“Josh Recommends” for the Week of March 4, 2019

By Josh Garrick 

Fiddler on the Roof
March 5 to 10 at the Dr. Phillips Center
With a string of Broadway’s greatest hits including “Tradition”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “If I Were a Rich Man,”and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” Fiddler on the Roof is the heart-warming, can’t-help-but-smile story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life and love. Tony Award–winning director Bartlett Sher brings a fresh vision to this universally beloved masterpiece from Tony-winner Joseph Stein and Pulitzer Prize–winners Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins, this Fiddler on the Roof introduces a new generation to the uplifting celebration that sings “To love! To life! L’Chaim!” Call 844.513 2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

1984 – The Play, based on the book by George Orwell
NOW thru March 17
After a successful Broadway run, this Central Florida Premiere of a new play by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan presents the entire gruesome and claustrophobic terror of living with “Big Brother” watching your every move – even inside your own bedroom. George Orwell’s horrific masterpiece presents a time in which a totalitarian government uses brainwashing, surveillance, and torture to control its citizens. The Garden Theatre moves from success to success in both casting and production values while making the out-of-control state power feel horribly real. Special mention goes to Brian Zealand as the would-be revolutionary, along with a superb cast that forces the audience to remind itself – “This is a play.” The violence and torture is presented with such ‘reality,’ it is almost too much to sit through. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

Gertrude and Claudius – and Hamlet
NOW thru March 24 at Orlando Shakes
We can always be proud of our Shakespeare Company – especially when Artistic Director Jim Helsinger steps in as an actor or director.  NOW Mr. Helsinger has taken the whole business up several notches by working for 17 years to turn the John Updike NOVEL (entitled Gertrude and Claudius) of 2001 into a PLAY which is a PREQUEL to Hamlet. AND not only are we being treated to the WORLD PREMIERE of G & C, but it is being presented at the Shakespeare Theater in Loch Haven Park in repertory with Mr. Shakespeare’s amazing play from 1600. (That would be HAMLET).  I hope I won’t be branded a heretic when I say that I actually “enjoyed” G & C the most of the two plays, but please know that I spent much of the time at G & C with this little ping going off in my brain as G & C rolled out with all its cunning plotting while ANSWERING questions that we all have about HAMLET.  Bottom Line – Two more triumphs from our Shakespeare Theatre – including a wondrous World Premiere for spice. We are Orlando Proud – Thank you, OrlandoShakes  Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators