It’s last call
for many productions around Central Florida this weekend — here’s how to catch them while you can.
It’s last call for many productions around Central Florida this weekend. If Hurricane Irma swamped your cultural plans earlier this fall, now’s the time to catch these plays — while you still can.
On Thursday, more than 120 theatergoers attended opening night of a special free production of “26 Pebbles,” a play by University of Central Florida graduate Eric Ulloa. The play is based on interviews with residents of Newtown, Conn., six months after the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School there.
As you might imagine, “26 Pebbles” is a powerful show and can trigger emotional reactions. Performances are accompanied by audience talkbacks with the cast, and Sunday’s show will be followed by a discussion led by the Orlando United Assistance Center. Although it’s free, a ticket is required from theatre.cah.ucf.edu (7 p.m. today, 5 p.m. Sunday).
Two area colleges conclude the runs of their season’s first shows. The Annie Russell Theatre at Rollins College in Winter Park is staging “The Cradle Will Rock” through tonight. Written in 1937, the musical is a plea for workers’ rights against the powerful and corrupt world of big business. The original production was considered so controversial, it was shut down — though some quick thinking by the creative team meant the show went on.
Guest director Tony Simotes helms the Annie’s production. ($20; 2 and 8 p.m. today; rollins.edu/ annie)
Seminole State College is staging “Almost, Maine” through Sunday on its Sanford campus. The whimsical romantic comedy consists of a series of vignettes set in a quirky New England town. ($8-$10; 7:30 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday; seminole state.edu or 407-708-2506).
Also in Sanford, the musical “Annie” wraps up its run at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center. The kid-friendly show about the redheaded orphan from the funny pages features such classic showtunes as “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life.” ($20-$27; 7:30 p.m. today, 3:30 p.m. Sunday; wdpac.com or 407-321-8111).
Winter Park Playhouse also has a musical onstage. “Life Could Be a Dream” is a humorous look at doo-wop group that features 1960s hits such as “Tears on My Pillow” and “Unchained Melody.” ($20-$42; 2 and 7:30 p.m. today; 2 p.m. Sunday; winterparkplayhouse .org or 407-645-0145).
In Orlando, Central Florida Community Arts presents the final weekend of “Of Mice and Men,” The stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s lauded story of dreams, friendship, loneliness and tragedy follows two displaced migrant workers during the Great Depression. ($12-$25; 7:30 p.m. today, 3 p.m. Sunday; cfcarts.com or 407-937-1700).
Finally, Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s critically acclaimed production of “Man of La Mancha” closes Sunday. Davis Gaines and Laura Hodos expertly lead an accomplished cast through a stellar rendition of the classic Broadway musical known for “The Impossible Dream.” ($35-$65; 2 and 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday; orlandoshakes.org or 407-900-4800).