Florida Culture for the Week of June 13 by Josh Garrick

“HAIR” Direct from Broadway
The historical similarities between the 1960’s and today are too chilling to contemplate, so it may be more than a co-incidence that the “dawning of the Age of Aquarius” is coming to visit us here in Orlando. The 2009 Tony Award Winning Musical Revival HAIR will play the Bob Carr for a one-week engagement June 21 to June 26. With a score that includes Let the Sun Shine In, Aquarius, Hair, and Good Morning Starshine, HAIR depicts the cultural un-rest of the 60’s that changed America forever. Following a group of free-spirited young people who ‘believe in’ pacifism and free-love, they sing about sexual identity and racism, experiment with drugs, and burn draft cards. The show still sends an irresistible message of hope more than 40 years after it first opened. HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Purchase tickets at OrlandoBroadway.com or call 800-982-2787.

Will Swenson as Berger and the cast of the Broadway revival of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage.  HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Photo credit:  Joan Marcus

MEDIA, a New Musical
Both The Empty Spaces Theatre Company and Tod Kimbro are known for the brilliant theatricality they bring to everything they ‘create.’  Now these two theatrical forces are joining together – for two weeks only – to present the premiere of a new musical called MEDIA.  With book and lyrics by Tod Kimbro and music by Tod Kimbro and Jeff Forte, the musical takes place in 3 different towns with 3 different story-lines, all intertwined to come together in an unforgettable conclusion.  MEDIA features Adam McCabe as an artist more comfortable hiding his identity than confronting his past; Melissa Mason and John DiDonna as a divorced couple searching desperately for the child they lost 9 years before, and Elizabeth Dean and Chris Prueitt, as a loving couple whose numerous travels in an RV raise suspicions in their daughter, played by Mira Strauss. From settings in Manhattan to New Mexico, MEDIA is “a funny and deeply human new work, set to a rapturous score of indie rock and chamber pop.” Tod Kimbro’s MEDIA will be performed from Thursday, June 16th to June 27th at the Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park (across from the Museum of Art). For reservations call 407.328.9005; for credit card pre-orders, visit redchairproject.com

Acoustic Alchemy at the Plaza Theater
To be definitively ‘contemporary’ after two decades of performing together is still the rule for the smooth jazz sound of Acoustic Alchemy as guitarists Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale celebrate a remarkable two decades-plus since 1987. That was the year Red Dust and Spanish Lace established the British ensemble as a force in contemporary jazz. The pair literally played their way to America as an ‘in-flight band’ on Virgin Atlantic flights to the U.S. With musical influences as disparate as China to Dave Brubeck to reggae, Acoustic Alchemy will perform on Friday, June 17 at the Plaza Theatre on Bumby Street. Carmichael explains their enduring energy as the result of natural chemistry he's developed with Gilderdale over the years. Gilderdale (formerly a backing guitarist) became Carmichael's full partner after the passing of founding member Nick Webb in 1998. With the release of The Beautiful Game (in 2000) and AArt (in 2001), it was clear that experimentation and diversity would be the band’s enduring trademark. A new album is due this summer. Call 407.228.1220 or visit plazaliveorlando.com

Rashomon (the Play)
Based on stories by Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Rashomon first became known in the U.S. in 1950 in the Academy Award-winning film by director Akira Kurosawa. Later reinterpreted by Fay and Michael Kanin as a stage drama, Rashomon premiered on Broadway in 1959. The Mad Cow Theatre, in downtown Orlando, will present this drama from June 17 to July 10. 60 decades after the premiere of the movie, this story, told from varying perspectives, remains as fresh and intriguing as it was then. The story brings together a samurai, a bandit and a woman who lived 1000 years ago in a forest outside Kyoto. An outlaw kills a samurai and ravishes his wife – or did he? Four different witnesses offer differing testimonies of the crime, so how can we – as an audience – know right from wrong?  This leaves the story as a powerful illustration of the changing ideas of perception. The Mad Cow Theatre is at 105 South Magnolia Avenue. Call 407.297.8788 or visit madcowtheatre.com

The Urban Plaster Experience
Marla E is everybody’s dream of a fine Artist. Bouncy, energetic, over-flowing with ideas, she is also the ideal teacher. This special Artist has created a project, incorporating the work of her students, into what she is calling The Urban Plaster Experience, and the unique ‘installation’ will be presented to the public on Friday, June 17 in a Free Reception from 6 to 9 pm at the Casselberry Art House. The project began when Marla received a grant “to teach students how to work with plaster as an art medium.” As a life-long supporter of art for kids, Marla also wants to help raise money for The Art House. In a time when budget cuts are limiting (and in some cases, eliminating) Art in schools, 40 % of all sales from the show will go to The Casselberry Art House for children’s art supplies. Marla’s ‘experience’ is a network of canvases with square openings. The Art created by her students fits into these ‘openings,’ creating the exhibit which will be shown at the Art House through July 1st.  The Art House is at 127 Quail Pond Circle – beside Casselberry City Hall. Call 407 463 0762

Marla E

The Garden Theatre Summer Movie Series
The Garden Theatre, which began as a movie theatre – is ‘returning to its roots’ as the theatre presents its 2011 Summer Movie Series (from June 16 to August 27). With general admission tickets at $5 or an offer that allows the passholder and two others to attend any and all of the 30 movies in the Series for a total of $50, this is a movie lover’s dream!  The summer’s line-up includes 30 feature-length films with the themes:  Thursday Vintage Favorites, Friday Family Nights, and Saturday Cult Classics. All movies begin at 7 pm. Tickets are sold online at gardentheatre.org or 2 hours before show-times at the Garden Theatre Box Office. Thursday Vintage Favorites include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Duck Soup and the Wizard of Oz;  Friday Family Nights include Grease, Mamma Mia, and The Wiz; and Saturday Cult Classics include Easy Rider, Scarface, and Dr. Strangelove, among others. Located in historic downtown Winter Garden at 160 West Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is a not-for-profit organization hosting live plays, concerts, and (coming full-circle) movies. For tickets call 407.877.4736 or visit gardentheatre.org

A Bellywood Extravaganza
Yes, they’re calling it ‘Bellywood,’ and it’s a variety show, produced by Sandi Morais and Ana Evans, featuring an eclectic group of performers and the art of Middle Eastern Dance. On June 24 and 25 at 7 pm, Belly dance Superstar Ansuya will perform as the star of this ‘Extravaganza.’  Ansuya is a second-generation belly dancer with secrets handed from mother to daughter, adding layers of mystery to the performances she has given around the world. Sensual and innovative, Ansuya has been seen in movies, music videos, and on TV including the Regis & Kathy Lee show. Ansuya will be joined by Orlando's finest belly dancers performing in styles ranging from Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, to Cabaret, Drum Solo and Polynesian Dance. Singers will be represented by 2-time Star Search Winner Tiffany Evans, Jazz singer Barbara Evans, and ‘impersonator’ Vanesa Foxs. The event will be hosted by 89.9 jazz Radio personality Gigi Brooks. The performances will take place at the Abbey Theater at 100 South Eola Drive in Orlando. Call 866-468-7630 or visit ticketweb.com

Ansuya

Tiffany Evans

MEN Painting MEN
Central Florida’s most celebrated painters (who happen to be men) will be featured in an exhibit set to open June 5 at the new Gateway Center in DeBary, Florida.  The title of the exhibit is succinctly “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; contemporary “urban” artist Asaan ‘Swamburger’ Brooks; photo-surrealist painter Jacob Cordell; renowned creator of the “strappo” technique Harold Garde; watercolorist Bob Hague; urban landscape painter Bryce Hammond; abstract figurative painter Terry Hummel; “musical mood” artist Bill Moran; portraitist Arnold Munroe; New Age POP Artist Parker Sketch; urban ‘cross-over’ artist Chris Tobar; and portraitist Steve Vanderwolk; and is curated by yours truly. The exhibit opens on Sunday, June 5 with a Reception from 2 pm to 4 pm and runs through July 14. (The exhibit is appropriate for viewing by children). The Gateway Center for the Arts is located at 880 N. Highway 17-92 in DeBary, Florida. Visit
gatewaycenterforthearts.org or call 386.668.5553.

 Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators