Josh Garrick: Culture for Your Calendar

Now to April 27 – ‘The Jersey Boys’ is Back in Orlando!

More than 13 million people have seen “Jersey Boys,” the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons. Led by the unique voice of Frankie Valli, these four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history – selling 175 million records before they were 30. “Jersey Boys – the Musical” is at the Bob Carr PAC through April 27. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787

Now through May 3 – Edward Albee’s Tony Award Winning ‘The Goat’

DiDonna Productions, known for tackling controversial theater projects, will present a full staging of Edward Albee’s black comedy/tragedy “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?” Premiered on Broadway in 2002, and winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and Drama Desk Award for Best New Play, “Goat” explores the extremes of human tolerance when a loving marriage is rocked by an impossible-to-understand-love. Including questions of infidelity, love, and betrayal, this tragic and sometimes hilarious play questions our own definitions of love and tolerance. With parental guidance highly suggested, “Goat” will be performed through May 3 at the Shakespeare Center. Reserve tickets at 407-328-9005 or visit redchairproject.com for charge card orders.

Now through May 25 – ‘Freckleface Strawberry – The Musical’ at Orlando Rep

Closing out Orlando Rep’s season of theater for young audiences is “Freckleface Strawberry - the Musical,” based on a picture book by celebrated actress Julianne Moore. Freckleface Strawberry will do anything to get rid of her freckles – from scrubbing them with soap to wearing a ski mask to school. With the help of her lovable schoolmates (and a kooky teacher), Freckleface learns that everyone is different – and that’s what makes everyone special. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407-896-7365.

Now through May 11 – The 12th annual Orlando Cabaret Festival at Mad Cow

Mad Cow kicks off the 12th annual Orlando Cabaret Festival, featuring Broadway star Christiane Noll, tonight (April 24) with an opening night that also honors a local hero for outstanding achievement in the arts. The catered cocktail hour and silent auction will be followed by a night of cabaret. For the next 18 days, we can celebrate cabaret with some of the world's great singing artists including award-winning actor and vocalist Nicholas Rodriguez, Tony Award-winning Broadway and TV star Laura Benanti, and a dozen other wonderful performers. Visit orlandocabaret.com for a complete list of performances.

April 25 – ‘Young David Copperfield’ – a reading

Of all Dickens’ novels, “David Copperfield” is the most autobiographical, and the one he loved best. Dickens said, “Like many fond parents, I have in my heart-of-hearts a favorite child, and his name is David Copperfield.” Performed by members of the REP’s Student Board, the REP Power chords, and the Youth Academy, a production of “Young David Copperfield” will be presented April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Orlando Repertory Theatre in Loch Haven Park. Tickets are free, and seating is first come, first served. Call 407-896-7365.

April 25 to May 17 – ‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits’

Forbidden Broadway has been a hit musical revue – lovingly satirizing Broadway shows and stars since before some of us were born! Now those fun-loving singing-actors of the Winter Park Playhouse invite us to join the laughter as they present “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits.” You will laugh out loud as Broadway's music legends meet Broadway's greatest satirists in this hilarious tribute to the “Great White Way.” Opening April 25, call 407-645-0145 or visit Winterparkplayhouse.org

April 25 to 27 – American Pie Council National Pie Championships

It doesn’t get any bigger than this for serious pie lovers as amateur, professional and commercial pie bakers come together to have their pie deemed the nation's best. And once the judging is done, April 26 and 27 turns the town of Celebration, Florida into the “Pie capital of the world” for the Great American Pie Festival. Celebrate this yummy American heritage with the all-you-can-eat never-ending pie buffet, pie eating contests, baking activities, PieCasso art, and the Pietopia stage (with live music, games and more). The Pie Buffet is $10/adults and $5/seniors and children. Visit piecouncil.com or call 407-566-2200.

April 25 to 27 – Goodguys National Hot Rod and Custom Car Show

The Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee will be filled with 1,500 show-cars this weekend, as The Goodguys All American Nationals brings its high-performance car event to Kissimmee. Fans will see everything from Lil’ Deuce Coupes (’32 Ford hot rods) to ’70s era muscle cars to new generation Chevy Camaros. There will be racing on the Goodguys AutoCross track, vendor exhibits, a model car show, swap meet, and live music throughout the weekend. Call 925-838-9876 or visit good-guys.com

April 26 – Orlando Shakespeare Theater presents free Movie in the Park

To celebrate the Bard’s 450th birthday, the Orlando Shakespeare Theater will present a free big-screen showing of Joss Whedon's “Much Ado About Nothing” on April 26 at 8 p.m. A modern re-telling of Shakespeare's comedy about two pairs of lovers with very different takes on romance, Whedon’s ‘Much Ado’ is a winner of the National Board of Review’s Top Ten Independent Films Award. The outdoor event takes place on the lawn of Loch Haven Park. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org

And looking ahead …

May 10 – The Chef’s Gala for United Way

An alarming one in five families in Central Florida need help with basic necessities, and the most tasteful way to help United Way help all those thousands of Central Floridians is by purchasing a ticket to the annual Chef’s Gala – the United Way’s signature gala. Foodies and philanthropists come together to sample the creations of our region’s top chefs – and thanks to the generosity of host Walt Disney World – 95 percent of all proceeds go directly to help those in need. From the Cask & Larder to Victoria & Albert’s, great chefs from our greatest restaurants help those in need. Email [email protected] or call 407-429-2129 for more information.