By PAM HARBAUGH
For sure, get to the Eau Gallie Arts District this evening to enjoy First Friday and the kick off of the French Film Festival. Read more about those below. That should prime the pump to enjoy more of the art and culture activities throughout the area, including a performance by the Orlando Gay Chorus at Surfside Playhouse….also as mentioned below.
Please click onto the links of those organizations supporting BREVARD
Area Theater:
RUMORS runs through April 30 at Melbourne Civic Theatre. The gauntlet lies at your feet just to get tickets to this much anticipated production. It’s a very funny farce by Neil Simon and the performances in the past have been hysterical. Get on the phone now and order your tickets, which start at $29. It runs through April 30 at MCT, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click on their ad.
MOTHERS AND SONS Playread happens 2 p.m. Saturday at Melbourne Civic Theatre. Reading will be Hank Rion (Artistic Director of the Henegar Center for the Arts), Linda Lawson, Sam Courtois and Dominic Del Brocco. Under the direction of Terrence Girard, these free events ($5 donation suggested) are always very well done and very well received. But get there early. They are gaining in popularity and MCT does them only once. MCT is at 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Be sure to bring tissues. “Mothers and Sons” is written by Terrence McNally and concerns a mother who visits the former partner of her late gay son. The Broadway production starred Tyne Daly and was hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “Eloquent, exceptionally timely and intensely resonant…A moving reflection on a changed America.”Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click on their ad.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice runs through April 23 at Titusville Playhouse, 301 Julia St. Titusville. Tickets are $20 to $28. Call 321-268-1125 or visit TitusvillePlayhouse.com.
Professional Theater:
THE CHRISTIANS runs through Sunday at Riverside Theatre. Read more about it by clicking here. Also, keep an eye out for a review. Tickets start are $45 with discounts for students. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click onto their ad.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA runs through April 30 at Orlando Shakes. The production stars Michael Dorn, a.k.a. Worf from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION. Read about it by clicking here. It performs at various times at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL. Tickets begin at $25. Many performances are already sold out. Call (407) 447-1700 ext. 1 or visit OrlandoShakes.org.
THREE SISTERS runs through April 16 at Mad Cow Theatre. The Chekhov play looks at Masha, Irina and Olga who live in provincial Russia and long to go to Moscow. As Mad Cow’s website states: “In one of the greatest masterworks of dramatic literature, Anton Chekhov paints a lyrical portrait of missed opportunities, delicate delusions, and the persistence of life despite disappointments.” Tickets are $16 to $40. Mad Cow Theatre is on the second floor at 54 West Church Street, Orlando, FL. Call 407-297-8788 ext. 1 or visit MadCowTheatre.com.
Special Goodies:
FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL opens tonight and runs through April 22 at the Foosaner Art Museum. The opening is free and happens at dark in Eau Gallie Square during this evening’s First Friday along Highland Avenue in Melbourne. Read more about the festival by clicking here.
FIRST FRIDAY April in Paris runs 5:30 to 10 p.m. tonight in the Eau Gallie Arts District. This is going to be an especially nice one as it is in concert with the French Film Festival. Read more about this soiree by clicking here.
Just thought you’d like to see this beautiful photo again of lavender in the south of France. Ahhh…
THE PRICE IS RIGHT interactive show comes to the King Center 8 p.m. tonight. This has got to serve up some pop kitsch galore. As the website states, this touring show “gives eligible individuals the chance to ‘Come On Down’ and play classic games from television’s longest running and most popular game show. Contestants can win cash, appliances, vacations and possibly even a new car by playing favorites like Plinko, Cliffhangers, The Big Wheel, and the fabulous Showcase.” Tickets start at $46. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.
Concerts:
SAMANTHA FISH performs 7:30 this evening at the King Center Studio Theatre. The blues singer/guitarist has shared the stage with legendary artists from Tab Benoit and Johnny Lang to Buddy Guy. Tickets start at $29. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.
ORLANDO GAY CHORUS performs 8 p.m. Saturday at Surfside Playhouse. The acclaimed group is one of the largest mixed gay choirs in the country and has been around for 25 years. The Orlando Gay Chorus is comprised of “individuals from all walks of life, all ages, and all orientations: gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender volunteers – as well as many straight allies.” Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Surfside Playhouse is at 301 Ramp Road (5th Street South), Cocoa Beach. Call 321-783-3127, visit SurfsidePlayers.com or click on their ad.
1964 THE TRIBUTE performs music from The Beatles 8 p.m. Saturday at the King Center. Rolling Stone magazine has hailed this tribute band as being the best in the business. Tickets start at $48. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.
Exhibits:
ART 31: BORROWED LIGHT runs through April 16 at the Art and History Museums in Maitland. Read more about it by clicking here. Regular museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission regular is $3 general, $2 for seniors (55+) and students, free for A&H Members and children age 3 and under. The Art & History Museums Maitland is at 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland. For more information, visit www.art31.org, contact 407.539.2181 or click on their ad.
TRADITIONAL ART OF THE BEDOUIN runs through April 29 at Florida Tech’s Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts. Read about it by clicking here. The Center is located next to Evans Library on the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne, Florida, 150 W. University Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://textiles.fit.edu or call 321-674-8313.
THE RED THAT COLORED THE WORLD is on view through April 15 at Florida Tech’s Foosaner Art Museum. Read about it by clicking here. The Foosaner Art Museum is at 1463 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Free admission. Visit FoosanerMuseum.org, call 321-674-8916 or click on their ad.
Plan Ahead:
HEIDI’S JAZZ LOUNGE will present a couple of unusual concerts: TOMAS LOPEZ brings a classical touch for a matinee concert April 15; the cast from the Henegar’s LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL will present an evening of Billie Holiday music April 25.
KING CENTER presents concerts by CHRIS BOTTI, THE FOUR TOPS and the TEMPTATIONS and DICK DALE next week. Read more about those at KingCenter.com.