Florida Culture for the Week of January 27, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

“Native Gardens” at the Shakespeare Center 
Final Week -- NOW to Feb 4 
This is the final week to discover this wonderful new comedy of good intentions and bad manners by Karen Zacarías in which cultures (and gardens) clash, turning ‘good’ neighbors into feuding enemies. A young lawyer (from Chile) and his very-pregnant wife realize ‘the American dream’ when they purchase a house next door to the older and very traditional Virginia and Frank. All too quickly a disagreement over a long-standing fence spirals into a war of taste, class, and entitlement. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Neil Simon’s “Rumors” presented by CFCArts Theatre
Final Week -- NOW to Feb 4 
Comic genius Neil Simon gives us a hysterical, door-slamming farce as four couples descend on the home of the deputy mayor of New York for his 10th wedding anniversary. BUT the host has accidentally shot himself. While the guests assume it was intentional, they spend the evening hiding the truth from other guests while trying to figure out what actually happened. The result is at the CFC Black Box Theatre in Winter Park. For tickets, call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com  

Musical THRONES: “A Parody of Ice and Fire” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
January 28 & 29
Fans of the most talked about show on television can now get their fantasy fix LIVE on-stage with the hilarious send-up, “Musical THRONES: A Parody of Ice and Fire.” Musical THRONES brings your most be-loved and be-hated characters to life as you journey through all 6 seasons of the series. Blood-thirsty comics find all the JOKES in Thrones’ violence and power struggles (and the horror of setting it all to music) at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Vice President Joe Biden’s American Promise Tour" 
Jan 29 at 7 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Vice President Joe Biden’s new best seller “Promise Me, Dad” chronicles 2015, the most challenging year in V.P. Biden’s life. For twelve months, Biden balanced his responsibilities to his country and his family while his son Beau battled brain cancer. Biden allows readers into the choices he was forced to make and the life-lessons that helped him through the challenges. Tickets for the Vice President’s talk include a copy of his book, and VIP tickets are also available. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org. 

“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in Concert with the OPO 
Feb 1 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center
Star Wars in Concert continues with “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. In this episode, the ‘Death Star’ has been destroyed, but the Empire has re-grouped with Darth Vader leading the hunt for Luke Skywalker. Featuring the iconic full-length film on the big screen, John Williams’ inspiring and legendary score is performed LIVE by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“Piaf -- Voice & Delirium” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Feb 1 to 4 
Presenting the tormented life of Edith Piaf, this musical takes us from the frail woman who began by singing on the streets of Paris to become an international legend. Suffering from love, drugs, war and sickness, she seduced generations of music lovers, becoming a legacy to the musical memory of the world. Performances are offered in both English and Spanish. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

“The Lieutenant of Inishmore” at the Garden Theatre 
Feb 2 to 25 
Called “Appallingly entertaining” by The New York Times, “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” is a “gruesome comedy” about an Irish terrorist and his precious black cat. After his cat is found dead, the heartbroken hit-man’s brutal carnage makes for an outrageous, blood-drenched ‘comedy’ that explores the violence engulfing our world. This ‘dark’ comedy contains adult language and violence unsuitable for younger audiences, while offering adult audiences something new to experience. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Orlando Philharmonic Pops Series Presents “Cirque de la Symphonie”
February 3 at 2 pm and 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Conducted by Yaniv Segal, “Cirque de la Symphonie” returns to Central Florida with an all-new program of awe-inspiring physical feats of power and beauty. Paired with music from block-buster movies including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Batman, Titanic and more, this thrill-ride of a concert includes acrobats, jugglers and aerial flyers soaring high above the heads of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Call 407.770.0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org 

Diana Krall – “Turn Up the Quiet Tour”
Feb 3 at 8 pm at Dr. Phillips Center 
The only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, five-time GRAMMY-winning jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall kicks off her World Tour featuring fan favorites as well as material from her new album “Turn Up The Quiet.” MOJO Magazine calls the new album “spectacular” as People Magazine writes, “Diana Krall’s new music will have fans falling for her all over again.” Transcending musical style, join Diana Krall at the Dr. Phillips Center by calling 844.513.2014 or visiting drphillipscenter.org 

“Flora & Ulysses” at Orlando Rep 
Feb 3 to 25
Flora is a self-described young cynic, so she is not surprised when a squirrel named Ulysses gets sucked up into a super-vacuum-cleaner and pops out as a superhero – who can fly – and write poetry! “Children of ALL ages,” have much to learn from Flora and Ulysses as they navigate matters of the heart in this 2014 Newbery Medal-winning adventure from Kate DiCamillo. Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

The Maitland Stage Band in a FREE Concert 
Feb 4 at 4 pm 
Enjoy big band sounds under the direction of Trombonist Jimmy Foy as the Maitland Stage Band returns to the Rotary Plaza outdoor stage. The program, called “Battle of the Tenors,” features the trumpets playing jazz, Sinatra and more. The Concert begins at 4 pm (to get you home before the Super Bowl game). Performing Arts of Maitland sponsors the Concert with their partner, the Maitland Art Center at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland. The event is FREE – NO tickets required. 321-303-1404 

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” by Central Florida Community Arts
Feb 8 and 9 at 7:30 pm 
Based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo and the 1996 film of the same name, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" bursts into life onstage, framed by the music and lyrics of Academy Award-winners Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. This vibrant musical takes a hard look at humankind and the dark truths we share at Northland Church in Longwood. Tickets start at $10 at CFCArts.com or by calling 407.937.1800. 

Donna Dowless: The Heart Artist Shares the Love 
Feb 9 to March 12 
Because it’s open to the Public, you may join the hundreds of fans and art-lovers who will be at the Grand Bohemian to congratulate the Great Lady of the painted heart at the Opening Reception for Heart and Soul Episode 14, a painting exhibit produced by Orlando’s Queen of Hearts AND Ambassador of Love -- Donna Dowless. Ms. Donna never ceases to amaze, and this is always one of the great Art exhibits and social events of the season. Highly Recommended, call 407.581.4801 or visit grandbohemiangallery.com

The LION KING
February 14 to March 11 
Twenty years ago, The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and then went on to earn more than 70 major awards in New York and London alone. Seen by more than 90 Million people, The Lion King’s amazing success exceeds that of any Broadway show in history. The music, by Elton John and Tim Rice, comes from the animated film, and is now a part of our “Circle of Life.” Tickets starting at $35 may be purchased at drphillipscenter.org or by calling 844.513.2014

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators