In a grim future where water is worth its weight in gold, The 5 & Dime’s production of Urinetown throws you into a world where paying to pee is the norm, and defiance comes with steep consequences. This Tony Award-winning musical is a satirical take on corporate greed, environmental issues and social justice, blending humor and biting commentary in a dystopian setting that is as thought-provoking as it is absolutely ridiculous.

Players by the Sea’s latest production of Tarzan plunges its audience into a lush, vibrant jungle, transforming both the lobby and the theater into a fully immersive experience that blurs the lines between stage and seating. As the house lights dim, the audience is immediately drawn into the world of Tarzan through a poignant and creatively rendered shadow-play that recounts the character’s beginnings, setting a profound emotional tone from the outset.

Lumen Repertory Theatre’s innovative double-feature production, Slow Burn, brings together Edward Albee’s absurdist works The American Dream and The Zoo Story. This unusual combination provides a vivid juxtaposition of two distinct narratives: one a satirical critique of American family life, the other a penetrating look at social alienation in a modern urban setting. The production’s clever interpretations and well-executed dramatic performance effectively invites a captivated audience into Albee’s complex psychological landscapes, evoking the overall meaninglessness and loneliness inherent in modern life throughout both one-act plays.

Legally Blonde has arrived at Amelia Musical Playhouse, bringing with it a flurry of pink, passion and empowerment. This exuberant musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods, a seemingly naive sorority girl from Malibu, chasing after her ex-boyfriend to Harvard in an attempt to win him back, only to find herself mastering the law and redefining her life’s purpose. What starts as a quest for love transforms into a journey of self-discovery.

Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s veto of state arts funding sent shockwaves through the theater communities of Northeast Florida. The veto eliminated over $400,000 in funding earmarked for nine theater and opera companies in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Nassau counties. A combined total of nearly $3.4 million had been requested by 45 arts organizations in these counties.