As a reviewer, I feel it’s my responsibility to be upfront with any original sin that may influence your decision to see a particular show. Closer followers of Broadway know that when “Tootsie” debuted, it had its share of critics for a host of reasons. I fall somewhere in the middle of most of them, but my largest criticism of the show is potentially an existential one.
“Escape to Margaritaville,” now playing at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, bundles the songs of Jimmy Buffett with a light story of romance and finding one’s purpose in life.
Les Miserables, Victor Hugo’s novel documenting the conditions of early 1800s France as it struggled with poverty and that relatively new idea of democracy, was adapted into a musical with legions of fans who return to the story of Jean Valjean, Cosette, Marius and the revolutionary students of Paris over and over again.
Whether this is your first time seeing the show or your 100th, the US Touring production has arrived at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, bringing with it new ideas of its own.
If you’re of a certain age, or have listened to an oldies radio station in the last 20 years, there’s a very good chance you know the songs of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The “Jersey Boys” musical covers decades of time from the creation of the music group, their chart topping songs, concert tours, and eventual falling apart. A story that could write itself if it wasn’t also true.
A touring production of the musical just pulled into the Dr. Phillips Center and we were invited to opening night.
While leading the kitchen at Walt Disney World’s Flying Fish Cafe, Chef Tim Keating elevated the Boardwalk Inn restaurant into a must-do experience. When the cafe closed for refurbishment, Keating took that opportunity to take over the kitchen at Urbain 40 in Dr Phillips’ Restaurant Row, and he is presently focused on giving it the same makeover.
We were invited to enjoy a tasting menu and judge for ourselves how far Chef Keating has come in his first six months in the role.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is just a stones throw from Walt Disney World, making it a popular destination for tourists, conventions, and golfers. It also has a new restaurant that might help it make a name for itself in culinary circles as well.
The LakeHouse restaurant is a new dining concept that offers upscale breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, along with cocktails, in a beautiful setting that takes full advantage of all the beauty that Florida has to offer.
In my younger days, the circus coming to town meant the promise of three rings of spectacular entertainment, buckets of popcorn, and dreams of running away from home to be a part of the show. The performers seemed larger than life, attempting feats of strength and bravery that few would even dare. When you needed a little relief, the clowns were there to cheer you up. I get all sniffly with nostalgia just thinking about it.
Today the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus attempts to keep that nostagia alive with its show “Legends.” Combining a variety of acts from around the globe, Ringling Bros. has shrunk the show from 3 rings to 1 (well one and a half). There’s not as much to see, but what you do see is high quality.
An all-new interactive theatrical experience called The Republic has just opened in Orlando. This immersive show enrolls audience members into the story in a way completely unique to the theater world.
The Republic ‘beta-tested’ at Orlando Fringe and drew acclaim for with a Best Show award and sold out performances. It has now moved into regular performances with 30 attendees a night participating in the show.