Playing roles from a flamboyant nightclub emcee to an emotionally distant painter, here are the 2025 Orlando Sentinel honorees for best leading actor in a musical, as selected by theater critic Matthew J. Palm. Note that Valerie Torres-Rosario was the Critic’s Pick in this category in 2021 for playing Girl in “Once” for Theater West End, so was not eligible this year when she reprised the role.
Although it’s impossible for one person to see every local production, as the Orlando Sentinel’s theater critic, each year I see a broad array of dramas, comedies and musicals. The individuals selected for this 2025 theatrical honor roll, presented here alphabetically, elevated Central Florida’s theatrical arts. Go to OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment to see the honorees in other categories, and check back on Dec. 22 to learn the Critic’s Pick in this category.
Shane Bland as the Emcee in the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Shane Bland
‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes
In February: Shane Bland was the wiliest of Emcees in the shabby Kit Kat Klub, as he successfully delivered the Emcee’s sexualized bravado with a wink and a leer — until it was too late for his “I Don’t Care Much’ character.
Andrew Heidorn as Guy in Theater West End’s production of “Once.” (Courtesy Jose Carlos Rivera via Theater West End)
Andrew Heidorn
‘Once’ Theater West End
In November: Andrew Heidorn affectingly embodied the emotional paralysis of recently jilted Guy, displaying an appealing underdog factor that maked him eminently rootable through his beautiful heart-on-his-sleeve work.
Hannah McGinley Lemasters as Audrey in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” (Courtesy Dr. Phillips Center)
Hannah McGinley Lemasters
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Dr. Phillips Center
In October: Hannah McGinley Lemasters beautifully conveyed put-upon florist assistant Audrey’s lack of self-worth while creating razor-sharp chemistry with her character’s abusive boyfriend. She beautifully conveyed that Audrey is quirky and naive — but never dumb. Lemasters also was honored in this category in 2024, for her portrayal of Dorothy Brock in Osceola Arts’ “42nd Street.”
Desiree Montes was one of the three unnamed leading ladies in the Winter Park Playhouse production of “Jerry’s Girls.” (Courtesy Michael Cairns Photography via Winter Park Playhouse)
Desiree Montes
‘Jerry’s Girls’ Winter Park Playhouse
In August: Desiree Montes was this production’s electrifying live wire: Determined in “Wherever He Ain’t,” winking in “So Long,Dearie,” seductive in “La Cage aux Folles,” chillingly heartbreaking in “I Don’t Want to Know.” You couldn’t look away from her shifting eyes and her stylized moves in a thrillingly all-in performance. This is the third appearance in the year-end honors for Montes, who also received a Special Recognition honor last year for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.”
Anastasia Remoundos as Sally in the Orlando Shakes production of “Cabaret.” (Courtesy Tony Firriolo via Orlando Shakes)
Anastasia Remoundos
‘Cabaret’ Orlando Shakes
In February: As devil-may-care Sally Bowles, Anastasia Remoundos blazed across the stage, baring her desperate soul at every turn in an electrifying raw performance. Her gutsy “Cabaret” 11 o’clock number became the defiant and self-defeatingly triumphant anthem for everyone who has chosen to stay in their own little world, on their own insular path, doing what feels good for themselves, consequences be damned. And underneath the makeup, her ferocity and pain were etched all over her face. Remoundos was previously recognized in 2021 for her performance in Winter Park Playhouse’s “Crazy for Gershwin.”
Brandon Roberts as Seymour in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” (Courtesy Dr. Phillips Center)
Brandon Roberts
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Dr. Phillips Center
In October: Brandon Roberts shined in every aspect of awkward Seymour — as a puppeteer, as a physical comedian, as a character singer. He was just swell throughout the whole shebang — whether giving a nervous giggle or letting a grim and steely look ripple across his face as he crossed a big moral line. This is Roberts’ fourth appearance in the year-end theater honors.
Dustin Michael Russell as Edward in the Theatre at St. Luke’s production of “Big Fish.” (Courtesy Howard Clifton via Theatre at St. Luke’s)
Dustin Michael Russell
‘Big Fish’ Theatre at St. Luke’s
In August: It was up to Dustin Michael Russell to bring the larger-than-life elements of “Big Fish” down to intimately human scale. And he did so masterfully and magnificently. Russell aged and de-aged, in voice and posture, before our eyes: Youthfully limber one minute, stooped and slow the next. He made his love for his girlfriend-later-wife both fantastical and oh so heartwarmingly real in a fully committed and deeply engaging performance.
Chase Williams as Georges in the Central Florida Vocal Arts production of “Sunday in the Park With George.” (Courtesy CFVA)
Chase Williams
‘Sunday in the Park With George’ Central Florida Vocal Arts
In November: In fine voice, Chase Williams played his two characters with distinct differentiation choices while also showing us their emotional connection. He also reminded the audience of his comedic chops (and way with voices) in “The Dog Song,” a rare comic interlude in a show that delves into the deeper issues of human connection. And his frustration at an inability to achieve that connection with people was palpable.
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entertainment.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/09/lead-actor-musical-best-orlando-theater/
