“Josh Recommends” for the Week of September 2, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

YOU CAN HELP those in need at “TASTE! CENTRAL FLORIDA” 
Saturday, September 8, 2018 
It’s a local event, featuring local chefs and wine and beverage vendors for a most necessary local cause. IT’S SO WRONG that one in five children goes to bed HUNGRY in Central Florida, but “Taste! Central Florida” is the annual celebration of FOOD that comes together to raise funds for childhood hunger relief. Offering an evening of tasting portions, fine wines, craft beers, and cocktails,” Taste! Central Florida” is one of the largest fundraisers of the year to combat children’s hunger. 100% of event proceeds goes directly to Second Harvest Food Bank and Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. Buy a ticket. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Visit tastecfl.org or www.facebook.com/tastecentralflorida 

Gypsy’s Mama Rose ‘Sings Out’ in Winter Garden 
NOW to September 16 
One of the great American musicals – Gypsy – opened the Fall Performance season in Winter Garden on August 24 and this story of the world’s most overbearing stage mother is so brilliant, I thought I was in a Broadway theater – THAT is how great the cast is! We should be able to nominate Andrea Canny for a Tony Award – THAT is how great she is. The presence of Mama Rose fills the stage and then sings with the voice of an angel. This is already the “must-see” performance of the season. The score includes the huge Broadway hits “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and the production includes some of the greatest talent in Central Florida including direction and choreography by Tom Vazzana, Andrea Canny as Mama Rose, Andrea Stack as Louise, and Arcadian Broad as Tulsa. Call 407.877.4736 X 0 or visit gardentheatre.org. 

“A Year with Frog and Toad”
Sept 8 to 30 
The All-Family shows at the Orlando Repertory may be for children, but each one has a “life message” to share on all age levels. Celebrating the value of friendship, this Tony Award-nominated musical follows Frog and Toad through a year of fun-filled seasons. With the help of their forest friends, Frog and Toad learn about activities from swimming to sledding. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, this joyful musical celebrates diversity and the power of friendship. With catchy songs and larger-than-life characters, this show is perfect for the whole family. Plus – this season – you can talk with your little ones about the colorful and imaginative renovation to the Theater’s lobby that was finished over the summer. Call 407 896 7365 or visit orlandorep.com

“Jack Kerouac - End of the Road” with David McElroy 
Sept 14 to 16 
Jack Kerouac has deep roots in Central Florida where “the Father of the Beats” wrote the manuscript of his greatest work – “On the Road,” living on liquor and cigarettes in College Park, Florida. As written by Steve Rowell and David McElroy, Kerouac was deeply conflicted about his legacy by the time he drank himself to death at 47, and this one-man show finds Kerouac fighting his demons while preparing for a television appearance. McElroy, known for his one-man “A Christmas Carol” is a Master of the single gesture or vocal change to alert the audience to important moments. Like “On the Road,” the one person-script is RE-Acting with a touch of poetry and may be seen as a gift to fans of Kerouac at the Blue Bamboo Center at 1905 Kentucky Ave in Winter Park. Call 407.636.9951 or visit bluebambooartcenter.com 

Welcome to “Shrek the Musical! at Breakthrough Theatre 
NOW to Sept 24 
Tristan Bishop has been singing on-stage since age 3 and has shared the stage with legends including Ray Charles, James Brown, the Temptations, LL Cool J and more. Most recently seen as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie” at the Dr. Phillips Center, Tristan's first production with the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will be the lead in “Shrek the Musical.” The lovable ogre may be seen through Sept 24 at Breakthrough, but please remember the theater is small and tickets are going fast. Visit breakthroughtheatre.com or make reservations at 407.920.4034. Let Your Freak Flag Wave!

The Sanford Seminole Art Association's "A Splash of Color” 
Sept 5 to 27 
With a “something for everyone” point of view presenting art forms from traditional still-lifes and landscapes to contemporary abstract works the Sanford Seminole Art Association's fall art exhibit, titled "A Splash of Color," will be presented at the Casselberry Art House through September 27. Featuring both 2-D and 3-D art by the association's members, the Public is invited to an opening reception on September 7 from 6 to 8 pm at 127 Quail Pond Circle at Lake Concord Park. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Call 407.951.5607

"Birdwell's Mill," oil painting by Georgia Hershiser 

"Tiger Swallowtail" oil painting by Jill Cross

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators