(upbeat music) - [Voice-Over] The coronavirus had a devastating impact on America's economy, but one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic was the performing arts.

From L.A. to Broadway, stages went silent as venues were shuttered and production shut down.

And southwest Florida was no exception.

More than a year later, there is now hope that the lights may be coming up again.

- It's been a really rough year for a lot of people, in a lot of different industries.

But you can say, without any hesitation, that those people who work in the arts industry and anything surrounding getting together for performances and things like that, we all know that's something that we've not been able to do for over a year now.

So everyone here at Florida Rep is very excited to be announcing our 24th season, especially after, basically, a year of shutdown.

- [Voice-Over] While virtual performances and outdoor stages allowed the Florida Rep to maintain a presence in the community during the shutdown, there's just nothing like the real thing.

- The business of producing theater is what we do.

It's what we know best.

And I think it's what everybody has been waiting for.

Not just members of our staff, but, you know, also the artists that come in here from all over the country.

They'll all be back this season, and we couldn't be more excited.

- [Voice-Over] In light of the collective trauma the world has gone through this past year, the Florida Rep made some changes to their post-pandemic season, adding more uplifting productions to reflect, what is hopefully, a season of renewal and new beginnings.

- We're gonna be opening with a wonderful brand new world premiere cabaret called, Let's Fall in Love.

And it features the music of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, and a host of others, who made music history in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

We have a terrific new play called, Morning After Grace, that's gonna open up the January 2022 slot.

We're gonna have a record number of musicals happening this year with our cabaret, and West Side Story and Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story.

And we really think that this is going to be a season where we can celebrate each other, and getting together through the magic of theater.

(upbeat music)