September 12 to 17 – The Broadway Tour of “The King and I” 
1860’s Bangkok is the setting for one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s greatest musicals and winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. “The KING and I” features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” and “Shall We Dance.” This Lincoln Center production tells the story of the relationship between the King of Siam and a British school-teacher brought to Siam to teach his wives and children. This “landmark production” opens the Broadway season at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

September 14 to 17 -- The Mall at Millenia’s 12th Annual Fashion Week 
The International Fashion World comes to Orlando with inspired events, in-store celebrations and three runway shows filled with must-have trends for Fall 2017. The Mall at Millenia and its world-class designers invite us to “Fashion’s Night In,’ a fundraiser for the Coalition for the Homeless (Sept 14); the “Fashion for All Runway Show (Sept 16); and the “Fashion Brunch & Boutique Stroll” (Sept 17) along with unique in-store shopping surprises. For full schedule details, visit milleniafashionweek.com 

September 15 at 8 pm-- Steven Wright’s ‘Absurdist’ Comedy at The Plaza Live/Orlando
Without ever raising his voice, Academy Award winning comic Steven Wright got his big break in 1982 with back-to-back performances on the “Tonight Show.” He earned a Grammy nomination and his first HBO special in 1985, and without ever giving up LIVE stand-up, Wright won his Academy Award (for Best Short Film) in 1989 leading to an amazing film career with many of the world’s great directors. At The Plaza Live in Orlando, call 407.228.1220 or visit plazaliveorlando.org 

Sept 15 & 16 at 8 pm – Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra’s ‘Vocal Jazz Summit’
Extended to a second performance due to popular demand, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of Rodney Whitaker, will present two evenings of unforgettable hits from the ‘Great American Songbook.’ Joining the eighteen-piece jazz band are acclaimed vocalists Michelle Amato, Linda Cole, Michelle Maihot, Rick Melvern and David Pruyn. Tickets for this HIGHLY RECOMMENDED performance are $39.50 and may be purchased at drphillipscenter.org or by calling 844.513.2014. 

Sept 15 to Oct 8 – “Life Could Be a Dream” at the Winter Park Playhouse
I know – LIFE often IS a DREAM at the Winter Park Playhouse, but this Florida Premiere is ‘super-dreamy’ as it calls up those ‘doo-wop’ days of the 1960’s. A singing group prepares to enter the ‘Big Whopper Radio Contest,’ and winning would launch them to stardom. With a score of classic hits including “Fools Fall in Love,” “Tears on My Pillow,” “Earth Angel,” and “Unchained Melody,” this promises to be classic Winter Park Playhouse FUN. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Sept 18 to 24 – Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) Celebrates 15th Anniversary 
The 15th Annual Global Peace Film Festival will include 34 films from around the world; the world premiere of three local films; a K-to-12 Student Peace Art Exhibit; and a photo exhibit from the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation (Opening Sept 21 at CityArts Factory in Orlando). GPFF opens with a screening of “The Promise” (USA, 2016) directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker, Terry George. Mr. George will be present for the screening. Visit peacefilmfest.org for a complete schedule. 

Sept 22 at 8 pm – Brian Regan: Live Comedy Tour
Considered the “Comedian’s Comedian,” Brian Regan has set a standard of excellence that made history on September 26, 2015 with the broadcast of ‘Brian Regan: Live From Radio City Music Hall,’ the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history. Regan’s success is unique, because his material relates to generations of fans. This show – in the big hall at the Dr. Phillips Center – will sell out. For tickets, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Sept 22 to 30 – Dark Side of Saturn Productions to Perform “Space” in Planetarium 
The Buehler Planetarium, on the campus of Seminole State College in Sanford, will partner with ‘Dark Side of Saturn Productions,’ to present a LIVE science fiction drama called “Space.” Written by Florida’s own Corey Volence, “Space” premiered at the 2016 Orlando Fringe Festival winning the Critics Choice Award for Technical Achievement. The play follows the four-person crew of the Genesis IV as they colonize a new planet. A discussion, hosted by planetarium director Derek Demeter, will be held after each performance. Tickets are $10 and $8 at seminolestate.edu/planet

September 23 – Human Growth Foundation Family Day at SeaWorld, Orlando 
The Annual Human Growth Foundation Family Day includes workshops to learn about childhood growth disorders. Activities include panels on bullying, obtaining medical insurance, Q & A’s with healthcare providers, a catered lunch, and time to explore Sea World. Acknowledging that a child's growth pattern is indicative of their overall health, "The first step to helping the child is awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment,” says Dr. Pisit Pitchukewannont, President of HGF. For details, visit hgffamilyday.net

September 23 & 24 – Lourdes Robles Brings San Juan to Orlando
One of the most successful singers in Puerto Rico, the Dr. Phillips Center is proud to be the site for the FIRST stop in Lourdes Robles’ new tour of Central and South America. Ms. Robles calls this tour, “a magical journey through the lovely city of San Juan,” and she will sing all of her most famous hits including: ‘Abrázame Fuerte,’ ‘Definitivamente,’ ‘Todo me habla de ti’ and many other songs on the Latin Billboard charts. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators