Here we are already in April: how did that happen? Well, like me, you’re turning your calendar incredibly overturning, so at least feel comfortable that the arts organization is eagerly planning the event this month. To check out, take a quick look at ten cultural events, including theater, concerts, and visual arts.
“Prom”: April 4th-21st. Prom season appears on us, and the groundbreaking theater company will take part in the action in this charming and comical Broadway musical. “Prom” talks about four self-absorbing Broadway stars descending into the small Indiana town when the PTA cancels the prom after finding plans for female students with her girlfriend to attend. The show is just as heartwarming as it is humorous. It won the Best Musical Drama Desk Award. Wadehare will direct the theatre musical at 6900 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park. Tickets range from $14-25 at Breakthroughtheatre.com.
Free Museum Entry: April 4-5. As with the first weekend of each month, Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to multiple Orlando Cultural Institutions as part of the US Program museum. Participants include Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd. Three organizations are located in Loch Haven Park on Princeton Street between Orlando and Orange and Mills Avenue: Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center and Mennero Museum of America.
“American Idiot”: April 4th-12th. Valencia College presents rock musicals based on the Green Day hit album of the same name. Director John Didonna’s show features a cast of Valencia students, alumni and experts. It tells the story of three disillusioned young men dealing with (or not) the stifling suburban lifestyle as they enter adults. The play will take place at Valencia’s Black Box Theatre at 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando, the university’s East Campus. Tickets range from $7-15 at events.valenciacollege.edu.
Rockin’at the Roost: April 4th-5th. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will move its annual outdoor rock-themed concert to Crane Roost Park in Alta Monte Springs. This movement was driven by a desire to accommodate more users. The concert in front of Longwood quickly sold out, meaning many people missed it. This year’s homage will feature orchestral musicians who are the makers of hits such as Fleetwood Mac’s music, “Dream” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” collaborating with Jeans’ N Classics. Showtime is 8pm every night and you will receive one ticket at orlandophil.org priced at $55 (various packages and student discounts available).
Sunday Live: April 6th. Orlando Lutheran Towers’ monthly music series, 300 E. Church St., continues to feature family members. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Concertmaster Lynma Bergeron Langrois will perform with her husband Gabriel Bergeron Langrois, the orchestra’s leading bastone player, as well as her children, who are pianists. As always, the 3pm concert is free.
“Gorgeous”: April 11th and May 3rd. Original Musical about Donald Loupe’s original musical, the small town beauty pageant and the quirky people it captivates win an encore at the Renaissance Theatre at 415 E. Princeton Street in Orlando. Broadly based on the film “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” the show stars Blake Abern as Caustic Town choreographers Svevecca Strichnaya and Rebecca Joe Lightfoot as Pageant Director/Mama Breana Buckley. Tickets are available at Renteatre.com for $40 ($50 includes the “Boots” afterparty show).
Orlando Fringe Teaser: April 14th. Get a head start in planning your Orlando Fringe Festival schedule by participating in a local teaser show at Lowndes Shakespeare Center at 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. Central Florida performers will be given two minutes each to preview the show at the upcoming May fest. I want to seduce you to buy tickets. The first teaser show, from 7pm to 8:30pm, is suitable for all ages. The “mature” teaser show from 9pm to 10:30pm is clearly suitable for adult audiences. Tickets are $15 per show and $25 for both orlandofringe.org.
John Williams: April 19th. Celebrating the music of the legendary composer of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Expect music from Star Wars, The Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman, and Harry Potter saga. The concert will take place at Steinmets Hall at Phillips PhD Center for the Performing Arts from 2:30pm to 7:30pm.
“First women on stage and screen”: April 23rd-24th. At Winter Park Playhouse, Russell Stephens will debut a cabaret in honor of iconic singers such as Judy Garland, Elaine Stritch, Nell Carter (Ai n’t Misbehavin’), Debbie Reynolds and Bernadette Peters. Christopher Leavy will accompany you to the piano. Tickets for the 7:30pm show are $20 plus drinks from the bar, with the playhouse located at 711 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. Learn more about how to watch a recording of the show online, by calling winterparkplayhouse.org or 407-645-0145.
“Carry”: April 24th-27th. Rollins College also goes to prom to stage Stephen King’s horror novel and the musical “Carry,” adapted from the movements it inspired. Missy Burns will direct the production. This tells the story of the title character, a teenage girl who endures unrelenting bullying at school and is a passionate religious mother at home. However, she discovers that she has supernatural powers. The show will take place at the Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins Campus, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park. Tickets are $25 at Rollins.edu/annie.
Follow us at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email us at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Find out more entertainment news and reviews at orlandosentinel.com/entternationment.
