From Oklahoma! to High School Musical, the community theatre is preparing to entertain audiences while inviting new volunteers and members to take part.
Plant City Entertainment, our community theatre and playhouse, is truly one of the hidden gems in our seemingly not-so-hidden town. On Wednesday June 24, they held their Annual Membership Meeting, and I was fortunate enough to be invited. There are some exiting things ahead for our community theatre group!
President Victor Hamilton started things off with a “State of Plant City Entertainment” address, offering his heartfelt congratulations for a successful 2025-26 season. The state of the theatre, one of the oldest running community theatres in Florida, is encouraging. Maintaining ownership of ‘The Playhouse’ has placed Plant City Entertainment in a solid position. They’ve been able to maintain affordable ticket prices, their concession operation is profitable, and most importantly, they continue to deliver a lineup of quality productions and dynamite musicals year after year.
Mr. Hamilton officially announced that he is stepping down from his position as president of the board to pursue other opportunities. He is incredibly grateful and appreciative of his time serving as their president, and the board will be voting on a successor who will be named later this summer. Finally, an excited cheer arose from those in attendance as Cinderella was announced as the Summer Blockbuster Musical to kick off the 2027 season.
But first things first! Plant City Entertainment’s 2026-27 season looks to be spectacular. Next week, on July 17, the grand musical Oklahoma! opens to mark the launch, and audiences are in for a treat. Brittney Poulnot is making her directorial debut for Plant City Entertainment, and they could not have picked a better person for the job. A veteran member of Planty City Entertainment, Brittney began acting in plays when she was a teenager. She brings with her years of experience in theatre education, and a background in choreography, which I had the opportunity to witness first-hand when I dropped by during a rehearsal. I observed her passion for this classic Rodgers and Hammerstein play as I sat quietly to the side, watching her work closely with the actors rehearsing a scene featuring some tussling cowboys. With a sizeable cast of almost 30, plenty of singing and dancing, and a 13-minute ballet sequence, the challenges of choreographing a production like this were evident. But the result is sure to be spectacular!
Oklahoma will certainly start things off with a bang, but it’s only the first of many exciting productions that Plant City Entertainment has to offer this coming season.
In September, You Can’t Take it With You comes to the stage with veteran director Jennifer Fenner taking the helm, and it’s going to be special for her — years ago she marked her directorial debut for Plant City Entertainment with a production of the very same play.
High School Musical is something everyone’s talking about, and director Jen Holmstrom will help bring it to our local stage in February 2027. This will be followed in April by a production of Lend Me a Tenor, with Richard Ryan directing. Tickets are already on sale for some of this year’s shows — so don’t miss out!
Remember, Plant City Entertainment can’t do any of this without YOU! This dedicated group of volunteers is here for our community, but they also need our support. If you haven’t been to a show yet, do yourself a favor and get some (amazingly affordable) tickets. Perhaps you are interested in volunteering, or maybe you’ve always wanted to act in a production or have some past dramatic experience, but it’s been a few years. Come on out and audition! Or simply support them by becoming a member.
Check out Plant City Entertainment’s website or look them up on social media for more information about all the opportunities for you to get involved, as well as to purchase your tickets for Oklahoma!
Plant City Entertainment
101 N. Thomas St. Plant City, FL 33563
www.plantcityentertainment.com
813-752-0728
OKLAHOMA!
July 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, August 1st & 2nd
Journey to the wide-open plains of Oklahoma, where love blooms and rivalries spark in a vibrant frontier community. As farmers and cowboys clash, a budding romance unfolds amid the excitement and uncertainty of a changing world. Filled with iconic songs, lively dance, and unforgettable characters, Oklahoma! is a heartfelt celebration of community, resilience, and the pioneering spirit, reminding us that hope can thrive in the toughest of times.
Set against the backdrop of a territory on the brink of statehood, this beloved musical captures the joy, humor, and heartache of everyday people learning what it means to build a future together. From spirited barn dances to sweeping melodies and timeless classics, Oklahoma! invites audiences into a world where dreams are as vast as the prairie sky and where love, laughter, and perseverance shape the promise of tomorrow.
