Ballet’s event honors philanthropist Lake
Here’s a roundup of arts news from my blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/ artistictype:
First, the great music of Broadway will help Orlando Ballet raise money as it honors philanthropist Harriett Lake at a gala event on Saturday.
“A Tribute to Harriett: Best of Broadway” will see the ballet’s dancers perform to favorite show tunes at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Lake, a champion for local arts groups, personally selected the program’s music. Expect to hear classic songs from “Chicago,” “On the Town,” “West Side Story,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and more.
Choreography is by Orlando Ballet artistic director Robert Hill and dancers Arcadian Broad, Telmo Moreira and Chiaki Yasukawa. Joining the troupe will be Orlando Ballet School students — “Annie” is also a featured show.
Tickets to a post-show gala went for $1,000 a pop but have sold out. For the show itself, tickets are available and start at $29. The show is at 7 p.m. Saturday; call 844-513-2014 or go to dr phillipscenter.org.
An adult ‘Spelling Bee’
Spell risque? R-I-S-QU-E. Risque.
There’s another chance to see the adults-only version of the musical comedy “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at 11 p.m. this Saturday at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. The adults-only version of the award-winning show keeps the same songs and story, but the improvised jokes should definitely not be repeated in front of children.
Produced for the Garden by Beth Marshall Presents, “Spelling Bee” tells the story of a group of misfit school kids (played by adults) as they struggle with the issues of adolescence during a spelling competition. The show also scores laughs through improv comedy and audience participation.
If you would prefer the all-ages show, there are four more performances: 8 p.m. today-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $25; call 407-877-4736 or go to gardentheatre.org.
Comparing composers
How do you like your Stabat Mater?
A “Stabat Mater” is a medieval hymn, in Latin, about the Virgin Mary’s suffering at the Crucifixion of Jesus. Many composers have been inspired to create their own versions, and the Bach Festival is giving music lovers a chance to compare two.
Giovanni Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater is an intimate affair, 40 minutes with orchestra and two solo singers. It will be presented at 3 p.m. Tuesday at All Saints Episcopal Church, 338 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park. Then at 7:30 p.m. March 4, Antonin Dvorak’s 85-minute version, with the might of the full Bach Festival choir, will be presented at Knowles Chapel at Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park.
The juxtaposition of the concerts creates a fascinating opportunity to hear two very different treatments of the same subject matter. Information: 407-646-2182 or bachfestivalflorida.org.