Florida Culture for the Week of February 17, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

The Orlando Philharmonic presents “Bernstein and the New World”
TODAY -- Feb 17 at 8 pm at the Bob Carr Theater
Join Conductor Eric Jacobsen as the Orlando Philharmonic celebrates the 100th Birthday of one of America’s great musicians – Leonard Bernstein. The evening begins with the Overture to “West Side Story,” after which the Sharks and the Jets make way for one of today’s most gifted pianists – Orli Shaham – in a performance of Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2. Bernstein would be world famous if the only thing he had done was compose West Side Story, but he was most famous as the long-time conductor of the New York Philharmonic. He also wrote the music for Candide, Wonderful Town, On the Town, On the Waterfront, and a Mass, along with three symphonies. Fortunately for many of us, the Maestro was also famous for television ‘talks’ on classical music that were beamed across the country – introducing new audiences to the arts -- before the letters PBS introduced America to the word ‘classical.’ The celebratory evening concludes with one of the most popular of all symphonies – Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. Call 407.770.0071 or visit orlandophil.org 

Leonard Bernstein by Jack Mitchell via Wikipedia

The LION KING
NOW to March 11
The unmistakable vibrations of “The Circle of Life” are here in a production as fresh as Opening Night on Broadway. Twenty years ago, The Lion King won six Tony Awards including Best Musical on Broadway and over those twenty years has gone on to become the most successful Broadway musical in history. THE leading touring company of The Lion King, directed by Julie Taymor (who directed the Broadway original) is at our magnificent Dr. Phillips Center NOW. Having been presented in over 100 cities, The Lion King has been seen by more than 90 MILLION people, an amazing success story that exceeds any other show in box office history. A major part of that success is because the Broadway score features music by Elton John and Tim Rice from the animated film, and that music has become a part of our “Circle of Life.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is an understatement. From my soul, I promise --- you do not want to miss the most successful Broadway musical of all time. Tickets starting at $35, may be purchased online at drphillipscenter.org or by calling 844.513.2014

Rollins College Students present “The Women of Lockerbie”
NOW to Feb 24 
Deborah Brevoort won the Kennedy Center's New American Play Award for her play, “The Women of Lockerbie,” about the tragic Pan Am explosion in December of 1988. The Rollins College theater department has a mixed record when presenting plays with this intensity, but one can say their intentions are always good and the Annie Russell Theatre (on the Rollins campus) is a great space in which to see LIVE performances. The play is historical fiction about Pan Am Flight 103, traveling from London to New York City. Before the plane reached the Atlantic, a bomb exploded inside the plane scattering pieces of the plane over 850 square miles of Lockerbie, Scotland killing 243 passengers, 16 crew members, and 11 people on the ground. Ms. Brevoort’s drama is about a group of women from Lockerbie who collect the victims' clothing in order to wash 11,000 items and return them to the victim’s families as a gesture of love in a world of inexplicable hatred. At the daytime performances on Feb 18 and 24, guests will be welcomed to the theater by a bagpiper. Call 407.646.2145 or visit Rollins.edu/annie 

Dr. Phillips Center presents “Dancing with the Stars: Live!”
Sunday, Feb 18 at the Bob Carr Theater
TV’s hottest show is back in Orlando as “Dancing with the Stars: Live!” gives fans the opportunity to see the best ballroom dancers in the business performing LIVE at the Bob Carr Theater. There is passion everywhere as “Dancing: Live!” brings the pageantry and competitive fire of the hit ABC TV show to Orlando WITH some of the program’s most popular participants. More than 200 celebrities have been paired with professional ballroom dance instructors on the hit series, and now the nation-wide tour delivers spectacular dancing along with backstage stories, re-creations of the show’s most memorable moments, and some never-before-seen numbers. Note: Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Orlando Shakes presents “Twelfth Night” (by Wm. Shakespeare)
Feb 21 to March 23
The renowned Orlando Shakespeare company will perform “Twelfth Night” in rotation with "Shakespeare in Love,” (see below) in a fully Elizabethan production with clothing, scenery, music and dance created (as it was in 1602) and performed by an ALL-MALE cast (as it was in 1602). Lady Viola continues as Will’s muse serving as the role model for the character of Viola in “Twelfth Night.” In the play a pair of ship-wrecked twins set into motion a tale of (very) mistaken identity. Separated from her twin brother, the quick-thinking Viola adopts a male disguise to enter the service of Duke Orsino. In this ALL-MALE performance, the handsome … uh … beautiful John P. Keller plays Olivia and the brilliantly funny Artistic Director Jim Helsinger takes on the comedy role of Malvolio. Watch for Helsinger’s Malvolio. Not only is he a great Artistic Director at Orlando Shakes; he is also one of the funniest actors ever seen on any stage anywhere. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

“Steel Magnolias” Presented by CFCArts Theatre
Feb 23 to March 11 
Like the classic movie with the same name, Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias” is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where ‘anyone who is anyone’ comes to get their hair done. As a cast of strong, loveable, gossipy Southern women experience loss in their tight-knit ‘family,’ the play reminds audiences of the important things in life through this funny/sad, touching and life-affirming evening in the theater. CFCArts is the fastest growing performance phenomenon in Central Florida, and they re-invent “life-affirming” in everything they touch. This is a great way in which to experience one of your favorite movies, performed LIVE, and perhaps more importantly – if you’ve never attended an always-affordable CFCArts performance – it’s time. At the CFCArts Black-Box Theater in Winter Park, call 407.937.1800 x710 or visit cfcarts.com 

Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival 
Feb 25 at 11 am to 5 pm 
The Dog is 11th in the Chinese zodiac with each year related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. Everyone – and most particularly dog-lovers – can celebrate their canine companion this year as 2018 is the Chinese “Year of the Dog.” The “Year of the Dog” marks the 8th Annual Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival in the Mills 50 District with the Parade starting at 728 N. Thornton Ave and ending at Colonial Drive. Each year the parade is just the beginning of the Festival as it is followed by exotic and popular Asian entertainment including Dragon Dancing, Lion Dancing, martial arts, thrilling taiko drummers, arts and crafts exhibits and, of course, Asian food. Thousands of people from all cultures feel welcome as they join in the festivities each year. With new attractions added right up to the day of performance, visit centralfloridadragonparade.org for information and a complete schedule. 

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure for Young People 
March 3 to April 8 
Get ready to “Move it! Move it!” Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo, four pampered animals from New York’s Central Park Zoo, as they find themselves on the exotic island of Madagascar where they discover it really IS a jungle out there! Throw in those mischievous penguins, and you’re in for a roaring good time in this musical adventure based on the blockbuster Dream-works film. Performed LIVE at the Orlando Rep at Loch Haven Park, call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com for tickets. 

Noche de Zarzuela – An Evening of Zarzuela
March 4 at 7 pm 
Opera Orlando joins with Central Florida Vocal Arts for a musical celebration of this passionate, Spanish operatic tradition. Featuring professional soloists Arleen Ramirez, María Laetitia Hernández, Javier Abreu, and Jean Carlos Rodriguez; the event comes together under Conductor Julian Bond, with the Opera Orlando Chorus, Osceola school students, and the Alterity Chamber Orchestra. At the Osceola Performing Arts Center in Kissimmee, tickets at $25, $15 and $5 for students may be purchased at opac.tix.com

Fab Fringe 2018 Fundraiser featuring 'Josephine,’ a Cabaret Dream Play
March 5 at 7 pm
Fab Fringe 2018 will present the newly extended performance of 'Josephine,’ the award-winning cabaret performance starring Tymisha Harris direct from its Off-Broadway run. Cabaret, theatre and dance tell the story of Josephine Baker, the first international African-American superstar, as ‘Josephine’ shatters stereotypes of race, gender, and sexuality. Having earned a host of awards on tour, 'Josephine' comes to Orlando with three new Josephine Baker songs and a live band. The ‘VIP Experience’ is $75 with general admission at $35 at orlandofringe.showare.com

“The Lieutenant of Inishmore” at the Garden Theatre 
FINAL WEEK -- NOW to Feb 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 

“Flora & Ulysses” at Orlando Rep 
FINAL WEEK -- NOW to Feb 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 

“Shakespeare in Love” – LIVE 
NOW to March 25
“Shakespeare in Love” is the wonderfully funny stage play drawn from the 1998 Best Picture and Best Actress Academy Award winning movie depicting a love affair between Viola de Lesseps and William Shakespeare. Young ‘Will’ is late finishing his play – a mess of a comedy called “Romeo and Ethel!” With characters drawn from history – including several encounters with her most Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, (performed with majestic tongue in cheek by audience favorite Anne Hering), back-stage antics collide with on-stage drama as Will and Viola’s forbidden love inspires Shakespeare’s masterpiece – “Romeo and Juliet.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org for tickets. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators