LOVE THE ARTS? HERE ARE PERFORMANCES TO ATTEND IN ORLANDO

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Love the Arts? Here are Performances to Attend in Orlando

By Josh Garrick

‘NOISES OFF’ at Orlando Shakes

September 9 to 25, 2022 The Orlando Shakespeare Festival opens the Fall Season with what is truly one of the funniest plays ever written. I promise I’ve never laughed so much. This backstage look at a traveling theater troupe comes complete with screwball antics, wicked pranks, and crazy sight gags – showing us what ‘could happen’ while attempting to present a play – on tour! Visit orlandoshakes.org or call 407.447.1700

‘LOCOMOTION’ at Orlando Rep

September 17 to October 16 Locomotion is about an 11-year-old boy, nicknamed Locomotion for his high energy, who is struggling in foster care after the deaths of his parents. Locomotion discovers that poetry helps him express his feelings about the tragedy and his new life. This Multiple Award-winning play – for audiences of all ages – was co-commissioned by Orlando Rep and the Kennedy Center in Washington. Visit orlandorep.com or call 407.896.7365

“Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream” at the Winter Park Playhouse

September 23 to October 16 The ‘Playhouse’ opens their season with their always successful recipe of a singing group, a singing contest, and a bunch of wonderful songs from several decades ago. Meet “Denny and the Dreamers,” a ‘doo-wop group’ preparing to make their dreams come true by entering the Big Whopper Radio contest. The ‘60s hits include “Tears on my Pillow,” “Runaround Sue,” “Unchained Melody” and so many more! Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org

Step Afrika! at Dr. Phillips Center

September 24 at 7:30 p.m. One of the leading African American dance companies in the U.S., Step Afrika! is also one of America’s cultural exports. Touring more than 50 countries with their percussive dance styles and an array of dance forms, performances are much more than dance shows. Step Afrika! integrates song, storytelling, and humor in its blend of technique, agility, and pure energy that makes each performance unique. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through its 50-city tour AND has performed at the White House.

DAVID SPADE at the Dr. Phillips Center

September 23 at 8 pm Comedy legend, actor, and former SNL cast member David Spade brings his standup comedy back to Orlando. Known for his self-deprecating humor and sarcastic comedy, Spade was also a cast member of two long-running sitcoms. For his role in ‘Just Shoot Me!’ Spade was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and two Golden Globes while also hosting a late-night talk show. Join him for a “seriously funny” night of no-holds-barred-comedy.

The SECOND CITY, “Out of the House Party” at Dr. Phillips Center

September 30 at 7:30 pm & October 1 at 2 pm The Second City has been the world’s first name in laughter for over 60 years! Now we get to join the next generation of comedy superstars as they mash up Second City’s greatest hits, poke some fun at Orlando, and experiment with some brand-new material. Add Second City’s signature improvisations and this becomes one uniquely hilarious show. This program is made possible through the generous support of Kathie & Bill Hohns.

The PLANETS at Dr. Phillips Center – Steinmetz Hall

Opening performances of 30th Anniversary Season October 1 and 2 TRADITIONAL– National Anthem JAMES LEE III– Beyond Sensorial Portals (Orlando Philharmonic World Premiere Commission) TCHAIKOVSKY– Violin Concerto HOLST– The PLANETS COLIN JACOBSEN– Ascending Bird In two Celebratory Grand Opening performances, the Orlando Philharmonic welcomes us to the fabulous new Steinmetz Hall and their 30th Anniversary Season. Maestro Eric Jacobsen and the Philharmonic will present the virtuosity of Adele Anthony in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto followed by the brilliance of Holst’s Master-Work – the PLANETS. The program includes the excitement of two contemporary composers – Colin Jacobsen and a World Premiere by James Lee III. All of this in the acoustically perfect Steinmetz Hall.

Blue’s Clues & You! at Dr. Phillips Center

October 2 at 2 pm Blue’s Clues & You! is an epic new adventure that will have every “cluedin” family member singing, dancing, laughing and figuring out Blue’s Clues with Blue and her friends (which includes you). In this 60-minute Broadway style song and dance show, Josh needs help to create a magical theater show. Kids of all ages will love joining Josh and Blue, as they make a rainbow with Magenta, create a music video with Rainbow Puppy, float in outer space and much more! VIP Package possible at this show.

SIX at Dr. Phillips Center

October 4 to 9 From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Celebration of 21ST Century Girl Power! Everyone is ‘losing their head’ over this brand-new musical featuring an all-woman cast and all-woman band. SIX won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including a Tony Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The SIX Broadway album debuted at #1 on the Billboard cast album chart.

Benise’s 20th Anniversary at Dr. Phillips Center

October 5 at 7:30 pm To celebrate 20 years of his musical journey, the ‘Prince of Spanish Guitar’ brings Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa, Brazilian Samba, exotic drumming, and more to his fans from the last 20 years. From humble beginnings to performing around the world, Benise pushes the boundaries of ‘Nuevo Flamenco.’ Blending theater and dance, the Emmy Award-winner promises a two-hour show filled with Flamenco dancers, stunning costumes, and fiery Spanish guitars.”

“Weird Al” Yankovic with Guest Emo Philips at Dr. Phillips Center

October 16 at 8 pm “Weird Al” Yankovic returns with “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour.” Drawing from his 14 studio albums, ‘Weird Al’ promises to deliver a different show every night. Weird Al is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time. A fivetime Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory Fun’ was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200, AND he is one of only five artists in the world to have Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades.

HAMILTON at Dr. Phillips Center

October 26 to November 20 Having had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education, HAMILTON is a story of “America then as told by America now.” With a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has created a revolutionary moment in theater. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this internationally acclaimed show has won Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. The New York Times says, “This theatrical landmark has transformed theater and the way we think about history.”

Opera Orlando at the Dr. Phillips Center

THE MAGIC FLUTE by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sung in German with English supertitles October 28 at 7:30 pm and October 30 at 2 pm Opera Orlando presents one of the greatest operas ever written – Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). This opera for all ages is an enchanting fairy tale about love and light, sacrifice and darkness, and finding one’s place in the world. In this spectacular new production, we journey along with Prince Tamino as he navigates a treacherous new world in his quest of self-discovery. The production also features the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and puppetry from Michelee Puppets in the magnificent new Steinmetz Hall.

Josh Garrick has been creating, fundraising and writing about the Arts for all of the 24 years he’s lived in Orlando. In recognition of his service to the Arts, Mayor Buddy Dyer named June 27 as “Josh Garrick Day” in the City of Orlando.