12 Angry Jurors

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The Central Florida Community Arts production of 12 Angry Jurors is a modern day take on 12 Angry Men which is a courtroom drama written by Reginald Rose which was originally broadcast on Television, was then produced as a play and then made into a movie starring Henry Fonda in 1957. I sat in on a dress rehearsal for the play which is being staged in the historic courtroom inside the Orange County Regional History Center. The play is about 12 jurors deliberating about a homicide case.

This jury rather than just being men, was a fair mix of men and woman with an ethnic blend. It seemed to be an open and shut case; an 18-year old boy on trial for the stabbing and murder of his own father. Twelve Jurors were shoved in a hot, bleak, room in mid-summer New York, and all assumed to be in agreement until the votes rolled in: 11 – guilty, 1 – not guilty. Tempers grew short as the clock ticks and the temperature rises. Can they all agree on one person’s fate?

Seated center stage like Christ in the last supper was Elaitheia Quinn the female dissenting juror who saw holes in the prosecutions case. Her shadow of doubt made some angry and yet her arguments gradually swayed others. The underlying theme was that race played a role in many people assuming the youth on trial was guilty. Terry Olson did a good job as a level headed business man who wanted civility during the deliberations. Chelsey Panisch was a polished ad exec who was primarily concerned about getting back to her job. Rose Ryan Lamarre and Rich Somsky both shone as racists whose views bubbled to the surface as the defendant’s guilt slipped away.

The historic Orange County courtroom had the saying Equal and Exact Justice for ALL Men emblazoned in the upper moldings. The setting was perfect and the drama intense. The sound of rain heightening the tense scenes was so natural, since it rains just about every day her in Orlando in the summer and the juror’s complaints about the heat also seemed well justified.

With a president daily spewing racist rants on twitter, this play
is just as relevant today that as it was back in the 1950s when it was
written.  The country is boiling and a viscous anger underlies every exchange on the capitol. People seem to be in a manic and angry rush at all times.  Orlando seems to exist in a bubble but are we really removed from all the hatred that surrounds us? Shouldn’t the frog jump out of the pot before the water boils?

Brandishing a switchblade in the jury room seemed even more upsetting after the horror Orlando has gone through in 2016 when a maniac brought an assault riffle into an Orlando nightclub killing 49 people. This is going to be an intense show that you really shouldn’t miss. In an ideal world level heads and compassion can perhaps overshadow bigotry and hate.

Tickets for 12 Angry Jurors  are $20 for general admission and $40 for jury box seats.

Orange County Regional History Center (65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801).

Thursday, August 1 – 7:30pm 

Friday, August 2 – 7:30pm 

Saturday, August 3 – 7:30pm 

Sunday, August 4 – 3:00pm 

Thursday, August 8 – 7:30pm 

Friday, August 9 – 7:30pm 

Saturday, August 10 – 7:30pm 

Sunday, August 11 – 3:00pm

Emotions Dance Auditions

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I went to an Emotions Dance audition. I have been sketching this dance company founded my Larissa Humiston for years and I am always curious to see the new talent that might joint its ranks. The Emotions Dance Studio is in a new location since the last time I had sketched there. The parking lot  in front of the large building was full so I circled around the block to search for paring. Right behind the building was a parking lot for the Sun Rail which was quite convenient. Next to the building was a sink hole filled with cat tails and many loud croaking frogs.

The dance studios were upstairs. Many pictures lines the walls of the stairwell highlighting many moments in the dance companies history. On the door Emotions was broken down into words signifying each letter. Excellence, Motivation, Opportunities, Teamwork, Individuality, Open Communication, Nurturing,and Self love. I arrived a bit early along with some dancers who were planning to audition.

The dance studio was spacious. The front wall was covered with mirrors along with black curtains which could be drawn to stop dancers from watching themselves. Larissa lead everyone in some rigorous warm ups and dance moves. She liked to joke that she is getting creaky with age, but she was demonstrating every difficult move for the new comers. Each dance move had an  exotic French name for it. I kind of wish there were French terms for sweeping fluid lines of crisp sharp and angular lines. I might make teaching art so much more exotic.

The professional dancers were also in the room so if someone needed to watch how a move was done they could watch a pro for answers. There was just one male dancer auditioning among the 20 of so dancers. I would think that raised his chances of being cast.

Everyone did very structured routines which looked exhausting. The dancers then broke up into groups to do a series of moves across the floor set to music. Mixed in to these moves were moments of improvisation. As the name of the dance company suggests the key was to express emotions through movement.

If you want to see Emotions Dance in person check out The Shift: Choreographer’s Showcase happening at Central Florida Community Arts Black box Theatre (250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32804) on June 18, 2019 at 6 PM.The Shift in partnership with Emotions Dance Inc, occurs three times per year throughout Central Florida and provides a “preview” of professional contemporary, modern, jazz, and ballet companies season of works. Audience members will have a chance to meet the directors and choreographers after the showcase and find out more about the abundant and diverse professional companies in the area. Audience members will also have a chance to purchase tickets to upcoming performances and events with discounts and special VIP experiences.

Featuring works from:
Emotions Dance
Crawford Jazz Project
Thomas Wilkins
Florida Dance Theatre
Coco Loupe
Ariel Clarke
Tori Sarau
CG and Dancers

Tickets are $20for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
If the 6pm show sells out, they will be adding an 8pm show. One night only!

Central Florida Community Arts presented Symphonic Cinema

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Joshua Vickery the founder and Executive Director
Central Florida Community Arts suggested I sketch a dress rehearsal for a big orchestra concert called Symphonic Cinema. This concert featured film scores and movie music and was truly EPIC.

The concert was at the huge  Calvary Assembly Orlando (1199 Clay St Winter Park, Florida 32789). I parked in a smallish lot and made my way inside as people exited from what looked like a yoga class. There was a large open floor space but the room was empty. A gentleman offered me assistance in finding the Symphony rehearsal and he said, “It is a good thing you are wearing hiking boots because it is quite a hike to the main worship hall. As I walked up to that main entrance I realized I was in the right place because lots of musicians dressed in black were carting their instrument cases inside.

 Joshua introduced me to the marketing director, Matt Heim who suggested I sit on the upper level to get an overview of the stage. The stage was incredibly large to accommodate the 150 piece orchestra along with a huge chorus illuminated red behind them. To me the stage resembled shark jaws with the black curtains acting a sharp teeth. Sure enough, Jaws was one of the scores that was being rehearsed. Lighting was being worked out o the theater went completely dark on occasion and I had to find ways to  keep the sketch moving forward. The chorus was let go while the orchestra worked on various cinema scores. A large still from the musical La La Land was on the screens above the orchestra as they performed. The images changed for each new score. Last of the Mohicans was followed by Prince of Egypt. For one number the entire orchestra marched up the aisles of the auditorium to give the audience a taste of surround sound.

Directing such a huge group of artists must be a Herculean task. The director spoke quickly and succinctly to keep the rehearsal moving at the needed fast clip. My sketch ended as the orchestra was given a 15 minute break. They were going to then do a full run through of the show but I decided one sketch was enough. I could tell that the concert would be epic. All who attended would have experienced an unforgettable concert. BIG things are happening in Orlando.

IMMERSE by the Creative City Project.

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On November 21st, the downtown street of Orange Avenue was shut down from just north of Pine Street, down towards South Street.  IMMERSE is an invitation to unexpected creative encounters in the
heart of Downtown Orlando. You’ll find yourself truly immersed in art,
performance, and interactive installations.

With collaborators like Cirque du Soleil, Orlando Philharmonic,
Orlando Ballet, and the Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra, you
won’t want to miss this evening which is unlike any other.

In 2016, the Creative City Project brought nearly 1,000 performers to
the streets and public spaces of Downtown Orlando for more than 20,000
patrons. IMMERSE 2017 continued the tradition of growth and excitement
by bringing you more large scale WOW moments and unexpected, intimate creative encounters.

From Classical to Hip-Hop music, murals, dance, acrobatics,
interactive installations, artists from Orlando, around the country, and
the around the world converge on Downtown Orlando for one of the
largest showcases of innovation and creativity in the performing and
installation arts in the country.

I hosted one of the Orlando Urban Sketch Workshops during this incredible event.   With so much going on at the same time it was difficult to decide on a single subject to sketch.  I offered personalized instruction to each Urban Sketcher and then dashed off to do a quick sketch myself.  I decided to focus on performers waiting to get on the stage next.  This gave me some time to focus on them before heading off to see the twirling dancers on the stage. 

The Orlando Ballet brings the magic of Coppélia to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

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On April 30th I went to the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts to sketch a dress rehearsal of Coppélia. In Greek Coppélia means “young lady” and this comic ballet premiered in 1870. The performance was set to he music of Léo Delibes. Terry decided that she wanted to see this rehearsal, so she met me in front of the Center. When I opened the stage door, I was surprised to see a crowd of journalists. At Earth Day, I bumped into Jim Cundiff, the Interim Executive Director at the Orlando Ballet. He told me about an exciting collaboration between the Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic, and Central Florida Community Arts. It turned out that this rehearsal was the platform to officially announce this collaboration.

Robert Hill, the Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Shilhammer, the Executive Director of the Orlando Philharmonic and Joshua Vickery the founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Community Arts stood on stage before the rehearsal.  Since it’s inception in 1974, the Orlando Ballet has relied on recorded music for it’s performances. Starting in October of 2015, the Philharmonic Orchestra will perform in the pit to bring all future ballet performances to life. David Shilhammer explained that recorded music limits the performers from taking chances and varying their rhythm and timing, The orchestra can adapt to each performance allowing for greater flexibility. In April of 2016 the Ballet will collaborate with Central Florida Community Arts which has 800 singers in multiple choirs. This is a win win for all the organizations and audiences. As the Dr. Phillips Center was being constructed, critics assumed that local arts groups would never stand to benefit. This incredible collaboration proves that they can and will endure.

Coppélia concerns an inventor, Dr Coppelius, who has made a life-size dancing doll.
It is so lifelike that Franz, a village youth, becomes infatuated with
it and sets aside his true heart’s desire, Swanhilde. She shows him his
folly by dressing as the doll, pretending to make it come to life and
ultimately saving him. The rehearsal was playful and magical. The mechanical dance choreography was delightful. I had never seen this ballet and I am glad I finally did. I also admired the gorgeous painted backdrops which had a rich deep impressionistic use of color. I would think that the dancers might hold back a bit in a rehearsal, but everyone danced full out. Many of their athletic moves defied gravity.

Mark Your Calendars! The remaining performances of  Coppélia are today May 2nd at 11am and 8pm and May 3rd at 2pm at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 445 South Magnolia Avenue

Orlando, FL. Tickets  starting at $38.75 are available online or at the box office. This really is an amazing production, and bring your kids, they will love it too.

Looking ahead…

October 30- November 1, 2015 Gisselle with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

December 17 – 20, 2015 Nutrcacker with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

February 5-7, 2016 the world premiere of The Firebird with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

March 18-20, 2016 Don Quixote with music by the Orlando Philharmonic.

April 29-May 1, 2016 the world premiere of Beauty and the Beast with Central Florida Community Arts.

The Music Man Sweeps into Longwood

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On September second, I went to the tech rehearsal for Meredith Willson‘s “The Music Man” presented by Central Florida Community Arts. This was their 4th
annual Summer Broadway Season production. Performances were September 4, and 5, 2014. The production took place at
Northland, a 3,100-seat, state-of-the-art venue, located at
530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL, 32750.  Proceeds from this production benefit local youth arts programs and summer camps.

With book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, this concert-style
production of “The Music Man” is directed by Rob Lott, with musical
direction by Jacob Haines, assistant direction by Ashley Willsey,
choreography by Katherine Rivera, stage managed by Sean Middlebrook, and
is produced by Joshua Vickery. Michael Swickard had some large shoes to fill as Harold Hill and he excelled in his shifty eternal optimism. Kelley McGillicuddy starred as Marian the librarian and she had a playful coyness that suited the part. Since this was a tech rehearsal, there was plenty of stopping and starting as lights and sound cues were worked out. During one particularly long pause, Michael and Kelly played Patty Cake as they waited to restart their romantic scene. I like seeing these playful moments caught between the mad rush of the story.

Mic checks were the first order of business and each character recited a few lines to check their mics. The 100 voice choir was still seated in the auditorium seats.  The School Board/Barbershop Quartet consisted of John Barnick, Chris Burns, Kevin Souppa, and Sean Stork. They performed “Lida Rose” for their mic check and everyone applauded. With a full orchestra and the huge chorus, this should prove to be an amazing production. Although his motives might have been selfish to start, The Music Man is selling culture and Community pride. I think this is something we all long for.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday January 18, 2014

8am to 3pm  Free. Antique Telephone Show and Sale. Maitland Civic Center Inc,

641 Maitland Avenue South, Maitland, FL.

1pm to 3pm Free. Central Florida Community Arts School of Performing Arts Open House! 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd Orlando, FL 32804 (on the campus of Central Christian Church) Ample parking is available in the rear parking lot. Whether you are interested in private lessons, group classes, or just would like to tour the School and enjoy some live music, you are invited to join them for this

exciting event! The faculty and staff of the School of Performing Arts will be providing live music throughout the afternoon in the school’s beautiful courtyard! You are invited to get a cup of coffee, sit back and relax as you enjoy beautiful vocal and instrumental performances.

7pm to 10pm Free. Snap! Space Opening Exhibit ‘Vintage Noveau’. Snap! Orlando Cameo Theater 1013 E. Colonial Drive Orlando FL. Snap! Space’s opening exhibit and installation will celebrate the revival of the historic Cameo Theater with the work of 12 international photographers, along with sculpture, design, jewelry and fashion artists. The exhibit will showcase large scale works from iconic master photographers who documented Hollywood history, and music, as well as introduce rising stars in fashion photography. Snap! Space is the new permanent 5,000 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor gallery home of Snap! Orlando. Guest artists and gallerists, sponsored drinks, catering, gift shop and DJs (Atnarko Bear and Nigel John.)



Sunday January 19, 2014

2pm to 8pm 21+ $10 door (cash only) Snap! Space and Infiltr8:Celbr8 Present ‘FOOL’S PARADISE: a daytime affair.’ Cameo Theater 1013 E. Colonial Drive,  Orlando FL. DJ’s • THREE • Atnarko • Queens Of Noise • Rob Slac • Mathew Scot. ART • Terry O’Neill, England • Gered Mankowitz, England • Billy & Hells, Germany • Tina Luther, Germany • Axel Crieger, Germany • Szymon Brodziak, Poland • Zhang Jingna, China • Patricia Steur, Utrecht, Netherlands • and local artists: Rebecca Rose, Wearable art jewelry • Chris Scala, Visual art and sculptures • Blair Sligar, soulful furniture (Hog Eat Hog), Orlando • Wesley Geometry, geometric paper art • Daniel Wilson, Organic dye sublimation transfer art • Midtown Architecture Studio (MAS), light installation. FOOD/DRINK VENDORS • Juice Bar • Femme Du Fromage • Uncommon Accoutrement’s • Fantastic Hummus.

5pm to 9pm Free to attend but buy some food! Orlando Food Truck Bazaar. Fashion Square Mall 3201 East Colonial Drive Orlando FL. http://www.thedailycity.com/2011/05/thedailycitycom-food-truck-bazaar.html

9pm to 11pm Free. “Comedy Open Mic” Austin’s Coffee 929 W Fairbanks Ave Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Oklahoma!

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On September 6th I went to the final performance of Oklahoma at the Northland Church (530 Dog Track Road Longwood FL). Since I had already sketched the huge stage, I rushed up for a front row seat on stage right. As people continued to filter in, I started sketching in the stage. I knew how the opening act would unfold so I had a good idea where the actors would be staged. There was also a lone stool onstage which became the scenes anchor. A mother and her little girl sat to my right. I apologized to her that I’d be sketching for much of the show. She didn’t mind. As a matter of fact, her little girl was scribbling much of the time as well.

Aunt Eller played by Alice Smetheram sat in the stool.  The romance between Curly and Laurey played by Wes Miller and Cassidy Tompkins, became obvious though they jokingly tease each other. Their teasing turns to an argument and Aunt Eller shouts out “Why don’t you just kiss her?” 
Curly asked Laurey to go to a box social dance with him that night, but she refuses, feeling that Curly
had waited too long. He attempts to persuade her by telling her that he
will take her in the finest carriage money can buy, “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top“,
but she teases him about it until he says he made it up to get back at
her, and Laurey flounces off, not realizing that Curly really has rented
such a rig.

A lonely farm hand named Jud, played by Tim Evanicki, becomes obsessed with Laurey and he asks her to the dance. She accepts to spite Curly although she is terrified of Jud.  Tim’s performance was amazing. He must have operatic training and he was always a menacing presence. The Orlando Ballet collaborated with Central Florida Community Arts to bring about a graceful dream ballet as Laurey as she lamented her choice of suitors.

The production was painfully long and I discovered that my choice in seats meant staring at backsides during the more crowded scenes at the box social. With an army of performers however, it was easy to get swept away by the music. Mark your Calendar! On September 20 and 21 at 7:30 and September 22 at 6:30 CFC Arts will be presenting The Music of Rogers & Hammerstein at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Tickets are $10 at the door. The Orlando Ballet 2013 season will kick off with “Tribute” on October 18-20th at the Bob Carr.

Oklahoma!

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Oklahoma written by Oscar Hammerstein and music by Richard Rodgers  was performed as a semi-staged concert on September 5th and 6th by Central Florida Community Arts. I went to the final dress rehearsal on September 4th at Northland, A Church Distributed (530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, Fl). The interior of this church is absolutely cavernous. Some volunteers were busy placing inserts in the programs. The concert would benefit victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes There was a 300 voice choir, 70 performers along with a 100 member orchestra. Most performers were volunteers. The guest conductor was Clay Price.

Joshua Vickery, the co-founder and executive director of CFC Arts welcomed me. This organization had set up its first headquarters in the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts (1111 N. Orange Ave. Orlando Fl ) a building it shares with the Orlando Ballet. They had to move out recently because the building is plagued with a mold problem. The building is set right across the street from Lake Ivanhoe and it’s foundation is actually below lake level. Any time it rains, the ground floor floods. I’ve seen the flooding myself several times when I’ve sketched at the building. Now CFC Arts and the Ballet need a new home.

The scenes played out on the arched stage the pushed out towards the audience. The musical began with Curley, played by Wes Miller and Aunt Eller, played by Alice Smetheram, singing “Oh what a beautiful morning” at Laurey’s farmhouse.  That was the moment I decided to sketch. When the entire cast sang “Oklahoma!” the shear scale of the concert became clear. It had been a long time since I saw the movie production so I followed the plot with interest. The production was surprisingly long. When I finished the sketch Act II had not yet begun. The cast was given a break and I decided to call it a night. I would have to see the ending at a performance.

Mark Your Calendar! CFC Arts will be presenting “The Music of Rogers & Hammerstein” on September 20 at 7:30pm, September 21 at 7:30pm and September 22nd at 6:30pm. tickets are $12 for advanced online reserved seating or $10 at the door. Performances will be at the Orlando Repertory Theatre, (1001 E Princeton Street, Orlando, FL).

Christmas at the Movies

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For the second half of the choral concert at Northland Church, (530 Dogtrack Road, Longwood FL), I sat as high as I could so my book light wouldn’t disturb anyone around me. There was a Sleigh Ride Medley, a White Christmas Medley and plenty of dancers with hyper Disney pep in their steps. I identified best with the deep throated baritones singing, You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch. From my elevated perch, I looked down on all the Who’s in Whoville singing on the stage. Even my jaded heart gave a subtle twitch.

The last Central Florida Community Arts Concert I saw in this venue had beach balls that floated down on the crowd from the rafters.  Beach balls might not be appropriate for Christmas. Then I wondered why no one ever created giant inflatable snow flakes. I just might have to put that on my to-do list. There were projections of snowflakes on the screen behind the singers and sometimes on the walls of the hall.

I really liked the quick paced performance by Jimmy Moore and Melissa Mason Braillard when the presented “Christmas Story” in three minutes or less. When Melissa acted as Ralphie helping his dad change a tire, it was extra funny when she dropped the lug nuts shouting F—! Jimmy clapped his hand over her mouth just in time before she soiled the sanctuary. Later they presented “Christmas Vacation” in three minutes or less, but many of the references were lost on me since I didn’t know the movie as well.