Josh Garrick: Tragedy + comedy

Through April 8 – The Earl family is troubled

Actor/director John DiDonna keeps us on the edge of our theater seats with plays that are described as visceral, explosive and brutal. His latest effort is Christopher Humble’s tragic-comedy "The Flight of the Earls", in which violence and betrayal rip through the Earl family for the sake of Ireland. "The Earls" will be performed for two weeks only through Sunday, April 8, at the Shakespeare Center. For reservations, call 407-328-9005. Tickets are cash only at door; for preorders, visit redchairproject.com

March 30-April 29 – Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’

An evening of sophisticated one-liners and witty comebacks make up Noel Coward’s best play. "Private Lives" is scandalous and as sparkling as chilled champagne. "Private Lives" opens March 30 at the Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando with Jennifer Christa Palmer as Amanda and Philip Nolen as Elyot. This glamorous and tempestuous couple haven't seen each other since their divorce five years ago when they meet again by chance on a hotel balcony. Their passion reignites, but they happen to be on their respective honeymoons! Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com for more information.

March 30-April 23 – ‘The Last Five Years’ … a musical

The Jason Brown musical "The Last 5 Years" ingeniously chronicles the five-year life of a marriage — from meeting to breakup. This personal look at the relationship between two characters will be presented with a unique twist by Director Wade Hair at the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park as the musical will have four different casts — with each cast performing one weekend of the four-week run. The casts are: Erynn Hair and Rob Guest (March 30-April 2); Sarah Ross and Justin Nickerson (April 6-9); Krystal Gillette and Sage Starkey (April 13-16); and Jolie Hart and Adam McCabe (April 20-23). Call 407¬-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com

March 31 – McRae Art Studios Open House

In Winter Park is a studio warehouse filled with 22 of the finest working artists in all of Florida. Their work is seen in museums and prestigious collections both locally and throughout the country. Twice a year, they invite the public to meet them, see their workspaces, and — most importantly — offer us ‘bargains’ in fine art. I never miss this opportunity to purchase new work while supporting local artists. The open house is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, and admission is free. The space is called McRae Art Studios, located at 904 Railroad Ave. in Winter Park. Call 407-599-9956 or visit mcraeartstudios.com

April 7-30 — Parker Sketch Solo Art

Parker Sketch is the busiest artist on the Central Florida art scene with his contemporary take on pop art. In his new exhibit – "Biography" – we view a personal side of Parker Sketch in his most sophisticated collection to date. The work tells of Parker's experiences growing up in the poverty of the projects of Chicago, his early exposure to alcohol, living on the streets and discovering his sexual identity. "Biography" will be on display in Gallery Q at The Center at 946 N. Mills Ave. in Orlando. A free reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 7. Call 321-287-5634 or visit thecenterorlando.org

April 7 – Rogers & Hammerstein’s ‘Carousel’

I highly recommend the Orlando Philharmonic’s opera/musical stagings with the orchestra on-stage and the performers in front of the Orchestra. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s "Carousel," conducted by Christopher Wilkins, will be performed at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Both performances feature an all-star cast. Named the best musical of the 20th century by Time Magazine, "Carousel" follows the story of Billy Bigelow, a swaggering carnival barker, who marries naïve mill worker Julie Jordan. Michelle Knight, Todd S. Mummert and Andrea Canny are just a few of the talented singing-actors you will recognize in this production. Call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

And not to be missed… through April 22 – ‘Red’

"Red" at the Shakespeare Theater is a brilliant play, brilliantly directed by Patrick Flick and brilliantly acted by the two-man cast of John Herrera as Painter Mark Rothko and Buddy Haardt as his assistant. This is as fine a production as you will see anywhere. The Orlando Shakes prove once again that we have great art here in Central Florida. Do not miss it. Call 407-447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org