“Josh Recommends” for the Week of October 26, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

The Tony Award Winning Musical Phenomenon, “Les Miserables”
FINAL WEEKEND – NOW to October 27, 2019
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune called “Les Miz” one of the greatest musicals ever created,” and I completely agree. It’s a classic – in so many ways. You owe it to yourself to SEE THIS AMAZING SHOW -- SOOO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, for tickets for the last two performances visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

“DeathTrap” in Winter Garden
FINAL WEEKEND -- NOW to Oct 27 
Sidney Bruhl will do anything to publish the next great play. (He might even kill for it). Ira Levin’s famous dark-comedy-thriller has audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next as Sidney discovers he is not the only potential murderer in the room. The all-important “timing” is deftly handled by a wonderful cast to surprise – and thrill – the audience. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

“VAMPIRE’S BALL 2019” Danced by the Spirits of the Orlando Ballet 
Oct 31, Nov 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm and Nov 3 at 3 pm 
Truly wonderful ballet dancing (and hauntingly good fun) awaits us at the “back-by-popular-demand-return” of 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, please 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 

The CFCArts Theatre presents
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
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 the corrupt politicians who ruined his life. This production may not be suitable for all audiences. Parental discretion is advised. Visit CFCArts.com 

“How I Became a Pirate”
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 written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman and 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. Braid Beard and his mates enlist young Jeremy Jacob, as they try to 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

“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 an impulse for chaos and questionable sanity Lord and Lady Macbeth’s ‘power’ that can only end in tragedy. Call 407.447.1700 or visit OrlandoShakes.org 

PHANTASMAGORIA X: “The Reckoning”
NOW to Nov 3 at venues listed below 
Celebrating their 10th YEAR of hauntingly successful acting/story-telling, “Phantasmagoria X: the Reckoning” thunders onto several stages in Central Florida with an ALL NEW SHOW weaving a tapestry of spooky stories from folklore and literature! Click here for tickets to ALL locations 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 
Called “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country,” Phantasmagoria will share their haunting tales in a custom performance for a real moving train! The 80 minute train ride includes hauntings from Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe – culminating in “The Legend of the Ghost of the Royal Palm Railway”
 
EUSTIS – October 31st -- HALLOWEEN NIGHT !!
Historic State Theater, 109 North Bay Street  baystreetplayers.org / (352) 357-7777
 
SANFORD – November 1st
Wayne Densch Perf Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave wdpac.com / (407) 321-8111
 
OCALA – November 2nd
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. 

Opera Orlando presents Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”
November 1, 2, 3, and 5 
Sung in Italian with English sub-titles in the charmingly intimate Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center, Opera Orlando presents Mozart’s most revolutionary (for the time) and intricately melodic operas. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Introducing NEW Theater Works at PLAYFEST 2019
Nov 1 to 3 and 8 & 9 
Since its inception in 2003, PlayFest has helped develop over 100 new plays. Here in Central Florida at Orlando Shakes, the annual play fest features seven new works that reflect the breadth of the human experience. At the two-weekend festival patrons participate in the creative process by viewing 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

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 will combine her “Spacescapes” and “Dreamscapes” series to be displayed 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 the OSC exhibit will include over 30 paintings, most of which will be quite large. So this exhibit will be 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 reprises 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 Opening 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 iconic 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 opens this weekend in the two “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.’ Groups of 4 to 6 must have an adult in every group. Enter the maze and work together to find your way while completing the game sheet. Call 352.383.6900 or visit longandscottfarms.com