Florida Culture for the Week of April 14 By Josh Garrick

Now to April 20 – Final Week for the Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Legend says that Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was Tennessee Williams’ favorite play – perhaps because it won him the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1955. The play examines how families deal with greed, deceit, (repressed) sexual desire, and death. Presented in Mad Cow Theatre’s beautiful new complex, visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788407.297.8788.

April 15 to 27 – JERSEY BOYS is “Workin’ Its Way Back” to Orlando !
More than 13 million people have seen JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons. Led by the unique voice of Frankie Valli, these four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history – selling 175 million records before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS – the musical will be performed at the Bob Carr PAC from April 15 to 27. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-27871-800-982-2787

April 15 – The Million $ Quartet at Daytona Beach

Inspired by the true story of a recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins, the story of that December 4, 1956 night in Memphis was turned into a Broadway musical. Million $ Quartet brings that legendary night to life at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona with its tale of egos, promises and chart-topping hit songs. Visit Peabodyauditorium.org

April 16 from 5 pm to 8 pm – Taste of Winter Park

The annual Taste of Winter Park is Winter Park's ultimate ‘foodie’ event. In an area renowned for great chefs, this event showcases signature dishes and desserts from more than 40 of the area's top chefs and restaurants. This year the Taste of Winter Park will include samplings from John Rivers' much-anticipated new restaurant, The Coop. The event begins at 5 pm on April 16 at the Winter Park Farmers' Market. Call 407.644.8281407.644.8281 or visit winterpark.org

April 17 to May 25 – Freckleface Strawberry at Orlando Rep

Closing out Orlando Rep’s season of theater for young audiences is Freckleface Strawberry - The Musical, based on a picture book by celebrated actress Julianne Moore. Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles – from scrubbing them with soap to wearing a ski mask to school. With the help of her lovable schoolmates (and a kooky teacher), Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special.  Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365407.896.7365.

April 18 – Joe Rogan at Hard Rock Live

A standup comedian for more than 20 years, Joe Rogan has several comedy specials to his name while also hosting The Joe Rogan Experience and providing ‘colorful’ commentary for the UFC on Pay Per View and FOX.  He hosted Fear Factor on NBC, and can be seen in the film Here Comes The Boom. Rogan brings his ‘inquisitive comedic’ style to Hard Rock Live on April 18.  Visit hardrock.com/Orlando

April 20 to 26 – Paint Out Winter Park

As a benefit for the Albin Polasek Museum and Gardens, the 2014 Paint Out Winter Park will find 25 of our finest plein air artists painting at scenic spots throughout Winter Park. Plein Air (French for in the open air) describes art painted outdoors with the subject directly in view. Stop by the Polasek Museum to see the Artists in action as the museum, sculpture gardens and gallery will be open FREE through the week-long event. Demonstrations, tours, art for purchase, and tickets to the ‘Garden Party’ are available. Visit polasek.org for a complete schedule.

April 24 – Darius Rucker is a ‘True Believer’

Multi-platinum country artist Darius Rucker brings his True Believers Tour to the Arena on the campus of UCF on April 24 at 7 pm. Since re-introducing himself to the world as a country artist, Rucker has released Don't Think I Don't Think About It, which made him the first African-American with a Number One country song since Charley Pride in 1983. 2010 saw him with two more No. 1 hits while his new album, True Believers, debuted at No. 1. Get your tickets at the Arena Box Office, at 800-745-3000800-745-3000, or at ticketmaster.com.

April 24 – The 9th Annual John Young History Maker Celebration

Honoring those who ‘make history,’ the John Young History Maker Celebration is the Historical Society's largest fundraiser of the year. To be held at The Alfond Inn in Winter Park on April 24, Judge Belvin Perry Jr., will receive the honor. Recognized as one of the 20 most powerful people in Orlando, Judge Perry's work on the bench also earned him the 2009 FLABOTA Jurist of the Year among a host of other awards. For tickets, call 407.836.8595407.836.8595 or email Claudine.Tomlinson-Burney[at]ocfl.net

April 24 to May 11 – The 12th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival at Mad Cow

Mad Cow Theatre’s complex in Downtown Orlando is the perfect venue for its Annual Cabaret Festival, featuring intimate performances from some of the world's great cabaret and jazz artists. This season features award winning actor and vocalist Nicholas Rodriguez, Tony Award-winning Broadway and TV star Laura Benanti, and a dozen other wonderful performers. Visit orlandocabaret.com for a list of Artists and performance dates.

April 25 to May 17 – Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits

Forbidden Broadway has been a hit musical revue – lovingly satirizing Broadway shows and stars since before some of us were born! Now those fun-loving singing-actors of the Winter Park Playhouse invite us to join the laughter as they present Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits. I promise you will laugh out loud as Broadway's musical legends meet Broadway's greatest satirists in this hilarious tribute to the “Great White Way.” Opening April 25, call 407.645.0145407.645.0145 or visit Winterparkplayhouse.org.

April 25 to 27 – 20th Annual American Pie Council National Pie Championships

It doesn’t get any bigger than this for serious PIE LOVERS as amateur, professional, and commercial pie bakers come together to have their PIE deemed the nation's best. And once the judging is done, April 26 and 27 turns the town of Celebration, Florida into the PIE capital of the world for the Great American Pie Festival. Celebrate this yummy American heritage with the ‘all-you-can-eat’ Never Ending Pie Buffet, pie eating contests, baking activities, PieCasso art, and the Pietopia stage (with live music, games and more). The Pie Buffet is $10/adults and $5/seniors and children. Visit piecouncil.com or call 407-566-2200407-566-2200.
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators