Florida Culture for the Week of February 18 by Josh Garrick

Now through March 17 – Sense and Sensibility and Othello Share the Stage

The great Shakespearean tradition is to perform plays in repertory, and that is what is happening RIGHT NOW at our Shakespeare Theater where Othello and Sense and Sensibility are being performed with the same cast performing different roles in the two plays (on different nights). The ‘bad luck’ of the Dashwood sisters in Sense and Sensibility that leads to scandalous secrets and unexpected twists of fate in one century seems a ‘tempest in a teapot’ compared to the jealousy, passion, and revenge that gives Othello the reputation of being Shakespeare's most treacherous play. The plays run in repertory through March 17. Visit Orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700.

Now through March 24 – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat

The Orlando Repertory Theatre (the REP) has the honor to present the southeast premiere of a brand-new production of Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat as adapted by Katie Miller for the National Theatre of Great Britain. Leaping onto the stage with chaotic exuberance, Cat is performed at the Rep in Orlando’s Loch Haven Park. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365

Now through March 17 – Homer’s ODYSSEY in a World Premiere Production

Adapted by Charlie Bethel from the epic poem by Homer, this World Premiere Production re-imagines Odysseus’ travels over the “wine-dark seas” of ancient Greece. Bethel brings us shipwrecks, sirens, goddesses, sorcery, death, and revenge in a faithful but accessible re-telling of this classic story. Sometimes comic and always thrilling, the Odyssey is a family show, suitable for most audiences.  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Feb 20 to March 10 – Three Weeks to Get WICKED

One of my favorite Broadway shows OF ALL TIME – (how’s that for a recommendation?), Fairwinds Broadway brings this “cultural phenomenon” back to Orlando for three weeks. If you read my column, you already KNOW that WICKED is about what went on in OZ before Dorothy. Along the way it causes you to question what makes a Wicked Witch wicked and whether sweet Glinda is really all that Good. Direct your broom-stick to the FAIRWINDS Broadway Box Office or Amway Box Office; at OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787. 

Feb 21 and Feb 28 – Writers at Rollins

Rollins College brings contemporary literature to the community as the 2013 Winter with the Writers Festival of the Literary Arts features African-Puerto Rican author Mayra Santos-Febres and Cuban-American poet Ricardo Pau-Llosa on Feb 21, and Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran on Feb 28. These FREE afternoon master-classes and evening readings take place on the campus of Rollins College. Parking is available at no charge. Visit rollins.edu/winterwiththewriters

Feb 22 to March 11 – The Breakthrough Theatre Has a Bad Seed

Artistic Director Wade Hair has more than his garden to worry about as he prepares to open The Bad Seed at the Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park. The play is set in a small Southern town where the Penmarks live with their daughter, Rhoda. Sweet and charming on the surface, little Rhoda is ‘involved’ in the drowning of a local boy. Is it possible that Rhoda killed the boy? And will she kill again???  Find out at the Breakthrough Theatre at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

Feb 22 to March 17 – Godspell Goes Downtown

The early Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell will be presented by The Vine Theater at Theatre Downtown from Feb 22 to March 17. First presented on Broadway in 1971, the musical is a song-filled series of parables based on the Gospel of Matthew. "This show is for all of us…it builds community, offers restoration and most importantly is just plain Fun; Godspell is about life abundantly,” says director Zach Van Dyke. Theatre Downtown is at 2113 N Orange Ave in Orlando.  Call 407.841.0083 or email thevinetheater[at]gmail.com

Feb 28 at 7:30pm – Midtown Men in Daytona

They were the original cast-members of a Broadway show that became one of the biggest hits of all-time. Now they’re together again and thrilling audiences with a one-of-a-kind concert/theater experience celebrating the music of the 1960’s. With classic songs by the Beatles, Motown, The Four Seasons and more, these one-time ‘Boys’ are now the Midtown Men, who enjoy singing together and sharing that experience with audiences from coast to coast. Presented – for one-night-only – on February 28 at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, visit peabodyauditorium.org or call 386. 671.3462

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators