Josh Recommends

By Josh Garrick

Visit drphillipscenter.org/events or call 844.513.2014 unless otherwise indicated.

Orlando Rep Theater

The SpongeBob Musical!

Now to April 30

Hey, kids! Are you ready for your friend SpongeBob to star in a big, splashy Broadway musical? Dive into the undersea town of Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob and his quirky friends – Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton – with songs from musical legends. Chaos erupts when Bikini Bottom faces annihilation at the threat of Mt. Humongous. When all hope seems lost, a hero takes the stage to show the power of friendship and optimism. Call 407.896.7365 or visit OrladoRep.com for tickets.

Dr. Phillips Center The 25th Anniversary Tour of CHICAGO

April 18 to 23

After 25 years, Chicago is still a musical that brings All That Jazz to Broadway. It is a sexy, sassy tale of fame, fate, and fortune, with one show-stopping song after another. The musical also serves up the most outrageously spectacular dancing you have seen. Chicago has been honored with six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy®, and thousands of standing ovations. Attend the show and see why Chicago is still the most talked about musical as these singerdancer actors commemorate their 25th anniversary with a breathtaking performance.

Amway Center

JANET JACKSON Returns to Orlando

April 19

Five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Super-Star, Janet Jackson will return to Orlando, offering fans the chance to join her as she celebrates her 50th anniversary in entertainment. Janet has won five Grammys®, two Emmys®, a Golden Globe®, an Academy Award® nomination, and dozens of American Music, MTV, and Billboard Music Awards. With over 180 million records sold worldwide, she stands tall as one of the top-selling artists in history. Visit www.citientertainment.com for more details.

Steinmetz Hall

Shakes Kinky Boots

Orlando

April 5 to 30

This huge-hearted smash-hit Broadway show is the winner of every Best Musical award, including the Tony®, Grammy®, and London’s Olivier award®. A fierce drag queen and a struggling factory owner learn to embrace their differences and work together to save the factory owner’s business by producing a line of stunning stiletto heels. This production featuring 16 original songs by Cyndi Lauper and a plethora of Best Musical Awards is guaranteed to be the most entertaining event of the season. Call 407.447.1700 or visit OrlandoShakes.org.

Opera Orlando presents The Daughter of the Regiment

April 21 and 23

Opera Orlando celebrates Spring with a family-friendly opera about Marie, who was orphaned at birth, but miraculously raised by a French army regiment (not knowing of her noble birth). Marie falls in love with Tonio, but she is taken away by a Marquise who knows of her aristocratic lineage. The opera is equally filled with comedy, romance, and vocal fireworks featuring the Orlando Philharmonic and presenting soprano Camille Ortiz in her Opera Orlando debut. Camille is joined by Met Opera Competition Winner Carlos Santelli as Tonio, with Orlando Ballet Dancers rounding out the cast. The production will have English supertitles.

Dr. Phillips Center Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern JukeBox

April 24 at 8 pm

New York City pianist Scott Bradlee created Postmodern Jukebox to transform present-day pop hits into the classic sounds of musical legends of yesteryear. A decade later, PMJ has become a pop culture mainstay, having played over a thousand shows on six continents, including Radio City Music Hall and the Sydney Opera House. One part celebration of vintage music, one part smile of recognition, and two parts trip back-intime, PMJ spells Pop Music History.

Dr. Phillips Center

The Orlando Ballet presents A Streetcar Named Desire

April 27 to 30

With a story based on Tennessee Williams’ 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, considered one of the great works of American literature, this provocative ballet delves into the delicate mental state of Blanche Dubois, one of Williams’ most enduring characters. The emotional powder keg remains as shocking and relevant today as when it was first produced, especially in this production conceived by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Director Nancy Meckler. The Orlando Ballet excels at this narrative ballet which explores human frailty, truth, lies, and desire. Call 407.418.9828 or visit orlandoballet.org.

Dr. Phillips Center

Steve Martin and Martin Short You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today!

April 29 at 3 pm and 8 pm

In a show that redefines entertainment, two of the funniest comic talents of the past century share the stage in a joyous comedy romp driven to make each other laugh as much as the audience. The jokes exchanged mock Hollywood and the fickle nature of celebrities, and the comedy digs deep and flies high as they lovingly and relentlessly roast each other. Martin and Short’s chemistry reflects a friendship forged over three laugh-filled decades. Since their debut live show, “A Very Stupid Conversation,” in 2015, these comedy legends have been touring together as a dynamic duo.

Steinmetz Hall

The Orlando Philharmonic presents Mahler’s 5th Symphony

Eric Jacobsen, conductor

STELLA SUNG– Starbursts (Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra commission; World Premiere)

MOZART– Piano Concerto No. 24 – Inon Barnatan, piano

MAHLER– Symphony No. 5 May 6 and 7

Gustav Mahler was sending a love note to his wife Alma with the harp and strings in the beautiful Adagietto movement of his Fifth Symphony, but the raw and intense music in the Rondo-Finale truly brings the Symphony to its climax.

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 is considered by many to be the greatest of all Mozart’s piano concertos. The New York Times calls Inon Barnatan— the soloist for this brilliant work, “One of the most admired pianists of his generation.” Plus, you can enjoy the World Premiere of a new composition by Orlando’s own Stella Sung.

Dr. Phillips Center MY FAIR LADY

May 9 to 14

The words “classic and perfection” come to mind with this production of Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY. “Every so often, a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be,” said The New York Times. If you have been enchanted by the movie, imagine the thrill of seeing –and hearing – such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” performed LIVE in front of you. The story shows the evolution of a young Cockney flower seller and a linguistics professor determined to transform her into a proper lady.