“Josh Recommends” for the Week of September 29, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

OPENING NIGHT -- The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Presents …
Sept 29 at 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater 
For the Opening Night of the Orlando Philharmonic season, Conductor Eric Jacobsen embraces diversity with music influenced by international songs and rhythms. This concert, featuring Respighi's “Pines of Rome,” evokes Latin American dances by Franck, Scottish traditions by Bruch, a portrait of Rome by Respighi, and introduces the Orlando Philharmonic Composer-in-Residence, Angélica Negrón and soprano Maria Laetitia from Puerto Rico.
Visit orlandophil.org or call 407.770.0071 

FINAL WEEKEND -- “A Year with Frog and Toad”
NOW to Sept 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. Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, this joyful musical celebrates diversity and the power of friendship, and is perfect for the whole family. Call 407 896 7365 or visit orlandorep.com .

“In the Heights” at Orlando Shakespeare Theater
NOW to Oct 7
For the past several years, Orlando Shakes’ has begun each season with a big – and brilliantly produced – musical. This year the musical 'In the Heights' tells the story of New York’s vibrant Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the open windows carry the rhythm of three generations of music. The musical won the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. For tickets, please visit orlandoshakes.org 

“Noises Off” by CFCArts Theatre
NOW to Oct 7 
This frantically funny farce by Michael Frayn shows us a “play within a play” so that we – the audience – get a crazy backstage view of the chaos that ensues as the “show MUST go on.” Our hopes dim as the production deteriorates into comic disarray involving “actors” carrying on rocky love interests, doors that don’t work, incompetent performers, and a pregnant stage manager. Come and see what lunacy can happen when you take a show on-tour and what it takes to keep a cast on the stage – when they’re supposed to be – on-stage. Visit CFCArts.com or call 407 937 1800 

Irving Berlin’s “I Love a Piano” at the Winter Park Playhouse 
NOW to Oct 14
The Winter Park Playhouse is known for musicals that celebrate the songs of our great composers. Our country could use a “feel-good” musical right now and who better to give it to us than the songs of HOPE from Irving Berlin? Their current “I Love a Piano” follows the journey of a piano from its first days in Tin Pan Alley to the 1950's. The story includes over 60 of the amazing 1500 songs he wrote including "Blue Skies," "There's No Business Like Show Business," and "God Bless America." Of course WE can only know a handful of Mr. Berlin’s out-put, but the Playhouse puts forth a valiant effort to offer as many of his songs as possible as they celebrate America’s “happiest” and most prolific composer. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

“Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook” at Orlando REP
NOW to Nov 4 
Junie B. Jones returns to Orlando REP in an all-new show – this one dealing with HONESTY. Apparently someone has stolen Junie B.’s mittens, but then Junie B. finds an awesome pen, so it’s okay to keep it, right? AND there’s a handsome new boy in class who Junie is determined to impress, so since Junie found the pen, she is not a crook, right? Junie B. struggles with the issue of honesty in this hilarious and heartfelt story based on the best-selling book series by Barbara Park. Call 407 896 7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Jan Kalab – “Soul of Graffiti” 
NOW to December 2 
Prague artist Jan Kaláb is known internationally for his innovative 3-D graffiti. Born in 1978 at a time when graffiti was a form of protest in Eastern Europe, he made a name for himself in the 1990s as the country opened to Western influences. Kaláb took his art to New York in 2000, painting train cars with other artists. His Polasek Museum exhibit includes sculptures, paintings, and a new installation. “Kaláb’s style is diametrically opposite to the classic sculptures of museum founder Albin Polasek,” said Polasek Curator Rachel Frisby. “This exhibit demonstrates just how far art has evolved in the Czech Republic from Polasek’s time to the present day.” Call 407.647.6294 or visit Polasek.org 

“Dangerous Women” -- Selections from the Ringling Museum of Art
NOW to Dec 12 
Women of the Bible went from paragons of virtue to deadly temptresses. These women – from Salome to Mary Magdalene – shaped biblical history, often depicted by Renaissance and Baroque artists as an excuse for presenting sensuous female nudes. Other times, however, they were portrayed for the moral messages conveyed by their stories. The exhibition “Dangerous Women” at the Cornell Museum at Rollins College presents more than twenty works from the Ringling Museum of Art which explore artists' responses to these women. The exhibit is made even more important as the paintings are accompanied by Old Master prints and concludes with the modern Salome of Robert Henri. A lecture series accompanies the exhibit. Call 407.646.2526 or visit rollins.edu 

“Nick Cave: Feat” at the Orlando Museum of Art 
NOW to Dec. 30 
Chicago-based artist Nick Cave’s creations remind us of a Mardi Gras parade -- bursting with colors and textures that are fun for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. But a deeper look at Cave’s work reveals issues of identity, social injustice, race, and gun violence. His trademark human-shaped sculptures began as a response to the beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles more than 25 years ago. As an African-American man, Cave felt vulnerable after the incident so he created a type of “armor” that protected him from profiling by concealing his race, gender, and class. This personally immersive installation was organized by the Frist Art Museum in Nashville. Visit omart.org/exhibitions or call 407.896.4231 

… And Opening Soon … 

“Haunted Tours” of Maitland Art Center
Oct 5 and Oct 28 beginning at 6 pm with final tours at 9 pm 
Visit A&H’s Maitland Art Center campus for “Artistic” ghost stories and a guided tour around “one of the most haunted spots in Florida.” On the tour, you’ll hear the history of the facility built by Artist J. André Smith from 1937 to 1959. The high walls of the center were created to keep curious minds from encroaching on Smith’s territory, and the A&H staff still feels the presence of André 58 years later, letting it be known “when he is not happy.” Tours begin every 30 minutes for a 45 min tour; limited to 10 guests per tour. Advance tickets: $10 member, $15 general. Visit artandhistory.org  

“The Mystery of Irma Vep” at Orlando Shakespeare 
Oct 10 to Nov 18 
Years ago this fall-out-of-your-seat-laughing comedy was a vehicle for playwright Charles Ludlam to ‘prove’ that a hilarious murder-mystery could be played on a tiny stage with two actors (who were also quick-change artists). Now Orlando Shakes is presenting this “Gothic horror” with actor Chris Crawford playing Lord Edgar, Jane Twisden, An Intruder, and Irma Vep while his comrade in arms Brad DePlanche also plays four roles. Add to that ‘plot-line,’ vampires, werewolves, and the resurrection of an Egyptian princess in Gothic England as you laugh along with this deliriously melodramatic and farcical comedy. Directed by Jim Helsinger (who never misses a comic possibility), call 407.447.1700 x1 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

The Orlando Ballet’s “Carmina Burana” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Oct 12, 13, and 14 
In celebration of Artistic Director Robert Hill’s 10th anniversary with the company, the Orlando Ballet will open its 45th season with “Carmina Burana,” in collaboration with the Bach Festival Society. The Orlando Ballet premiered “Carmina Burana” in 2013 in a performance that concluded the grand opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Brought back to celebrate Hill’s decade as Artistic Director, the Ballet will join with Winter Park’s Bach Festival to produce a unique collaboration. The Bach Festival will provide live accompaniment and vocals to “Carmina Burana” during each performance. Tickets start at just $19! Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014. 

Take Cover !! – “The (Hitchcockian) Birds” ARE BACK !!
Oct 12 to 28 
“The Birds” is a gripping and unsettling look at humans in the face of societal collapse. Conor McPherson’s stage adaptation of “The Birds” – based on Daphne du Maurier’s short story (the same source material as Hitchcock’s thriller), follows the lives of two strangers taking refuge from the attacking birds in their lakeside town. Set in an isolated house, strangers Diane and Nat must learn to live together as they hide from the attacking birds, but tensions mount when another survivor enters the home and disrupts their already strained relationship. At the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, for tickets call 407.877.4736 x0 or visit gardentheatre.org. 

“Dia de los Muertos” (Halloween) Party at the City Arts (Monster) Factory 
Oct. 18 beginning at 6 pm 
For the most creative “Halloween Party” of the year, don’t miss the evening hosted by the Downtown Arts District at the City Arts Factory at 29 S. Orange Ave in Orlando. Exhibiting and ‘inspired by’ Day of the Dead and Halloween art from Artists all over the country, those clever folks at CityArts combine this always unique art show with a costumed street party on Opening Night with food, drinks, entertainment and spooky Artists offering specially created “Halloween Art.” Presented by the Downtown Arts District, the suggested donation is $5. For more visit DDLM2018.eventbrite.com 

“Young Frankenstein” at the CFCArts ‘Black-box’ Theatre
Oct 19 to Nov 4 
With music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, this stage adaptation of the 1974 cult classic movie by the same name, features the grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein -- Frederick Frankenstein and his sidekick, Igor. As Frederick sets out to create his own monster, this story of science, friendship, and (even) love, “Young Frankenstein” is a comic spin-off of the classic novel. Full of songs and surprises, you’ll leave this show laughing and singing your own version of “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” and you may even witness a medical miracle! With some adult language, parental discretion is advised. Visit CFCArts.com or call 407.937.1800.

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators