Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

Orlando Philharmonic Announces 2013-2014 Concert Schedule

- Michelle Snow

orlandophil-2013logoThe Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra has announced their schedule for the 2013-2014 season, and it has a wide variety of offerings.

Opening night will be September 28, and the program will include Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), conducted by Christopher Wilkins. An opening night dinner gala will be hosted by the Friends at the Sheraton Downtown Orlando beginning at 6pm.

Here are the rest of the performances scheduled:

  • October 12, 2013 – Super Series Pops: An American Salute
  • October 21, 2013 – Focus Series: Genius of Georges Bizet
  • October 25 & 27, 2013 – Opera Series: The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
  • November 16, 2013 – Super Series Classics: Beethoven 7
  • November 30, 2013 – Super Series Pops: Home for the Holidays
  • December 9, 2013 – Focus Series: Venetian Vespers
  • January 11, 2014 – Super Series Pops: Michael Cavanaugh – The Songs of Elton John & More
  • February 8 & 9, 2014 – Super Series Classics: Russian Romance
  • February 17, 2014 – Focus Series: Old Wine in New Bottles
  • February 22, 2014 – Super Series Pops: A Louis Armstrong Tribute
  • March 8, 2014 – Super Series Classics: Music of the Ballet
  • March 22, 2014 – Super Series Pops: The Broadway Tenors
  • April 5, 2014 – Super Series Classics: Olivera Plays Brahms
  • April 28, 2014 – Focus Series: Italian Symphony
  • May 9 & 11, 2014 – Opera Series: La Traviata (Verdi)

Most of the concerts will take place at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, with the exception of the Focus Series, which will be held at the Margeson Theater at Lowndes Shakespeare Center.

Tickets are available in subscription packages now. Individual tickets will go on sale in August 26, 2013.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit OrlandoPhil.org.

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra & Orlando Shakespeare Theater present ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ April 27, 2013

- Michelle Snow

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra & Orlando Shakespeare Theater are uniting to present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on April 27, 2013.

The performance will feature a fully staged version of Shakespeare’s play and all of Mendelssohn’s incidental music.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of Shakespeare’s most popular works for the stage. The comic play follows the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors, who become caught up in a web of magical events with the fairies who live in the enchanted forest where the play is set.

The joint production will be conducted by Orlando Philharmonic Music Director Christopher Wilkins, and directed by Orlando Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. The staging will feature a full orchestra, with costumed actors and sets positioned downstage. There will also a children’s choir from Florida Opera Theatre, directed by Robin Jensen.

Tickets are $17 to $70, and are available through the Orlando Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071 or OrlandoPhil.org. The performance is sponsored by the Bryce L. West Foundation.

Special note: This show is close to being sold out. If it is, they are opening up tickets to the dress rehersal on April 26, at 6:45pm at the Bob Carr. Tickets are only $10, but since this is a dress rehersal, they may start and stop the show to tweak things. If interested, you can buy your tickets online.

orlphil-orlshakes-midsummer

Priscilla Queen of the Desert Lights Up the Bob Carr P.A.C. from April 16-21, 2013

- Michelle Snow

priscillaqueendesertBroadway hit Priscilla Queen of the Desert will be dancing into the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center from April 16-21, 2013.

This spectacular show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed.

Featuring dance and disco tunes from the likes of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Donna Summer, Priscilla is filled with incredibly imaginative and over-the-top costumes, drag makeup and dance numbers that maintain an energetic pulse throughout the show.

Shows are 8pm Tuesday through Friday; 2pm and 8pm on Saturday; and 1pm and 6:30pm on Sunday.

Tickets are priced at $38.50 through $75.50 (tax and service fees additional). Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office.

Orlando Ballet Presents Carmina Burana with Bach Festival Society of Winter Park April 12-14, 2013

- Michelle Snow

orlandoballetClosing out the 2012-2013 season, Orlando Ballet presents Carmina Burana at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center from April 12-14, 2013.

In this production, they will be collaborating with the 150 member chorus of the Bach Festival Society, and adding a new choreographed interpretation of the piece. There will also be a live orchestra.

Showtimes are April 12 and 13 at 8pm, and April 14 at 2pm.

Tickets are priced from $20-$90, and are available online and at the box office.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit OrlandoBallet.org.

Orlando Philharmonic Presents Puccini’s Madama Butterfly April 5 & 7, 2013

- Michelle Snow

orlphil-madamabutterflyThe Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will be presenting Puccini’s Madama Butterfly onstage at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on April 5 and 7, 2013.

When it does, it will take a new approach to its staged opera productions by adding virtual sets. Instead of creating real scenery and backdrops, they will use projected images to help tell the story.

“Projected images help us expand beyond the limitations of hard scenery,” said Robert Swedberg, stage director for this production. “They allow the inclusion of visual themes and visions that would otherwise not be possible.”

The cast includes Shu-Ying Li as Cio-Cio-San, Brian Jagde as Lieutenant Pinkerton, Thomas Potter as Sharpless, and Mika Shigematsu as Suzuki. The graphic projections and sets will be designed by scenic designer Lisa Buck, and the chorus will be directed by Robin Stamper of Florida Opera Theatre.

Written by Giacomo Puccini and premiered in 1904, the story of Madama Butterfly follows Cio-Cio-San, a beautiful young geisha who sacrifices her family, her religion, and ultimately her life for an American naval officer, Lieutenant Pinkerton, who takes her as his bride for convenience, with no intention of bringing her home to America. The original opera later inspired the Broadway musical, Miss Saigon.

Conducted by Christopher Wilkins, performances will take place on Friday, April 5 at 8pm and Sunday, April 7 at 2pm.

Tickets are $22-$82, and available at 407-770-0071 or OrlandoPhil.org/Opera. The Orlando Philharmonic’s 2012-2013 opera series is sponsored by United Arts of Central Florida, Darden Restaurants and The Bryce L. West Foundation.

It’s Time to Rock as Broadway Hit Rock of Ages Comes to Orlando

- Michelle Snow

It’s 1987 on the Sunset Strip. In LA’s most famous rock club, a small town girl meets a big city rocker and the two fall in love to the sound of the great rock hits of the 80s.

This is the premise behind the five-time Tony Award nominated musical Rock of Ages.

A loving comedic look at all that rocked in the late 80s, the soundtrack includes songs by Night Ranger, Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Poison, Warrant, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake.

The show still maintains its base on Broadway, but has also taken the show on the road. It’s due to stop in Orlando this week, running at the Carr Performing Arts Centre downtown from January 11 to 16.

Headlining the touring version of Rock of Ages is Tony Award Nominee and “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis, who is very much in his element as the aforementioned rocker, Drew. Theater vet Rebecca Faulkenberry plays the small town girl Sherrie.

So break out your spandex, Aquanet and wine coolers. Tickets for the musical are available ranging from $35.75 to $67.75 (plus tax and Ticketmaster service fees). Go see it now, before they make the movie (due out in 2012, last I heard).

I saw Rock of Ages in it’s pre-Broadway beginnings in Los Angeles, and even then, it completely entertained me. But don’t just take my word for it – check out these video highlight clips courtesy of the Tony Awards and Playbill Magazine:

Scroll To Top