Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Now through …

This is a great time to check our calendars for some outstanding performances moving into their final weeks, and while we do that – let’s count ourselves lucky for having such outstanding talent right here where we live.

Now through May 11 – ‘The All Night Strut’

‘Swing’ is the thing in this musical celebration of the 1930s and ‘40s. ”The All Night Strut” is a musical celebration that carries us through the Great Depression and World War II, filled with jazz, blues and bebop to keep our toes tapping to legendary song-writers Loesser, Ellington, Calloway and the Gershwins. From the funk-jive of Harlem to the sophistication of El Morocco, “All Night Strut” is a combination of harmony and rhythm at the Winter Park Playhouse. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Now through May 12 – Mad Cow’s Cabaret Festival

Mad Cow’s Cabaret Festival is even better this season in its new home on Church Street in downtown Orlando. The Festival is host to more than 30 performances of Broadway, comedy, and Cabaret headliners including soul-singer Shoshana Bean; renowned singer/pianist Tony Desare; baritone Lee Lessack (channeling Johnny Mercer); and former Mouseketeer Lindsey Alley featured in evening and lunchtime performances. The Festival runs through May 12. Call 407-297-8788 or visit orlandocabaret.com

Now through May 26 – ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’

This special Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) version of the Broadway musical finds Tom Sawyer matching wits with Aunt Polly and taking the adventure of his life with Becky and Huckleberry Finn. Based on the characters created by Mark Twain and filled with foot-stomping songs, ”The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” has thrills, comedy and a bit of American history for the whole family. Call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com

Now through May 26 – “The Wizard of Oz”

Each year the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden produces a big musical cast from local talent, and each year they do a great job producing Broadway on-stage. This season’s presentation is “The Wizard of Oz” – the one we grew up with – the one that exists “somewhere over the rainbow.” The performers are brilliantly cast, and the production includes Terry Olson, Orange County’s director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, doling out wisdom in the role of the Wizard. Call 407-877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

May 11 – ‘How to Succeed…’ with the Orlando Philharmonic

Fresh from its brilliant production of the opera “Madama Butterfly,” the Orlando Philharmonic will take on the classic Broadway show “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Christopher Wilkins will conduct and Frank McClain directs the musical in which window-washer J. Pierrepont Finch scratches his way to the top at World Wide Wickets. This Frank Loesser musical won both the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize in 1962. Presented in two performances on May 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Bob Carr PAC, reserve your tickets by calling 407-770-0071 or visiting orlandophil.org

May 11 – The Science of Wine at the Orlando Science Center

The largest collection of wines of any Orlando event comes to the Orlando Science Center on May 11 beginning at 7 p.m. for The Science of Wine with presentations on many aspects of wine, as well as the opportunity to sample more than 100 fine wines from the world’s great wine regions. This fundraiser for the Science Center, presented by Akerman Southern Wine & Spirits, will offer gourmet foods to accompany the wine selections, and Tim’s Wine Market will offer wine education stations. Call 407-514-2233 or visit osc.org/wine

May 13 – Orlando Camera Club begins Fine Art Group

The second Monday of each month – from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – is the meeting time for the new Fine Art Group formed within the ever-growing Orlando Camera Club. Founded by Susan Pelteson, the meetings, which promote photography as fine art, are free and open to the public. The speaker on Monday, May 13, is painter and media guru Robin Pedrero, who will speak on “The Feat of Capturing Creativity.” Seating is limited, so RSVP to Susan Pelteson at 407-694-5328 to reserve your seat.

May 14 to 19 – ‘Memphis’ to Orlando – Direct from Broadway

It won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Orchestration, and now “Memphis” is heading to Orlando. From the ‘underground dance clubs’ of 1950s Memphis, Tenn., comes this hot new musical bursting with explosive dancing, songs and a tale of forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, “Memphis” dances into the Bob Carr PAC from May 14 to 19. Tickets are available online at OrlandoBroadway.com or by calling 1-800-982-2787.

May 15 to 28 – The Fringe Festival

That wacky, often-weird, and always-wonderful festival of plays called ‘Fringe’ will present 100 performance groups in Fringe 2013. Fringe’s philosophy is to be 100 percent uncensored, 100 percent non-juried, and 100 percent accessible. This celebration of the performing arts takes place at Loch Haven Park in the last two weeks of May offering uncensored performances, a lively outdoor stage, Visual Fringe (fine Art) and Kids Fringe! Remembering that Fringe plays are ‘uncensored,’ you’ll want to check the schedule for plays that are adults only and which ones are (age-appropriate) Kids Fringe! Visit orlandofringe.org for a complete schedule.

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. He is a member of the Curatorial Council for the Museum of Florida Art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.