The Winter Park Playhouse audience will rock to the classic Motown sound as internationally-acclaimed performer Greta Pope is joined by vocal group The Spaniels Forever for a special one-night-only performance on Friday, February 27, 2026. All of The Winter Park Playhouse's ticketed performances are currently taking place in the Mandell Theatre at the Orlando Shakes Theatre Complex, located at 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803.
Motown: Pride of the Motor City promises to have you dancing in your seat with this exciting look back at the legendary 1960s Motown era. Hear the music of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Ike and Tina Turner, The Temptations, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Curtis Mayfield and so many others. No other record company in history has exerted such an enormous influence on both the style and substance of popular music and culture. With more than 180 Number 1 hit songs worldwide, Motown's influence is still being felt today in music from pop to hip-hop.
Net proceeds from this special event go to support the quality musical programming presented by The Winter Park Playhouse, a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization. Along with events at the theatre, our mission-based non-profit brings fully-funded, free arts programming to underserved children at Title l elementary schools in the area and to the facility-bound and economically-disadvantaged senior citizen population in our community.
Tickets are $65 for this special event fundraiser and go on sale Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Seats are expected to sell quickly for this one-night-only event.
As part of their Sounds of the World Series, The Winter Park Playhouse has teamed up once again with Barbara Chandler Productions to present Soul Train Live on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 pm. This event will feature the groundbreaking music of the 1970s rhythm and blues, soul, and hip hop scenes. The event is free of charge and will be held at the Winter Park Public Library in their Edyth Bush theatre at 1052 West Morse Blvd., Winter Park, FL 32789. Doors open for seating at 6:00 p.m. with the performance beginning promptly at 7:00 p.m.
A departure from the traditional monthly Spotlight Cabaret Series at The Playhouse, the Sounds of the World Series is part of the theatre's community outreach and celebrates different cultures, heritages and music styles. In collaboration with Barbara Chandler Productions, this series shines a spotlight on the diverse and unique talent in the Central Florida community.
Sounds of the World is sponsored in part by Orange County Government through the Arts and Cultural Affairs program, the Winter Park Community Redevelopment Agency, Division of Arts & Culture, and United Arts of Central Florida. The Winter Park Library is donating the use of their Edyth Bush Theatre to help make the performances accessible to all.
"We are thrilled to treat the audience to an evening full of music that will bring back the groundbreaking sounds of the '70s as highlighted on the legendary show Soul Train!" —Barbara Chandler
This show is free and open to the public. No ticket required. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. show.