“Josh Recommends” for the Week of October 11, 2019 By Josh Garrick 

“Desperate Measures” at the Winter Park Playhouse 
FINAL WEEKEND -- NOW to Oct 13 
This critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musical comedy is set in the 1890s and is inspired by Shakespeare's “Measure for Measure.” When the ‘dangerously handsome’ Johnny Blood puts his fate into the hands of a ‘colorful’ cast of characters (a wily sheriff, a saloon-girl-gone-good, and a nun out of the habit), will they pull off the greatest caper yet, or will Johnny be left hanging? Winner of the 2018 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for tickets visit winterparkplayhouse.com or call 407.645.0145. 

“DeathTrap” in Winter Garden
Oct 11 to 27 
Sidney Bruhl will do anything to publish the next great play – (he would even kill for it). Ira Levin’s famous dark-comedy-thriller has audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next … as Sidney discovers he may not be the only murderer in the room. Call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org 

The CFCArts Theatre presents
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Oct 11 to Nov 3 
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler
This thrilling and dark musical set in Victorian-era London tells the tale of barber Sweeney Todd as he returns to London after fifteen years of exile. Writer Stephen Sondheim captures the pain and evil of Sweeney’s life, as this murderous barber sets his sights on revenge against the corrupt Judge who ruined his life. This production contains the use of suggestive material and may not be suitable for all audiences. Parental discretion is advised. 

“MACBETH, the Scottish Play” at the Shakespeare Festival 
NOW to Nov 24 
For this trip into Halloween evil, Orlando Shakes will make sure that -- “Something wicked this way comes.” Experience a visually striking production of Shakespeare’s Scottish play in an intimate setting. Blind ambition and twisted prophesy lead Macbeth to murder the Scottish king and seize the throne. An impulse for destruction and a loose grip on sanity define Lord and Lady Macbeth’s foothold on power that can only end in tragedy.
Call 407.447.1700 or visit OrlandoShakes.org 

PHANTASMAGORIA X: “The Reckoning”
NOW to Nov 3 at venues listed below 
Celebrating their 10th YEAR of Hauntingly successful acting/story-telling, “Phantasmagoria X: the Reckoning” thunders onto the stage in Central Florida with an ALL NEW SHOW - bringing a chill to your spine as it weaves a tapestry of stories from folklore, legend and literature! Click here for tickets to ALL locations (including the ‘Ghost Train.’) https://bit.ly/2lzNmvX

TAVARES – Royal Palm Ghost Train
Sundays – NOW to Nov 3 at 3:45 pm and 6:15 pm; Tavares Union Station Price: $38.00
Called “One of the most unique theater troupes in the country,” Phantasmagoria will share their haunting tales in a custom performance for a real moving train! The 80 minute train ride includes hauntings from Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe – culminating in “The Legend of the Ghost of the Royal Palm Railway”

ORLANDO – October 18, 19, 20, 21 
Shakespeare Center, Loch Haven Park, phantasmagoriaorlando.com or (407) 476-5121

DELAND – October 25
Athens Theatre, 124 N Florida Ave athensdeland.com / (386) 736-1500
 
TAMPA – October 26th
Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St. tampatheatre.org/live/phantasmagoria
 
EUSTIS – October 31st -- HALLOWEEN NIGHT !!
Historic State Theater, 109 North Bay Street  baystreetplayers.org / (352) 357-7777
 
SANFORD – November 1st
Wayne Densch Perf Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave wdpac.com / (407) 321-8111
 
OCALA – November 2nd
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St  reillyartscenter.com / (352) 351-1606

Oct 17 to Nov 14 – Dia de los Muertos & Monster Party 
Oct 17 – Opening Reception and ‘Block Party’ – 7 to 11 pm 
Now in its 10th year this unique party and art gallery Opening has grown like the “Halloween Monster that ate Orlando!!” With over 150 pieces of “horror-themed” Art and participating Artists from across the country – THIS is the most fun you’ll have all year while experiencing “culture” at the same time. Come for the fun and create a costume as well. Remember – these are Artists and pretty much anything goes along with the food vendors, live performances and prizes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for FUN at the City Arts Building 

Tim Burton's “The Nightmare Before Christmas” WITH Symphony Orchestra 
Oct 18 at the Dr. Phillips Center 
If you’ve noticed, we already have Christmas trees in stores of all sizes, so we can tip our Elve’s Ears to Tim Burton for the forward-thinking idea of mixing Halloween with Christmas. The cult classic with Danny Elfman’s score will be performed LIVE by a symphony orchestra at the Dr. Phillips Center giving Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s Pumpkin King, one more chance to bring Christmas under his control. But even a Pumpkin King soon discovers the best-laid plans of skeletons and jolly old men should be kept separate. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org

The Worlds of ‘Corkcicle’ Return
IMMERSE 2019
Oct 18 to 27 in Downtown Orlando 
Last year thousands of people watched, viewed, participated in and IMMERSED themselves in the widest variety of artistic events ever assembled on the streets and venues of Orlando. For example, the 12 immersive photo environments that were part of The ‘Worlds of Corkcicle’ will, this year be built out in 8 shipping containers. You can explore these never-before-seen worlds at Seneff Plaza at the Dr. Phillips Center among many other venues. 

Alison Krauss at the Dr. Phillips Center
Oct 19 at 8 pm 
Having sold 12 million records to date – and honored with 27 Grammys – Alison Krauss became a member of the Grand Ole Opry at age 21. See this penultimate country singer LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center on October 19. Call 844.513,2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

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. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, single tickets are bbbbbbbbb on sale at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

“A Hero’s Journey” Presented by CFCArts Symphony Orchestra
October 25 and October 26 at Calvary Orlando
Presented by the newly enlarged CFCArts Symphony Orchestra, their fall concert is called “A Hero’s Journey.” By definition, a hero goes on an adventure, is victorious in a crisis, and comes home changed or transformed. With its sweeping scores and “story-book” background music, this is the perfect one-of-a-kind concert that is perfect for your entire family – and a great way to introduce young ones to the appreciation of the power of great music. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com 

“VAMPIRE’S BALL 2019” Danced by the Spirits of the Orlando Ballet 
Oct 31, Nov 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm and Nov 3 at 3 pm 
Truly wonderful ballet dancing (and hauntingly good fun) awaits us at the “back-by-popular-demand-return” of the newly ‘revamped’ VAMPIRE’S BALL opening on Halloween night 2019. This fan favorite thrills and surprises with the riotous tale of two ‘competitive’ vampires (and the obligatory “mad scientist”) told through dance as only Orlando Ballet can. With splendid sets and costumes, please join in the fun in your own “haunting best” … if you dare. Dancer: Daniel Benavides in Photography by Michael Cairns 2019. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

“The Seven Deadly Sins” via Wm. S. Burroughs
Nov 1 to Nov 29
That “Hotbed” of curatorial interest – the Mills Gallery -- will present the deliciously decadent, “unsung visual works” from one of America's great artists – “The Seven Deadly Sins” As presented through the imagination of William S. Burroughs, the exhibit is curated and organized by Kyle Eagle, Enrique Wiedemann, Daniel Fuller, and The Modern Music Movement at the Mills Gallery. 

Opera Orlando presents Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”
November 1, 2, 3, and 5 
Sung in Italian with English sub-titles in the charmingly intimate Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Introducing NEW Theater Works at PLAYFEST 2019
Nov 1 to 3 and 8 & 9 
Since its inception in 2003, PlayFest has helped develop over 100 new plays. Here in Central Florida, at Orlando Shakes in Loch Haven Park, the annual play fest will feature seven new works that reflect the breadth of the human experience. At the two-weekend festival patrons participate in the creative process by viewing new works by Tammy Ryan, Michael Hollinger, Richard Henry & Eric Hissom, Jan Neuberger, David Valdes, Kara Lee Corthron, and Emily Denginger. Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 ext. 1

“Leading Ladies: Encores” presented by the CFCArts Community Choir
November 8 at 6:30 pm and 8:15 pm at Calvary Orlando
This fall, the CFCArts Women’s Chorale returns with another night of music featuring iconic songs from stage, screen, and TV. With Broadway’s greatest songs -- from “Memory” (Cats) to “Defying Gravity” (Wicked) – ( and more than a few surprises along the way) this concert is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED even before I see the full list of songs. Call 407.937.1800 or visit cfcarts.com 

The “Corn Maze Adventure” at Scott Farms in Mount Dora 
NOW to Dec. 8 
Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays noon to 5 pm
There are many ways to enjoy a Halloween Adventure and one of them opens this weekend in the two “Corn Mazes” at Scott Farms. Family and friends may choose the 1 acre or the 6 acre maze – with lots of paths to get lost in. But have no fear! There are employees inside the maze to help guests, and everyone sees a short video about the maze before entering the ‘Adventure Area.’ Groups of 4 to 6 must have an adult in every group. Enter the maze and work together to find your way while completing the game sheet. Call 352.383.6900 or visit longandscottfarms.com 

Orlando Native MICHAEL SCOTT reprises his role as GENIE in ALADDIN
Jan 22 to Feb 9 at Dr. Phillips Center 
“Aladdin”is the hit musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated film that opened on Broadway in 2014 … AND has grossed over $1 billion since that Opening Night!! I am incredibly excited to report that Orlando native Michael James SCOTT, who played the Genie on Broadway and in London, will “come home” to play the iconic role in Orlando. A graduate of Dr. Phillips H.S., Scott has appeared in 8 Broadway productions. “The pride, joy and excitement of having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring this iconic role back to the city where it all started for me feels like the biggest Disney dream come true,” said Scott. We’re thrilled to have you “come home” Mr. Scott, AND that gives an already “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” show several more reasons to get your tickets early. Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators