“Josh Recommends” for the Week of June 2, 2018 By Josh Garrick 

Star Trek meets Mozart in “The Abduction from the Seraglio”
June 2 at 7:30 pm at The Plaza Live 
Going “where no opera has gone before,” Opera Orlando presents the Pacific Opera Project’s ‘unique’ production of Mozart’s 1782 comic opera. “The Abduction from the Seraglio’s” mix of comedy with Mozart’s music made it a major hit. Now up-dated to ‘the future,’ Opera Orlando finds the dastardly Klingons have abducted Lt. Uhura from the Starship Enterprise. But our stalwart opera company will join the Starship crew to rescue the beloved Uhura. Josh Shaw, who conceived, scripted, and directed the adaptation, directs the Orlando performance, (sung in English), with the Orlando Philharmonic performing. Visit OperaOrlando.org or call 407.512.1900. 

The Dr. Phillips Center Applause Awards 
June 2 at 7 pm 
Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, this event celebrates outstanding performances that showcase the talent and dedication of high school musical theater programs, and the teachers and students who create those performances. To participate, schools have their productions reviewed by a team of adjudicators who provide valuable feedback. Each spring, the Dr. Phillips Center hosts an awards showcase to recognize the “best of” those high school musical theater productions. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

‘RENT’: 20th Anniversary Tour at Dr. Phillips Center
June 5 to 10 
In 1996 a rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize and several Tony Awards. More than two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak to audiences across generations and around the world. Now that award-winning musical returns to the stage in a not-to-be-missed 20th anniversary production. A contemporary take on Puccini's “La Bohème,” RENT follows the lives of seven struggling artists whose message of hope reminds us of the one thing that truly matters – love. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014 

Steinway Piano Competition Winners in Free Recital 
June 10 at 2:30 pm
Selected winners of the Steinway Piano Competition will perform in a Free Recital at the Steinway Piano Galleries at Ashby Square at 520 W. Hwy. 436 in Altamonte Springs. The competition, held in April, was hosted by Steinway & Sons with competitions held nationwide. There were 12 winners (age 18 and under) out of the 40 students who competed before a judging panel. The Steinway Society provides pianos and music education to young children in economic need in a program of complimentary piano lessons for children at locations in Orange and Seminole counties. Visit steinwaysocietyorlando.com. 

Judges for the regional Steinway Piano Competition are Dr. Gary Wolfe, Dr. Yun-Ling Hsu and Sean Kennard (photo: Carol Wonsavage) 

DAVID BLAINE, Magician and “Endurance” Artist 
June 11 at 8 pm 
Arguably the most famous magician in the world today, David Blaine is an American magician, illusionist, and endurance artist best known for his high-profile feats of endurance. As such he has set and broken several world records. Several VIP packages, including merchandise items, are offered for this performance, a part of Morgan Stanley Moments at the Dr. Phillips Center. Visit drphillipscenter.org or call 844.513.2014

The World Ballet Competition
June 11 – Competition Opens
June 16 – All-Star Gala Performance at the Bob Carr Theater 
The World Ballet Competition brings four days of intense ballet competition to Orlando from an elite group of ballet dancers from 25 countries, competing for scholarships, cash prizes and contract offers from dance companies around the world. Now in its 12th year, this “Olympics of Dance” culminates in a star-studded All Stars Performance Gala on Saturday, June 16 with what Matt Palm of the Orlando Sentinel called “A steady stream of wow-wow-wow.” Central Florida Ballet, producers of the WBC, has selected an impressive roster of ballet stars for this year’s event including Christye Alan, Ashley Bouder, Dusty Button, Anaïs Chalendard, Denys Drozdyuk, Joseph Gatti, Lasha Khozashvili, Patrick Palkens, Daniel Ulbricht, and Venus Villa, among others. For tickets visit worldballetcompetition.com.

 
The Little Mermaid Surfaces at Orlando Shakes 
June 14 - July 29
Adapted by the comically clever Brandon Roberts, and based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Little Mermaid is the familiar story of a precocious young mermaid who dreams of turning in her fins for legs and walking on land. Against the advice of her friends, she makes a deal with an evil Sea-Witch for the chance to earn the love of a human (who happens to be a Prince). Ignoring the danger, the little mermaid can NOT ignore her heart. Told with a combination of real actors with giant puppets, Orlando Shakes offers its own on-dry-land version of this timeless tale. Call 407.447.1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org 

Central Florida Community Arts Presents Symphonic Cinema: The Sequel 
June 15 & 16 at 8 pm 
Performed by Over 150 Members of the CFCArts Symphony Orchestra, CFCArts presents Symphonic Cinema: The Sequel, performed by the Orchestra with a special appearance by 60 voices from the CFCArts Choir. Following up on their “movie music” concert of 2016, this ‘sequel concert’ includes music from modern classics to timeless memories of the silver screen. “I truly believe you'll hear and experience something you never thought a community orchestra could do,” says Justin Muchoney, conductor of the CFCArts Symphony. “With the size of our orchestra comes a power, emotion, passion, and energy that is perfectly suited for film scores like these.” Performed at Calvary Orlando at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park, tickets are $10, $15 and $25. (age 12 and under free). Visit CFCArts.com/Cinema or call 407-937-1800 ext. 710 

Current: Orlando REP Reveals Renovated Lobby 
When patrons walk into Orlando Repertory Theatre (Orlando REP) they’ll find a transformed, imaginative space thanks to a partnership that funded the remodeling of the theatre’s main lobby. The Florida Blue Lobby, with work surpassing $300,000, includes a new custom-designed floor, merchandise carts, a video wall, and eco-friendly, custom LED lighting. The project was made possible by a gift from the Florida Blue Foundation and matched by the Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Cultural Facilities program. In the last 10 years, Orlando REP has invested nearly $2.5 million into its facilities. Orlando REP provides classes, camps, and community programming for young audiences throughout the year, and is Florida’s only professional theatre for young audiences. 

On-going … 

Tony Award Winning Musical – “Fun Home” at the Mad Cow Theatre 
NOW to July 1
Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Fun Home is a tragi-comedy about family and sexual identity. Adapted from Alison Bechdel ‘s graphic memoir, Fun Home adds music to a heart-wrenching and hilarious script. Following Alison’s journey into her sexual identity and her relationship with her closeted father, the story is told through the theatrical device of three Alisons – small, medium, and large – who take the audience through a compelling memoir of first experiences, coming of age and loss. Visit madcowtheatre.com or call 407.297.8788 

Orlando Science Center Presents the “Hall of Heroes” 
NOW to September 3
Join the world of superheroes, crime-fighters and spies in the Hall of Heroes! Find yourself in the middle of the action through several themed adventures with surprises around every corner. Combine science and science fiction and discover your own super powers as you push boundaries to become a true HERO! Can you defuse a bomb? Can you ‘stay cool’ – in the Laser Lab. You’ll see the Batmobile – WITH an interactive Batcave and other movie props with something for the whole family at the Science Center in Loch Haven Park, visit osc.org or call 407.514.2000 

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators