Play in a Day

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Play in a Day is as its name implies a fast paced day where the the plays are written and produced in just one day. The nine writers were given the theme and their individual ‘twist’ at
the beginning of a 12-hour period of their own choosing and that was their
window for creating the script for their original 10 minute play. The directors and performers knew nothing of their script until it was unveiled to them bright-and-early Saturday morning, they then had one day to produce the work by that evening’s opening curtain at 7pm.

Play in a Day 2019 had 107 participating artists, 82 of them, including every playwright, director and stage manager, were women. In addition, each production team was assigned a title under the umbrella theme “Men”. The #MeToo movement inspired a female empowered cast and crew since women are a powerful force in the Orlando theater community.

When I arrived all the actors and crew were gathered in the Lake Howell High School (4200 Dike Rd, Winter Park, FL 3279) cafeteria. There were donuts, beagles and other breakfast items. I sipped some caffeine to get my drawing hand twitching. Each production crew already seemed to be grouped together and I wondered which production team I should sketch. Since I had sketched actress Melanie Leon before in various shows around town, I asked if she could talk to her director about having an artist shadow their rehearsals for the day. The director agreed and soon I was sketching them as they performed the first reading of the play at a small round table.

The table was already a perfect setting since the play written by Tracey Jane was titled “The Dinner Conversation.” Tracy had worked remotely and couldn’t be at the rehearsals but her humor and heart felt writing, affected every scene and interaction between the characters. Around the table sat director Kaitlyn Harrington, who was open to suggestions as the actors became familiar with their parts, yet she guided them deftly. The stage manager was Destiny Sam. The actors were Ken Preuss, his son, Bennet Preuss, Melanie Leon, and Jac LeDoux. Over the course of the day I got to see the challenges overcome as the cast committed lines to memory and transformed into their characters. The tight deadline created a level of team work and support among artists that was absolutely inspiring.

100% of the proceeds from Play in a Day went
directly to the BMP Theatre Scholarship Fund and TOP TEENS. This money
allows teens to attend master class intensives on all areas of theatre,
film/TV, arts administration, activism, acting, directing, play writing,
tech, education and leadership. The artists get to study for the month
of June and then present a showcase. Scholarships are given to the
artists to use to pursue their respective areas in the arts as they
wish.

Frankie’s Birthday Dance Party

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Frankie Messina held his Birthday Dance Party at The Imperial Wine Bar and Beer Garden at Washburn Imports (1800 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32804). Each year Frankie has a sock drive where he collects new socks for the homeless. A $$$ donation of any amount at the DJ booth, would be
used to buy brand new pairs of socks for homeless citizens on our local
streets. No middle man. The new socks would be handed directly to those in need of fresh warm
clean socks. People could also donate a pack of men’s women’s or
children’s socks. This is the least
donated item to homeless shelters. At the base of his DJ mixing station a small mountain of new socks began to gather.

Friends gathered around Frankie talking to him as he mixed the tunes. Another goal for the nights was to bring everyone
together for a  good cause and help keep our individual DREAMS alive. Which is why we get up every morning. Frankie was grateful for another
year of good health, and he felt blessed to have such love around him from some
beautiful friends. 

The music flowed non-stop from 6pm till Midnight! Giving is easy to do, and it is our duty as
humans to help each other along the way when we can. No presents for no presents for Frankie, yet socks for them! The sign on the front of Frankie’s mixing station said it all, “All that is not given is lost.”

Frankie has started sharing tunes locally on 91.5FM WPRK. Stream it live wprk.org,
or load up the free TUNEIN app on your phone and smart devises. Search
for Rollins Radio WPRK 91.5. Live fun. Drive Time Wednesdays 5-7 pm!

Weekend Top 6 Picks for March 7 and 8, 2020

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Saturday March 7, 2020

8am to 1pm Free. Parramore Farmers Market. John H Jackson Community Center, 3107, 1002 W Carter St, Orlando, FL 32805. Purchase
quality, fresh and healthy food grown in your own neighborhood by local
farmers, including Fleet Farming, Growing Orlando, and other community
growers.

10am to 1pm Free. Mayor’s Jazz in the Park. 

Cypress Grove Park


290 Holden Ave., Orlando FL.

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings invites you, your family and friends to attend a free evening of jazz. 

6pm to 8pm Free. Yoga Glow Festival. 

Novel Lucerne


733 Main Lane, Orlando FL. A high energy YogaFlow for all ages and levels. Glow paint and glow sticks provided.

Sunday March 8, 2020

9am to Noon Free. Fleet Farming Swarm Ride. 

East End Market


3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando FL. Visit farmlettes and learn about urban agriculture on a 1 to 2-mile farming bike ride.

2pm to 3:30pm Free. Florida’s Female Pioneers with Peggy MacDonald. 

Orange County Regional History Center


65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando FL. Historian Peggy Macdonald examines some of the notable women who have
shaped the Sunshine State, from Dr. Esther Hill Hawks, a female
physician who ran the first racially integrated free school in Florida,
to Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, the first female tribal chair of any American
Indian tribe in the nation.

 

1pm to 5pm Free. Love Fest. 

Quantum Leap Winery


1312 Wilfred Drive, Orlando FL. Block party with artists, vendors, food and more.

Elite Animation Academy Watercolor Class

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At Elite Animation Academy (8933 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando, FL 32835) I am instructing a watercolor class for the first time. These two sketches of City Arts Orlando (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801) were done as a lesson in capturing values. My student was instructed to paint the scene using just one or two colors. We only did a few light pencil strokes to fit the building on the page. I used a dis-guarded pallet and painted on sheets of xerox copier paper. The pallet had multiple colors but I just chose based on what value I wanted on the page. My student had quality watercolor paper to  work on. The basic premise is that any object can be painted with just three values, Dark, medium and then pure white of the page for the light value. Rather than paint the sky, the street or the sunny face of the building, they were left pure white.Towards the end of the session we added a few dark strokes that could be considered line work in the shadows of windows or the shadows of the roof overhangs.

With the first watercolor sketch complete, we then recreated the scene using a full choice of colors. We didn’t spend as much time on this painting but it went faster since we had made so man of the creative value choices in the first painting. One thing that often happens with a beginning watercolor painter is that they will start by painting the lighter areas like the sky first. Once blue paint is applied to the sky however it becomes a dark value. The building is green and again the temptation is to paint the light side of the building green first which negates the sunlight since that face then becomes dark. The goal was to repeat what was done with the one color value study by only painting the shadows and darks. On the first painting I repainted the shadow side of the building multiple times. On the color painting the shadow face of the building only has the first wash over it. Details and successive washed would be added if I had time to keep working on the painting. Another thing that happens with watercolor is that once a wash dries, it lightens up a bit. That is another reason I might hit an area of the sketch with a wash again and again.

A major lesson as well is that the watercolor sketches are not precious. There are things to like and dislike about each. The important thing is to keep dashing of studies like this. Each in turn will be better than the last although it might not feel like it at the time. It is good to be critical of your own work, as ling as it doesn’t keep you from creating more work.

Orlando Hot Air Balloon Rides

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We got up at 5:30 AM on a Sunday morning and drove down to Davenport Florida to experience an Orlando Hot Air Balloon Ride. This was a birthday present for Pam Schwartz. We often prefer experiences rather than things. We pulled up to what must have once been a Waffle House next to the highway. Inside we had to fill out releases and other paperwork. We were told that we must arrive on time, but people arrived late anyway.

Everyone then piled into the Orlando Balloon Rides van and we drove out to a a tiny dirt road that cut through a field. We got out of the truck and I immediately started to sketch a balloon being inflated next to us. We were herded like cats so I could not stray far. The balloon next to us was inflated rather quickly and efficiently. It was up in the air before our balloon was half inflated. Since the subject of that sketch had floated away, I turned my attention to our crew struggling to inflate our balloon. The flame in that sketch is actually a ripped piece of paper that came  up off the back of the opposite sketch because I closed my sketchbook before the paint was dry. I lived with the mistake and painted it yellow.

One person pulled a chord attached to the top of the balloon to keep it elongated at it was blown up. Since the balloon took so long to inflate, I had time to sketch the action. Our pilot sat in the basket keeping it weighted down and two assistants kept the mouth of the balloon open as the flame heated the air being blown in with a fan.

There were three separate compartments in the basket and each couple was assigned a quadrant to stand in. The center compartment was reserved for the pilot. Once we were all in place there was a final blast of flame which I think singed what little hair I have left. We floated towards the trees at the edge of the field and I thought for a moment that we might not clear the tree top. We slipped quietly over the highest branch clearing it by inches.

Dozens of balloons dotted the sky as the sun rose. We passed over a circus elephant refuge but non of the elephants were out and about. News footage showed the elephants are still handled with bull hooks. Fields created a crisp checkered pattern. The serine experience was interrupted periodically by loud and hot bursts of flame. We floated towards Wallaby Ranch where hang gliders were starting their morning flights. A motorized pilot plane pulled a hang glider behind it and they both lifted off into the sky. They circled together gaining height, and then the attachment wire was released leaving the hang glider to soar silently.

We were told we would land at Wallaby. The pilot specifically didn’t want to land near the air strip but that ended up being precisely where we landed. We had to de inflate the balloon as quickly as possible since gliders were waiting to take off and the morning breezes can die down as the day drags on. A tourist woman kept taking selfies and primping her hair the whole time as everyone else helped break down the balloon and load it in the van. Pam gladly pulled the weight of two men. Overall, a fun experience for locals or folks visiting Orlando.

Orlando Balloon Rides

$199 for adults and $125 for kids.

Duration:   Allow 3.5 hours from the time we meet until we return to the meeting location.

Flight Time:   You will be in the air 45-60 minutes or longer depending on weather.

Occupancy:   16 passengers max. each.

Last Train to Nibroc

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Last Train to Nibroc by Arlene Hutton and directed by Mark Edward Smith is at the Mad Cow Theater (54 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801) through March 8, 2020. The play begins with May  (Alexandra Rose Horton) reading a book on a train on December 28, 1940 somewhere west of Chicago. A soldier named Raleigh (Dalton Hedrick) asked if he can be seated next to her. The set was spartan and simple, the train seat to house right from where I was seated, a curved bench center stage and then May’s front porch on house right.

May was a petite and powerful woman. She and Raleigh both spoke with thick and round Kentucky accents. Raleigh considered himself an author. He asked May about the book she was reading. She said it was religious, but he seemed convinced it was a romance. She had traveled across the country to visit a boyfriend who had entered the service. That trip had gone horribly, he wasn’t who she thought he was. There was a playful banter between the two who were from the same part of Kentucky. Raleigh wanted to go to the big city to start his writing career but after meeting May he decided to return to their home town. On that fated train trip he asked May if she would go with him to the Nibroc festival if he decided to stay in Kentucky.

The middle staging area had the couple meeting at a state fair. Raleigh was dressed in farmers overalls and his prospects for the future seemed dim in the back woods rural town. The friendship sparked on the train had also soured but the two though throwing jabs at each other clearly seemed to care about where life might take them. Each of them was flawed but proud. They grew on me because of their frankness and hopes for a better life. It made me wonder at the myriad of ways that my ancestors might have met and fallen in love through the centuries. This was the first of three plays in a trilogy by the Florida native author.

 Last Train to Nibroc by Arlene Hutton

Mad Cow Theater 54 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801

Tickets: $30 – $42

Key Themes: Romance, choices, consequences

Age Recommendation: 13+

Run-time: Approx. 90 minutes with no intermission

Remaining Show Dates:

03/01/2020 03:00 PM (Sunday)

03/04/2020 08:00 PM (Wednesday)

03/05/2020 08:00 PM (Thursday)

03/06/2020 08:00 PM (Friday)

03/07/2020 08:00 PM (Saturday)

03/08/2020 03:00 PM (Sunday)

Henry IV

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Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare is at the Orlando Shakes through March 21, 2020. Some back story is needed to set the stage. Henry IV (Jim Ireland) took the throne from his corrupt and indecisive eldest brother Richard II. King Henry IV’s eldest son was Prince Hal (Benjamin Bonefant). Though he should be destined to one day take his father’s throne, he instead spent his time hanging out with very fat and disorderly Falstaff (Philip Nolan). Hal spends his time drinking and womanizing and the occasional highway theft, much to his fathers annoyance.

Meanwhile Edmund Mortimer (Cameron Grey) the leader of Henry IV’s army is captured in Wales by the Welsh rebel fighter Glendower (Brandon Roberts). Hotspur (Walter Kmiec) of the Percy family helped King Henry IV overthrow Richard II. But the new king never paid his debt and for this reason, Edmund was held ransom. The king refused since he found out Edmund had turned traitor and married the rebel’s daughter. Edmund’s daughter was married to Hotspur who was a hot blooded and very angry cousin to King Henry IV.  He formed an alliance with is uncle and the rebels to overthrow king Henry IV.

On the battlefield the alliance fell apart in that the rebels and Hotspur’s own father (Rodney Lizcano) never showed up for battle, leaving them hopelessly outnumbered by King Henry IV’s forces. Hotspur’s uncle went to the king for a parley and the king offers a pardon to Hotspur. This messages was never relayed and so battle ensues. It seems like dozens of sword fight broke out on stage all at once.

The wayward son Hal joined his father and in the end saved the day. Falstaff on the other hand stayed true to his debauchery ways, hiding to avoid fighting and then taking credit for Hals handiwork. His monologues about how useless Honor is on the battlefield are for me some of the most memorable and moving accounts of what it means to be human and alive. Just keeping track of the family tree is a feat unto itself but the action and drama are universal.

The bottom line is that this was a fun evening of theater.

Tickets are $32 to 57

The remaining show times…

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 7, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 8, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Talk back Performance

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 – 2:00 PM – Senior Matinee

Sunday, March 15, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Friday, March 20, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 21, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Saturday, March 21, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Ben Hur

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I went to a rehearsal of Ben Hur by Patrick Barlow at the Garden Theater (160 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787). Director Jason Horne said that I had sketched a performance he was in years ago at Shakes, so he knew of my mission to document the arts with my sketches. I entered the theater through the stage door in the back and lead through the rickety stage set held up by 2 by 4 braces.

Cast was back stage trying on costumes. That gave me plenty of time to sketch the stage before they started to rehearse. The lighting techs were set up in the middle of the audience and they went through lighting cues as I worked. The theater went black quite often as they switched lighting effects. I used my cell phone to light the page when the theater went dark. I was concerned about the battery running out on my phone, so I would switch it off every time the theater lights went back up. One tech noticed my ongoing dance with my phone for light and he brought over a book light and clamped it onto the theater seat in front of me.That made life so much easier.

The premise of the show is that an amateur theatre troupe tries to perform the epic story of Ben Hur.
As the struggling actors rehearse the grand tale of the fictional
Jewish prince and merchant, offstage rivalries and romances interfere
with their chariot races and sea battles. Patrick Barlow’s new
adaptation of Ben Hur is a light-hearted comedic take on the timeless story.

While the actors were back stage, a stage hand on a ladder worked
diligently to get a banner hung above and entrance door. With a light
tug of a string offstage, the banner can unfurl. Another stage hand worked on a banner which had a mountain range on it. Both props would play a part in the scene about to be rehearsed.

The one scene I got to see rehearsed was the epic chariot race. Of course in the 1959 movie starring Charlton Heston the Chariot race is set in a huge coliseum with a cast of thousands. To simulate the crowd, 4 panels were rotated to show photos of a crowd on the stage set. Pontius Pilot (Adam Graham) entered through the door on house right. The banner was unfurled and it settled right in front of his face. It was an organic hilarious moment that is now integral to the show. His wife (Kristin Shirilla) also ducking the banner acting like Vanna White. Pilot walked over to the box center stage which was an orange crate that had Winter Garden Oranges printed on it. With a grand flourish he introduced the race. When the crowd was to Boo, Pilots wife held up a poster board.

Panels opened to show the chariots which were retiree medical mobility scooters. Ben Hur, (Daniel Veil) raced against a Roman Captain, (Mason Criswell), They circled center stage at top speed until one flew off stage and crashed. Smoke hinted at flames. Pilots wife suddenly had a fire extinguisher and she blasted the freezing spray on the chariot. The race and battle were over in an instant, hilarious and chaotic. Ben Hur did his victory dance like a seasoned WWF wrestler.

I loved how relaxed the cast were in their parts. New bits of slapstick humor were being developed on the fly. This show promises to be a very fun romp.

Ben Hur

Tickets are $20 to $32.

Remaining Show Dates…

Sun, March 1, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Wed, March 4, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Thu, March 5, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Fri, March 6, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sat, March 7, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Sat, March 7, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sun, March 8, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Wed, March 11, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Thu, March 12, 2020 – 2:00 PM

Thu, March 12, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Fri, March 13, 2020 – 7:30 PM

Sun, March 15, 2020 – 2:00 PM

From Here

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From Here is a new musical by local playwright, Donald Rupe. Donald handled the book, music and lyrics with additional music by Jason Bailey. This musical is personal and heart felt while also being incredibly funny. The simple stage set, painted by Ashleigh-Anne Gardner, had a map of Orlando with a heart at it’s center.
Small hearts scattered around the map showed where each of the cast
members were from. The story centers around Daniel (Blake Aburn), who in the very first scene is calling his mom (Sarah Lee Dobbs) on his cell phone but it becomes clear that she never picks up. He related to the audience first hand how his father left when he was very young, and he became inseparable from his mom. However when he came out to her, she said some things that can never be taken back. They had not spoken since that day. This yearning for acceptance while remaining defiantly independent is the life blood of the story.

The story is about friends, from here, meaning Orlando Florida, just before the Pulse Nightclub shooting, but the shooting doesn’t happen until deep into the second act. A joyous game night shows just how these friends gain joyous strength from being together. Michelle (Dorothy Christopher) is an amazing singer and after Daniel looses a boyfriend, she insists that he come to her show. She sets him up on the sly with someone new and sings a glorious song celebrating her gay friends that had me laughing out loud.

I will not go into the plot of this fabulous musical. You should experience it first hand with few preconceptions. All of the performers had exceptional voices and the music and lyrics were amazing. I have not felt this warmly embraced by a theater performance since seeing Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George with the original cast on Broadway. This show has Broadway legs. Perhaps I am biased since the show deals with the wave of emotions that followed the horror of June 12, 2016. This play brought all those emotions flooding back, it was both painful and cathartic.

After the shooting, all the friends gathered together to watch the news on TV. They were all safe. The loss of the 49 lives seemed all the more devastating since they all frequented the club, and had such amazing and memorable times there. This was the moment I wish I had sketched but I knew it would be over too soon. They held each other through the days that followed, and then found that the world responded to the horrific event that same way they did, with the hope that love is more powerful that hate. In a time when politics seem to want to divide people, the message of this show is more important than ever. Daniel’s final words summed up what is important in life… “All that matters here are the people you choose to love, and, of
course, the people who choose to love you back.”

This is quite honestly the best play I have seen this year.  I highly encourage you to go. It was an emotional roller coaster, but in the end very up-lifting. It is a uniquely Orlando story, one we have all lived, and are still living.

From Here is running through March 15, 2020 Do NOT miss it! Tickets.

Remaining show dates…

Sat Feb 29, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Sun Mar 1, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Thur Mar 5, 2020 at 7:30pm $15

Fri Mar 6, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Sat Mar 7, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Sun Mar 8, 2020 at 3:00pm $18-25

Thu Mar 12, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Sat Mar 14, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Sun Mar 15, 2020 at 7:30pm $18-25

Weekend Top 6 Picks for February 29 and March 1, 2020

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Saturday February 29, 2020

1pm to 6pm Free. 5th Annual Windermere Fine Art Show. Downtown Windermere, FL 34786. This
elite boutique event will showcase 85 fine art artists traveling from
around the United States to quaint Windermere, and will be surrounded by
live entertainment, food, wine/beer & performing arts in a festive
atmosphere around Town Square and Main Street sidewalks. Don’t miss this
amazing event, which promises to be the best ever!

5:30pm to 7:30pm Free but get a drink. Rhythm and Waves 27th Ave Park 3701 S Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169. Enjoy
the syncopated beat at the seaside with cool sounds and yummy s’mores
around a fire pit. The Flammable Babylon Percussion Ensemble (led by 3rd
Wheel dot Org) will provide amazing sounds! Bring your chairs and
gather around for an exciting final event of our NEA Big Read. This is not a drum circle – it is a performance, but there will be dancing, s’mores, chanting, sunsets, and more! 

7:30pm to 9:30pm $18-$25. From Here. CFCArts 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd Orlando, FL 32804. Book/Music/Lyrics by Donald Rupe. Additional Music and Orchestrations by Jason Bailey. From Here is
an original musical written by our own Director of Theatre, Donald
Rupe. The production originally premiered at the Orlando International
Fringe Festival in 2019 to enthusiastic crowds and rave reviews.
Expanded to a full-length musical, the story follows Daniel, a
30-something gay man on his journey to find love, fulfillment, and his
tumultuous relationship with his mother. Daniel, born and raised in
Orlando, is surrounded by a loving community of friends, and the musical
also explores what life was like as a gay man in Orlando during the
tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in 2016.

Sunday March 1, 2020

9am to 5pm Free. 5th Annual Windermere Fine Art Show. Downtown Windermere, FL 34786. This
elite boutique event will showcase 85 fine art artists traveling from
around the United States to quaint Windermere, and will be surrounded by
live entertainment, food, wine/beer & performing arts in a festive
atmosphere around Town Square and Main Street sidewalks. Don’t miss this
amazing event, which promises to be the best ever!

2pm to 4pm Free. St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Downtown Winter Park Park Ave. Winter Park, FL. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration will include a parade, featuring Irish
dancers, local politicians, community groups and businesses. The parade
will begin at the Winter Park Country Club and proceed south down Park
Avenue to Lyman Avenue. Irish music and dance performances will follow
the parade in Central Park.

7:30pm to 9:30pm $18-$25. From Here. CFCArts 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd Orlando, FL 32804. Book/Music/Lyrics by Donald Rupe. Additional Music and Orchestrations by Jason Bailey. From Here is
an original musical written by our own Director of Theatre, Donald
Rupe. The production originally premiered at the Orlando International
Fringe Festival in 2019 to enthusiastic crowds and rave reviews.
Expanded to a full-length musical, the story follows Daniel, a
30-something gay man on his journey to find love, fulfillment, and his
tumultuous relationship with his mother. Daniel, born and raised in
Orlando, is surrounded by a loving community of friends, and the musical
also explores what life was like as a gay man in Orlando during the
tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in 2016.