“Josh Recommends” for the Week of July 19, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

Bark in the Park – For the Young Ones 
July 20 from 10 am to 12 noon 
This sounds like great fun for kids (who like dogs). The Winter Park Parks & Recreation Department’s Family Fun Program will host ‘Bark in the Park’ in Lake Baldwin Park. Children ‘of all ages’ will make “no bake” dog treats and then serve as hosts, handing those home-made treats out to dogs visiting Lake Baldwin at 4990 New Broad Street in Orlando. This is a FREE event; No reservations required; for more call 407.599.3342 

Russian Ballet Orlando Presents Giselle 
July 25 at 7 pm 
Giselle is possibly the MOST Romantic of all the Classical, Romantic ballets. Our local Russian-trained Ballet Company presents this ballet – a true tour-de-force for the lead ballerina about a girl named Giselle who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another. For tickets, call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Disney’s “Peter Pan Jr.” presented by CFCArts Youth Summer Camps 
July 26 at 7 pm and July 27 at 2 pm and 7 pm 
Based on the Disney film and J.M. Barrie’s timeless play, Disney’s “Peter Pan Jr.” is the story about the boy who would NOT grow up. Thanks to some “pixie dust,” the audience joins Peter for an adventure bringing them face to face with a ‘ticking’ crocodile, an Indian tribe, a crew of bungling pirates and their wicked Captain Hook. With a score of favorites, Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. is the perfect show for the child in all of us. Tickets are $10 ahead and $15 at the door at the First Academy at 2667 Bruton Blvd. in Orlando. Visit CFCArts.com or call 407.937.1800 

Breakthrough Theatre's 10 Year Anniversary and Award Celebration
July 28 beginning at 6 pm 
10 years is a wonderful milestone – especially for a theatre company that has consistently delivered great performances of BIG shows on a jewel-box stage. Some examples include “Cabaret” and a “Godspell” so wonderful I went back twice. Founder and Director Wade Hair invites the community to join their celebration including a catered dinner, door-prizes, an Awards Ceremony and musical performances from “Best of” nominees. Co-hosted by Wade, Iris Johnson and Jamaal Solomon at Trinity Prep at 5700 Trinity Prep Lane in Winter Park, tickets run from $5 to $25 and must be purchased in advance at breakthroughtheatre.com  

… Continuing … 

CFCArts presents “Bye-Bye Birdie” 
NOW to July 28
What could be more “American” than a story from the 1960’s about a hip-swaying rock-star drafted to the US Army? Women love him, teens scream at the sound of his name, and in this tuneful happily-ever-after musical (that made Ann-Margret a star) the famous Rock Star is sent to a small town in Ohio to say goodbye on live TV by planting a kiss on his biggest fan. The show is hilarious and tunefully upbeat. Visit cfcarts.com or calling 407.937.1800 for tickets. 

“Flashdance: The Musical” at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden 
NOW to July 28 
We are asked to “Dance like you’ve never danced before” as the Garden Theatre presents Flashdance: The Musical -- the LIVE stage version of the unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex – welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night. Alex dreams of becoming a professional dancer, just as romance complicates her ambition. Based on the iconic movie, Flashdance boasts a score of pop hits including “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” and the title track “Flashdance” Ohhhhhh -- What a Feeling.” Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

“Snow White” presented by Orlando Shakespeare
NOW to July 28
“Snow White,” adapted by the always funny Brandon Roberts, comes to life onstage in a comic re-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 Ed. 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 

Turtle Power at the Orlando Science Center Presented by Nemours Children's Health
NOW to September 2
The Orlando Science Center is calling all Ninjas as Nickelodeon’s Mutant Ninja Turtles show off their Underground Lair in a museum exhibit featuring the four heroic ninjas. They’re looking for team-mates to train alongside the Turtles and Master Splinter. Along the way, young ones discover the importance of teamwork, creative thinking, and training as they are then asked to put their ‘new skills’ 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 
NOW to Sept 30
Back by popular demand -- a visit to Leu Gardens is in order as this ‘exhibit’ of 15 “Fairy Doors” has found its way back 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. Work together to find the ‘enchanted’ doors and let your child’s creativity do the rest. Admission is $10 adult, $5 children (ages 4 to 17). Leu Gardens’ Members and children 3 and younger are FREE. Visit LeuGardens.org or call 407.246.2620 

“Legally Blonde, The Musical” at the Dr. Phillips Center 
August 2 to 4 

“How to Marry a Divorced Man” at the Winter Park Playhouse 
August 2 to 25  

Tim Allen at the Dr. Phillips Center 
August 2 

FAVO First Friday BACKPACK Collection and Art Show
August 2 beginning at 5 pm 
Hosted by FAVO Faith Arts Village Orlando
FREE and Open to the Public

The Tony Award Winning Musical Phenomenon, “Les Miserables”
October 22 to 27, 2019
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune called “Les Miz” one of the greatest musicals ever created,” and I completely agree. Single tickets are now on sale at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators