When it comes to finding date activities in Orlando, a few easy options come to mind: dinner at a nice restaurant, a romantic stroll through Leu Gardens, a visit to the theme parks, or a night out for drinks at a local bar. We recently tried an option that we can’t wait to do again: seeing a touring Broadway production at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
This past week, we were invited to attend the touring production of The Outsiders, a musical based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and the film of the same name by Francis Ford Coppola. The show first debuted in 2023 before a run on Broadway in 2024; now, the production is touring North America, giving those of us outside of New York the chance to experience the show.
When it comes to seeing a show at the Dr. Phillips, the main aspect you’ll have to plan for (aside from purchasing tickets to the show) is finding a place to park. Parking in Downtown Orlando can be a little stressful, so it’s a good idea to have your plan decided upon ahead of time.
We parked in the SunTrust Center garage at South St., which costs $15 on evenings and weekends, with $3 for each additional hour. Parking here means just a short walk over to the Dr. Phillips Center, crossing at two crosswalks before reaching the lawn.
Other parking options are also available, like pre-paid parking and valet that can be purchased online or by calling or visiting the Darden Box Office up to 24 hours before a show. These options include:
- City Commons Parking Garage: $13 flat rate
- 77. E. Jackson Street Garage: $13 flat rate
- Valet: $35 premium, $26 standard, $14 accessible (with a state-issued disabled parking permit)
Day-of parking in nearby garages sees a slight increase in day-of-show pricing:
- 77 E. Jackson Street Garage: $16 day of show
- City Commons Parking Garage: $18 day of show
You can also opt for ridesharing, with options like Lyft or Uber. There is a specific drop-off/pickup location for Lyft at 155 E. Anderson St. Public transit via Lymmo and Lynx, the SunRail, or taxis is also an option!
Once we arrived, we came upon the Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center, which had taken over the entire lawn area. Booth surrounded the perimeter with food and drink offerings, local businesses, and last-minute holiday shopping. At the center, a large stage stood where a local choir was performing holiday tunes to the seated crowd.
We loved getting to experience this holiday festival ahead of the evening’s performance. It gave us a chance to relax and stroll around the theater grounds beforehand, and it was nice to hear a local choir perform (with a surprise appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus, too). There were even several fire pits set up around the lawn, perfect for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.
The theater lobby opens its doors generally one hour before showtime, which was when we made our way to get our tickets and find out our seats. At this point, we found out that we were sitting in what was essentially the show’s “splash zone,” but more on that later.
There is a small security checkpoint once you enter the lobby. You’ll get your physical or digital ticket scanned by one of the ushers, and then walk through a metal detector. You don’t have to remove anything from your purse or pockets; simply walk through the contactless detector, and you’ll be good to go!
Inside are several counters where you can purchase snacks and drinks to keep you satisfied during the show, including beer and wine. You must show a valid ID if you’re buying alcohol, and you can only purchase two drinks at a time. As an extra option, you can also pre-purchase food or drinks to enjoy during the intermission.
Merch for the show is also available on the lobby floor, located on the far right side past the entry doors. This merchandise is normally the same as what is or has been available during the touring production’s Broadway run.
Shortly after doors opened, we were able to take our seats for the performance. One unique aspect of The Outsiders is that the actor portraying Ponyboy Curtis walks through the house and talks to members of the audience before stepping onstage ahead of the show. We saw him talking to several people in the audience and even posing for a selfie with a couple in the front row.
As for our thoughts on the show, we loved it. Having read the book in grade school, we were familiar with the story but largely unfamiliar with the musical. The songs are very folky in sound, thanks to the music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance from the band Jamestown Revival, along with Justin Levine. The opening song, “Tulsa, ‘67,” is a major earworm that you’ll be humming to yourself long after you leave the theater.
This show received 12 nominations at the 77th Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical. The win is clear here, even on tour; the entire experience weaves together beautifully, with some of the coolest and most unique sound and lighting design we’ve ever seen in a show.
One moment to highlight that we won’t spoil too much is the climactic Rumble, where the Greasers fight against the Socs for control of their turf. There are so many disorienting lighting effects used to make you feel like you’re in the fight with them, taking and throwing punches in the (real!) rain coming from above. This is where the aforementioned splash zone comes into play, though we didn’t get wet sitting four rows back from the stage. Your experience might be different depending on how close you’re sitting!
We laughed, we cried, and we had a great time! If there’s ever an opportunity for you to see a show at Dr. Phillips for a date night, we highly recommend you try it out for yourself.
Thank you again to the Dr. Phillips Center for inviting us out. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to return in the future to catch another show!
