“Josh Recommends” for the Week of March 31, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

The Morse Museum’s EASTER FREE Open House 
Easter Sunday, April 1 from 1 pm to 4 pm
We should all be grateful to the Morse Museum as the Museum honors our Holiday weekends with the Museum’s welcoming beauty and FREE admission. A Morse tradition, admission to the Morse Museum's magnificent galleries, featuring the world’s largest collection of works by American Artist/Designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, is FREE. This Easter includes the opportunity to see Albert Bierstadt’s monumental 1867 painting “The Domes of the Yosemite,” a huge oil-on-canvas panoramic view of Yosemite Valley. No tickets required. Call 407.645.5311 x100 or visit morsemuseum.org 

Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” Presented by CFCArts Theatre
April 6 to 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. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com 

UCF Celebrates the Arts – An Eight-Day Arts Festival
April 6 to 14
Orlando’s University of Central Florida shines a spotlight on its Art departments in a Festival celebrating eight days of performance and art. Highlights include performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass; a bossa nova concert with the Flying Horse Big Band, choral and chamber concerts, and art exhibits. Visit arts.cah.ucf.edu for the full schedule and instructions on reserving tickets. In years past, the trick has been to get a ticket to any of the lead events as general admission tickets are listed as FREE, and reserved tickets are $5 to $50 at the UCF Box Office. Call 407.823.1500 or email boxoffice[at]ucf.edu.

“Transition,” Original Docudrama Explores Gender Transition
April 6 to 15 at Valencia College East 
Written and directed by Valencia College’s Theater Department Chair, John DiDonna, “Transition” explores the lives, obstacles, hopes and ‘journeys’ facing individuals (and their families) going through “gender transition.” Featuring an ensemble cast from both the transgender and cisgender communities, the play is drawn from first-hand interviews. 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 

Orlando Philharmonic Presents Brahms Symphony No. 1
April 7 at 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Few great works of Art have taken so long to be ‘finished’ as Brahms Symphony No. 1. It took the composer 21 years from original sketches to finishing touches, but the result was worth the effort. Brahms First Symphony is a monumental achievement. The first masterpiece by composer Manuel De Falla is unique in that it is a puppet-opera in one act, adapted from “Don Quixote.” A musical first on the program is a World Premiere by Charles Griffin along with a visual first as Artist Kevork Mourad shares the stage with the Philharmonic in a demonstration of live, real-time painting. Eric Jacobsen conducts. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Dr. Phillips Center presents “Pod Tours America”
April 8 at the Bob Carr Theater
Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tom Vietor, and Dan Pfeiffer are bringing the ‘Pod’ to Orlando for a LIVE conversation about politics, fake news, and the ‘challenges’ posed by the current POTUS. Those challenges are, to some extent, based on resumes that show Favreau served as Barack Obama’s head speechwriter; Lovett served as a speechwriter for Hillary Clinton; Vietor spent a decade as Obama’s National Security Spokesman; and Pfeiffer served Obama for eight years as Communications Director. Each believes he held the most impressive job during the Obama Presidency. And thus it begins …. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

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

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/

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 including the creative responses by Central Florida Artists to Brad Biggs’ thematic challenges. Public Monuments have historically served to commemorate, preserve, and/or politicize our beliefs. 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. FREE to the Public at City Arts Factory in Downtown Orlando, call 407.648.7060 or visit Art-For-All-Spaces-LLC on Facebook. 

“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, tributes to the Millers, 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 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 … 

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure for Young People
FINAL WEEK – NOW to April 8
Better “Move it! Move it!” to Loch Haven Park where the Orlando Rep is becoming one of our nation’s finest theaters for “young people of all ages.” Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo, four ‘pampered’ animals who “run away” from New York’s Central Park Zoo. As they find themselves in the jungles of Madagascar, ‘Feeding time’ rolls round to help them remember “one of the good things they ran away from.” This all-singing, all-dancing, all-ANIMAL musical-adventure is at the Orlando Rep for just one more week. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.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 

From left: Alexander Mrazek, J.D. Sutton (seated), and Steven Lane 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators