Florida Culture for the Week of November 6, 2016 By Josh Garrick 

Nov 7 to Dec 18 – Harry Connick Jr’s The Happy Elf at Orlando Rep 
From the Grammy-winning musician, this joyous new musical is about the happiest elf at the North Pole. He is SO HAPPY that his constant exuberance wears others out. Still he believes if he can restore ‘JOY’ to the town of Bluesville, he will win a spot on Santa’s sleigh (his ultimate dream!) Teamwork and faith are wonderful gifts to be shared in this story of elfin magic, and Harry Connick, Jr. has written a wonderful score for the Happy Elf’s story. Experience it by calling 407.896.7365 or visiting orlandorep.com 

Nov 10 at 8 pm – The Annie Moses Band: The Art of the Love Song
The Annie Moses Band has entertained audiences in record numbers of airings on PBS and on stages as diverse as Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry. With their blend of folk and classical music, the Annie Moses Band is an ensemble of songwriters, singers, and musicians whose showmanship offers music-making for roots enthusiasts to classical connoisseurs, and from jazz aficionados to bluegrass buffs. On this tour, the Band performs the world’s greatest love songs in one incredible night of music. Call 844.5132014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Nov 10 to Dec 11 – A Marvelous Party! The Noel Coward Celebration 
When Noel Coward reigned supreme, High Society meant hats and gloves, and the brilliance of the English language. Now The Winter Park Playhouse invites you to “A MARVELOUS PARTY” in Celebration of Noel Coward. As sparkling as a newly-popped bottle of champagne, this party is a musical romp featuring thirty-three tunes and a bevy of sketches, anecdotes and musings by the incomparable Noël Coward. YOU are invited to the Party of the year! RSVP by calling 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

Nov 11 – Veteran’s Day Invitation from Little Caesars
Exclusively in Florida – with over 30 locations throughout Central Florida – Little Caesars Pizza Restaurants will offer one FREE HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo to all veterans and active duty military members all day long on Veteran’s Day with NO ID required. The ‘Combo’ includes four slices of Detroit-style deep dish pizza with pepperoni and one 20 ounce cola product. That is FREE – all day long – NO ID required to all veterans and active duty military. Visit LittleCaesars.com 

Nov 11 to Dec 4 – Breakthrough Theatre Presents Cy Coleman Musical, ‘The Life’
Presenting a musical somewhat out of the norm for the Breakthrough Theatre, ‘The Life’ depicts the oversexed life around Times Square in the 1980’s. With characters called Memphis, Lacy, Chichi, Frenchie, Peaches, Silky and Snickers, the fact that the show is for mature audiences is not surprising. Scenes take place in topless bars, transvestite hang-outs, and with hookers working the streets. Directed and choreographed by Angela Cotto, and with music direction by Angelyn Rhode, please visit breakthroughtheatre.com/tickets/ or call 407-920-4034

Pictured: Damany Riley and Yara Williams  Photo Credit: Mo Noubani

Nov 11 to 13 – The Maitland Rotary “Art Under the Stars” Festival
Beginning in 1976, the Rotary Club of Maitland has consistently produced the only art festival in Florida with night-time hours. With original, juried Art surrounding beautiful Lake Lily, families and friends enjoy the lights that enhance an evening of art buying. Food and drink vendors are on-hand as live entertainment from two stages is provided by Performing Arts of Maitland. The 40th season’s Poster Artist is the enormously talented Ed Myers who will be on-hand to sign your poster. Call 407.777.8515 or visit maitlandrotaryartfestival.com

Nov 11 to 20 – The World Premiere of ‘Grimmly Ever After’ 
The intrepid voices at Central Florida Vocal Arts invite us to the World Premiere of a new operetta that explores “the dark side of the fairy-tale forest” in “Grimmly Ever After.” Betrayal, unfulfilled prophecies and – of course – love, are twisted together in this operatic fairytale, featuring Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel & Gretel and the Evil Queen. With the music of Lawrence & Fain, Schubert and Humperdinck, and written by Nishaa Carson, Cristyn Schroder and Justin Morrison, this World Premiere is directed by Frank Siano. Call 863.510.7236 or visit cflvocalarts.com 

NOW to Nov 13 – ‘Rock the Presidents’ at Orlando Rep 
Orlando Rep’s new ‘history’ show is a rock, hip-hop, blues, pop, jazz, reggae, and country musical spanning the history of the American Presidency – from Washington to Obama. The Presidents are brought to life through songs including a way for audiences of all ages to learn something about our nation’s history. Age-Appropriate Note: Lincoln’s and Kennedy’s assassinations are included with songs that contain the words ‘pistol’ and ‘bullets.’ Call 407.896.7365  or visit orlandorep.com

NOW to Nov 13 -- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Orlando Shakes
The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre’s Halloween presentation is the Jekyll/Hyde story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Frustrated by dull respectability in Victorian London, Dr. Jekyll creates a potion that transforms Dr. Jekyll into the brutish Edward Hyde. Hyde’s immoral ‘high life,’ leads to murder. Fascinating and deviant, the play captivates audiences who experience the lead actor transform before them. For tickets, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Nov 13 at 12:30 pm -- National Young Composers’ Composium
The Young Composers’ Composium is a concert and a master class and a competition. It's also dramatic and informative as this FREE event invites you to hear the winning compositions by America's top young composers discussed, rehearsed, and conducted by Maestro Christopher Wilkins and performed by an orchestra. From chamber compositions to full symphonic works, each young composer has the opportunity to interact with Maestro Wilkins, the musicians and the judges. The top competition for young orchestral composers, the event is presented here in Orlando, and it’s FREE. Visit youngcomposerschallenge.com

Nov 13 – The Festival of Bacon at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Originally scheduled for October, tickets previously purchased for the much-anticipated Festival of Bacon will be valid on November 13 when thousands will descend on the Dr. Phillips Center’s Great Lawn as it is transformed into an 8-hour ‘BACON Bonanza.’ Top restaurants and food vendors will create bacon-inspired dishes as they compete to win the coveted "Best of Bacon" Award. Over 5,000 pounds of bacon will be cooked for more than 8,000 bacon lovers who travel far and wide to find a new bacon treat. Visit festivalofbacon.com

Nov 14 at 7 pm – Orlando Philharmonic’s 'Glorious Schubert'
With Eric Jacobsen conducting, the Orlando Philharmonic presents the first concert in its ‘Focus Series’ of 2016 (a series of great Classical Music performed by ensembles smaller than the full Orchestra). The concert begins with the ethereal Overture to Mendelssohn’s incidental music to Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ and ends with the dramatic ‘Tragic’ Symphony by Schubert. Performed in the Orchestra’s new home at The Plaza Live at 425 N Bumby Avenue in Orlando, call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Nov 15 at 7:30 pm -- An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Dr. Phillips Center
In this evening with the brilliant Neil deGrasse Tyson entitled “An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies,” the friendly scientist ranges from Star Wars to Frozen with his entertaining ‘review’ of the science the movies got wrong, tempered with the acknowledgment they got “some of the stuff right.” Born and raised in New York City, Tyson was educated in public schools eventually earning his BA in Physics from Harvard and his PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia. A VIP Meet & Greet is offered at a ticket up-charge. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Nov 16 at 7:30 pm – The Doobie Brothers at the Dr. Phillips Center
The Doobie Brothers have been delivering roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll for over four decades, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four GRAMMY Awards. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street (1972), the Doobies have 3 multi-platinum, 7 platinum and 14 Gold albums. Join them LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.5132014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Nov 16 at 7:30 pm – Billy Collins at the Winter Park Institute at Rollins 
Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003), and Senior Distinguished Fellow of the Winter Park Institute, will present “The Rain in Portugal — Reading and Discussion” in the Tiedtke Concert Hall on November 16. “Our hometown bard” Billy Collins is the winner of the 2014 Norman Mailer Prize for Poetry and was recently inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. This event is FREE with premium seating available at $25. Call 407.691.1995 or visit Winterparkinstitute.org 

Nov 16 & 17 – Laura Hodos Cabaret at the Winter Park Playhouse
Another “feel-like-you’re-in-New York” entertainment option at The Winter Park Playhouse is the Cabaret Series in their piano bar where the charming Laura Hodos is the featured cabaret performer for November. A three-time Carbonell Award nominee and frequent performer with the Orlando Philharmonic, Laura has created seven solo cabaret shows, and she is thrilled to be the first performer to create a solo cabaret show for Walt Disney World. Tickets are $20 with reservations strongly recommended. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

Nov 17 at 10 am – ‘Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.’
University Club member and OBSERVER columnist CHRIS JEPSON reviews Hillbilly Elegy by R. D. Vance, a book that describes the author’s journey from an addiction-torn Appalachian family to Yale Law School. Shocking, heartbreaking, and funny, ‘Elegy’ is a provocative look at America’s white poverty, which is usually hidden from view. Offering genuine hope in the form of hard-hitting honesty, the talk is set for the University Club of Winter Park at 841 N. Park Ave in Winter Park. Free to members; a $5 donation is requested from guests. Call 407-644-6149. 

Nov 18 & 20 – Donizetti’s Don Pasquale by Opera Orlando 
Opera Orlando’s first full season opens with “Don Pasquale,” a delightful comedy, which the Company is cleverly sub-heading "Pride and Foolishness." This luscious comedy from the 19th Century will feature Metropolitan Opera singer Peter Strummer and Dennis Jesse as Malatesta. A duo of emerging artists, David Margulis and Bridgette Gan, play the young lovers. It’s laughter mixed with the beauty of Bel Canto from Opera's Golden Age. Call 844.513.2014. 

Nov 18 to Dec 18 – George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
Yes – this is the George Bernard Shaw play that gave us ‘My Fair Lady’ – this time performed as Shaw wrote it. Without the songs, we get to more clearly see Shaw’s observations on the British class system, gender stereotypes, language, and ‘middle-class morality.’ Shaw’s most popular play – that gave us Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle – is a most entertaining Holiday treat from the elves at Mad Cow Theatre. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

NOW to Nov 20 – ‘The God Game’ at Mad Cow 
This sounds strangely familiar! When running for political office in the US of A, the Public knows or can learn anything about a candidate from his/her work-out routine to religious beliefs. SO – what if your candidate is an atheist? Playwright Suzanne Bradbeer poses this question in ‘The God Game’ in performance at the Mad Cow Theatre. Bradbeer presents this test of American politics in an outrageously timely exploration of the limits of truth, ambition, and faith. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com 

NOW to November 30 – ‘Sea Creatures’ – The Photography of Ruth Petzold 
Inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame in April 2016, Ruth Petzold has devoted her life to exploration, conservation and photographing nature and wildlife – both above and below the water. From Africa to Antarctica and from the Pacific Rim to the Caribbean, Petzold has pursued the beauties of nature on seven continents and in the world’s oceans. Her exhibit is on view at the Community Gallery at the Orange County Administration Center at 201 S. Rosalind Ave in Orlando. Visit RuthPetzold.com or call 561-351-7904.


Image credits: Dolphins: A family of wild dolphins in the Bahamas; Photograph by Ruth Petzold; Great White Shark Australia: Photograph by Ruth Petzold

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators