“Josh Recommends” for the Week of April 7, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad Mad Mad Mad Treasure Hunt at Orlando Rep 
April 9 to May 13
In the latest from Orlando Rep, “Judy Moody” is known for her ‘flights of fancy,’ but a (for-real) adventure on a treasure-island begins when the Moody family drops anchor on Artichoke Island. ‘Welcomed’ to the island by a (for-real) PIRATE -- Scurvy Sam, Judy Moody and her brother Stink begin an adventure with clues, codes, and puzzles in a race against the clock and other treasure-hunters. To create this 60-minute adventure, Orlando REP teamed up with six other Theatres for Young Audiences around the country to commission the new play by Allison Gregory based on the books by Megan McDonald. Ask about ‘Special Performances’ on April 14, 21, 22, and 23 when you call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

Orlando Ballet’s “Best of Broadway” at the Garden Theatre 
April 13 & 14 at 8 pm and April 15 at 2 pm 
Originally created to honor one of Florida’s great philanthropists – Harriet Lake – Orlando Ballet’s “Best of Broadway” is a glittering spectacle that includes some of the most ‘fun’ dancing you’ll ever see. Showcasing music from the biggest and greatest Broadway shows of all time, this performance is guaranteed to include a ‘fresh look’ at many of your favorite Broadway moments. Tickets are $34 & $30. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Photo by Michael Cairns; Dancers: Anamarie McGinn, Ashley Baszto, Isabella Mendez

And More Great News from the Ballet … 

Orlando Ballet to Present Three Premieres in “Contemporary Wonders” 
May 4 & 5 at 8 pm and May 6 at 2 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center 
With the “largest performance gift” made by individuals in the history of Orlando Ballet, Krista and Jonathan Ledden have donated $100,000 to sponsor the creation of three new works in the Orlando Ballet’s up-coming “Contemporary Wonders” program. The performance will open with a premiere by internationally recognized choreographer, Jessica Lang titled “From Foreign Lands and People.” In the second premiere, Arcadian Broad will both choreograph AND compose “Mad Hatter’s Wonderland” – the story of Alice after she leaves Wonderland! The program will close with a collaboration of choreography by Robert Hill with live vocals performed by Sisaundra Lewis in an emotional work about the healing power of love. Tickets start at just $19, and may be purchased by calling 844.513.2014 or by visiting drphillipscenter.org

The EAGLES with Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band
April 14 at Camping World Stadium 
People will travel from other states for this Super-Concert. One of the most influential and successful American rock bands of all time, the EAGLES created the “Southern California sound.” Having sold more than 120 million albums worldwide while receiving six GRAMMY Awards, their sold-out concert tours always break box office records including five sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in 2014. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 (their first year of eligibility), they received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016. These iconic rockers are back on the road with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. Say what?!?!? Visit stadiumorlando.com 

OUC Speakers at Dr. Phillips Center presents Mayim Bialik
April 14 
Making Science cool (and funny) you first knew Mayim Bialik as “Blossom” in the early-1990’s NBC TV sitcom “Blossom,” but you know her now from her appearances on America’s number one comedy – CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” playing neurobiologist Amy Fowler. What is off-the-charts cool is the fact that Mayim really IS a neuroscientist with a PhD making her a (for real) doctor AND she plays one on TV. She will talk about her life as an actress-scientist at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Experience Adele” Tribute Show, Featuring Andrea Tyler
April 15 beginning at 7:25 pm 
The “Experience Adele” Tribute Show returns to Central Florida Community Arts ‘by popular demand’ as performed by the #1 Adele ‘sound-alike’ Andrea Tyler. Having garnered Ms. Tyler multiple awards in the impersonator industry, “Experience Adele” gives you ‘all the feels’ that come with the voice complete with Adele‘s sense of humor brought to life on-stage. Note: This show sold out in advance last time it was here, and the show begins promptly with NO late seating. Tickets at $15 at cfcarts.com/experienceadele/ 

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Dr. Phillips Center 
April 18 at 8 pm 
Described as humorous, intense, and laid-back, the enigmatic Jason Isbell is a singer-songwriter-guitarist from Alabama who was honored to be the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 2017 Artist-in-Residence. Isbell is usually on-stage with his beautiful wife Amanda Shires, with the couple’s on-stage banter explaining the critic who called him humorous. Isbell will be joined by ‘The 400 Unit,’ (which is his band), but referred to by Isbell as guest artists. With no allegiance to any music genre, Isbell has won two Grammy Awards and enjoys a fan-base from lovers of rock, folk, and country. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Art for ALL Spaces’ Annual Themed Art Exhibit 
“The Monument as Art: Commemoration and Controversy”
Opening Reception – April 19 at 6 pm at City Arts Factory 
Opening II – May 3 at 6 pm 
Art for ALL Spaces’ Annual Exhibit is always of interest as it includes the creative responses by Central Florida Artists to Brad Biggs’ thematic challenges. This year’s theme – “Public Monuments” would seem to invite controversy as this art exhibit explores the monument in all its variations – from Stonehenge to monuments yet to be proposed, to controversies about monuments that should (or should not) remain in place. The aim is to create a dialogue about the role of the monument in contemporary society. Two “Openings” are FREE to the Public at City Arts Factory in Downtown Orlando. Call 407.648.7060 or visit Art-For-All-Spaces-LLC on Facebook. 

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
April 20 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
‘Postmodern Jukebox’ originally blew up online with videos that kept Scott Bradlee’s vintage twist on pop hits in front of 3 million subscribers and 850 million YouTube views. Add another 1 million ‘likes’ on Facebook, appearances on Good Morning America, NPR and NBC and Bradlee’s pop music time machine would inevitably play hundreds of live performances as the multi-talented collective ‘re-imagines’ pop, rock and R&B hits in the style of yesteryears from swing to ragtime to torch singers to Motown. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Una Serenata Italiana” – Opera Orlando’s Annual Gala Celebration 
April 20 beginning at 6:30 pm at the Alfond Inn 
High on our list of “over-achieving,” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Arts organizations in Central Florida is Opera Orlando. Having just concluded its second full season, no critic in the world would believe their imaginative and beautifully sung performances are on-stage thanks to an organization now concluding its’ SECOND SEASON! On April 20 we may help this ‘wunderkind’ company grow by attending their 3rd Annual Gala Dinner, this year called Una Serenata Italiana! in honor of company founders Kathy and Steve Miller. Including performances from a quintet of renowned soloists, pianist Robin Stamper, a silent auction and formal dinner, the evening’s host is the witty Scott Maxwell. All proceeds support Opera Orlando. Call 407.512.1900 or visit operaorlando.org/gala 

The Orlando Philharmonic presents “A Tribute to Ella!”
April 21 at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Larry Blank will conduct the Orlando Philharmonic along with vocalists Capathia Jenkins, Harolyn Blackwell, and Aisha de Haas all coming together for a swinging tribute to Ella Fitzgerald in celebration of the Lady’s 100th birthday. While honoring the “First Lady of Song” with some of the songs she made her own, the evening will also include top hits by her sister jazz greats, including Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Sandy Shugart & The January Band presented by Orlando Health AMP’d
April 23 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Orlando's Sandy Shugart is the President of Valencia College, AND he is a musician/poet. He says he “blends the two careers, because they nourish each other.” His “day job” gives him material that he turns into folk-rock lyrics. With three independently produced CDs since 2000, Shugart has developed a unique performance style including stories, songs and poems aimed at the heart more than the head. This multi-talented college president joins his musician/friends to create an evening of acoustic coffee-house-style stories and music. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando presents “Something Rotten!”
April 24 to 29 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Think starched ruffs, cod-pieces, and the discovery of sequins as “Something Rotten” invites us to a musically twisted view of the London theater scene in 1590. When a soothsayer foretells the future of theatre as singing, dancing and acting all at the same time, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom decide to write the world’s first musical. Direct from Broadway “Something Rotten!” is the laugh-a-minute story of the Bottom brothers who are desperate to write their own hit play while that rhyming "rock star" Shakespeare keeps coming up with the hits. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“The Little Mermaid” presented by the CFCArts Youth Theatre Troupe
April 27 at 7 pm and April 28 at 2 pm & 7 pm 
CFCArts KNOWS the Disney treasure chest of musicals, and it has wisely determined to have the CFCArts Youth Theatre Troupe invite us to that magical kingdom “under the sea” where the young mermaid Ariel longs to follow her heart to the human world above. Ariel KNOWS there is a handsome prince up there who could be HERS, but one of the great Disney villains of all time, the evil sea-witch Ursula, wishes to ruin Ariel’s happiness. Can Ariel’s friends Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian save the day for The Little Mermaid? It is Disney after all … and CFCArts is all about making people happy. Tickets are $5 to $15. Visit cfcarts.com/mermaid 

And On-going … 

“Transition,” Original Docudrama Explores Gender Transition
FINAL WEEK -- NOW to April 15 at Valencia College East 
Written and directed by Valencia College’s Theater Department Chair, John DiDonna, “Transition” explores the lives, obstacles, hopes and un-ending journeys facing individuals (and families) going through “gender transition.” Featuring an ensemble cast from both the transgender and cisgender communities, the play is drawn from interviews DiDonna conducted within the transgender community. The play, with adult language and situations NOT appropriate for children, will be held in the Black Box Theater in Building 3 on the College campus. There is NO late seating, and each performance will be followed by a Q&A with the audience. Tickets at $10 or $12 at 407.582.2900 or by visiting valenciacollege.edu/arts 

Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” Presented by CFCArts Theatre
NOW to April 22 at the CFC Black Box Theatre 
In 1970, this was the musical that made “Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim” into a magical phrase for success on Broadway. Sondheim’s “Company” won seven Tony Awards and features several of the composer/lyricist’s best-loved songs. Set on the night of Robert’s 35th birthday, Bobbie-baby ‘contemplates’ his life as a bachelor as the musical introduces us to Robert’s “crazy, married friends,” who ‘teach him’ about marriage. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, this is one of my favorite musicals of all time. It’s fun, slap-stick, and introspective – all at the same time. At the Black Box Theatre at 250 SW Ivanhoe Boulevard, call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com 

Mad Cow Theatre presents the American Classic “A View from the Bridge”
NOW to April 22 
The Mad Cow Theatre currently offers the Arthur Miller American Theater drama – “A View from the Bridge.” This classic American tragedy is Italian in heritage and classically Greek in scale. A working-class couple watches over their niece’s coming of age, while immigrant cousins bring about a clash of cultures with the resulting friction turning violent. First staged after Arthur Millers’ public defiance of McCarthyism, the play explores differing views of the ‘American Dream,’ while serving as a time capsule for the socio-cultural climate of America TODAY. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407-297-8788 x1. 

“The Luckiest People” at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater 
NOW to April 29
In this brilliant new play by Meridith Friedman, the question of WHAT is our responsibility to our spouses, children, and parents is laid out before us. Including several of the finest performances of this exceptional Orlando Shakes’ season, the play is guaranteed to pull up memories of your own family as it tells the story of the recent death of a beloved Wife and Mother. Following the funeral, Richard’s elderly Father asks to move in with Richard and his partner. Richard (and his partner) are less than thrilled at the idea of living with Richard’s Father. Accusations fly and competing priorities lead to … consequences. This sometimes humorous, always thought-provoking work is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org ​