Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Now through Oct. 27 – ‘DISenchanted!’ the musical

“DISenchanted!,” the musical featuring fairy-tale princesses who are none too happy with the exploitation they’ve suffered in today’s films and dolls, is gleefully “storming the castle” of one of Florida’s largest employers at The Abbey through Oct. 27. Before it hits Off-Broadway in New York City, this story of six bold women who refuse to be damsels-in-distress, finds Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and friends – singing the truth about the “once-upon-a-time life.” Featuring personal favorites Michelle Knight and Andrea Canny, the show is directed by Fiely Matias with music, book and lyrics by Dennis Giacino. Visit TicketWeb.com or call 866-468-7630.

Sept. 27 to Oct. 7 – Breakthrough Theatre presents ‘Songs For a New World’

Breakthrough Theatre will present “Songs For a New World,” a show that is part musical and part song-cycle with a theme about facing moments of decision in which each character transitions in a significant way. Composer Jason Robert Brown said of his show, “It's about one moment. It's about hitting the wall and having to make a choice, or take a stand, or turn around and go back.” Directed by the talented duo of Wade Hair and Justin Scarlat, call 407-920-4034 or visit breakthroughtheatre.com for tickets.

Sept. 27 – Mad Cow opens season with ‘Other Desert Cities’

In the drama “Other Desert Cities” – by Jon Robin Baitz – Brooke Wyeth returns to her family home to visit her parents after a six-year absence. A promising novelist, she announces the imminent publication of a memoir based on a tragic event in the family's history – a wound her parents do not want reopened. Not surprisingly, Brooke’s parents fall into old habits and plead with her to keep their story quiet. The show opens Sept. 27. Call 407-297-8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

Sept. 28 – Orlando Philharmonic’s Opening Night

The not-to-be-missed Opening Nights of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Christopher Wilkins, are always big nights – with each Opening Night including a huge symphonic masterwork. On Sept. 28 at 8:30 p.m., the Philharmonic’s program begins with Ron Nelson’s bold but lyrical “Savannah River Holiday,” followed by Mozart’s dramatic Piano Concerto No. 20 performed by the brilliant Jon Kimura Parker. Finally Strauss’s massive “Ein Heldenleben” (A Hero’s Life) will employ a Mahler-sized orchestra to explore the heroic themes inspired by Beethoven. For tickets, call 407-770-0071 or visit orlandophil.org

Sept. 28 to Jan. 5 – Sesame Street at the Orlando Science Center

The Orlando Science Center invites us to take a walk down one of the best-known streets in the world with their new exhibit “Sesame Street Presents: The Body.” Big Bird, Elmo and the Sesame Street residents arrive on Sept. 28 and will be ‘in residence’ through Jan. 5. “The Body” is an interactive exhibit created in response to the childhood obesity crisis in the U.S. with experiences that teach families to maintain healthy lifestyles. Set in the familiar and reassuring world of Sesame Street, each exhibit has multiple activities to provide age-appropriate learning experiences for all children. “Sesame Street Presents: The Body” is included with admission to the Science Center. Call 407-514-2000 or visit osc.org

Oct. 2, 11, 18, and 25 – Gallery Talks and Free Film Series at the Morse Museum

Beginning Oct. 2, that jewel of Winter Park, the Morse Museum, will host gallery talks related to its new exhibition “Lifelines — Forms and Themes of Art Nouveau.” Docents will conduct the talks at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, and Curator Donna Climenhage will give the talks at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. “Lifelines” explores Art Nouveau with more than 100 objects organized by groups that illustrate themes, including nature, the female form, and exoticism. In addition, the Museum will present free screenings of the three-part BBC film documentary “Sex and Sensibility: The Allure of Art Nouveau” including “Paris” on Oct. 11; “Britain” on Oct. 18; and “Vienna” on Oct. 25. Call 407-645-5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

Oct. 3 to 9 – ‘Mamma Mia!’ – The smash hit musical with songs by ABBA

Seen by more than 50 million people around the world, “Mamma Mia” is celebrating its 12th year on Broadway. Meanwhile, the feature film is the most successful movie musical of all time. The story – woven around beloved hit tunes by ABBA – is about a single mother who owns a small hotel on a Greek island. She is about to watch the daughter she’s raised alone get married, but the wedding guests provide their own version of love and romance in this celebration of mothers and daughters, friends and family. Visit OrlandoBroadway.com or call 1-800-982-2787 or 407-704-6116.

Oct. 4, 5, and 6 – The Maitland Rotary Art Festival, ‘Art Under the Stars’

Surrounding beautiful Lake Lily in Maitland, the Maitland Rotary Art Festival, celebrating its 37th season, is a boutique art festival with 150 artists vying for $26,000 in awards. The only nighttime fine art show in Florida, the evening hours create a magical experience for artists and patrons alike as Performing Arts of Maitland provides live entertainment, including the Symphonic Orchestra on Saturday night, and the Stage Band on Friday night. The Festival takes place Friday, Oct. 4, from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And Looking Ahead …

Oct. 11 to 31 (Halloween) – ‘Phantasmagoria IV’

DiDonna Productions will present the fourth installment of what has become an annual Halloween celebration – ‘Phantasmagoria IV – Hell Hath Risen” from Oct. 11 to 31. ‘PHAN IV’ will storm into the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park with new stories and all-new large-scale puppetry interacting with live actors, dance and ‘haunted’ storytelling – paying homage to Poe, Dickens and other literary masters who ‘dabbled in the Dark.’ Under the direction of John DiDonna; co-direction by Kevin G. Becker and Seth Kubersky; choreography by Mila Makarova and Dion Smith; fight direction by Bill Warriner; original music by Tod Kimbro and Les Caulfield; this new installment presents us with a Halloween treat bag of the finest talents in Central Florida. Call 407-328-9005 or submit credit card orders online at redchairproject.com

Josh Garrick is a writer, photographer, educator, and fine art curator. he is a member of the curatorial council for the Museum of Florida art. Garrick can be reached at [email protected] or 407-522-3906.