Florida Culture for the Week of February 27 by Josh Garrick

Mar 2 and 4 – Verdi’s Rigoletto

It’s a melodic, but very Italian evening of seduction, treachery, and vendettas. On March 2 and 4, the Orlando Philharmonic and Florida Opera Theatre join forces to present Giuseppe Verdi’s opera – masterpiece Rigoletto at the Bob Carr PAC.  Frank McClain will direct with Joel Revzen conducting. Rigoletto premiered in 1851, based on a play by Victor Hugo. In the opera, the hunchbacked court jester is detested by everyone but his loving daughter Gilda. Unfortunately, the corrupt, womanizing Duke of Mantua has chosen Gilda as his next conquest, leaving it to Rigoletto to protect his innocent daughter.  Key roles include Mark Walters as Rigoletto, Russell Thomas as the Duke of Mantua, Maureen O’Flynn as Gilda and John Cheek as Sparafucile. In this ‘concert opera,’ Rigoletto will be performed with the orchestra on-stage, bringing the cast ‘up-close and personal’ with the audience. Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org.

Mar 2 to 24 – The Andrews Brothers (A New '40s Musical)

Yes, you read the title correctly. The Andrews BROTHERS is a “new 1940’s musical-comedy” running from March 2 to 24 at the always fun, always innovative Winter Park Playhouse. The Andrews Brothers includes 27 Andrews Sisters songs and tells the wacky story of three brothers working for the USO in the South Pacific in 1945. When The Andrews SISTERS (who are scheduled to perform) do NOT arrive, the brothers don wigs and khaki skirts and fill in to entertain the troops. Directed by Michael Edwards and featuring four of the finest singing actors in Florida – Kevin Kelly, Todd Mummert, Roy Alan and Sarah Michele, this promises to be another tuneful, laugh-filled success for the Playhouse. Visit winterparkplayhouse.org or call 407.645.0145.

Mar 2 to 19 – A Bus-Stop at Breakthrough

In 1956 a play opened on Broadway, was nominated for 4 Tony Awards and was turned into a film which provided Marilyn Monroe with one of her most legendary roles.  The play is Bus Stop by William Inge, and it will be presented by the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park from March 2 to 19. Set in a diner west of Kansas City, a snowstorm has caused a weather-enforced layover for the riders in the bus. Stuck in the diner as the snow falls, romantic, quasi-romantic, and explosive relationships … happen. Directed by Joshua Eads-Brown, the role of Cherie will be played by Rochelle Curbow Wheeler. The Breakthrough Theatre is at 419A W. Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park. For reservations call 407-920-4034.

Mar 3 – Sisaundra and a Fundraiser

You may know her as a Billboard Chart Topper or as an Oscar nominee, and you may have seen her as part of Celine Dion’s world tour or as the ‘voice’ of La Nouba.  SHE is Sisaundra, Central Florida’s own home-grown voice and singing sensation, and SHE will perform at the Garden Theatre’s annual fund-raiser on March 3 beginning at 6 pm. Before the performance, guests will enjoy an “Indulgence Dine-Around” and a silent auction.  Following the much-anticipated performance, dessert will be served along with a meet-and-greet with Ms. Sisaundra.  It’s one great evening benefitting one great theater. Reserve your ticket ($100 per person or $175 per pair) at gardentheatre.org/encore.

Mar 4 – Globe Dribblin’

Continuing Orlando’s current claim as the center of the Basketball Universe, the Harlem Globetrotters bring their 2012 World Tour to the UCF Arena on Sunday, March 4 at 2 pm.  This season’s outstanding rookies include Paul “Tiny” Sturgess, the world’s tallest pro basketball player at 7-8, Jonte “Too Tall” Hall, the shortest Globetrotter ever at 5-2, and Fatima Maddox, the team’s first female player since 1993. The new Globetrotters also feature the top three finishers from the 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest, Jacob “Hops” Tucker, John “Jet” Williams, and Darnell “Spider” Wilks. Celebrating their 86th season of ball handling wizardry, the Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 120 countries on 6 continents, breaking cultural barriers while always providing first-class family entertainment. For tickets, visit harlemglobetrotters.com or call 800.745.3000.

Mar 9 – Beethoven’s 5th by the Minnesota Orchestra

A rare, but welcome, performance of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony will be presented by the Minnesota Orchestra on March 9 thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. Adding to the rapturous sound of the evening is violinist phenomenon Midori who will perform Sibelius’ Concerto for Violin in D minor. Led by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, the program also features Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn. Having made her debut at age 11 – with the New York Philharmonic – Midori’s 28-year performing career is seen, and heard, among the greatest before the public today. The concert is set for 8 pm at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre.  Call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org.

Midori by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Mar 9 to May 20 – The Flower Power Concert Series

Along with the always amazing gardens of Disney’s Epcot theme park, MUSIC comes alive this spring as the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival comes to life from March 9 to May 20. Along with Disney’s enchanted gardens and character topiaries, the Festival also features live music from singing stars of the 60’s and 70’s in the Flower Power Concert Series. A different artist is presented each weekend at the America Gardens Theatre with shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 5:15, 6:30, and 7:45 pm. Beginning with Jose Feliciano on March 9 and featuring acts including Starship Starring Mickey Thomas, The Guess Who, Chubby Checker, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and the Turtles, among others, the musical acts are included with theme park admission. Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com

Raffles Resort Canouan Island Jose Feliciano Performance and Dinner at Bellini's== Raffles Resort, Canouan Island, The Grenadines== March 9, 2007== ©Patrick McMullan== Photo-JOE SCHILDHORN/PatrickMcMullan.com

Mar 10 – James Bond and Austin Powers … in CONCERT!

The ‘forces of evil’ better stay away from the Bob Carr PAC on Saturday, March 10 as the Orlando Philharmonic pays tribute to James Bond, Austin Powers, Inspector Clouseau and other spies (and arch-villains) of the cinema with “Bond and Beyond,” performed at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Bob Carr PAC. The concert features music from 007 movies like Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger while Tony-Award-winner Debbie Gravitte provides vocals for James Bond favorites. The concerts will be conducted by Michael Krajewski. For tickets, call 407-770-0071, or visit orlandophil.org

And Not-to-be-Missed … Feb 28 and 29 -- Michael Jackson – The Immortal

The MUST-SEE ticket of the season – MJ – THE IMMORTAL – will have 2-performances-only on February 28 and 29 at the Amway Center in Orlando. This life-changing production combines Michael Jackson’s music with the choreography and athleticism of Cirque du Soleil in a show featuring more than 60 dancers, musicians and acrobats. Tickets at ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators