Florida Culture for the Week of October 23, 2016 By Josh Garrick 

FINAL WEEK - NOW to October 31 – Phantasmagoria VII: The Cards They Are Dealt
PHANTASMAGORIA is a troupe of ‘Steampunk Survivors’ more dangerous than a band of traveling gypsies, and they are joined by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Wilde, M.R. James and others. Trick or treat yourself to the all new PHANTASMAGORIA VII " at the Shakespeare Center. OMG – the October 31 performance is the Troupe’s 100th Main-stage show!!! DON’T SAY I DIDN’T WARN YOU. For tickets – visit orlandoatplay.com

NOW to Nov 6 – CFCArts’ MetamorphosesA shallow pool serves as the primary scenic element of Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the classical myths as recorded by the Roman poet Ovid (43 BC – 17 AD). ‘Metamorphoses’ harkens back to the origins of theater using an ensemble of actors to retell ancient stories of gods and goddesses. Performed on Broadway and around the world, the CFCArts Theatre Program will present Metamorphoses in their ‘Blackbox’ Theatre at 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd in Orlando. Call 407.937.1800 ext.710 or visit cfcarts.com/metamorphoses

NOW to Nov 6 – ‘Glass Menagerie’ at the Garden Theatre ‘The Glass Menagerie’ is the play that took its author – Tennessee Williams, from obscurity to fame. The man who would eventually be considered by many to be America’s greatest playwright, based the play on his psychologically damaged mother, his sister, and himself. Premiered in Chicago in 1944, the play moved to Broadway where it won the Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945. Directed by Beth Marshall, this production features Anthony Pyatt Jr. in the role of Tom. Call 407.877.4736 or visit BethMarshallPresents.com

NOW to Nov 13 – ‘Rock the Presidents’ at Orlando Rep 
Orlando Rep’s new ‘history’ show is a rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae, and country musical spanning the history of the American Presidency – from Washington to Obama. The Presidents are brought to life through songs including a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. Age-Appropriate Note: Lincoln’s and Kennedy’s assassinations are included with songs that contain the words ‘pistol’ and ‘bullets.’ Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com

NOW to Nov 13 -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Orlando ShakesThe Orlando Shakespeare Theatre’s Halloween presentation is the Jekyll/Hyde story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Frustrated by dull respectability in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll creates a potion that transforms Dr. Jekyll into the brutish Edward Hyde. Hyde’s immoral ‘high life,’ leads to murder. Fascinating and deviant, the play captivates audiences who experience the lead actor transform before them. For tickets, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

NOW to Nov 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow When running for political office in the US of A, the Public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her work-out routine to religious beliefs. SO – what if your candidate is an atheist? Now, in the final weeks of the Presidential election, playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in ‘The God Game’ in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics while exploring the limits of truth, ambition, and faith. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

Oct 25 at 7 pm – Central Florida Guild of Organists ‘SPOOKTACULAR’Organists sometimes play just for fun, and that is exactly what 11 organists will do as they present the annual FREE Guild of Organists Halloween ‘Spooktacular’, at the Chapel on the 18th floor of Lutheran Towers at 300 East Church Street in Orlando. And there’s more. Spirits tell me this year an extraordinary Halloween treat will be offered to a lucky organ student attending the concert. Visit cfago.org

October 26 – Capital Grille Invites Us to ‘Year of the Steak’ at 2nd Harvest Food Bank 
Executive Chef of Capital Grille Michael LaDuke will present a magnificent 5-course menu celebrating the "Year of the Steak" at 2nd Harvest Food Bank with proceeds benefitting 2nd Harvest’s Culinary Training Program. The program provides the formerly unemployed with skills to obtain a position in food service. Capital Grille serves nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, and for this event, Chef Michael brings that renown to the Community Kitchen to raise funds for two great causes. Tickets are $125. Call 407.514.1048 or email ljarvis[at]feedhopenow.org

October 28, 29 & 30 – Orlando Ballet’s DRACULA The Orlando Ballet always has fun with Halloween, and choreographer Michael Pink’s celebrated ballet DRACULA combines the horror of Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 story with dramatic choreography, theatrical sets, and a colorful score by Philip Feeney. THIS familiar story of seduction and transformation is on pointe and as expressive as a silent movie. Consider it an invitation you cannot refuse. Call 844.513.2014 or by visit drphillipscenter.org

October 29 at 6:30 pm – “Masterpiece Moments at Mead” 
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinners to Mead Botanical Garden to enjoy Performing Arts of Maitland’s premiere event “Masterpiece Moments at Mead,” at 1500 S. Denning Dr. in Winter Park. Now in its’ 4th year, this FREE concert offers music of many styles in a beautiful outdoor setting. This family, community, and “date night” event presents the Baroque Chamber Orchestra at 6:30 PM followed by the Maitland Symphony at 7:30 PM. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Winter Park and Lykes Insurance, call 321-303-1404 for more information. 

October 30 at 8 pm – Magic Men LIVE at the Bob Carr 
“Magic Men LIVE” invites ladies to let loose in a fun-filled environment for a night with thrilling production numbers and sexy choreography set to the hottest music. This ‘sophisticated approach’ to ‘ladies night’ offers an exciting cabaret show filled with comedy, sexy dancing, audience participation, and serious muscle. The experience is enhanced with state of the art lighting and sound to captivate women of all ages. Call 844.513.2014. Contains adult material(Age 18 and up) 

Nov 1 to 6 -- Broadway in Orlando – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeHailed as “One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway” by The New York Times, this dazzling adaptation is the Tony Award-winning new play by Simon Stephens. Fifteen-year-old Christopher is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor’s dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an outrageous discovery and a journey that will change his life forever. Call 844.5132014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

November 3 to 6 – PlayFest 2016 at Orlando Shakes – ‘The Pulse Tragedy’
PlayFest 2016 is dedicated to 6 new plays that explore issues surrounding the Pulse tragedy of June 12 including LGBTQ struggles and responses to hatred, discrimination against Hispanics, terrorism, mental health, gun violence, and community responses to violence. Playwright Caridad Svich will offer a keynote address on November 5 at 8 pm called “Creating ‘After Orlando’ (a collection of sixty 3-minute plays) and Global Theatre Initiatives.” Individual tickets: $10 with a PlayFest Package available. Call the Box Office at 407-447-1700 ext. 1 for the complete schedule.

Nov 6 – Kristallnacht Remembered at the Holocaust Memorial Education Center 
This event recalls the day the Nazis destroyed Jewish communities across Europe. Each year the Holocaust Center sponsors a program in remembrance of Kristallnacht – the “Night of Broken Glass.” This year’s commemoration is a theater performance in which actors describe the journey of Teodora Verbitskya, and her experiences in Russia in the first half of the 20th Century. Her artist-daughter Nadia Werbitzky has transformed her mother’s journal into a stunning exhibit. Tickets are FREE; reservations required. Call 407.628.055 or visit holocaustedu.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators