“Josh Recommends” for the Week of June 14, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

… NEW and Continuing 

Story-Time Sing Along at Breakthrough Theatre in Winter Park 
June 29 at 10 am 
The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park is starting a new monthly event! One Saturday a month, Wade Hair and Company will host a sing-a-long and story-time hour. This event, aimed at children ages 2-10 (but all ages are welcome), will feature sing-a-longs of your kid’s favorite songs and the reading of 2 books. Each month will have a different theme: this month's theme: BE YOURSELF! Visit breakthroughtheatre/events

Direct from Broadway – “Come From Away”
NOW to June 16 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
On 9.11, the world stopped. On 9.12, their stories moved us all. This New York Times ‘Critics’ Pick’ takes us into the hearts of the true stories of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clash, but uneasiness turns into trust and gratitude grows into friendship. “Come From Away” is a Best Musical winner written by Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and directed by Tony-winning Best Director Christopher Ashley. 

‘ONCE’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
NOW to June 30 
Talk about “Highly Recommended,” this emotionally captivating musical is the only show to have won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award! ‘ONCE’ draws you in. From the streets of Dublin, where an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant come together by their love of music, friendship evolves into a powerful love story. Based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney, for tickets call 407.297.8788 or visit MadCowTheatre.com 

“Snow White” presented by Orlando Shakes
NOW to July 28
“Snow White,” adapted by the always funny Brandon Roberts, comes to life onstage in a comic re-telling of the classic tale of love, envy, and magic. Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the wicked queen banishes Snow White to the woods where “Snow” must rely on her courage and intelligence to outsmart the evil queen. Director of Education Anne Hering says. “This adaptation brings a fun and new take on Snow White while honoring its core message about love and courage.” Join the cast for some interactive pre-show fun called, “Shake Out the Sillies” prior to each performance. Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 ext. 1 

Library Pop-Up Fun at Horizons West
June 14, 21, & 28 at 10:30 am 
The Orange County Library System is bringing fun for the whole family this summer with “Library Pop-Ups” at Horizons West. On June 14, journey to the far reaches of outer space with “Mad Science Live” where you will travel amongst the planets, meet friendly aliens and cook up a kitchen comet with our favorite Mad Scientists at Waterleigh Community Clubhouse, 10482 Atwater Bay Drive on June 14, 21 & 28 at 10:30 am. To register, visit https://attend.ocls.info/event/2495245 

FATHER’S DAY 
June 16 
A reminder for that one day out of the year to forget the “Honey-Do List,” and find something to do that DAD (and family) will enjoy. Anyone for tickets ?? 

3rd Annual Florida Festival of New Musicals
June 20 to 23
This four-day festival showcases six brand new, never-before-produced musicals. One act of each musical is read and sung concert-style, without staging, by casts of professional actors and musicians. The 6 new musicals within the festival include: Betwixt and Between, Flaming Volcano Bed and Breakfast, Good Girls Only, No Need for Trojans, The Island of Misfits, and ThreeTimesFast. Tickets at $10 guarantee a seat on first come basis. Call 407 645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.com for complete schedule.

The Alive Artist’s Group presents “Vision”
June 20 to July 13 at City Arts, Gallery B
With the serious belief that Art-making has the ability to move people along their journey of grief and loss, we are invited to the “2nd annual ALIVE art exhibit,” which highlights the creativity of 49 artists honoring the PULSE tragedy. Creating art inspired by feelings of healing and hope, the exhibit is held in observance of the third anniversary of the Pulse tragedy with an opening reception on June 20 from 6 pm to 9 pm at CITYARTS. The evening will include music, an art print sale and raffles. Visit “The Alive Artists Group” on facebook. 

“Bye Bye Birdie” by CFCArts 
July 5 to July 28
In a more than slightly familiar story from the 1960’s about a hip-swaying rock-star, Conrad Birdie has been drafted to the US Army. Women love him and teen-age girls scream at the sound of his name but no one is less happy than his manager Albert Peterson, who sees his “cash cow” ready to fly the coop. Peterson sends Birdie to small town in Ohio to say his last goodbye on live TV, and plant a farewell kiss on his biggest fan. Hilarious, upbeat and rapturously tuneful – “be there or be square.” Visit cfcarts.com or call 407.937.1800 

Ninja Turtle Power at the Orlando Science Center 
NOW to September 2
The Orlando Science Center is calling all Ninjas as Nickelodeon’s Mutant Ninja Turtles show off their Underground Lair. It’s a museum exhibit featuring the four heroic ninjas – who are looking for “team-mates” to train alongside the Turtles. Along the way, young ones discover the importance of teamwork and creative thinking as they are challenged to put their skills to the test in the Streets of NYC. Do NOT miss the live show “Enter the Dojo” on-stage, inside the 5000-square-foot exhibit hall. Visit osc.org/visit or call 407.514.2000 

“Enchanted Fairy Doors” at Leu Gardens 
NOW to Sept 30
Just in time for summer a family visit to Leu Gardens is in order as this ‘exhibit’ of 15 “Fairy Doors” has found its way back to the Gardens. Located at 1920 N. Forest Ave in Orlando, the beautiful 50-acre gardens (where the fairies live) will inspire your child’s imagination about mythical forests and secret gardens. Find the ‘enchanted’ doors and let your child’s creativity do the rest. Admission is $10 adult, $5 child (ages 4 to 17). Leu Gardens’ Members and children 3 and younger are FREE. Visit LeuGardens.org or call 407.246.2620 

And Coming Up … 

A Chorus Line presented by the Celebration Theatre Company
July 3 to 6 at the Dr. Phillips Center
Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.573.2014. 

Flashdance: The Musical at the Garden Theatre 
July 5 to 28 
Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Legally Blonde, The Musical at the Dr. Phillips Center 
August 2 to 4 
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the movie. 
Visit DrPhillipsCenter.org 

Les Misérables at the Dr. Phillips Center 
October 22 to 27 
Direct from Broadway with new staging and scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this is in the TOP 3 of my all-time favorite Broadway shows. This gets a “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” months before it even opens !! Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.573.2014. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators