Florida Culture for the Week of October 22, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

FINAL WEEK – to Oct 29 – “The Odd Couple” (in Male & Female Versions) 
Prolific American playwright Neil Simon brought the messy Oscar Madison and fastidious Felix Ungar to the stage in 1965, winning the Tony for Best Author of a Play. The Odd Couple went on to become a successful film and TV series before Simon brilliantly revised the play for a female cast (1985). The clever folks at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden have decided to present these opposite personalities in repertory with both male and female casts. (There’s even a discount if you see both!) Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

FINAL WEEK – to Oct 30 – Evening of Short Plays – “Murder at the Breakthrough”
The Breakthrough Theatre presents their Halloween offering as an evening of four short plays called "Murder at the Breakthrough.” The plays include "It's You!" by Ian McWethy – a send-up of slasher movies; "Any Body For Tea?" by C.B. Gilford – a handsome detective and six amorous older ladies; "Chairs" by Scott Mullen – a deadly game of musical chairs; and "Country Gothic" by Tim Kelly about a remote country village gathered for a simple wedding until the groom realizes WHY the girl has led him to the altar. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com 

Pictured (left to right): Patricia Liu, Carla Davis, Debbie Newlan, Jackie Levine, Lucy Yarbrough, Ginny Fraebel

NOW to Nov 4 – Phantasmagoria VIII: The Chains of Fire 
PHANTASMAGORIA is Orlando’s own version of a Grand Guignol theatrical troupe, the original seen in Paris in 1897. Following in Guignol’s “creepy, graphic, brutal and bloody” foot-prints, Central Florida’s PHANTASMAGORIA is the physical manifestation of Sanford’s theatrical genius John DiDonna. Our troupe comes off as a well-rehearsed rabble of ‘Steampunk Survivors’ more dangerous than a band of traveling gypsies. They are joined on-stage by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Wilde, M.R. James and others. Trick or treat yourself to the all new PHANTASMAGORIA VIII at the Shakespeare Center. Call 407.476.5121 or visit phantasmagoriaorlando.com 

NOW to Nov 19 – The (Comical) Hound of the Baskervilles 
The Bard and his ‘minions’ have chosen to give us Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles” in a very tongue-in-cheek version of Sir Arthur’s world-famous detective in one of the writer’s most celebrated ‘novellas.’ Even Sir Arthur would find the laugh-out-loud humor in this version of Sherlock Holmes’ investigation of the Baskerville family where – one by one – the male heirs are dropping dead. Directed by Orlando Shakes’ comically inventive Artistic Director Jim Helsinger, (who is truly brilliant at this Monty Pythonesque theatricality), the play is made even more fun as three actors play a dozen roles. Call TODAY for your tickets at 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org  

Oct 23 at 7 pm -- “Eric (of the Orlando Philharmonic) Plays Haydn”
One of the ways in which Orlando has been graced with an Arts scene that places our performers on a World Stage was the decision by the Board of the Orlando Philharmonic to name Eric Jacobsen as the Orchestra’s new Maestro. In this presentation, the Orchestra’s Music Director and world-renowned cellist Eric Jacobsen takes the stage as soloist, performing the virtuosic second concerto of Haydn. This special performance is enhanced as flutist Colleen Blagov offers one of the first-ever performances of the much-in-demand composer Judd Greenstein’s ‘Flute Concerto.’ The concert concludes with Edward Elgar’s hauntingly beautiful “Enigma Variations” at the Plaza Live in east Orlando. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Oct 23 to Nov 19 – “Polkadots:” The Cool Kids Musical
The Orlando Repertory Theatre, under the inspired direction of Jeff Revels, has raised the quality barre for children’s’ theater from costumes and sets to casting and direction. In this new musical, inspired by civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges, “Polkadots” follows Lily Polkadot as she moves to the “Squares Only” town of Rockaway. As the first Polkadot to attend the all-Square school, Lily faces the seemingly impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily’s quest seems hopeless until a Square boy’s curiosity blooms into friendship. A perfect introduction to the idea of diversity for young people, this new musical will be performed at the Orlando Repertory Theater. Call 407.896.7365 or visit OrlandoRep.com. 

Oct 26 at 7 pm -- SANTANA’s ‘Transmogrify Tour’ at Amway Center 
“Transmogrify” means to transform in a magical or surprising way, and that certainly describes ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’ and guitar virtuoso, Carlos Santana. Santana turns 70 in July, and during his 50-year career, he has ‘transmogrified’ from being the only performer at Woodstock without an album, to a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist whose 1999 hit, “Smooth,” became one of the hits of the decade. Merging artistic credibility and pop success, his ground-breaking Afro-Latin-blues-rock fusion eclipses musical genres and generational, cultural and geographical boundaries for audiences who “feel the love” on-stage in his concerts and send it right back to this living legend. Call 407.440.7900 or visit amwaycenter.com 

Oct 27 to 29 -- SWAN LAKE by Orlando Ballet 
When a ballet company announces ‘Swan Lake’ as part of their season, it is an announcement to the world that says, “We’ve put in the work – and we’re ready for the ‘Big Time!” There is no bigger ‘Big Time’ in the dance world than what shows up on-stage for Swan Lake. Set to Tchaikovsky's brilliant musical score, performed LIVE by the Orlando Philharmonic, Swan Lake is the world’s most celebrated ballet. To watch the way in which Director Robert Hill has BUILT the Orlando Ballet Company into what Mayor Dyer has called, “World Class,” allows us to HIGHLY RECOMMEND these three performances based on the consistently impressive dancing from the Orlando Ballet last season. This tale of a princess turned into a swan promises to be among the “must-see” performances of the year at the Dr. Phillips Center. Please order your tickets by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org. 

Legendary Band CHICAGO at the Bob Carr 
Oct 27 at 8 pm 
CHICAGO, the legendary “rock-and-roll-band-with-horns,” comes in at an incredible number 9, the highest-charting American band in Billboard Magazine’s “Hot 200 ALL-TIME Top Artists.” The first American band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. From the unique sound of the horns to their dozens of classic hits, CHICAGO ‘celebrates’ at every concert. 2017 marks the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour, and you can ‘celebrate’ with them at the Bob Carr Theater on October 27. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org  

Oct 27 at 6 pm -- David Bowie DESIGN Exhibit at Modernism Museum, Mt. Dora
Singer/actor/artist David Bowie was a complex performer and complex in his personal tastes as well. A collector of cutting-edge works of art and design, The Modernism Museum in Mount Dora will present an exhibit of pieces from Bowie's personal collection by the Italian design movement “Memphis” in an exhibit titled “Space Oddities: Bowie Sottsass Memphis.” The “Memphis” designers created everything from colorful, edgy furnishings for the home and workplace, to decorative ceramics, glass, and even terrazzo. Call 352.385.0034 or visit modernismmuseum.org 

Oct 27 & 28 – Disney Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic 
Appropriately taking place at the home of extraordinary culinary talent, the 7th Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic showcases the Disney passion for fine cuisine. The two-night event features more than 50 food/beverage stations, 10 food/beverage seminars and opportunities to meet world-renowned chefs – all amidst a backdrop of LIVE entertainment. NEW this year is a special area to transport you to San Francisco’s Chinatown, with décor and dishes inspired by the famous neighborhood. Visit swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com 

Oct 28 at 6:30 pm -- Performing Arts of Maitland presents FREE “Masterpiece Moments at Mead”
Performing Arts of Maitland announces their annual concert “Masterpiece Moments at Mead” featuring the Maitland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Winter Park Chamber Music Academy (WPCMA). The Symphony will celebrate Halloween with music of myths, legends and heroes by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Tchaikovsky and more. The all-volunteer Orchestra has members ranging from high schoolers to musicians in their 80’s. Directed by Dr. Alvaro Gomez, the WPCMA is a "one of a kind" institution through which Dr. Gomez and his pupils provide Central Florida with unique chamber music performances. The concert is FREE and will be presented on the outdoor stage at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park. Visit PAMaitland.org or call 321.303.1404. 

Nov 2 at 8 pm – Andre RIEU, the King of the Waltz 
André Rieu is a musical phenomenon, having sold a massive 40 million CDs and DVDs and earned 30 Number One chart positions worldwide. Touring with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, Rieu has created a global revival in waltz music while creating ‘theatrical’ staging extravaganzas. Having received over 480 platinum awards, three Classical Brit Awards for “Album of the Year” and Billions (with a B) of Youtube views, Rieu and company are among the most honored touring artists in the world. At the Amway Center in Orlando, call 407.440.7900 or visit amwaycenter.com

November 3 & 4 at 8 pm -- ¡Fiesta! – A Celebration of Sound with the CFCArts Symphony
CFCArts Symphony Orchestra (Florida’s LARGEST Symphony Orchestra) invites us to a vibrant celebration of dynamic cultures, unforgettable melodies and fiery rhythms. “¡Fiesta!” performed by the CFC Arts Symphony, will present music from Spain and Latin America in a colorful and rhythmic concert that will have you wishing you could have danced all night. Featuring Mariachi Cobre and other special guest performers, this ¡Fiesta! is for the whole family. Call 407.937.1800 or visit CFCArts.com/Fiesta 

November 4 & 5 – The Harry Potter Film Concert Series – ‘Chamber of Secrets’
This Harry Potter Film Concert will find the Orlando Philharmonic performing John Williams’ unforgettable score from ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ while the film plays in high-def on a 40-foot screen. The Potter Film Concert Series, another magical experience from J.K. Rowling’s ‘Wizarding World,’ kicked off in 2016 and is scheduled to include hundreds of performances across more than 35 countries around the world. At the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Nov 5 at 2:30 pm -- Orlando Historical Rose Society – FREE Talk on Nehrling Gardens Restoration
Speaker Theresa Schretzmann-Myers will speak about the restoration of the historic Nehrling Gardens in Gotha. In 1885, botanist Henry Nehrling, among the most important figures in Florida horticultural history, moved his family to Gotha. Under restoration for 10 years, Nehrling’s gardens and home are now open to the public for special and educational events. The talk will be presented at Leu Gardens in Orlando. Admission and parking are FREE. Call 407.497.1639 or 407.246.2020

Nov 9 to 19 -- “Double Jeopardy” – A Pair of One-Act Operettas 
Pairing The Trial of B. B. Wolf by Curtis Tucker and Nelson Sheeley with Gilbert & Sullivan’s classic Trial By Jury, this duo of comedic courtroom operettas promise great local voices accompanied by laughs in the intimate setting of the CFCArts Black Box Theatre in Winter Park. St. Augustine composer Curtis Tucker’s work, The Trial of B. B. Wolf will be a premiere for Central Florida. Featuring local opera stars Christina Rivera, Andrew Lejeune and John Segers, Central Florida Vocal Arts will also present outstanding talent from their youth training programs in the ensemble roles. Call 407.927.0058 or write to Theresa[at]CFLVocalArts.com 

Nov 11 to 19 – The Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art 
Each year “The Festival of Trees” transforms the Orlando Museum of Art into a wonderland of sparkling Christmas trees by the area’s top designers as well as festive décor for visitors of all ages. Activities include an opening night Gala Fundraiser, live music performances, and programs for seniors and children. Trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and decorative accessories for home or office are available for purchase. This joy-of-the-season experience supports the Orlando Museum of Art at 2416 North Mills Avenue in Orlando. Adults: $10. Call 407.896.4231x254 or visit omart.org/FOT 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators