Josh Recommends Events You Must See This May

Unless otherwise indicated, visit the Dr.Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for tickets to these must-see art performances recommended by community member Josh Garrick.

NOW to May 21 at the Garden Theatre

SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Described as irreverent, outrageous, and deliciously hysterical, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is all that and more. Brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom find themselves stuck in the shadow of a playwright named Shakespeare. An oracle tells them that musicals will be the next BIG thing, so the Bottom Brothers start writing the world’s first musical in the shadow of “The Bard” himself. Will opening night be an over-easy success or a rotten mess? 

Including mature themes, Something Rotten! requires parental supervision. Call 407.877.4736 x204 or visit gardentheatre.org

May 6 and 7 

Dr. Phillips Center Presents

Bluey’s Big Play

Introduce your kid to the joy of live theater with the #1 kids’ show on Disney Channel. Bluey’s Big Play features an original story and new music by award-winning Bluey composer Joff Bush. Join Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli in “a glorious celebration of everything you love about the show” (The Guardian). Featuring life-size puppets, this is Bluey brought to life!

May 6 and 7 at Steinmetz Hall 

The Orlando Philharmonic presents Mahler’s 5th Symphony 

Eric Jacobsen, conductor

STELLA SUNG– Starbursts (World Premiere)

MOZART– Piano Concerto No. 24 – Inon Barnatan, guest soloist

MAHLER– Symphony No. 5 

Featuring a masterwork by Gustav Mahler, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 (considered by many to be the greatest of all Mozart’s piano concertos), plus the joy and honor of being part of the audience for a World Premiere of a new composition by Orlando’s own Stella Sung. This program from the Orlando Philharmonic is only made more exciting as it takes place in our new, world-class Steinmetz Concert Hall. 

May 9 to 14 at the Dr. Phillips Center

MY FAIR LADY 

Classic perfection” describes this new production of Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY. The New York Times said, “Every so often, a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be.” If the film has captivated you, envision the excitement of experiencing beloved songs such as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “On the Street Where You Live” performed LIVE at the Dr. Phillips Center.

May 11 to June 11 at the Winter Park Playhouse

Desperate MEASURES

Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” this hilarious Off-Broadway musical comedy asks the question — When Johnny Blood gets into trouble, can a crazy cast of characters, including a wily sheriff, an eccentric priest, a despotic governor, a saloon girl “gone good,” and a nun “out of the habit” pull off the greatest caper yet, or will he be left hanging? Age requirement of 15 years and older. Call 407.645.0145 or visit winterparkplayhouse.org 

May 13 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm

“Let’s Misbehave — The Songs of Cole Porter” with the Orlando Philharmonic and 

guest artists Tony DeSare, Bria Skonberg, and John Manzari (tap dance)

Michael Krajewski, conductor

The songs of Cole Porter are timeless, funny, sexy, and wonderfully light-hearted. On May 13, guest artists and the talented Orlando Philharmonic will sing, dance, and perform such immortal hits as “Night and Day,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “Anything Goes,” “You’re the Top,” and many more. Enjoy the captivating tunes and clever lyrics.

May 16 to 29

Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival

Fringe is a HUGE 14-day immersive experience featuring HUNDREDS of theatrical performances and a FREE outdoor music festival in Loch Haven Park. The festival unites local, national, and international artists, creating a diverse experience. The longest-running Fringe festival in the United States, Orlando FRINGE has ALWAYS been 100% uncensored – so “Management” never knows what the artists will say or do. The artists have complete control over their performances, so “Parental Guidance” applies. Visit orlandofringe.org 

May 19 to 21

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus Live!

This delightful one-man combo of theatre and stand-up comedy, based on the New York Times best-seller by John Gray, covers everything from dating to the bedroom. Sexy and fast-paced, the show is for adults, leaving audiences laughing and smirking like little kids. When Mars and Venus collide, the adventures are hysterical. It’s a great date night out – blending comedy with a dash of wisdom for a delicious evening of entertainment. 

May 20 at PlazaLive 

Margaret Cho

Rolling Stone named Margaret Cho one of the 50 Best Stand-Up Comics, calling her “the funny, sex-positive feminist and LGBT activist younger comics look up to.” With so much success, Ms. Cho is still incredibly active in anti-racism, anti-bullying, and gay rights campaigns. She has received accolades from organizations such as the Victory Fund, ACLU, NOW, GLAAD, Lambda Legal Defense, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, PFLAG, and LA Pride (which presented Margaret with a Lifetime Achievement Award). Plus, she is hilarious. Visit PlazaLiveOrlando.org 

May 22 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. Phillips Center

“One Night of QUEEN” Performed by Gary Mullen & the Works

This concert recreates the look, sound, and showmanship of arguably the greatest band of all time. Gary Mullen & The Works have performed to sold-out audiences throughout the USA and Europe, twice rocking the prestigious BBC Proms in the Park in front of a crowd of 40,000. Mullen brings the passion of rock icon Freddie Mercury to life as fans of QUEEN rock out to his note-for-note experience of Queen’s mega-hits. “One Night of Queen” WILL ROCK YOU!

May 25 at 7:30 pm The Dr. Phillips Center presents the

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

The JLCO, comprised of 15 of the world’s finest jazz performers, has been the resident Jazz orchestra of Lincoln Center since 1988. On May 25, the Orchestra comes to the Dr. Phillips Center, performing a vast repertoire of new and classic discoveries. Since 1981, Mr. Marsalis has performed 4,777 concerts in 64 countries. Mr. Marsalis has recorded 110 jazz and classical albums and released five DVDs. Marsalis is the winner of nine GRAMMY Awards. His oratorio “Blood on the Fields” is the first jazz composition to win the Pulitzer Prize, and he is the only musician to win a GRAMMY Award in two categories (jazz and classical) in the same year (1983, 1984).

May 25 at the Amway Center 

STEVIE NICKS

Beginning with a lifetime of performing with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks helped the band sell over 120 million records worldwide. During her solo career, Rolling Stone named her the “Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll,” releasing fifteen albums that sold 65 million copies in the US alone. Rolling Stone also named her “One of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time” and “One of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” Topping a lifetime of accomplishments, she won a Grammy for “Rumours,” rated the 7th-greatest album of all time. Visit amwaycenter.com/events