Florida Culture for the Week of September 3, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

FINAL WEEK -- NOW to Sept 10 – ‘The Amish Project’ Deals with the Inexplicable
The Mad Cow Theater is founded on the belief that “Theatre is a dynamic and powerful means of social understanding.” That belief is tested to the limit in Jessica Dickey’s ‘The Amish Project,’ which begins with the headline, “Man Enters Amish School-house and Opens Fire.” Actress Trenell Mooring conveys the emotions of ALL these people – men, women, and murderer; ONE actress plays ALL the roles. What Ms. Mooring achieves – performing ALL the roles – must be seen to be believed. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

FINAL WEEK -- NOW to Sept 11 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents “A CHORUS LINE” 
I’ve seen some great productions on the ‘intimate’ stage at the Breakthrough Theatre, and I am still in disbelief as to HOW Breakthrough handles the all-singing, all dancing ‘A CHORUS LINE.’ I’ll keep it simple. ‘A CHORUS LINE’ is among the greatest musicals of all time, and what Wade Hair and company have created is a small miracle. This up-close-and-personal performance is one powerhouse number after another, and the amazing cast gives you every note of the CHORUS LINE experience. These performances will SELL OUT at $12 to $20. Call 407.920.4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com 

Sept 5 to Oct 22 – Disney’s “Newsies” at the Orlando Rep 
The Orlando REP proudly announces the opening of its new season as the first theatre in the southeastern United States to present the Drama Desk and Tony Award-winning “Newsies the Musical.” Inspired by the real-life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,’ this Disney musical tells of publishing guru Joseph Pulitzer raising the price of newspapers at the newsboys’ expense. Against all odds, one young leader rises up to help “the little guys” stand up and ‘seize the day.’ For YOUR thrilling dose of inspiration, call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

Sept 6 to Oct 8 – Orlando Shakes’ Opens Season with “Man of La Mancha” 
Having inspired audiences for decades, the Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” opens the new season for our brilliant Shakespeare Company. From one of the greatest novels in Western literature, “Man of La Mancha” tells of the aging Don Quixote as his flights of fancy transform his dungeon home into a magical landscape of epic battles, majestic lords and ladies, and a ‘glorious quest.’ Featuring Broadway legend Davis Gaines performing the classic “The Impossible Dream,” the musical is a glorious affirmation of the strength of the human spirit. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Sept 6 to 28 – Sanford Seminole Art Association Exhibit 
Organized in 1959, the SSAA is one of the oldest cultural groups in Seminole County. The group will open an exhibit of members' artwork on September 9 beginning at 6 pm at the Casselberry Art House at 127 Quail Pond Circle. The Opening is FREE and open to the Public. Titled "Everything Latin," the exhibit will feature both two and three-dimensional artwork and will be on display through September 28th. Call 407.951.5607 or visit SanfordSeminoleArt.com 

‘Bull Fighter,’ a watercolor painting by Mike Bisceglia, member SSAA

Sept 8 to Oct 1 – “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Garden Theatre
When Rob Winn Anderson brings the community together to produce a BIG musical at the Garden Theatre, it’s a touch of Broadway in Winter Garden. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is the brilliant rock opera that follows Christ during his last days on Earth with lyrics adapted from the Gospels. From Jesus’ meteoric rise to popularity to his crucifixion, this production is a moving testament to the humanity in all of us. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org  

September 10 at 4 pm – “Bach, Britten, Brahms & Gaga” from Maitland’s Baroque Chamber Orchestra
Enjoy an afternoon concert by the always-unique Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Maitland as they perform selections including: “Bach’s Brandenburg No 3,” “Britten’s dynamic Simple Symphony,” “Brahms Hungarian (Gypsy) Dance No. 6,” AND Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” (arranged in the style of a Bach fugue)! Admission is $10 at the door at the Maitland Civic Center at 641 S. Maitland Ave. Call 321.303.1404 or visit pamaitland.org

September 12 to 17 – The Broadway Tour of “The King and I” 
“Worlds collide” in 1860’s Bangkok, the setting for one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s greatest musicals and winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. “The KING and I” features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” and “Shall We Dance.” This Lincoln Center production tells the story of the tempestuous relationship between the King of Siam and a British school-teacher brought to Siam to teach his wives and children. This “landmark production” opens the Broadway season at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

September 14 to 17 -- The Mall at Millenia’s 12th Annual Fashion Week 
The International Fashion World comes to Orlando with inspired events, in-store celebrations and three runway shows filled with must-have trends for Fall 2017. The Mall at Millenia and its world-class designers invite us to “Fashion’s Night In,’ a fundraiser for the Coalition for the Homeless (Sept 14); the “Fashion for All Runway Show (Sept 16); and the “Fashion Brunch & Boutique Stroll” (Sept 17) along with unique in-store shopping surprises. For full schedule details, visit milleniafashionweek.com

September 15 at 8 pm-- Steven Wright’s ‘Absurdist’ Comedy at The Plaza Live/Orlando
Without ever raising his voice, Academy Award winning comic Steven Wright got his big break in 1982 with back-to-back performances on the “Tonight Show.” He earned a Grammy nomination and his first HBO special in 1985, and without ever giving up LIVE stand-up, Wright won his Academy Award (for Best Short Film) in 1989 leading to an amazing film career with many of the world’s great directors. The first inductee into The Boston Comedy Hall of Fame in 2008, he received The Johnny Carson Comedy Legend Award in 2013. At The Plaza Live in Orlando, call 407.228.1220 or visit plazaliveorlando.org 

Sept 15 & 16 at 8 pm – Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra’s ‘Vocal Jazz Summit’
Already extended to a second performance due to popular demand, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of Rodney Whitaker, will present two evenings of unforgettable hits from the ‘Great American Songbook.’ Joining the eighteen-piece jazz band are acclaimed vocalists Michelle Amato, Linda Cole, Michelle Maihot, Rick Melvern, and David Pruyn. Tickets for this HIGHLY RECOMMENDED performance are $39.50 and may be purchased at drphillipscenter.org or by calling 844.513.2014.

September 15 to October 8 – “Life Could Be a Dream” at the Winter Park Playhouse
I know – LIFE often IS a DREAM at the Winter Park Playhouse, but this Florida Premiere is ‘super-dreamy’ as it calls up those ‘doo-wop’ days of the 1960’s. A singing group prepares to enter the Big Whopper Radio Contest, and winning would, of course, launch them to stardom. With a score of classic hits including “Fools Fall in Love,” “Tears on My Pillow,” “Earth Angel,” and “Unchained Melody,” this promises to be classic Winter Park Playhouse FUN. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators