The Arts Connection - January 31, 2008 

 Click here to listen to Part 1

 This Week's Highlights: 

High School Musical at the Orlando Science Center
The Gramercy Theater Company brings the popular Disney Channel movie, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, to the Darden Theater at the Orlando Science Center. This full stage production features a live band, a cast of 38 talented young actors chosen from extensive auditions, and renowned director and choreographer Paul Becker. The show will run February 1-24.

The Drowsy Chaperone at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre presents the Broadway Across America Orlando Series with THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the new musical comedy, winner of the most 2006 Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway. The Drowsy Chaperone tells the tale of a celebrity bride and her hysterical wedding day. This show runs February 5-10.

The Jester Theater Company at the Garden Theater
The Jester Theater Company opens its signature piece, The Musical of Musicals...the Musical!, at the grand opening of the newly renovated Garden Theater in downtown Winter Garden. This off-Broadway hit is five musicals at once, a loving spoof of five of Broadways' most famous musical theater composers. This show runs February 1-17.

Pirates of Penzance!
The Orlando Ballet presents Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta turned ballet, Pirates of Penzance! at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. This is the only full length ballet version of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates of Penzance" in the world, and will run this weekend only, opening Friday night.

Winter With the Writers at Rollins College
Winter With the Writers, a Festival of the Literary Arts, will begin its 68th year at Rollins College. The series brings distinguished writers to the Rollins campus to share their work and expertise with students and the community. Events include master classes at 4 p.m. and readings, on-stage interviews and signings at 8 p.m. The series begins January 31, with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham. There will be an interview with Cunningham on an upcoming program. Rollins professor and director of Winter With the Writers, Philip Deaver, interviewed by our literary contributor Irene Zabytko, will give a preview of the entire series.

Leroy Anderson 
On Saturday, February 2 at the King Center, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the musical legacy and the 100th birthday of composer Leroy Anderson. Canadian pianist and Anderson aficionado Catherine Wilson will play Anderson's seldom-heard Piano Concerto, and the BSO will present the Florida premier of a previously unpublished Anderson composition.

 Click here to listen to Part 2

 Hatitude and the Zora Neale Hurston Festival

The Seaside Music Theater in Daytoa opens the musical CROWNS. Written by Regina Taylor, this show celebrates African-American women, the hats these women wear, and the way these hats affect them. The play features story telling, soaring gospel hymns, rhythm and blues and, of course, hats - the glorious "crowns" that celebrate life, loss, and "hatitude". Joining the show will be actress Mandi Jo John.

And at the Zora Festival, there will be a Hatitude Brunch, featuring high-fashion original hats by Harriet rosebud, a theatrical performance, a hat stroll, an exclusive unveiling of a ZORA! collectible, and an elegant brunch.

Also at the Zora Festival, there will be a 3-day street festival of arts running Friday through Sunday. The street festival includes  performances by local, regional, and national acts, a juried art exhibit, where artists compete with original artwork, an international marketplace and foods, a children's corner, with hands-on activities, and more events to celebrate Zora Neale Hurston and her hometown of Eatonville, Florida.

In addition, the Zora Festival will host a Humanities Panel on Friday and Saturday. UCF professor Kevin Meehan will discuss his role as one of the many presenters on the Saturday Humanities Panel, which runs from 9:30 to 11:30 February 2, and will focus on the Festival Theme: "Ritual and Spirituality in the African Diaspora: An Exploration on the Zora Neale Hurston Legacy." 

 Click here to listen to Part 3

 Sam Rivers and the Rivbea Orchestra

Host Mark Simpson speaks with multi-instrumental jazz legend and composer Sam Rivers. Rivers has played with jazz icons such as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gilliespie, and was colleagues with saxophonist Charlie Parker. When he is not traveling internationally to perform, Rivers hosts his own big band in Central Florida, the Rivbea Orchestra.

CASTING CALL -
Auditions and other artist opportunities can be found at the Arts & Cultural Alliance website.   Auditions are also listed on Elizabeth Maupin's blog, Attention Must Be Paid.  Elizabeth is the theatre critic for the Orlando Sentinel.