Florida Culture for the Week of October 19, 2015 by Josh Garrick

NOW to Oct 25 – FINAL WEEK – The Garden Theatre has begun their season with Jerry Herman’s brilliant La Cage aux Folles – the first show ever to win the Tony Award for Best Musical three times. Considered ‘controversial’ when it first opened in New York City in 1983, this musical – in which some of the chorus girls are men – exemplifies family, community, acceptance, love, and a forward thinking Board of Directors. Sensitively directed by Rob Winn Anderson, the show features a glamorous ‘Star-Is-Born’ performance by Matthew Arter as Albin and the swoon-inducing Broadway singing voice of Brian Minyard as Georges. This show is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

NOW to Oct 31 – Phantasmagoria VI – ‘The Darkness Returns’

The FANtastic, MAGical troupe of Phantasmagorians is performing Phantasmagoria VI ‘The Darkness Returns’ to celebrate the Halloween Season. Live performers offer new stories of terror, ‘Phantastic’ dance, large-scale puppetry, aerial performance, and horror as they relate literary tales of terror from around the world. This is theatrical story-telling of the highest order, created with POWER and MAGIC at the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Call 407-328-9005 or visit OrlandoAtPlay.com

NOW to Oct 31 – BatBoy: the Musical at the Abbey 

Flying into Orlando as a Halloween entertainment and based on a ‘true’ story in The Weekly World News, BatBoy: the Musical is a musical-comedy-horror show about a pointy-eared boy discovered in a West Virginia cave. Adopted by the town veterinarian, BatBoy “falls in love” with the vet’s daughter (while struggling to keep his blood thirst under control). In a show consistently praised for its intelligence and wit, this outlandish musical will be at The Abbey through October 31. Visit ticketweb.com 

Oct 20 – Tiffany Lamps at the Morse Museum 

Drawing from its world-famous collection of works by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, Winter Park’s Morse Museum will spotlight the designer’s lamps in two exhibits opening October 20. Celebrating the unique creations by Tiffany Studios at the dawn of the age of electricity, the Lamps and Lighting Gallery will reopen along with a ‘focus’ exhibit on the career-defining Daffodil reading lamp, circa 1899–1905. While Tiffany was an international success before his first lamp, the lamps greatly extended his popularity from the 1890’s to today. The Morse Museum is at 445 N. Park Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.645.5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

Photo: Daffodil design reading lamp, c. 1900, from Tiffany Studios. 

Oct 24 at 2 pm – Broadway Star Norm Lewis Honors His ‘Roots’

In honor of Seminole State’s 50th Anniversary, Norm Lewis, the Broadway star who grew up in Eatonville, will return to Central Florida to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seminole State College where Lewis once studied voice. On Broadway, he has starred in Miss Saigon, The Little Mermaid and Les Miserables, and he received a Tony-nomination for his role in Porgy and Bess. Recently Lewis made history as the first Black Actor to play the title role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.  Lewis will perform in the Fine Arts Concert Hall (Building G) on the Seminole State campus in Sanford. Call 407.708.2040.

Oct 24 & 25 – Maestro ERIC JACOBSEN’s Debut with Orlando Philharmonic

The most highly anticipated event of the new Arts Season will happen as the Orlando Philharmonic opens its ‘Classics Series’ by welcoming newly appointed Music Director Eric Jacobsen to the podium. His opening concerts – Oct 24 at 8 pm and Oct 25 at 2 pm – will be performed at Bob Carr Theater and begin a 5-year relationship between the Orchestra and Maestro Jacobsen. In a program chosen by Jacobsen, both concerts will feature Beethoven’s Leonore Overture; Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Van Cliburn silver medalist Joyce Yang; a World Premiere by Gabriel Kahane; and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org 

Oct 24 – ‘Masterpiece Moments’ with the Maitland Symphony Orchestra 

Performing Arts of Maitland will sponsor the Maitland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) in a Free Classical Music Highlights Concert on the outdoor stage at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park on October 24 at 6:30 pm. Joining MSO in this 10th Anniversary celebratory concert is the new Baroque Chamber Orchestra (BCO). Please bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy beautiful music in this setting under the stars. The BCO performs at 6:30 pm with the MSO performing at 7:30 pm. The concert is Free. Call 321-303-1404

Oct 24 – So You Think You Can Dance at Hard Rock Live 

So You Think You Can Dance, the 13-time Emmy Award-winning show that sparked America’s fascination with dance will celebrate its 12th season with a performance on October 24 at Hard Rock Live at Universal. Introducing their new ‘Stage versus Street’ format, SYTYCD’s Top 10 finalists will perform with the competitive intensity that has made the show a consistent Emmy-winner. Call 407-351-5483 or visit Ticketmaster.com

Oct 24 – Jazz at the Dr. Phillips Center Presents Arturo Sandoval 

Celebrated musician and 2013 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Arturo Sandoval has 10 Grammy Awards, 19 Grammy nominations, six Billboard Awards, and an Emmy Award. He is also a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. His dynamic live performances have been seen by millions at the Oscars, the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and in concerts around the world. This musical paragon will grace the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center on October 24 at 8 pm. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 30 to Nov 1 – Giselle by the Orlando Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic 

The epitome of romantic ballet, Giselle is a tale of unrequited love, remorse and forgiveness. NOW performing with live music by the Orlando Philharmonic, Giselle demands consummate skill and true acting ability to create the character of the innocent, yet noble, village maiden. The Orlando Ballet brings a new generation of artists to this classic ballet as Joseph Gatti and Adiarys Almeida take the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center along with welcoming the Orlando Philharmonic’s new Music Director Eric Jacobsen, who will conduct these performances. Call 407-426-1739 or visit orlandoballet.org  

Oct 31 – Celtic Woman’s World Tour at Bob Carr Theater

Global music sensation Celtic Woman will bring its 10th Anniversary World Tour to Orlando on October 31 at 3 pm. This musical experience features Celtic Woman performing Irish standards, classical favorites and contemporary pop songs in the group’s signature style. The World Tour stars three angelic vocalists and a dazzling violinist with a full band, the Aontas Choir, bagpipers, and Irish dancers all under the direction of producer David Downes. Celtic Woman’s 10-year journey has entertained millions. For your chance to experience Celtic Woman Live, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 31 at 3 pm – Baroque Chamber Orchestra Concert in Maitland

Performing Arts of Maitland’s newest musical group -- The BCO brings the “Baroque alive” and into the 21st Century by performing contemporary compositions in the style of the Baroque. These modern works are contrasted to the Masters of the period: Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi. Enjoy the enchanting sounds of harpsichord and strings under the direction of Dr. Alvaro Gomez at 3 pm on October 31st at the Maitland Presbyterian Church at 341 North Orlando Avenue. $10 admission at the door. Call 321-303-1404.  

Nov 4 – Applications Due for Orlando’s Annual Recycled Fashion Show

The City of Orlando seeks local fashion designers and artists to create innovative looks from materials that would otherwise be headed to the landfill (TRASH). Chosen designs will be featured at the Trash2Trends runway event, (Feb 6) a fundraiser for Keep Orlando Beautiful. The event brings the fashion and the environmental communities together to inspire Orlando, already one of the most sustainable cities in America, to protect Orlando’s natural resources and amenities for generations to come. Go to cityoforlando.net/trash2trends for an application. Those with questions may call Jody Buyas at 407.246.2752 or e-mail her at jody.buyas[at]cityoforlando.net

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators