Culture worthy of your calendar

‘My Illustrious Wasteland’

The original rock musical by local wunderkind Tod Kimbro was one of a handful of musicals chosen for the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival, but Kimbro’s ”My Illustrious Wasteland” had its premiere in Orlando. Now Kimbro returns to Central Florida to reprise his original acting roles while also serving as music director and keyboardist in a concert version of his work. Set in the future, Kimbro’s musical offers up political satire set to full-throttle rock music about “sainted” movie stars, mandatory happy pills and tiny computers placed in our brains. Welcome to Tod Kimbro’s view of America — a musical fusion of ‘70s glam, ‘80s old wave and classic rock. This concert version of the show features a score that deconstructs the past while its plot examines a dysfunctional future. John DiDonna, the show’s original director, returns to lend his eye and co-produce this new production in a limited four-show run. ”My Illustrious Wasteland — The Concert Version” will be performed March 25-27 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. For reservations, call 407-328-9005; for credit card orders, visit www.redchairproject.com

The Power Chords

Attention fans of “Glee”! Central Florida has its own group of young, powerful and talented singers, a new group called the Power Chords. The Power Chords are a handpicked group of vocalists (from 13 to 18 years of age) benefitting from intense instruction in voice and choreography by professionals at the Orlando Repertory Theatre (the REP). Not only do these young performers “power up the stage” at the REP, they’ve already performed for the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Red Chair Affair, a pre-show performance for the Orlando Philharmonic, National Philanthropy Day at the Ritz-Carlton, and corporate events and conventions. The Power Chords’ much-anticipated spring fundraising concert is called “Wired for Spring,” and will be held on Friday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the REP in Loch Haven Park. With tickets at an affordable $10, the performance will include a variety of pop song favorites including “Proud Mary” and “Lean on Me.” For tickets and information, call 407-896-7365 ext. 1 or visit orlandorep.com

Orlando Phil’s ‘Top Brass’

One of the pleasures of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s expanded season is a series of intimate concerts called the Focus Series, in which conductor Christopher Wilkins leads a program focused on one section of the orchestra. In these concerts, the conductor introduces the works with entertaining background notes and a decidedly dry sense of humor. The next concert in the series features the powerhouse instruments from the brass and percussion sections of the orchestra in a program of Renaissance, sacred, theatrical and popular music. The “Top Brass” performers highlighted on the program are Robert Carpenter, tuba; Jeffrey Thomas, trombone; and Mark Fischer, horn. Included in this diverse program are ”The Earl of Oxford’s March” by William Byrd, ”Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s opera “Turandot,” ”Farewell of the Tsar” from “The Tsar Saltan” by Rimsky-Korsakov, ”Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael, and ”Londonderry Air.” ”Top Brass” will be performed on Monday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at the Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. For tickets, call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org