“Josh Recommends” for the Week of November 1, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

“VAMPIRE’S BALL 2019” Danced by the Spirits of the Orlando Ballet 
FINAL WEEKEND – OCT 31 to Nov 3 at 3 pm 
Truly wonderful ballet dancing (and hauntingly good fun) await us at the VAMPIRE’S BALL opening on Halloween night 2019. This fan favorite thrills and surprises with the tale of two ‘competitive’ vampires (and the obligatory “mad scientist”) told through dance. With splendid sets and costumes, join in the fun in your own “haunting best.” Dancer: Daniel Benavides in Photography by Michael Cairns 2019. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

Opera Orlando presents Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”
November 1, 2, 3, and 5 
The marriage of Figaro should be a blissful day to remember, but in this turn of the century, “upstairs-downstairs” class struggle, the philandering “Master” also has his sights set on Figaro’s lovely young bride. “The Marriage of Figaro” is much more than a history-making comedy. It is one of the greatest operas of all time thanks to Mozart’s divine score. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, a “pre-show lecture” is offered FREE for all ticket holders 45 minutes prior to each performance in the Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Free for ALL Art Show” at FAVO – One Night Only 
November 1 from 5 pm to 9 pm 
The always inventive “beehive” of Art activity at FAVO – (Faith Arts Village Orlando) has invited ALL Artists to bring ONE piece of work to their monthly “First Friday Event.” In other words this FREE event will show off the more than 30 Artist residents of FAVO AND who knows how many other Artists (who show up with one piece to show). One thing we can promise is … variety. Go and enjoy. More at faithartsvillage.com

Introducing NEW Theater Works at PLAYFEST 2019
Nov 1 to 3 and Nov 8 & 9 
Since 2003, PlayFest has helped develop over 100 new plays. Here in Central Florida at Orlando Shakes, the annual play fest features 7 new works that reflect the variety of the human experience. At the two-weekend festival patrons view new works by Tammy Ryan, Michael Hollinger, Richard Henry & Eric Hissom, Jan Neuberger, David Valdes, Kara Lee Corthron, and Emily Denginger. Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 ext. 1 

The CFCArts Theatre presents
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
FINAL WEEKEND -- NOW to Nov 3 
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this thrillingly dark musical, set in Victorian-era London tells the tale of barber Sweeney Todd as he returns to London after fifteen years of exile. Sondheim captures the pain and evil of Sweeney’s life, as this murderous barber sets his sights on revenge against those who ruined his life. Parental discretion is advised. Visit CFCArts.com 

Maitland Rotary’s “Art Under the Stars” 
Nov 8, 9, & 10 -- FREE event 
The Maitland Rotary Art Festival has been presenting this open-air-beautiful-at-night-art-show since 1976. Hosted annually by the Rotary Club of Maitland, the event is a romantic (under the stars) community-wide celebration of the arts that raises funds for charitable activities in Maitland. Together with “Performing Arts Matter” (of Maitland) the Art Festival is back “Under the Stars” with a wide-ranging offering of musical events to accompany the “Art Walk.” www.facebook.com/MaitlandRotaryArtFestival/videos/1076220369180169

“How I Became a Pirate”
FINAL WEEK -- NOW to Nov 10 at Orlando Rep 
Orlando’s special theater for young people offers us a treasure-sized, swashbuckling adventure with How I Became a Pirate, a musical based on the beloved book by Melinda Long and David Shannon. Sail off on a fantastic adventure with a band of comical pirates looking for an ‘expert digger’ to join their crew. Captain Beard and his mates enlist young Jeremy Jacob, as they find the perfect spot to bury their treasure. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

Dia de los Muertos & Monster Party Art Gallery Exhibit 
NOW to Nov 14 –Now in its 10th year this unique art exhibit has grown like the “Halloween Monster that ate Orlando!!” With over 150 pieces of “horror-themed” Art and participating Artists from across the country – THIS is the most fun you’ll have all year while experiencing “culture” at the same time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for FUN at the City Arts Building in Downtown Orlando. Call 407.648.7060

“Private Lies” – Improvised Film Noir Theatre at Rollins College
November 15 to 23 
Set in the Prohibition era of hard-boiled detectives and femme fatales, “Private Lies” is improvised film noir, meaning that each performance is different – based on audience in-put. Created and directed by David Charles, the personal demons of “Richard Lies, Private Eye” bring together his long-lost parents and a shady crime boss in a city much like New York. Only one man can make public the...Private Lies! Tickets at rollins.edu/annie

Photo credit: Annabelle Cuitino

“MACBETH, the Scottish Play” at the Shakespeare Festival 
NOW to Nov 24 
For this trip into ‘seasonal evil,’ Orlando Shakes makes sure that “Something wicked this way comes.” This visually striking production (with Kabuki influences) of Shakespeare’s Scottish play deals with the blind ambition that leads Macbeth to murder the Scottish king and seize the throne. Combining murder and questionable sanity, Lord and Lady Macbeth’s ‘power’ can only end in tragedy. Call 407.447.1700 or visit OrlandoShakes.org 

PHANTASMAGORIA X
Celebrating their 10th YEAR of hauntingly successful acting/story-telling, “Phantasmagoria X thunders onto stages with an ALL NEW SHOW. For tickets to ALL locations visit https://bit.ly/2lzNmvX

TAVARES – Royal Palm Ghost Train
Sundays – NOW to Nov 3 at 3:45 pm and 6:15 pm; Tavares Union Station 
“One of the most unique theater troupes in the country,” Phantasmagoria shares their haunting tales in a custom performance for a moving train! The 80 minute train ride culminates in “The Legend of the Ghost of the Royal Palm Railway”
 
SANFORD – November 1
Wayne Densch Perf Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave wdpac.com / (407) 321-8111
 
OCALA – November 2
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St  reillyartscenter.com / (352) 351-1606

“The Seven Deadly Sins” via Wm. S. Burroughs
Nov 1 to Nov 29
That “Hotbed” of curatorial interest – the Mills Gallery -- will present the deliciously decadent, “unsung visual works” from one of America's great artists – “The Seven Deadly Sins” As presented through the imagination of William S. Burroughs, the exhibit is curated and organized by Kyle Eagle, Enrique Wiedemann, Daniel Fuller, and The Modern Music Movement at the Mills Gallery. 

Lillian Verkins’ “Over the Moon” Art Exhibit
Nov 1 to Jan 6, 2020 at Orlando Science Center 
I’m “Over the Moon” honored to serve as the Curator for this exhibit by one of Florida’s most celebrated Artists who combines her “Spacescapes” and “Dreamscapes” series at the STEAM Fusion Gallery at the Orlando Science Center. Lillian Verkins has received 26 juried awards including four “Best of Show” and five “1st Place” awards, and her OSC exhibit includes 30 paintings, most of which are quite large. So this exhibit is BIG in several ways. The Gallery is on the Science Center’s 3rd floor, and the Gallery visit is included with regular admission. Visit LillianVerkins.com and / or OSC.org 

“Leading Ladies: Encores” presented by the CFCArts Community Choir
November 8 at 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm at Calvary Orlando
This fall, the CFCArts Women’s Chorale returns with another night of music featuring iconic songs from stage, screen, and TV. With Broadway’s greatest songs -- from “Memory” (Cats) to “Defying Gravity” (Wicked) – ( and more than a few surprises along the way) this concert is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED even before I see the full list of songs. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com 

Orlando Native MICHAEL SCOTT is back in his role as GENIE in ALADDIN
Jan 22 to Feb 9 at Dr. Phillips Center 
“Aladdin,”is the hit musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated film that opened on Broadway in 2014 … AND has grossed over $1 billion since that Night!! I am incredibly excited to report that Orlando native Michael James SCOTT, (who played the Genie on Broadway and in London), will “come home” to play the role in Orlando. A graduate of Dr. Phillips H.S, Scott has appeared in 8 Broadway productions. “The pride, joy and excitement of having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring this iconic role back to the city where it all started for me feels like the biggest Disney dream come true,” said Scott. We’re thrilled to have you “come home” Mr. Scott, AND that gives an already “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” show several more reasons to get your tickets early. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

The “Corn Maze Adventure” at Scott Farms in Mount Dora 
NOW to Dec. 8 -- Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays noon to 5 pm
There are many ways to enjoy a Halloween Adventure and one of them is the “down-home Corn Mazes” at Scott Farms. Family and friends may choose the 1 acre or the 6 acre maze – with lots of paths to get lost in. But have no fear! There are employees inside the maze to help guests, and everyone sees a short video about the maze before entering the ‘Adventure Area.’ Enter the maze and work together to find your way while completing the game sheet. Call 352.383.6900 or visit longandscottfarms.com 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators