Florida Culture for the Week of October 8, 2017 By Josh Garrick 

NOW to Oct 22 – BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Adapted from the classic American novel by Mark Twain, BIG RIVER tells the story of ‘Huck’ Finn, run-away slave Jim, and the (musical) journey they take along the Mississippi River. Their adventures are told through ‘foot-stompin’ music and lyrics by Roger Miller as they navigate their way at a time when freedom and bi-racial friendships could not be taken for granted. This celebration of pure Americana is at the Mad Cow Theatre; for tickets, visit madcowtheatre.secure.force.com 

NOW to Oct 22 – Disney’s “Newsies” at the Orlando Rep 
The Orlando REP has opened its new season as the first theatre in the southeastern United States to present the Drama Desk and Tony Award-winning “Newsies the Musical.” Inspired by the real-life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,’ this Disney musical tells of publisher Joseph Pulitzer raising the price of newspapers – at the newsboys’ expense. Against all odds, a young leader rises up to help “the little guys” stand up and ‘seize the day.’ For YOUR thrilling dose of inspiration, call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

Oct 11 to Nov 19 – The (Comical) Hound of the Baskervilles 
“The game is afoot” as Orlando Shakes adapts a very tongue-in-cheek version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous “Hound of the Baskervilles.” Even Sir Arthur would find the humor in this version of Sherlock Holmes’ investigation of the Baskerville family where – one by one – the male heirs are dropping dead. Three actors play a dozen roles in this production, directed by Orlando Shakes’ comically inventive Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Oct 12 – Enzian to Present “Florida Project” 
One of the most anticipated films of the year was filmed in a bleak, extended-stay motel near Disney; won rave reviews at the Cannes Film Festival; and introduces us to a precocious six year old who is unaware of the poverty that defines her existence. This amazing and “very local film” premieres at the Enzian in Maitland with Brooklyn Kimberly Prince of Winter Springs as the magically optimistic six year old. Her co-star, Willem Defoe is receiving ‘career-best’ reviews as the manager of the motel that shows us a life in poverty just two miles east of DisneyWorld. Call 407.629.0054 or visit Enzian.org

Oct 13 to 28 – JEFFREY at the Footlight Theatre at Parliament House 
In this wondrously funny/serious play at the P-House, JEFFREY, a gay actor/waiter, has sworn off sex after too much paranoia about what is "safe.” In New York City, however, sex (especially for an ‘actor/waiter’) can NOT be avoided. Finally reconciled to his celibacy, Jeffrey meets the man of his dreams (of course). This crazy and moving romantic comedy is consistently funny – with a chaser of serious, and it is ‘perfect’ date-nite material. Call 888.202.1708 or visit phouse.ticketleap.com/Jeffrey

Oct 13 to 29 – The Odd Couple (in Male & Female Versions) 
Prolific American playwright Neil Simon brought the messy Oscar Madison and fastidious Felix Ungar to the stage in 1965, winning the Tony for Best Author of a Play. The Odd Couple went on to become a successful film and TV series before Simon brilliantly revised the play for a female cast (1985). The clever folks at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden have decided to present these opposite personalities in repertory with both male and female casts. (There’s even a discount if you see both!) Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Oct 13 to Nov 4 – Phantasmagoria VIII: The Chains of Fire
PHANTASMAGORIA is a troupe of ‘Steampunk Survivors’ more dangerous than a band of traveling gypsies, and they are joined by dancers, soldiers, puppeteers, and fire-breathers as they embark on new journeys through the dark tales of Poe, Wilde, M.R. James and others. Trick or treat yourself to the all new PHANTASMAGORIA VIII " at the Shakespeare Center. Call 407.476.5121 or visit phantasmagoriaorlando.com

Oct 14 at 2 pm and 8 pm – Beatlemania’s “Classical Mystery Tour”
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – THE album that changed musical history in a show featuring original members of the Broadway sensation “Beatlemania.” Performing 30 Beatles hits with the Orlando Philharmonic, the show has been called “much more than an incredible simulation.” If you like The Beatles, you’ll LOVE “Classical Mystery Tour,” in two performances at the Bob Carr Theater. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Oct 14 at 8 pm – Bruno MARS – 24K Magic World Tour 
Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter-producer-musician Bruno MARS will bring his global tour – “The 24K Magic World Tour” (that’s twenty-four karat) to the Amway Center in Orlando. The Tour celebrates Mars’ eagerly anticipated new album, 24K Magic (smarturl.it/24kmagic) set to arrive world-wide on November 18. Pre-orders are available at brunomars.com with all pre-orders receiving early access to tickets for the Tour. Tickets are $45 to $135. Call 407.440.7900 or visit amwaycenter.com

Oct 15 at 8 pm – Willie Nelson & Family at the Dr. Phillips Center 
With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings ‘Crazy’ and ‘Red Headed Stranger.’ Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician as well as being an author, actor, and activist. He has created 10 new albums, released a New York Times’ best-seller book, headlined Farm Aid, launched his own cannabis company, and was honored by the Library of Congress with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first country artist to receive the distinguished award. Premium tickets are available for this concert. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 17 to 22 – ON YOUR FEET! – The Gloria Estafan Musical 
This inspiring true story is about two people who believed in their talent – and each other – to become an international sensation. From humble beginnings in Cuba, Gloria and Emilio Estefan came to America and became a crossover sensation at the top of the pop music world. But then – from stardom to life-threatening tragedy, ON YOUR FEET! takes us inside the story of this ground-breaking couple who faced adversity, and found a way to end up on their feet. This musical renews your faith in the American dream. For tickets, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

Oct 17 – The Morse Museum Opens Two New Exhibits 
As the Morse Museum continues its 75th Year Celebration, the Museum focuses on the “creative eye” and the creative process of Louis Comfort Tiffany. In two exhibits opening on October 17, “Tiffany Studios Designs” and “Tiffany Impressions on Film, Canvas, and Paper,” the Museum explores the way in which Tiffany’s vision was translated into some of the most innovative decorative objects of their time. Best-known for decorative glass, Tiffany was also a painter and photographer. The exhibits include art-works, sketches, drawings, and photographs that reveal the way in which Tiffany found inspiration everywhere. Visit morsemuseum.org

Oct 21 & 22 – The “Verdi Requiem” by the Bach Festival Chorale 
The “Verdi Requiem” magically combines the drama of opera and the sonorities of the symphony with virtuosic vocal solos. In 1873, Verdi went into such deep mourning for a friend that he could not attend the funeral. Instead, the composer created the Requiem, which had its first performance one year after his friend’s death. From the antiphonal trumpets, to the crashing bass drum; from the angelic call of three flutes to the breath-taking Dies Irae, Verdi created one of the world’s most thrilling musical compositions. To experience this work in the Knowles Chapel at Rollins College is … glorious. Call 407.646.2182 or visit BachFestivalFlorida.org

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators