“Josh Recommends” for the Week of June 9, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

FINAL PERFORMANCES - ‘RENT’: 20th Anniversary Tour at Dr. Phillips Center
June 9 & 10 
In 1996 a rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and several Tony Awards. More than two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak to audiences across generations and around the world. Now that award-winning musical returns to the stage in a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and not-to-be-missed 20th anniversary production. A contemporary take on Puccini's “La Bohème,” RENT follows the lives of seven struggling artists whose message of hope reminds us of the one thing that truly matters – LOVE. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

Steinway Piano Competition Winners in Free Recital 
June 10 at 2:30 pm
Selected winners of the Steinway Piano Competition will perform in a Free Recital at the Steinway Piano Galleries at Ashby Square at 520 W. Hwy. 436 in Altamonte Springs. The competition, held in April, was hosted by Steinway & Sons with competitions held nationwide. There were 12 winners (age 18 and under) out of the 40 students who competed before a judging panel. The Steinway Society provides pianos and music education to young children in economic need in a program of complimentary piano lessons for children at locations in Orange and Seminole counties. Visit steinwaysocietyorlando.com. 

Judges for the regional Steinway Piano Competition are Dr. Gary Wolfe, Dr. Yun-Ling Hsu and Sean Kennard (photo: Carol Wonsavage) 

DAVID BLAINE, Magician and “Endurance” Artist 
June 11 at 8 pm 
Arguably the most famous magician in the world today, David Blaine is an American magician, illusionist and endurance artist best known for his high-profile feats of endurance – some of which is truly hard to watch. As such he has set and broken several world records. NOT for the faint of heart, several VIP packages, including merchandise items, are offered for this performance, a part of Morgan Stanley Moments at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

The World Ballet Competition
June 11 – Competition Opens
June 16 – All-Star Gala Performance at the Bob Carr Theater 
The World Ballet Competition brings four days of intense ballet competition to Orlando from an elite group of ballet dancers from 25 countries, competing for scholarships, cash prizes and contract offers from dance companies around the world. Now in its 12th year, this “Olympics of Dance” culminates in a star-studded All Stars Performance Gala on Saturday, June 16 with what Matt Palm of the Orlando Sentinel called “A steady stream of wow-wow-wow.” Central Florida Ballet, producers of the WBC, has selected an impressive roster of ballet stars for this year’s event including Christye Alan, Ashley Bouder, Anaïs Chalendard, Denys Drozdyuk, Joseph Gatti, Lasha Khozashvili, Patrick Palkens, Daniel Ulbricht, and Venus Villa, among others. For tickets visit worldballetcompetition.com. 

Central Florida Community Arts Presents Symphonic Cinema: The Sequel 
June 15 & 16 at 8 pm 
Performed by Over 150 Members of the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra, CFCArts presents Symphonic Cinema: The Sequel, performed by the Orchestra with a special appearance by 60 voices from the CFCArts Choir. The concert includes music from classic modern films to timeless memories from the silver screen. “You'll hear and experience something you never thought a community orchestra could do,” says Justin Muchoney, conductor of the CFCArts Symphony. “The size of our orchestra brings a power, emotion, passion, and energy that is perfectly suited for film scores like these.” Performed at Calvary Orlando at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park, tickets are $10, $15 and $25. (age 12 and under free). Visit CFCArts.com/Cinema or call 407-937-1800 ext. 710 

Orlando’s ‘Solutionary’ Peace Walk & Festival 
June 16 from 10 am to 4 pm -- Peace Walk starts at 11 am 
Join the “Solutionary Species Community” and walk with Solutionary Events and Vegetarians of Central Florida to celebrate peace, health, and compassion. Meet at the Northeast Corner of Lake Eola Park (E. Washington St) for a peaceful and educational one mile walk around Lake Eola Park, vegan food, live music, speakers, yoga, eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors, educational resources, activities for youth and more. Admission is FREE, and the Peace Walk begins at 11 am. E-mail organizers[at]solutionaryevents.com or call 941-730-4745

An Evening with Chelsea Handler 
June 21 at 8 pm
This sounds amazingly cool. We are invited to join comedian, activist, and author Chelsea Handler as she returns to Orlando for an evening of conversation – with NO topic off limits. This is the way it’s supposed to work: Chelsea and her ‘to-be-announced’ guest will spend 50 minutes on-stage in conversation, and after that, it’s our turn. Chelsea wants to hear from US, so for the next 30 minutes, get ready for an in-depth audience Q+A. Think about your question and expect to learn a little, be surprised, and enjoy this special event. She’s looking for real dialogue – NOT right- or left-wing banter. It’s about US letting her know what matters to us – in some ‘real’ conversation. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

DONNY & MARIE at the Dr. Phillips Center 
June 30 at 8 pm 
With the chemistry that made them international stars, America’s most famous Brother/Sister act will bring their beloved selves and their beloved show to the Dr. Phillips Center for one performance only on June 30. Mixed with the dynamism of their television specials, ‘Donny & Marie’ features hits from their world famous careers including fan favorites – “A Little Bit Country,” “Paper Roses,” and “It Takes Two” in production numbers drawn from their extraordinary run at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. They’ve been named Best Show by the Las Vegas Review Journal for three years in a row, and Entertainment Weekly makes it even simpler by calling their live performance “Insanely entertaining.” For tickets, visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

Current – Orlando FRINGE Festival Sets Sold-Out Records
The number of shows that had SOLD OUT houses set a new record at this year's Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Executive Director Alauna Friskics announced. The 27th annual festival, which ran from May 15 to 28 at Orlando's Loch Haven Park, completely sold out 147 shows, “shattering the record of 98 shows from last year," said Friskics. This year the Festival drew over 72,000 people – an increase of 3% over the previous year with 100% of ticket sales going to the performing artists. This year, thanks to the crowds, $425,000 went to the artists. Fringe fans – old and new – can look forward to the Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest which will return in January. Visit orlandofringe.org for news and updates.

On-going … 

Tony Award Winning Musical – “Fun Home” at the Mad Cow Theatre 
NOW to July 1
Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Fun Home is a tragi-comedy about family and sexual identity. Adapted from Alison Bechdel ‘s graphic memoir, Fun Home adds music to a heart-wrenching and hilarious script. Following Alison’s journey into her sexual identity and her relationship with her closeted father, the story is told through the theatrical device of three Alisons – small, medium, and large – who take the audience through a compelling memoir of first experiences, coming of age and loss. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators