bridgett Ellison spoke with artistic director and conductor, John V. Sinclair, about all of the events coming up during her Breakfast with Bridgett livestream.


🎶 What’s happening in show biz

🔹 Now - Sunday: “Cinderella: Youth Edition” at Athens Theatre in DeLand

✨ Tonight & Sunday: “Cendrillon (Cinderella)” from Opera Orlando at Dr. Phillips Center

💰 Now - Feb. 9: “Cash on Delivery!” at Sonnentag Theatre at the IceHouse in Mount Dora

💃 Now - Feb 16: “Hello Dolly!” at Cocoa Village Playhouse

🎙 Now - Feb. 23: “Jersey Boys” at Titusville Playhouse

Now - Feb. 23: “Daddy Long legs” at Ocala Civic Theatre

🎩 Now - March 2: “Cabaret” at Orlando Shakes

🐉 Now - March 9: “Dragons Love Tacos: The Musical” at Orlando Family Stage

Feb. 14 - March 2: “Next to Normal: at Theater West End in Sanford

🎵 Feb 15: “Cinderella” Opera in the Park free event at the Oviedo Amphitheatre and Cultural Center

👲 Feb 20: “Blippi: Join The Band Tour” at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach

👰 Feb. 21 - March 2: “One Slight Hitch” at Daytona Playhouse

🧳 Feb 21: “Come From Away” at King Center in Melbourne

🌎 Feb. 24: “Come From Away” at Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach

🎤 Feb. 27: Paul Anka at The Sharon in The Villages

📞 Feb 28 - March 16: “9-5: The Musical” at Osceola Arts

🙃 Feb. 28 - March 9: “Freaky Friday the Musical” at The Ritz Theater in Sanford


That’s a wrap for this week’s “Setting The Stage” newsletter.

If you have any story ideas on the theatre and arts scene, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bsavage@wkmg.com.

Also, let me know if there are any local theatres you want me to cover more often.

- 🎭 Brooke


About the Author
Brooke Savage headshot

Brooke is a news producer and has been with News 6 since January 2018. She grew up in Coral Springs and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Before she came back to Central Florida, she worked in Fort Myers.

Loading...