Mad Cow Theatre

Address:	54 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
Phone:	+1 407-297-8788
Site:	madcowtheatre.com
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 76

Reviews 16

Lindsey Jorgensen

Mad Cow was great at the previous location. The move to the new location changed the atmosphere for the worse. It now seems to be about pleasing the big donors and ignoring the folks who have been loyally attending for years but werent able to contribute as generously. The productions are inconsistent. I invited a newcomer to Dreamgirls and was horribly embarrassed! I purchased "premium seats" which apparently meant the second row all the way next to the exit. Our view of the stage was obstructed which didnt matter much since there was no set design. Moreover, some of the singers were inaudible. This proved to be an issue for a subsequent production, The Light in the Piazza. I wish they would just use a sound system. It is so irritating to have to strain to hear the lyrics. Mad Cow still produces some quality productions: Table Manners, Venus and Fur, Sunday in the Park with George. Still, others fall flat: Dreamgirls, Death of a Salesman, Other Desert Cities (season opener? really?). My friends and I most recently visited Mad Cow on what was initially advertised as a Christiane Nolls cabaret show. At some point this must have been changed to a fundraising night which included paltry hors doeuvre, a couple tablespoons of wine served in a plastic cup, and the revealing of the new name of the black box theater since the "Black Box Theater" is somehow insufficient. About an hour and a half later we were seated in The Harriet only to have to sit through what came across as a high school talent show. No offense to several of the acts as some of them were quite good, but nothing flowed together and the emcee didnt help matters much. Finally! Christiane Noll is announced! She enters the stage and sings too songs as beautifully as I have ever heard them sung and then she says "see you tomorrow night" and exits the stage! My entire group was disappointed, mad, and appalled that an event which was initially advertised as a cabaret show was merely a poorly put together preview show. I attempted to call the next day to order tickets to the "real" Christiane Noll cabaret only to be told their computer systems were down and that I was to reserve the tickets online. Of course, reserving tickets online requires a fee per ticket as well as a processing fee. I am a student and these extra charges are costs I can ill-afford. Oh yeah, dont forget to bring $10 to pay for parking. I discussed this situation with my group and we decided that enough is enough and we will not be returning to the Mad Cow next season. We were disappointed we didnt get to see Christiane Noll, but the recent changes at the theater have left us feeling unappreciated and not valued even though we have been loyally attending since the early 2000s. Hopefully Mad Cow is able to get back on its feet, pay its debt, and recapture the spirit that has been lost. After all, now that there are no theaters left to be named after the big donors, the little people may be all they have left.

A Private User

Mad Cow is just a great small time theater in downtown. I enjoy watching a play or musical every so often at their walkable location downtown. I like that I can buy some cookies and wine or beer from them before a play (or intermission) and take it inside to consume while watching the play. It is a very small theater, which is good as you are right there almost on stage. Prices can be as high as $30+ but they typically have specials if you sign up for their mailer.

Arnold Stein

Shows are great. Access, particularly for handicapped, is awful due to Church Street closures after 5:00 or 5:30. Even matinees can run into this. There are ways around it but you have to somehow figure out the system. one of which is to not park where they get a discount. By the way, if you are one of the first-timers wandering the street looking for the place, suggest to them that they put the number 54 on the window.

Jeff Smith

Mad Cow is a smaller professional theater with two performance spaces. Bu dont let its size fool you, the productions that they mount there are professional quality, and I have enjoyed every single show Ive seen there, which is close to 10 shows now. The staff there is polite and positive. So take a risk and see a show, art is good for you!

Scott Pace

We are regular patrons/subscribers of Mad Cow and this is a great local theater. The Staff is professional and courteous, they go out of their way to provide excellent service. The actors are first rate, sets are on point and we have never had a bad experience! I highly recommend.

Michele Simeoni

Horrible location but the theatre is very nice. It was once in a pretty good location but that was then. The people were also nice and the production was excellent.

Roger Mouton

Quality, affordable live theater done with style and commitment by usually local actors. Venue is impeccable, location is divine.

Kimberly Pagni

I saw Avenue Q here and it was amazing. Set was very well done, show was great, and everybody working was friendly. will be back.

Daniel Kellerman

Awesome location to see shows. Very intimate and every seat there is the best seat in the house. Will definitely be returning.

Naren Chauhan

Went to see the Light in the Piazza. Totally amazing!! The entire Mad Cow theater company does a superb job.

Ivanhoe Mainstreet

Their heart is in everything they do & you feel it!

Jason Candido

Wonderful food and Im not a vegetarian