From Anastasia to Hamilton: Hottest ticket in town

The 2018-2019 season of the Straz Center for Performing Arts is kicking off this month.

While season tickets have reached capacity, there is still a chance to purchase single-tickets, including that one small show Hamilton, you may have heard of it.

Here’s a guide to what is coming and when:

The Play That Goes Wrong

When: October 16 — October 21

Synopsis: What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby? You’d get “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Broadway and London’s award-winning comedy. Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines).

Recent awards: 2017 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play

Tickets available: Now

Hello Dolly!

When: December 4 — December 9

Synposis: Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, “Hello Dolly!” is back where it belongs. Directed by Tony winner Jerry Zaks and featuring choreography by Tony winner Warren Carlyle, this new production pays tribute to the original work of director and choreographer Gower Champion.

Recent awards: 2017 Tony Awards for Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design of a Musical

Tickets available: Now

Les Misérables

When: January 15 — January 20

Synopsis: Cameron Mackintosh presents a new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical, “Les Misérables,” direct from a two-and-a-half-year return to Broadway. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells a story of heartbreak, passion and the resilience of the human spirit. The musical has new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

Tickets available: November 11

A Bronx Tale

When: January 29 — February 3

Synposis: “A Bronx Tale” takes you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Academy Award winner Robert De Niro and Tony winner Jerry Zaks direct this musical – based on Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri’s story that The New York Times hails as “A Critics’ Pick! The kind of tale that makes you laugh and cry.”

Tickets available: December 9

Hamilton

When: February 12 — March 10

Synopsis: “Hamilton” is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

Awards: The musical dominated the 2016 Tony’s, with a record-setting 16 nominations and 11 wins, including Best Musical, Best Score, Direction of Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

Tickets available: TBA

Tap Dogs

When: March 29 — March 31

Synopsis: Part theater, part dance, part rock concert and part construction site, the “Tap Dogs” cast turns traditional tap dancing upside-down and into the ultimate night out. The show premiered at the Sydney Theatre Festival and quickly followed with seasons in London, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Berlin and Shanghai, among others. Created by Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry, and originally directed by Nigel Triffitt, with music by Andrew Wilkie and lighting by Gavin Norris. 

Tickets available: Now

Dear Evan Hansen

When: April 9 — April 14

Synopsis: “Dear Evan Hansen” is a contemporary musical about life and the way we live it. The musical features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, of “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.” Direction is by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif. The original Broadway cast recording of Dear Evan Hansen, produced by Atlantic Records, made an debut at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Recent awards: Winner of six 2017 Tony Awards including Best Musical

Tickets available: TBA

Anastasia

When: May 7 — May 12

Synopsis: From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic “Ragtime,” “Anastasia” transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. Anastasia features a book by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, a new score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens with direction by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak.

Tickets available: November 26

Kinky Boots

When: May 17 — May 19

Synopsis: Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography, “Kinky Boots” returns to the Straz Center. With songs by Grammy and Tony award-winning pop artist Cyndi Lauper, this musical celebration is about the friendships we discover and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, “Kinky Boots” takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the catwalks of Milan.

Tickets available: Now

Come From Away

When: June 4 — June 9

Synopsis: New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust and gratitude grew into friendships. The new musical was written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by 2017’s Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley.

Recent awards: 2017 Tony for Best Direction

Tickets available: November 26

Rock of Ages

When: June 11 — June 16

Synopsis: Nominated for five Tony Awards, “Rock of Ages” captures the iconic era that was the big bad 1980s Hollywood. Featuring the music of  bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister, and Whitesnake among many others, this Tenth Anniversary production will have you ready to rock.

Tickets available: Now

You May Also Like
Wake Forest’s Anne-Sterre den Dunnen earns LPGA tour debut at The Annika

Wake Forest senior Anne-Sterre den Dunnen will make her LPGA Tour debut at The Annika in Belleair after earning a sponsor invitation.

Read More
Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, Wake Forest senior golfer, preparing to chip on the fairway, with The Annika driven by Gainbridge tournament logo displayed on the left.
Florida Humanities launches Hall of Fame, honoring historian Gary Mormino in inaugural class

Florida Humanities will host its first Hall of Fame ceremony this fall, celebrating historian and author Gary R. Mormino alongside a roster of other legendary Floridians who have shaped the state’s cultural story. The inaugural induction will be held Oct. 18, at the Tampa Bay History Center, in Tampa, beginning with a 6 p.m. cocktail

Read More
Tampa museum expansion kicks off with dog park upgrade (RENDERINGS)

Construction crews at the Tampa Museum of Art will begin relocating the downtown dog park at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, marking the first visible step in the museum’s long-planned Centennial Expansion. The relocation of the dog park, which will be replaced with two new dog play areas between Curtis Hixon Park and Kiley Gardens, sets

Read More
Tampa’s Bryan Stern featured in Netflix docuseries on Bin Laden manhunt

Bryan Stern reflects on intelligence work and the missions that still drive him.

Read More
A split image shows a smartphone displaying the Netflix logo on the left and Bryan Stern in a decorated U.S. military uniform in front of an American flag on the right, with the words “From Screen to Real World” across the bottom.
Other Posts
How a Tampa company built a bar crawl business at scale

A Tampa company scaled a bar crawl model nationwide, with Gasparilla serving as its largest annual test of growth.

Read More
Three founders of Tampa-based Downtown Crawlers pose inside a bar, reflecting the company’s growth from a Gasparilla event to operations in 28 cities.
Tiny Tap Tavern sold after more than 70 years

After more than 70 years, Tiny Tap Tavern has been sold, with plans to preserve its legacy while preparing for a careful next chapter.

Read More
Exterior of Tiny Tap Tavern in Tampa with signage visible after the longtime neighborhood bar was sold.
The real estate developments shaping Tampa Bay in 2026

The projects defining where Tampa Bay’s growth, capital and urban density are headed in 2026.

Read More
Downtown Tampa skyline with office towers and palm trees under a blue sky, illustrating major real estate projects shaping Tampa Bay.
3,500 seat entertainment district planned in downtown Tampa

Strategic Property Partners plans a downtown Tampa entertainment district anchored by a 3,500-seat live music venue.

Read More
Rendering shows views of a planned entertainment district and 3,500-seat music venue in downtown Tampa near Benchmark International Arena