By PAM HARBAUGH
Ahhh…the theater. So much to choose from happy to sad…from improv to playreading…and from straight play to rock concert style. You’ve also got some exciting music and funny stand up. If it’s hard to make a choice, get organized and just do it all.
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Theater:
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW opens tonight and runs through Oct. 29 at Titusville Playhouse. This is the stage version, which means no shadow cast and no movie projected behind players. But you can still buy prop bags and get into the mood of this nutty musical. Read more about it in Brevard Culture later this weekend. Tickets are $25 and $29. TPI is at 301 Julia St., Titusville, FL. Call 321-268-1125, visit TitusvillePlayhouse.com or click on their ad.
PLAYREAD: THE GOD OF HELL will feature Susan Suomi, Pete Jacobsen, Michael Paul and Randy Caldwell in reader’s theater format presenting the late Sam Shepard’s absurdist farce. First produced in in 2004, Mr. Shepard wrote that he wanted to create a black comedy so, after some research, he began with three characters and it grew. “The notion of somebody coming from out of nowhere and disturbing the peace,” he said. “It fit perfectly with the Republican invasion. The whole storm that built up after 9-11. The Welch character came in last. I wanted him to be like something out of Brecht’s clown plays.” (Source, MCT.) The playread begins 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $10 and are available online or by calling 321-723-6935. This charge is a new policy created in order to avoid having to turn people away at the door. MCT is at 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click on their ad.
SWEENEY TODD is a most winning show running through Oct. 29 at the Henegar Center. This is a handsome production, filled with gorgeous voices and sumptuous visuals. Read a story about it by clicking here. Tickets are $26 general, $23 military and seniors and $16 students. Handling fees are $3 per ticket. The Henegar is at 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-8698, visit Henegar.org or click on their ad.
Joshua Doyle and Shane Frampton in SWEENEY TODD at the Henegar Center. Photo by Dana Neimeier
BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY runs through Nov. 12 at Melbourne Civic Theatre. The production has some of Brevard’s favorite actors and is written by Ken Ludwig, so expect comedy and witty goings-on. Read about it by clicking here. Tickets are $29 and $31. Better get them now because tickets are going fast. MCT is at 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click on their ad.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has been extended through Sunday at Cocoa Village Playhouse. This Disney musical has all the elements you expect. And yes, CVP costume designer Dan Hill made the costumes. The creature suit was created by Tracy Wines and Ben Cox, who plays the role. Mr. Hill also got help from an engineer to create the costume for Lumiere, which is played by Jason Crase. Read more about it by clicking here. Cocoa Village Playhouse is at 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa. Tickets are $24 adults, $22 seniors, students and active military and $16 children. Handling fees are also applicable. Call 321-636-5050, visit CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com or click on their ad.
From Cocoa Village Playhouse’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Photo by Goforth Photography
Orlando Area Theater:
ON YOUR FEET runs through Sunday at the Dr. Phillips Center. This national tour of the Broadway blockbuster tells the inspiring story of megastars Gloria and Emilio Estefan. It is directed by Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots) and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys”). And if you’ve never been to Dr. Phillips Center’s Walt Disney Theater, this is a great introduction to it. Tickets begin at $34.25. Dr. Phillips Center is at 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando. Call 844.513.2014 or visit DrPhillipsCenter.org.
Joseph Rivera, Adriel Flete, Jeremey Adam Rey, Nancy Ticotin as Gloria Fajardo and Hector Maisonet, ON YOUR FEET! © Matthew Murphy
BIG RIVER: THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN runs through Sunday at Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando. Tonight’s performance will be a preview, which had to be postponed until tonight due to Hurricane Irma. The musical is based on Mark Twain’s novel about a runaway young boy, Huck Finn, who joins Jim, a slave running for his freedom. Tickets are $23 to $47. The show performs at various times throughout the week with Talkbacks after each Thursday and Sunday performance. Mad Cow Theatre is at 54 W. Church Street (second floor) in downtown Orlando. Call 407.297.8788 or visit MadCowTheatre.com.
Concerts:
AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH LYLE LOVETT AND JOHN HIATT begins 7 p.m. Sunday at the King Center. Tickets start at $42.50. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.
CHICAGO THE BAND will perform 8 p.m. Thursday at the King Center. Tickets start at $76. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.
Chicago
Nightlife:
HEIDI’S JAZZ CLUB presents Jessie Jones, Jr. this weekend. He’ll perform 8:30 p.m. tonight and 8 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment also includes Steve Kirsner & Friends this evening and the Israeli entertainer Hella Saturday. And of course, it’s all with the fantastic accompaniment of the Ron Teixeira. And Sunday is the always fun Jam Session from 7 to 11 p.m. You can also enjoy a great bar, a terrific menu and romantic dancing. Heidi’s is at 7 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL. Call 321-783-4559 or visit HeidisJazzClub.com or click on their ad.
COMEDY ZONE features stand up comics Kent Rader and Devin Siebold Friday and Saturday evenings at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Shows begin at 7:30 and 9:30 tonight and Saturday. Patrons to the Comedy Zone can also enjoy free music before the shows and casino games in the lobby. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Drive, Vero Beach. Get there early and buy a burger and a beer if you like. Tickets begin at $16. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click onto their ad.
Comedy Zone at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach.
STAGED an evening of improv with the Not Quite Right Players begins 8 p.m. Saturday at the Derek Gores Gallery. The troupe goes retro with a setting designed by Mr. Gores and supplied by Cosmic Cafe. Audience members are invited to come dressed in their retro finest (there are threats of a vintage-wear costume contest) and to bring a prop or two if they want. Tickets are $15 plus handling and tax. Best to buy them ahead of time if you want to be assured that you’ll get in. Derek Gores Gallery is at 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. Visit NQRComedy.com.
Exhibits:
CLOTH AS COMMUNITY: HMONG TEXTILES IN AMERICA runs through Dec. 16 at Florida Institute of Technology’s Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts. Although rich in history, Hmong flower cloth did not become widely known until after the Vietnam War when refugees from the war-torn country arrived in the United States. The exhibit features 28 textiles—flower cloths and embroidered story cloths—by those in the Hmong community. It also features Peter Kastan’s photographs of contemporary Hmong women and children in traditional dress. Look for a story about the exhibit later in Brevard Culture. The Ruth Funk Center is on the campus of Florida Tech, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Call 321-674-8313, visit their website or Click on their ad.
THE MAGICAL WORKS OF NANCY DILLEN exhibition is on view through Jan. 26, 2018 in the Frits van Eeden Gallery at the Renee Foosaner Education Center. The exhibition explores the real and imaginary — two worlds which inspire the art professor emeritus. Ms. Dillen will offer a free gallery talk on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. She will also offer a one-day painting workshop at the Renee Foosaner Education Center on Saturday, Dec. 9. The Frits Van Eeden gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, as well as from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month. Admission is free. The Renee Foosaner Education Center is located at 1520 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. Call 321-674-8923 or visit FoosanerArtMuseum.org.
Nancy Dillen’s “Hornbug” from 2017. Graphite on Arches Cover text paper, 22.5” H x 30” W. © N. Baur Dillen
THE HISTORY OF SPACE PHOTOGRAPHY and GUARDIANS OF THE COSMOS: PAINTINGS BY RAIMUNDO MARTIN run through Jan. 6, 2018 at the Foosaner Art Museum. The museum experience will include 150 photos and a collection of cosmological paintings. Keep your eye out for an upcoming story in Brevard Culture. In the meantime, visit the museum, which is at 1463 Highland Avenue. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Call 321-674-8916, visit FoosanerArtMuseum.org or click on their ad
This image of Jupiter captured by the Galileo spacecraft in 1995 is among the 150 photos featured in the new Foosaner Art Museum exhibition, “The History of Space Photography.”
STUDIOS OF COCOA BEACH presents October featured artist and animal rights activist John Cielukowski. The artist is an accomplished painter, with a Fine Arts degree from Montclair University plus advanced study at the School of Visual Arts and the Art Student League of NYC. His colorful, sometimes playful, works often feature vintage amusement park rides, old Florida advertising art, and industrial images…like that seen here. The Studios of Cocoa Beach are at 165 Minuteman Causeway in downtown Cocoa Beach. Regular hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 321-613-3480 visit StudiosOfCocoaBeach.org.
FIFTH AVENUE ART GALLERY opens “Dreams & Wishes,” a one-woman show with work by Renee Decator. On Saturday, October 14, at 1 p.m., Renee will hold an artist’s talk. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.
Auditions and Calls for Art:
RIVERSIDE THEATRE will hold auditions for both AEA and on-Equity actors Oct. 26. The season includes productions of “Million Dollar Quartet,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Lombardi,” “Gypsy,” “Buyer & Cellar” and “Mamma Mia.” To schedule an audition appointment, contact Kyle Atkins, Company Manager, via email at kylea@riversidetheatre.com or by phone at 772-410-0456. AEA members without appointments will be seen as time permits. Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Riverside is at 3250 Riverside Dr., Vero Beach.
CALL FOR ART has been made by the Studios of Cocoa Beach Holiday Gift Shoppe. Apply online at studiosofcocoabeach.org. The gallery is at 165 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Call 321-613-3480.
Plan Ahead:
CULTURAL ARTS SHOWCASE will be held Oct. 29 at the King Center.
WITH A PEN, LUTHER’S REFORMATION, an original one-man play, will be presented 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Indialantic.
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT opens Nov. 3 at Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S ‘CITY LIGHTS’ IN CONCERT WITH BSO will be performed with film and orchestra Nov. 4 at the King Center.
POSTPONED: ZZ Top concert at the King Center originally scheduled for Nov. 9
