Florida Culture for the Week of April 30 by Josh Garrick

May 4 to 14 – The Agonies of Agnes of God
The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present the John Pielmeier drama, Agnes of God, the story of a novice nun who gives birth and insists the child was the result of a virgin conception. A psychiatrist and the mother superior of the convent clash during the resulting investigation. The play, which opened on Broadway in 1982, has provided award-winning work for America’s greatest actresses from Geraldine Page to Jane Fonda. The Breakthrough production will feature Katrina Tharin, Vicki Burns, and Jenny Ornstein at the theater’s home in Winter Park. Call 407-920-4034.

May 4 to 20 – Regrets Only
The POINTE Performing Arts Center at 9101 International Drive in Orlando delivers hilarity with a message with Regrets Only!, a comedy about gay marriage. Written by Paul Rudnick, called “one of the funniest quip-meisters on the planet,” this comedy of Manhattan manners “is like the Real Housewives of Manhattan…only gayer!, says Director Lowrie Fawley. “It’s one-liner after one-liner, all cleverly crafted to sneak up on you and deliver a powerful message about equality at the same time!”  Regrets Only runs from May 4 to May 20. Dinner and a show packages are offered. Call 407.374.3587 or visit pointearts.org

May 6 – The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra
We are all invited to see (and hear) the extraordinary job done by the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in bringing together young musicians to provide a real orchestral experience for these talented young people while providing inexpensive concerts for the community. FSYO’s 55th Concert Season Finale will be held at Freedom High School on May 6 at 4 pm. Featuring 4 youth orchestras, the concert will include George Gershwin's American in Paris. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online through redchairproject.com.  Visit fsyo.org

May 6 – The Fab Follies
The Fab Follies, a Vegas-style song and dance troupe, is comprised of 30 extremely talented guys and gals – each of “a certain age.” And you will never determine their real ages based on the dancing – and high-kicking – that goes on in this show. Their new show The Best of Times, is a musical extravaganza with a new look and sound, and EVEN MORE talent and glitz.  The show will be presented at the Maitland Civic Center on May 6 at 3 pm. Call 407-647-2111.

May 10 – Art Thieves Beware
Robert Wittman has been called a “living legend” (Wall Street Journal) and “the most famous detective in the world” (London Times).  Former FBI Special Agent Wittman helped recover more than $300 million in stolen art from around the world. Wittman, author of a best-selling memoir about his years at the FBI, will be in Winter Park May 10 to share stories of his undercover sleuthing at the Morse Museum’s Hugh McKean Public Lecture. The lecture will be held at 7:30 pm in the Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College. Admission is free. A reception, open to the public, follows the lecture. Visit morsemuseum.org

May 10 and 11 – Honoring Our Soldiers in Song
Brand new musicals don’t come along often, and Ronald Owen’s new Requiem for a Young Man promises a unique stage experience accompanied by a LIVE orchestra. Requiem combines elements of opera, ballet, and musical theatre into a work that follows the journey of a young man who falls in love, answers his country’s call to serve, and leaves family and friends to fight in a foreign land. Requiem will be offered in two performances only at Valencia College’s East Campus on May 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm. Call 407.679.9654 or visit RequiemForAYoungMan.com

May 11 to September 1 – ‘Oh, the Stories They Will Tell’
Elders from one of our country’s oldest African-American townships will tell their stories of segregation, kinship and faith as a group of men and women, ages 85 to 106, share their experiences as lifelong residents of Winter Park. The 16 participating ‘elders’ are part of The Sage Project: Hannibal Square Elders Tell Their Stories, hosted by the Hannibal Square Heritage Center from May 11 to September 1 in partnership with the Winter Park Historical Association. An opening reception, in which the elders will be honored, is scheduled for May 11 from 6 to 9 pm. Visit crealde.org or call 407.539. 2680 or visit hannibalsquareheritagecenter.org

May 19 – United Way’s 20th Annual Chef's Gala
There are some BIG food & wine events in Central Florida, but none are as ‘truly fabulous’ as the Annual Chef’s Gala that benefits Heart of Florida United Way. This year’s festivities begin on Saturday, May 19 at 6:45 pm as the sparkling wine begins to flow (along with a silent auction) at Epcot at Walt Disney World. The evening features fine cuisine from over 20 of Central Florida’s top chefs and restaurants. Most importantly, proceeds benefit local health and human service programs that provide food, shelter and vital services to Central Floridians in need. Sponsored by Walt Disney World for the past 19 years, this event is true to its slogan. The Chef’s Gala is a “Tasteful Way to Make a Difference.” Call 407.429.2161 or visit ChefsGala.org.

Now through May 31 – Maitland’s Museums FREE (to Maitland Residents)
In a “too good to refuse” offer for residents of Maitland, the  is offering FREE Museum Admission from May 1 to 31 to Maitland Residents.  The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) includes The Maitland Art Center at 231 W. Packwood Avenue; the Maitland Historical Museum and the Telephone Museum at 221 W. Packwood Avenue; and the Waterhouse Residence Museum and the Carpentry Shop Museum at 820 Lake Lily Drive. For hours and information, call 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org.

And Not to be Missed ... Mad Cow Theatre presents its 10th Annual Orlando Cabaret Festival from May 3 to 13 including 25 performances of jazz, pop, Broadway, comedy – AND a few surprises. Call 407.297.8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com