Party @ The Plaza

Posted on by Thor

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra has officially bought and moved into the Plaza Live Theater (425 N. Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL). The Plaza Live Theater has a long standing reputation of bringing world renowned musical talent to Orlando. Terry and I have gone here in the past to hear Michelle Shocked, Beau Soleil, The Mummies, and Gordon Lightfoot. The Philharmonic intends to maintain the traditional high standards. Since the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts doesn’t have a hall acoustically appropriate for an orchestra, the Plaza will give the Philharmonic a place to rehearse and perform.

The Party @ The Plaza on January 25th was a sort of housewarming and fundraiser for the Orchestra and the Plaza Live. The front parking lot was surrounded by metal barricades to discourage party crashers.  Catering was supplied by Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ.  Terry got me a pork and coleslaw “Sunday” that was delicious that I ate while I sketched. The Flat Mountain Band kicked off the evening at 6:30pm on the outdoor stage. There were four other stages inside the Plaza Live and even in the former Russian Ballet School. That ballet school is now in the Mills 50 District. The Dance space was converted into a piano lounge. I went in to listen to Dottie Clendenin perform light classical music. Unfortunately any time the door was opened, the Flat Mountain Bands music would waft in. On top of that, people would stand in the doorway talking while keeping the door ajar. The two musical forms didn’t play well together.

Brian T. Wilson kept Terry company while I sketched. He kept us company throughout the evening. It made us feel like we were the “cool kids” for once. The Jackson Creek String Band performed in the lobby of the Plaza Live. I’m almost certain I’ve heard them perform their lively blend of folk music before. From there, we went into the main stage area where Michael Andrew was performing with his Atomic Big Band. We sat next to Alyson Innes and Jose Fajardo.  Alyson is on the Fringe board with Terry so they always have plenty to gossip about.

Michael introduced David Shillhammer with so much musical gusto that was absolutely hilarious. David pulled raffle tickets for some amazing prizes. Winners ran up onto the stage with as much enthusiasm as you would see on “The Price is Right!” Terry and I mixed it up on the dance floor and then got our photo taken by a Photo Mingle which is a large screen TV that allows people to draw on and manipulate the photo. Photo Mingle was invented by local resident Mike Underwood in his garage.

Oklahoma!

Posted on by Thor

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).