“Josh Recommends” for the Week of May 24, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

Annual (28th) Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival
FINAL WEEKEND -- NOW to May 27
The oldest, non-juried Arts-fest in the United States, the Orlando International Fringe Festival, (aka Orlando Fringe), is a celebration of theater, art and music. Fringe encompasses hundreds of shows, (mostly in spaces around Loch Haven Park) as well as free experiences like the Visual Fringe, Live Music, and “Kids Fringe” shows as well as food vendors and a Beer Tent. To see one of the 130-plus shows, guests first purchase a re-usable $10 festival button – and then -- ticketed shows are $0 to $12 with the button. True to Fringe roots, all acts remain uncensored, exposing patrons to performances from “mild to wild.” Visit orlandofringe.org 

It’s Turtle Power Time at the Orlando Science Center 
Presented by Nemours Children's Health 
May 25 to September 2
The Orlando Science Center is calling all Ninjas as Nickelodeon’s Mutant Ninja Turtles show off their Underground Lair. It’s a museum exhibit featuring the four heroic ninjas – who are looking for team-mates to train alongside the Turtles and Master Splinter in their Under-ground Lair. Along the way, young ones discover the importance of teamwork, creative thinking, and training as they are then asked to put their skills and training to the test in the Streets of NYC. Don't miss the live show “Enter the Dojo” on-stage, inside the 5000-square-foot exhibit hall. Visit osc.org/visit or call 407.514.2000 

“Enchanted Fairy Doors” at Leu Gardens 
June 1 to Sept 30
Back by popular demand -- if your kids have reached the age when bedtime story-time has become a series of ‘sophisticated questions,’ a visit to Leu Gardens is in order as this ‘exhibit’ of 15 “Fairy Doors” has found its way to the Gardens. Located at 1920 N. Forest Ave in Orlando, the beautiful 50-acre gardens (where the fairies live) will inspire your child’s imagination about mythical forests and secret gardens. Just find the ‘enchanted’ doors and let your child’s creativity do the rest. Admission is $10 adult, $5 child (ages 4 to 17). Leu Gardens’ Members and children 3 and younger are FREE. Visit LeuGardens.org or call 407.246.2620 

Orange County HURRICANE Expo !!!
June 1 from 9 am to 1 pm at Cypress Creek High School 
Hurricane Season 2019 begins June 1st, and on that day the Orange County Government and the Office of Emergency Management will join to host the 2019 Hurricane Expo at Cypress Creek High School. FREE and open to the public, this year’s theme is “Safer and Stronger, Together.” Highlights of the Expo include one-on-one Q & A’s with emergency responders, learning how to survive a hurricane, a panel with meteorologists, and FREE preparedness items. Cypress Creek H.S. is at 1101 Bear Crossing Drive in Orlando. For more call 407.836.9140 or email ocoema[at]ocfl.net

Dr. Phillips Center Presents Applause Awards
June 1 at 7 pm 
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the “Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Applause Awards” celebrates high school teachers and students involved in musical theater. The event features outstanding performances from participating schools while showcasing the leading musical theater programs and encouraging all schools to continue improving their programs. To participate, schools register their production to be reviewed by a team of judges, after which top contenders are invited to the Dr. Phillips Center to take part in the awards showcase. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.573.2014. 

“Museums on Us” at the Orlando Museum of Art 
June 1 and 2 
As a person who believes there SHOULD be at least one FREE day a month at all of our public museums, this program comes as close as can be to my heart. On the first full weekend of the month, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch Cardholders are invited to the Orlando Museum of Art for FREE -- thanks to the “Museums on Us” program. Designed to increase access to the arts, “Museums on Us” offers free admission to over 150 museums in 90 cities, including some of the nation’s most celebrated museums. For more, visit omart.org/visit/museums_on_us

Maitland Symphony Orchestra to Perform “Paris Beginnings”
June 2 at 7:30 pm at the Maitland Presbyterian Church 
The Maitland Symphony Orchestra's Spring Concert is a musical love-note to Paris including French composer Paul Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", Stravinsky's "Danse Infernale” from the “Firebird Suite" (which premiered at the Palais Garnier in Paris), and the "Carmen Suite No. 2" by Bizet, which scandalized Paris audiences at its opening and more. Artistic Director and Conductor is Dr. Alvaro Gomez. Call 321.303.1404 or visit pamaitland.org 

Billy Elliot: The Musical 
NOW to June 2 at the Garden Theater in Winter Garden 
Featuring a score by music-legend Elton John, this Broadway musical is based on the hit film, “Billy Elliot,” with every member of this large cast turning in a superb performance. Anyone who has taken a ‘life-path’ different from that which one’s family approves will empathize with this story set in an English town during the miners’ strike of 1984. 11-year old Billy exchanges the boxing ring for ballet class, challenging every long-held belief of his hometown. Along the way, Billy discovers his passion for dance can unite, inspire, and change lives. Visit gardentheatre.org or call 407.877.4736 

“Heartbeats” at the Winter Park Playhouse
NOW to June 9 
With Book, Music and Lyrics by Amanda McBroom, this Central Florida Premiere is a beautiful and comedic musical about a woman’s journey as she grows up, grows older and finds happiness along the way. Filled with tremendous humor and insight, this new musical illuminates the age-old conundrum known as “self-discovery.” Featuring 20 songs by Amanda McBroom, including her super-hit song, “The Rose,” call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org  

‘ONCE’ at the Mad Cow Theatre 
June 7 to 30 
Talk about “Highly Recommended,” this emotionally captivating musical is the only show to have won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award! ‘ONCE’ draws you in – from the streets of Dublin, where an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their love of music. Their unexpected friendship evolves into a powerful love story, under-scored by emotionally charged music, as this joyful show speaks to the power of music to connect us all. Based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney, for tickets call 407.297.8788 or visit MadCowTheatre.com 

“Snow White” presented by Orlando Shakespeare
June 13 to July 28
“Snow White,” adapted by the always funny Brandon Roberts, comes to life onstage in a comic telling of the classic story of love, envy, and magic. Jealous of Snow White’s beauty, the wicked queen banishes Snow White to the woods where “Snow” must rely on her courage and wit to outsmart the evil queen. Director of Education Anne Hering says. “This adaptation brings a fun and new take on Snow White while honoring its core message about love and courage. Also, join the cast for some interactive pre-show fun called, “Shake Out the Sillies” 15 minutes prior to each performance. Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 ext. 1 

And Coming Up … tickets on sale NOW 

A Chorus Line presented by the Celebration Theatre Company
July 3 to 6 at the Dr. Phillips Center
Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.573.2014. 

Flashdance: The Musical at the Garden Theatre 
July 5 to 28 
Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

Comedian Tim Allen 
August 2 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.573.2014. 
 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators