Florida Culture for the Week of November 11, 2017 By Josh Garrick  

TONIGHT -- The Tasty Return of “Cows n Cabs”
Nov 11 beginning at 7 pm
Now in its 7th Year, Central Florida’s “Cows ‘n Cabs” returns with great food (and drink) for TWO deserving charities. With more restaurant participation than ever, the event promises ‘serious tastings’ from more than 30 restaurants including 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The Ravenous Pig, Holler & Dash, and Chroma Modern Bar +Kitchen. The “down-home, cowboy-themed” evening is hosted by 4 Rivers Smokehouse founder John Rivers and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits’ David Larue. ‘Four Rivers’ Master Chef John Rivers KNOWS fundraisers, and when he joined with David Larue to create a ‘new’ fundraiser they wanted the opposite of the tux-and-tie crowd.  Trust me, switching to cowboy boots makes this one of the most FUN FUNdraisers of the season, and all that FUN benefits the “After-School All-Stars” and “Elevate Orlando.” Held in Winter Park’s Central Park West Meadow, please visit cowsncabs.com. Tickets are $110, and you must be 21 or older. 

… and we follow that with FINAL WEEK postings in four different theaters.  That’s a lot of actors and a lot of stage-hands getting a ‘breather’ before putting the turkey in the oven:

FINAL WEEK -- The (Comical) Hound of the Baskervilles 
NOW to Nov 19
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in a very tongue-in-cheek version of Sir Arthur’s world-famous detective. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

 FINAL WEEK -- “Polkadots:” The Cool Kids Musical 
NOW to Nov 19
This musical for children is the perfect introduction to the idea of diversity for young people. At the Orlando Repertory Theater, call 407.896.7365 or visit OrlandoRep.com. 

FINAL WEEK -- “Double Jeopardy” – A Pair of One-Act Operettas   
NOW to Nov 19 
Pairing The Trial of B. B. Wolf by Curtis Tucker with Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic Trial By Jury equals laughter from this duo of comedic courtroom operettas. Call 407.927.0058 or visit CFLVocalArts.com 

FINAL WEEK – Breakthrough Theatre presents Comedy "Dupont, Mississippi"
NOW to Nov 20 
Their hatred of Verna Dewberry was the one thing that held these characters together. Can their friendships survive her death?  Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Photo Credit: Sid Hair; Pictured (L to R): Peri Goldberg, Mary Marro, Kristin Pringle-Marksbury, Christian Santiago, Gabby Hatch, Rockie Kobrin, Larry Stallings, Helen Goldwire, Bianka Kureti, Ginny Fraebel, Marcie Schwalm

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever -- The Musical’  
Nov 13 to Dec 30 
One of the gems of our community is the professional children’s theater at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. Every performance has a not-too-subtle message for our young ones, and for Christmas the Rep is taking on “bullying.” So BEWARE the Herdmans – a family of kids who lie, steal, swear, fight, and light things on fire! When they crash into Sunday School and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the town panics. In this musical adaptation of the holiday classic, there is no chance for a silent night, but sometimes a little joyful noise can be just the ticket. Special note: Three examples of the Rep’s nurturing nature are an American Sign Language show on 11.27; a Sensory-Friendly performance on 11.26; and a Scout Workshop on 12.2. The Orlando Rep is in Loch Haven Park with plenty of FREE parking. Call 407.896.7365 or visit OrlandoRep.com. 

Opera Orlando presents Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’  
Nov 15, 17 & 19 
La Bohème, one of the world’s most beloved (and most performed) operas, was composed by Giacomo Puccini with a libretto based on stories about young ‘bohemians’ living in Paris in the 1840’s. The world premiere in 1896 featured a young Arturo Toscanini conducting. Exactly fifty years later, Toscanini conducted a performance of La Boheme on radio with the performance released on record and CD. THAT recording became the only recording of a Puccini opera by its original conductor. With a story of love ‘found and lost,’ Opera Orlando has updated the opera to Paris in the Roaring 20s. Cecilia Violetta Lopez of the Metropolitan Opera makes her Orlando debut as Mimi with tenor Ben Gulley as Rudolfo; company favorites Bridgett Gan and Gabriel Preisser round out the opera’s lead quartet. Opera Orlando performs with Orlando Philharmonic musicians, and these performances WILL SELL OUT. “I recommend” you order your tickets now by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org 

Winter Park Playhouse presents “Daddy Long Legs” (a Musical)
Nov 16 to Dec 17
From the Tony Award winning director of Les Miserables, this Cinderella-story-musical is based on the novel that inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire. The musical takes place in an orphanage, where Jerusha is the “oldest orphan in the home.” Impressed by her writing, a Trustee of the orphanage offers to pay for her to go to college – all expenses paid. The only condition is that he remains anonymous, but Jerusha is to write to him reporting her progress. As she begins her first letter, she decides to call him "Daddy Long Legs,” because of a shadow she has seen (having decided the shadow belongs to her benefactor).  Including the song "Something's Gotta Give,” the story of this clever young lady and her benefactor has charmed audiences from Los Angeles to London, and it is the kind of story at which the Playhouse excels. Please call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

‘Born Yesterday’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
Nov 17 to Dec 17
This hilarious/serious comedy offers biting commentary on politics and the powers of feminine persuasion. A Broadway favorite in revivals since its premiere in 1946, this comedy-with-a-message pokes fun at sex, politics, sex, and political ‘contributions.’ Show-girl Billie Dawn is the girl-friend of billionaire (with a B) Harry Brock. Billie educates herself with the help of journalist Paul Verrall, leading the pair to unintentionally shed light on the crooked nature of Brock’s business and a possible political scandal. You WILL love this show, and (wink wink) what could be more timely than politics and Billionaires?!? Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Classics: BEETHOVEN & MOZART & the Orlando Philharmonic
Nov 18 at 8 pm 
If you truly love classical music, I know that when you saw the title “Beethoven & Mozart,” you smiled. As concert-goers, we feel fortunate when either name shows up on our program, but BOTH on the same program – we get to sit back and enjoy unabashed genius. The Orlando Philharmonic will make this dream-come-true happen when Jeffrey Kahane, Music Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, conducts AND performs at the piano with our Orchestra. Both Concerto and Symphony begin with a slow introduction, with stately repetitions of a series of chords. Interestingly, Beethoven was the soloist in the public premiere of the work (1808) in Vienna. The Concerto opens with the solo piano playing a series of lyrical chords that ‘grow’ to join this ‘intimacy’ with power. Mozart’s Symphony No. 38, premiered in Prague (1787), IS the “Prague” Symphony. Both works are structured in three movements. Mozart’s exquisite first movement balances the other two. In performance at the Bob Carr Theatre, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Musical Harvest: A Concert in Thanks
November 19 at 4 pm 
Presented by the Metropolitan Area Youth Symphony at Trinity Prep, the young performers invite us to the Holiday Season with a “Concert in Thanks.” This concert is perfect for all ages, and offers an uplifting performance of classical music favorites including the New World Symphony, works by Aaron Copland, and other American composers.  At 5700 Trinity Prep Lane in Winter Park, Admission is FREE (with $5 suggested donation) Call 407.761.5170 or visit maysymphony.org 

Marc Anthony:  Full Circle Tour 
Nov 19 at 7 pm 
Titled “Full Circle,” this concert communicates Marc Anthony’s desire “… to feel my people close and dedicate all my songs, one by one, to them.” To this end, his production team has designed a circular stage that allows the artist to connect with his fans in a more intimate way in a concert featuring hits from throughout his musical career. At the Amway Center, call 407.440.7900 or visit amwaycenter.com 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns’
November 21 to 26 at the Dr. Phillips Center
The intrigue, obsession and romance continue in Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. One of the most successful musicals of all time, ‘Phantom’ has been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide.  ‘Love Never Dies’ begins 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House with the Phantom living a new life in New York – among the freaks of Coney Island. While he may have found a place for himself – and his music – he has never stopped yearning for Christine Daaé. In the sequel Webber continues his beautiful, magical, and joyful score. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators