“Josh Recommends” for the Week of March 22, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

Opera Orlando Pairs Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella
TODAY -- March 22 to March 26 
The always imaginative Opera Orlando is creating one evening in which two classics are paired in this premiere operatic union of Pagliacci/Pulcinella. Both works garner inspiration from Italy's commedia dell'arte tradition, and this production honors that tradition by showing us the “circus troupe” from which the tragedy is drawn. Orlando’s own Phantasmagoria Troupe comes on-stage with Pagliacci as one of their performers. Brian Cheney is Canio and Suzanne Kantorski is Nedda in this mash-up of high comedy and intense tragedy in this emotionally charged “show within a show.” Performances at the Dr. Phillips Center, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org  

TONY BENNETT at the Dr. Phillips Center
TOMORROW -- March 23 at 8 pm
Tony Bennett's life and philosophy is the embodiment of the Great American Story. Having celebrated his 92nd birthday on August 3rd 2018, his career as the pre-eminent singer of the 20th and 21st centuries is unprecedented as he continues to be embraced and loved by audiences of all generations. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org/events 

Gertrude and Claudius – and Hamlet 
FINAL WEEK-END 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 turned the John Updike NOVEL (entitled Gertrude and Claudius) of 2001 into a PLAY which is a PREQUEL to Hamlet. Not only are we treated to the WORLD PREMIERE of G & C, but it is being presented in repertory with Shakespeare’s amazing play from 1600. (That would be Hamlet). Much of the enjoyment of G & C is the cunning plotting that ANSWERs questions we all have about HAMLET. That’s two more triumphs from our Shakespeare Theatre – including a World Premiere. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Florida Cowboy Heritage Day is FREE 
March 24 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Polasek Museum
On March 24 the Polasek Museum offers FREE admission on “Florida Cowboy Heritage Day” when several of the artists from the Museum’s current exhibit will be present. There will also be “pop-up” painters from the Central Florida Watercolor Society, poetry readings by the Orlando Poets Association, and historical re-enactments by the Museum of Seminole County History & Osceola County Historical Societies. It all takes place at the Albin Polasek Museum at 633 Osceola Avenue in Winter Park. Visit Polasek.org or call 407.960.4719 

Rock n’ Roll Lovers – You’ve Got a DECISION to Make --- THIS SUNDAY -- the Planets Align on March 24 at 8 pm (same night – same time) 

Legendary Band CHICAGO at the Bob Carr Theater
March 24 at 8 pm
CHICAGO, the legendary “rock-and-roll-band-with-horns,” comes in at an incredible number 9, the highest-charting American band in Billboard Magazine’s “Hot 200 ALL-TIME Top Artists.” The first American band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. From the unique sound of their horns, to their dozens of classic hits CHICAGO ‘Celebrates’ at every concert. This year marks the band’s unprecedented 51st Anniversary Tour, giving them 50-plus reasons to ‘Celebrate’ as never before. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org/events 

The John Mellencamp Show
March 24 at 8 pm 
Set to coincide with his highly anticipated new album release, JOHN MELLENCAMP brings his 2019 tour of “The John Mellencamp Show” to Orlando. Featuring the rock icon’s classics plus new material, his live show has garnered critical acclaim with the Hollywood Reporter calling it a “triumphant, career-spanning show.” His extensive touring and live shows have solidified the Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer’s place at the forefront of American music for the past 40 years PLUS -- Every ticket purchased online will receive a copy of Mellencamp’s up-coming album “Other People’s Stuff” set for release on November 16 by Republic Records.
Visit drphillipscenter.org/events 

“Once Upon a Mattress” Presented by CFCArts Theatre
March 29 to April 14 
This wonderfully funny (and tuneful) musical, composed by Mary Rodgers, follows the tale of an evil queen, and a prince who just wants to find a little love – Now is that so wrong? In our classic tale, the nasty Queen Mother Agravia – does not think anyone worthy of her son OR her kingdom so she decides NO ONE will be allowed to marry until her son does. (Side-note: The people of the court are NOT happy). Enter Princess Winifred who turns the kingdom upside down, and …. CFCArts excels at this kind of musical silliness, so we expect a load of laughter to accompany the singing. Visit CFCArts.com or call 407.937.1800 

Mad Cow Theatre Presents “Top Girls”
March 29 to April 21 
Women and power are back on the table in Caryl Churchill’s famously feminist feast about career-driven Marlene and her relationships in “Top Girls.” Caryl Churchill is prolific, dynamic, and varied, and this contemporary classic, first performed in 1982, is most famous for its opening scene, featuring the main character attending a dinner party, accompanied by several women from history and folklore. The play strikes a chord today, in a world where women are still suffering due to gender inequality, albeit with exciting changes on the horizon. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788 X 1.

Peter & the Wolf Family Weekend with the Orlando Ballet 
March 30 at 11 am & 7:30 pm and March 31 at 2 pm
The Orlando Ballet presents the classic fairy tale, “Peter and the Wolf” as seen through original choreography by Artistic Director, Robert Hill. Prokofiev’s brilliant score brings each animal to life for children of all ages, introducing the instruments of the orchestra, while the work is ‘sophisticated enough’ for adults to enjoy. With tickets starting at 4 for $60, the Orlando Ballet’s second annual Family Weekend not only introduces young ones to the joys of symphonic music, but presents the beloved tale with “live animals” and Music provided by Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Beat Bugs – A Musical Adventure (Inspired by the Beatles !!!) 
NOW through April 7 at the Orlando Rep
Inspired by music made famous by The Beatles, "Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure" hits the stage with five insect pals who explore the world and pick up life lessons along the way. This new musical, based on the Netflix animated series, introduces Walter, Buzz, Jay, Crick, and Kumi on a mission to save Strawberry Fields from being taken over by a Stink Bug. Some of the iconic songs include “All You Need Is Love,” “Come Together,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” Call 407.896.7365 or visit orlandorep.com 

“What a Glorious Feeling!” at the Winter Park Playhouse 
NOW to April 13 
“What a Glorious Feeling!” is the new song-and-dance musical that brings to life the little-known story of the love triangle between Hollywood legends Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen and their assistant Jeanne Coyne during the creation of the greatest movie musical of all time, “Singin’ in the Rain.” That means it includes movie-land’s most-loved songs and Hollywood’s most enduring dancing -- the kind of musical the Winter Park Playhouse seems to have been created to present! Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

AND SAVE THE DATE … 

Burn This Down: Reflections on the Art World
April 5 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm 
Hosted by Mills Gallery at 1650 Mills Ave in Orlando 
This exhibit features American abstract expressionist painter and printmaker HAROLD GARDE, who experienced the birth of significant art movements during his SEVEN DECADE career. Fast forward to today, and Garde remains relevant … TODAY. 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators