Florida Culture for the Week of March 2, 2015 by Josh Garrick

Now to March 22 – Orlando Shakespeare’s Classic Repertory Season

The brash young King Henry V of England repairs his broken nation after a bloody civil war as Shakespeare’s most famous history play explores what makes a man a king. In another theater, The Merry Wives of Windsor take a turn at 1950’s TV comedy while protecting their virtue from a lascivious old bachelor.  These ‘Highly Recommended’ performances make up Orlando Shake’s Classic Repertory Season through March 22. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

Mar 2 to April 5 – Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly at Orlando Rep

Is Spider getting too big for his skin? Will Fly find her ‘super-hero-powers’ in time to save Aunt Rita? Will Worm learn to stand on his own feet (even though worms don’t have feet)?  The Orlando Rep invites your family to take a look at the world from a bug’s perspective (on one of the Season’s most inventive sets) with the message that our lives may not be all that different. Call 407.896.7365 or visitorlandorep.com

Mar 6 to May 17 – Maitland Art Center opens Photography Exhibit by Clyde Butcher

Known as ‘the Ansel Adams of the Everglades,’ the photography of Clyde Butcher will be celebrated with an Opening at A&H’s Maitland Art Center on March 6 beginning at 6:30 pm. Mr. Butcher has been honored by the State of Florida with the Artist Hall of Fame Award; the exhibit will run through May 17. The Opening Night will also include art installations as guests enjoy live music, food from 4Rivers Smokehouse, films, literary readings and a print-making activity. Tickets are $5. Visit artandhistory.org or call 407-539-2181.

March 6 – Young Musical Artists presented by American Guild of Organists

Five rising young ‘stars’ will perform a diverse organ concert on March 6 at 7:30 pm at Winter Park Presbyterian Church. The Free performance features Thomas Ingui, Assel Jean-Pierre, Alice Robinson, Michael LeGrand, and Steven Rabanal performing music ranging from J.S. Bach to Steven Scott. A reception, to meet and greet these stellar students, will follow the performance. Contact Tom DeWitt at [email protected]  or call 407-647-1467.

Mar 6, 7 & 8 – Orlando Ballet’s Battle of the Sexes: A New Fight

The Orlando Ballet has been ‘fighting’ the Battle of the Sexes for years, and this new version brings that artistic dance to the stage of the Dr. Phillips Center. Classical ballet movements are integrated with hip-hop and modern dance set to chart-topping hits and pop/rock anthems with new choreography and world premieres of dances created by Robert Hill, Arcadian Broad, Telmo Moreira and Chiaki Yasukawa. Visit orlandoballet.org or call 407.426.1739.

Battle of the Sexes, photo credit Michael Cairns

Mar 6 to 28 – A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine

This Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is actually two one-act plays in a LIVE double feature more hilarious than any from Hollywood's heyday. The first is a ‘Song & Dance Salute’ to the Golden Age of film musicals, and the second is a fun-filled Marx Brothers farce with LIVE comedy routines.  At the Winter Park Playhouse, call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

March 7 – Orlando Phil presents Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies

John Goberman, creator of Live from Lincoln Center, will bring us the magic of scenes from Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and more – projected on the big screen, with the scores performed live by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Our favorite Pops Conductor Andrew Lane will bring his own magic to the Bob Carr Theater for two performances on March 7 at 2 pm and 8 pm as we enjoy highlights from our favorite movie musicals. Call 407.770.0071or visit orlandophil.org

March 7 -- The US Navy Band FREE at the Dr. Phillips Center

Making good on their promise of “Arts for Every Life,” the new Dr. Phillips Center will join with Florida Blue to present a FREE concert series in the outdoor Seneff Arts Plaza (which can accommodate 3,000 guests). “Florida Blue’s support helps us make the Seneff Arts Plaza an ideal gathering place for the community,” says Kathy Ramsberger, President of the Center. The Florida Blue Free Concert Series will present the US Navy Band on March 7 at 4 pm – FREE and open to the public. No reservations required, but a blanket would be a good idea.

March 7 – Fresh from the Field Dinner for Cystic Fibrosis

We are at our best when we offer our talents to help those who need it most as Disney’s Executive Chef Robert Ciborowski will on March 7 beginning at 5:30 pm at Tucker Ranch in Winter Garden. The Fresh from the Field Dinner benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with proceeds going to ‘education, research and awareness.’ Chefs, staff, equipment, food and drinks and the venue are all being donated to help the fundraiser raise the funds. Please visit www.cff.org/Chapters/Orlando and click on Fresh From the Field

March 7 – SKELETONS Coming to International Drive in Orlando

Oh – the HORROR! Flesh-Eating-Beetles are coming to Orlando … BUT FEAR NOT – the Dermestid Beetles, are part of the experience at a new attraction coming to International Drive. Opening on March 7, SKELETONS is a museum/attraction exhibiting over 300 (real) skeletons and skulls representing 300 different animal species (including humans). Part of the I-Drive 360 Complex, SKELETONS is located at 8441 International Drive in Orlando. Visit skeletonmuseum.com or call 407.766.5179.

Dermestid Beetles cleaning a skull of flesh.

March 7 – Norbert Leo Butz – from Broadway to The Abbey

In his new show Girls, Girls, Girls, Tony-Award-winning Norbert Leo Butz performs music from Elvis Costello, Loretta Lynn, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. This Broadway Star, who took home Tony Awards for performances in Catch Me If You Can and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, is bringing his show to The Abbey in Orlando on March 7 at 8 pm. Tickets $50 and $75 for VIP; visit TicketWeb.com or AbbeyOrlando.com

March 8 – ‘Open House’ for Florida House

Commanding its view of the Capitol Dome, Florida House is the only ‘home’ for a state embassy in Washington, D.C.  Since 1973, the beautifully restored 1891 Victorian has welcomed visiting Floridians, students, dignitaries, and elected officials with a cold glass of Florida orange juice. An Open House Fundraiser for Florida House will take place on March 8 beginning at 3 pm. Open to the public by reservation in a private home in Winter Park, tickets are $125 per couple. Call 407 222 5535 for tickets.

March 10 to 15 – MOTOWN THE MUSICAL at the Dr. Phillips Center

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is the true story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul. His vision launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and many more. Featuring more than 50 classic hits such as My Girl and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, the Musical tells how Motown shattered barriers, shaped lives and made us move to the beat. Call 800.448.6322 or 844.513.2014 or visit orlandobroadway.com

March 11 to 28 – VarieTEASE Presents New Show Carnies

Orlando favorite Blue Star brings her renowned VarieTEASE to The Abbey with a brand new show, Carnies.  VarieTEASE is an innovative, music and art-dance company that has thrived in Orlando for over 10 years with its provocative exploration of life through dance, multimedia and sound. Carnies is perfect for this ‘unconventional exploration’ of what happens when the lights go down and the vagabond Carnies live their loves and lives in the shadows -- just this side of the spotlight. Visit TicketWeb.com or call 866.468.7630

March 12, 13, & 14 – The Three Musketeers at Winter Park High School 

We may all mix pride with romance as the Winter Park High School Drama Department invites us to the French romantic classic, The Three Musketeers. See the legendary D’Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis ‘swash and buckle’ their way through Ken Ludwig’s updated translation of the Dumas novel. Running March 12 to14 at 7 pm at the Winter Park Campus Auditorium, tickets are $10 at the door. Write to winterparkdrama[at]gmail.com

March 13 to April 10 – Orlando Camera Club Photos at Jai Gallery

The Orlando Camera Club will present Insight, a Juried Group Exhibit by the Orlando Camera Club opening March 13 at 6 pm at Jai Gallery at 47 East Robinson Street in Downtown Orlando. Of 111 images entered by OCC member photographers, 35 were selected for exhibition and display at the gallery through April 10. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 321.216.1646

Mangrove II  © Melodi Roberts

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators