Florida Culture for the Week of June 15, 2015 by Josh Garrick

Now to June 29 – Revue Salutes Rogers and Hammerstein

The word on Whistle A Happy Tune: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein, presented by the Breakthrough Theater in Winter Park is terrific.  It should be. The Revue is drawing from the works of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, who basically created the American Musical as we know it. ‘Influential’ is an understatement. They created the great Broadway musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, and this new revue features songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, State Fair, South Pacific, The King and I, Cinderella, Flower Drum Song, and The Sound of Music. Directed by Wade Hair, visit breakthroughtheatre.com or call 407-920-4034

June 17 to July 12 – The Flick at the Dr. Phillips Center 

Winner of the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Flick by Annie Baker, is a comedic drama about three misfits working in a run-down movie theater in rural Massachusetts. These underpaid employees tend to the last 35 millimeter film projector in the state where their cares and heartbreaks turn out to be more interesting than the second-run movies on screen. The Flick will have its Florida premiere at the Dr. Phillips Center from June 17 to July 12. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

June 18 to July 12 – B-Side Artists Group Exhibit at CityArts Factory

As part of Orlando’s 3rd Thursday Art Celebration, the always original B-Side Artists will present their Annual Group Art Exhibit, this year entitled B-Side Artists’ Awareness Month. Opening with a Free Public reception on June 18 from 6 to 9 pm at the CityArts Factory in Orlando, this year’s roster features core members with large works and a promised ‘wow-factor.’ Expect new works from Swamburger, Chris Tobar, SKIP, Lucy Fur, Peterson Guerrier, G Lemus, Peter Van Flores III, Tr3 and Jon Glassman. RECOMMENDED  Visit facebook.com/thebsideartists

June 18 to July 26 – The Frog and the Princess at Orlando Shakespeare 

Based – loosely – on the story by the Brothers Grimm, and adapted by Orlando’s own very clever Brandon Roberts, Prince Gerwyn wants to marry the beautiful princess – BUT her evil stepmother casts a spell that turns Gerwyn into a frog --- forever. Is this happily ever after? Children will love this ‘interactive’ fairy tale packed with magic … and slime and a ‘character meet and greet’ after each performance. Visit Orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700 

June 19 – The Abbey Presents a Double GREASE Sing-a-Long

Back by popular demand, The Abbey presents the Newton-John/Travolta fan craze -GREASE Sing-a-Long on June 19 at 7:30 pm. Enhance your Pink Lady or T-Bird wardrobe with prizes for best costume while you and your plus-one sing along to the MOST SUCCESSFUL movie musical of all time. Tickets $15 & $20 are at TicketWeb.com. Visit AbbeyOrlando.com

June 19 – Rodney Carrington at the Bob Carr Theater

Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost twenty years with his unique brand of ‘countrified’ singer-songwriter comedy. He’s sold more than two million copies of his eight comedy albums and recently started his own record label Laughter’s Good and a new YouTube series in 2014 called Bit By Bit. Carrington will be at the Bob Carr Theater on June 19 at 7 pm with an audience ‘Meet & Greet’ after the performance. For tickets, visit drphillipscenter.org 

June 19 to 21 – Margaret Cho at the Orlando Improv 

Comedian Margaret Cho, known for the social critiques that “appall her Korean Mother” (especially when she takes on race and sex), has also directed and appeared in music videos and has her own clothing line. A vocal supporter of LGBT rights, she has won awards for her efforts on behalf of women, Asians, and the LGBT community. She says, “The only weapon I have is comedy. If you deny us the most basic human dignity, I have the right to make fun of you. I’m not playing the race card. I’m playing the rice card.”  Ms. Cho will perform at the Orlando Improv at Pointe Orlando on International Drive from June 19 to 21.  Visit theimprovorlando.com or call 407.480.5233. 

June 21 – World Giraffe Day at the Central Florida Zoo 

The Central Florida Zoo chooses the longest day of the year to celebrate the world's tallest animal, and they call it World Giraffe Day. This world-wide celebration raises awareness of the challenges giraffes face in the wild. By visiting the Zoo on Giraffe Day you help support giraffe conservation efforts to secure the future of this remarkable animal. The less than 80,000 giraffes remaining in the wild will ‘thank’ zoo visitors with games, crafts, the chance to get face-to-face with a giraffe, and even a behind-the-scenes tour. The event is included in Zoo admission; call 407.323.4450 ext. 100. 

June 21 at 1 pm and 4 pm – Chuggington Live at the Dr. Phillips Center 

Based on the Disney television series, Chuggington Live -- The Great Rescue Adventure is a Live-80-minute musical starring Wilson, Brewster, and Koko who learn new skills and discover a sense of achievement through teamwork. Youngsters will enjoy the catchy music and trainloads of fun from the popular TV series with 5 million weekly viewers while web fans connect with their favorite ‘Chuggers.’ Call 844.513.2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org  

June 22 – The Sovereign Brass Begins Summer Concert Series 

This summer the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its Sounds of Summer concert series at The Plaza Live at 425 N. Bumby Ave in Orlando. The always popular chamber music concerts will begin with the Sovereign Brass performing a program entitled May I Have This Dance? with the ensemble performing dance music that highlights composers Copland, Bernstein, Piazzolla, de Falla, Dilorenzo, Tchaikovsky, and more. The group includes Thomas Macklin and Michael Fee, trumpets; Kathy Thomas, horn; Jeff Thomas, trombone; and Robert Carpenter, tuba. Visit OrlandoPhil.org or call 407.770.0071.

June 23 to 28 – I Love Lucy Live on Stage 

It’s 1952 and we are part of the studio audience waiting for the filming of two I Love Lucy episodes. Our host enlightens us about this new thing called ‘television’ as singers perform advertising jingles (including the dancing Alka-Seltzer tablet) while the early TV performances by Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel – complete with back-stage antics – are all presented LIVE on-stage. This ‘ode’ to the great comedienne (and ALL who “Love Lucy”) is at the Dr. Phillips Center.  Call 800.448.6322 or visit OrlandoBroadway.com 

And looking ahead … 

June 26 at 7 pm – Middle School Actors Give Us Shakespeare

Following a 2-week Summer Camp at the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, a cast of middle school performers will showcase their work in a Free performance on June 26 at 7 pm. Popular local actress Jennifer Bonner, Love’s Labour’s Lost Director and Children’s Series Coordinator says, “The final performance will be a celebration of their collaboration and of Will Shakespeare himself!” and promises we will ‘LOL’ at this Free, modern adaptation of Love’s Labour’s Lost.  The show is open to the public and will take place at the Shakespeare Center. Visit orlandoshakes.org/education or call 407.447.1700

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators