Culture worthy of your calendar

Mad Cow presents ‘A Funny Thing …’

Broadway musicals don’t get “funnier” than Best-Musical-Tony-Award-winning “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It’s Broadway’s greatest farce, combining plot elements from the comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the slapstick of vaudeville to create a laugh-a-minute extravaganza. The musical includes the stock characters of the “crafty slave,” who is struggling to win the hand of a “beautiful courtesan” for his young “master,” in exchange for his freedom. Mad Cow presents “Funny Thing” through July 10, continuing its birthday tribute to the great Stephen Sondheim. Tickets are available at madcowtheatre.com or by calling 407-297-8788. The theater is at 105 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando.

Early Bette Midler

It takes a special performer to “channel” the talent of Bette Midler, and that is what Cassandra Hohn does as she brings her acclaimed performance (as Bette Midler) to the Winter Park Playhouse “straight from performances in New York City!” This fantasy tribute runs from June 3 to June 18. Called “Bathing in Bette,” the show re-creates Bette Midler’s early performances at the Continental Baths in New York in the 1970s. Ms. Hohn, who has performed with Norah Jones and Tony Bennett, has had great success in the New York City cabaret scene. “Bathing in Bette” will make its international debut later this year when it travels to Sydney, Australia, but first, we get to see the performance right here in Winter Park. Call 407-645-0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org The Playhouse is located at 711-C Orange Ave. in Winter Park.

Men painting men

Central Florida’s most celebrated painters (who happen to be men) will be featured in an exhibit set to open Sunday, June 5 at the new Gateway Center in DeBary. The title of the exhibit is “Men Painting Men,” and the testosterone-filled exhibit is created by male artists whose subject is the male figure. Artists include photo-realist painter Douglas Bloodworth; mixed-media artist Victor Bokas; photo-surrealist painter Jacob Cordell; renowned creator of the “strappo” technique Harold Garde; watercolorist Bob Hague; abstract figurative painter Terry Hummel; New Age POP Artist Parker Sketch; urban “cross-over” artist Chris Tobar; and is curated by yours truly. The exhibit opens on Sunday, June 5, with a reception from 2-4 p.m. and runs through July 14. (The exhibit is appropriate for viewing by children). The Gateway Center is located at 880 N. Highway 17-92 in DeBary. Visit gatewaycenterforthearts.org or call 386-668-5553.

Central Florida’s World Ballet Competition

The World Ballet Competition — set to take place through June 4 — brings 120 competitors from around the world (ages 10 to 22) of all levels of ballet experience to compete in Orlando. The annual event attracts dance celebrities from the world of ballet while rewarding future generations of dance talent. Culminating with a Stars of Dance Gala beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, the competition is now in its fifth year. Daily competitions begin at 5 p.m. Dancers are placed under the scrutiny of a renowned judging panel, and winners are rewarded with cash prizes and scholarships. The highlight of the competition is its concluding gala performance with former “Gala” artists coming from the New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet and San Francisco Ballet among others. Guests are invited to attend the daily competition and/or the gala. For tickets call 407-849-9948 or visit WBCorlando.com