Last month, Opera Orlando and the Interactive Academy of Performing Arts announced a partnership to provide live interactive online opera classes to kids across America. The first 10-week series starts March 19, and will culminate in virtual concerts to be live-streamed on May 19. Robin Jensen, Opera Orlando’s music & education director, will lead the lessons. Auditions are required to interact with the instructor; visit operaorlando.org for details.
Central Florida Community Arts got some good financial news recently. The grass-roots performing arts group has moved up to the United Arts Large Budget Category, making them eligible for larger grants. And the Universal Orlando Foundation has donated $144,700 to CFCArts, allowing them to expand their educational offerings and outreach offerings.
Garden Theatre, which celebrates its 10th anniversary March 3 with a gala performance by Joel Grey, unveiled its 2018/2019 slate of shows in late January. The season begins in August with the classic musical Gypsy, followed by a stage adaptation of Hitchcock’s The Birds in October and A Christmas Story over the holidays. 2019 starts with Matthew Lopez’s drag comedy The Legend of Georgia McBride and continues with Broadway hits 1984 (in March) and Billy Elliot (April-May). Finally, Flashdance will fill the theater’s new summer musical slot in July.
NOW PLAYING The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, through Feb. 18 at Mad Cow Theatre … Babes in Hollywood, through Feb. 24 at Winter Park Playhouse … The Lieutenant of Inishmore, through Feb. 25 at Garden Theatre … Flora & Ulysses, through Feb. 25 at the Orlando Rep … Shakespeare in Love, through March 25 at Orlando Shakes.
UPCOMING The Lion King, Feb. 14-March 11 at the Dr. Phillips Center … Silent Sky, Feb. 16-March 18 at Mad Cow Theatre … The Bigot, Feb. 17-25 at Orlando Shakes … Twelfth Night, Feb. 21-March 23 at Orlando Shakes … Ghost & Funeral Party, Feb. 22-25 at ME Theatre … Boy Gets Girl, Feb. 22-March 4 at UCF … La Dama del Alba, Feb. 23 at the Dr. Phillips Center … Steel Magnolias, Feb. 23-March 11 at CFCArts … Opera Orlando presents Noche de Zarzuela, March 4 at Osceola Performing Arts Center … Fab Fringe Fundraiser featuring Josephine, March 5 at the Plaza Live.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2018.