Culture worthy of your calendar

‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’

It’s safe to say that Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is Edward Albee’s finest and most famous play. Running from Friday, Jan. 28 to Feb. 27 at the Mad Cow Theatre, we are fortunate to have two of Central Florida’s best actors — Stephan Jones and Peg O’ Keef — to play George and Martha, the roles Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton took on years ago as the aging college professor and his razor-tongued wife. On the campus of a small New England college, George and Martha invite a new professor and his wife home for a nightcap. Cocktails flow — drunken bitterness ensues — and the lies (and truths) hidden for years by both couples come crashing in on them. The younger couple — played here by Timothy Williams and Heather Leonardi — are caught as the pawns in this battle of booze-marinated marital warfare. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407-297-8788 extension 1. The Mad Cow Theatre is at 105 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando.

‘West Side Story’

We are blessed this week with the arrival of “West Side Story”. Running from Tuesday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 6, the tour of “West Side Story” comes to the Bob Carr with its Tony Award-winning direction re-created by David Saint, and the original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award-nominee Joe McKneely. The history-making Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim score features classics including “Maria,” “Tonight” and “Somewhere,” leading the Broadway cast to win the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show. The original “West Side Story”, with its updated Romeo and Juliet story of race relations and the bloody anger of inner-city youths, opened in 1957, garnering passionate reactions from all who saw it. The profound passions and innovative musical score are credited with changing the entire course of the American musical theatre and represent true American greatness. Visit www.OrlandoBroadway.com or call 407-423-9999 or 800-950-4647.

‘Menopause the Musical’

This huge musical hit started right here in Orlando, and the “home-grown” “Menopause the Musical” is returning to Orlando to celebrate 10 years of “The Change!” In those 10 years, 11 million viewers in more than 450 cities and 15 countries around the world have seen “Menopause”. “We started in Orlando, and I live in Orlando, so it’s important for us to be here,” says Jeanie Linders, advertising executive-turned-playwright. The musical begins with four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra, hot flashes and night sweats. The limited engagement, running through March 13 at the Plaza Theater, gives us another chance to see what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for years! The Plaza Theatre is at 425 N. Bumby Ave. Call 407-228-1220 or visit www.theplazatheatre.com

‘Tables Extraordinaire’ to benefit Ronald McDonald House

Brides-to-be, wedding planners, interior designers and those of us who love setting a beautiful table are invited to the fundraiser called Tables Extraordinaire. Bring your family and friends for an inspirational stroll through a “wonderland of tablescapes,” featuring elegant place settings for special occasions and holidays. On Feb. 3, 4, and 5, at the Holy Trinity Conference Center in Maitland, we are invited to tour, lunch and shop in the Aegean Market Place for Greek pastries, chocolates, desserts and specialty coffees. “Take home” appetizers, meals and unique gifts are also available during this fundraising weekend. The evening of Feb. 5 features a gala dinner to benefit Ronald McDonald House and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Contact Catherine Kassianides at 407-333-3895 or Joyce Yarbrough at 407-774-2744 for tickets. Holy Trinity is located at 1217 Trinity Woods Lane in Maitland just off Interstate 4 and Wymore Road.