Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas

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I went to sketch a rehearsal for Phantasmagoria’s A Christmas Carol, A Ghost Story of Christmas at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Masked, I sat alone in the audience . Many of the cast wore their masks before the full run through of the show.

From the cast: “To protect the health and safety of our audience, cast and crew—especially going into this holiday season—the Phantasmagoria troupe prefers that you wear a mask while in attendance for Christmas Carol. Thank you and the very best of the season to you!”

The Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center no longer requires masks, So I am left wondering how many of the patrons will respect the wishes of the artists.

We are definitely living in dark times with a new, more transmissible variant of the virus invading the world, but the heart in this time honored tale can still melt even the hardest heart. I found myself getting choked up as scrooge chose kindness over profits and was accepted by family. The joy of celebrating the holidays being recreated on the stage had me wiping away tears as I felt a warm glow of hope for the future. For another year Pam and I have chosen not to travel to visit family to avoid spreading the virus. Some family are unvaccinated and have no intention of protecting themselves and others. Perhaps this is why the warmth of the message stung so hard.

There is one more performance on December 4, 2021 at 8 PM at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S. Magnolia Avenue Orlando, FL 32801). Tickers start at $30. Feel the horror and warmth of this holiday season. Should you miss tonight’s performance, you can also catch them next weekend in Sanford, and the 22 and 23 at Athens Theater in Deland Florida.

My Portraits of Pulse

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The Orlando Gay Chorus and J.D. Casto presented My Portraits of Pulse in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL)) on June 8, 2021.

The lawn in front  of the Center which was once covered in flowers and memorial items left behind after the massacre of 49 people  at Pulse Nightclub on June 12, 2016. The lawn is now covered with metal staging areas meant to promote social distancing for outdoor concerts and screenings. Food and drinks can be ordered by scanning a bar code and the orders are delivered to each table which avoids crowded lines at the concessions stand.

Three large screens were set up to project photos taken by J.D.Casto a local photographer. J.D. stood on stage talking about his perspective of what happened in Orlando following the shooting. That day he checked to be sure his camera batteries were charged and immediately went to The Center which became mission central for community outreach and a donations. In the Center a crowd was gathered watching TV and they all heard the official number of people who had died for the first time. Shock swept through the room. Photos taken that first day were largely of grief and sorrow.

National and international media flooded into Orlando and J.D. suddenly found himself shooting photos along side some of the best photographers in the world. His view of his self worth wasn’t that elevated, but he couldn’t stop taking photos and sharing them. The images captured slowly changed because along side all of the pain and grief, he saw a community filled with love. Many of his photos were used for a photo wall that is now part of the temporary memorial at Pulse. After each segment of his story, the chorus would stand and sing to a photo montage projected on the screens. The idea of telling the story of what happened after Pulse through the lens of one individual seems rather limiting, but the stories of thousands are also impossible to tell all at once.

 

“Violectric Rocks OCSA” Benefit Concert For Osceola County School.

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Violectric, the internationally acclaimed electric rock string quintet, plus keys and drums, rocked for a cause and performed a special benefit concert put on by the Thespian Troupe #6640 of the Osceola County School for the Arts in an effort to help them raise funds to be able to attend their annual state conference held in Tampa, FL. I went to the Osceola Performing Arts Center, (3151 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, 34744) to sketch the benefit concert. All proceeds raised from the show went directly to the students for the student trip.

Five years ago, Violectric hosted a workshop and concert at Osceola
County School for the Arts and one of the violin students named Mohammed
took a special interest in the emotions evoked during their
performance. While at the mere age of 11-years-old, Mohammed Kahn had a
fire lit beneath him and he began diligently working towards his goal.
Now, years later, he is using all that he learned during Violectric’s
workshop and his passion for show production to host the benefit show.

Formed in 2008, the accomplished members of Violectric have been
performing in various groups, orchestras and together for over 20 years
across the globe. Led by esteemed musician, violinist,  Michelle Jones, the group is a unique fusion of the passion and beauty of classical
string instruments with the excitement of cutting-edge modern technology
and effects. They are committed
to music education offering programs throughout the United States and
Asia including master classes and performances combining their unique sounds with
student string groups, which they produce in partnership with
the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and School for the Arts as their artists in residence. 

Hairspray at the Dr. Phillis Center for the Performing Arts.

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Hairspray is being presented by Encore! Cast Performing Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) on July 22 and 23rd.  I went to a cue to cue rehearsal in which the cast went over certain numbers to block choreography and check lighting. Singers didn’t perform “all out” so this was just a chance to see certain scenes in the broadest sense. Actors were relaxed and joked with each other during the run through. Judging from how much fun they had working with each other, I can say that this is likely to be a very fun show to watch. Two giant hair spray cans flanked the sides of the stage and are rigged to spray out puffs of stage smoke. I want to see the final show just to find out how they are incorporated. The opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore” was rehearsed with the lead singing her heart out and it was stellar. I was a little disappointed that the flasher had some clothes on under his trench coat, but maybe most of the audience will miss that from their angle.

The
1950s are out, and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony
Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled
bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.

It is 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad,
has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.”
When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to
sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning
Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate
a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!

Show date: July 22-23, 2017
Show times vary
Tickets start at $20
Walt Disney Theater

Sustainability Mural.

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LeAnn Siefferman invited three artists to collaborate on a sustainability mural for the City of Orlando and Green Build Media on January 9, 2017. I was a participating artist along with Gladiola Sotomayor, Halsi and Charles Mighty. At our first mural meeting at Henao Contemporary Center, we each talked about our ideas about sustainability and how they might be visualized in the mural. We each created a few rough sketches on the spot, which acted as inspiration for the final mural concept. A second meeting I couldn’t attend, but Gladiola and Halsi worked on a more refined concept. I was sent that concept and layered my own ideas on top. Working in LeAnn’s garage, Gladiola and Halsi blew up the development sketch across four large boards. The next day I added my contributions using large Sharpies. 

On the morning of the sustainability conference in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the panels were set up and ready to paint. Large drop cloths were taped down to protect the carpeting. We spent the entire day adding color with house paints and layering on more details under the watchful eyes of conference attendees. There was free coffee all day, which kept me wired. Most of my contributions consisted of showing Lake Eola, the skyline, and the “Patriot Garden” house in College Park. 

As the mural was being painted, LeAnn spoke to conference attendees about how the mural depicted sustainability. Sustainability is not just about making decisions today that prevent negative impacts tomorrow, but about making decisions that improve our tomorrows as well. Sustainability calls for love, respect and justice for the natural environment, for our communities and neighbors, and for ourselves and our families. She said each of you embodied these qualities in your work and in your personal statement, and expressed sincere desire to connect with and improve your community through the arts.

The
mission of Green Build Mediais to effect meaningful, positive change for a better world. As
advocates for sustainability, they provide mind-expanding information
that catalyzes and inspires commitment to sustainable living. Hopefully, the mural helped promote that idea.

Orlando Opera presents Don Pasquale.

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I went to the sold out opening night performance of Gaetano Donizetti‘s Don Pasquale at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Opera Orlando keeps presenting incredible performances with work class talent. Peter Strummer as Don Pasquale is perfect for the part. From my second-row seat I could see the sweat drip from his brow as he reacted to his nagging and abusive young bride Norina (Brigitte Gan). Brigitte gave an inspired performance as his young bride.

I was hired by Orlando Opera to illustrate a poster for the show. The concept was inspired by an Al Hirshfeld illustration done for My Fair Lady. The concept is that Dr. Malatesta (Dennis Jesse) is the puppeteer orchestrating the false marriage between Norina and Don Pasquale, and the pitiful love lorn yearnings of Ernesto (David Margulis). Unfortunately my illustration was replaced by a photo of Peter Stummer in his role as Don Pasquale for the Metropolitan Opera. The photo is bolder and simpler, so it makes sense.

The set was simple and straightforward, acting first as an outdoor garden where Ernesto pursues Norina and then as Don Pasquale’s opulent living room. One playful scene between Norina and her maid had a pillow fight, and feathers littered the stage for the rest of the show.

The plot is simple: Don Pasquale plans to disinherit his playboy nephew Ernesto who loves Norina. Pasquale wants to marry a young bride, and his doctor offers up his “sister” played by Norina. She acts as a simple country girl in a black veil when she is introduced to Pasquale. A fake notary marries them and then Norina turns into a demon of a wife spending all of Pasquale’s money. He is driven to the brink of madness and is only offered freedom when the doctor suggests that the nephew get a small inheritance and marry his love. Pasquale is shocked to discover his wife is actually Ernesto’s true love.

The Orlando Philharmonic had a 17-piece ensemble that performed live on house right. The music was perfect for the intimate Pugh Theater. I was delighted by the production, but mortified to discover that I had been humming to myself as I sketched through the whole first act. I have to stop that nasty habit. I am a bit low-class when I am happily working.

Red Bull One North American Final.

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Terry scored tickets to the Red Bull One North American Final in the Walt Disney Theater in The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The main floor was full, so we ended up in the nose bleed section. I rather liked the view looking down on all the action. Two B-Boy dancers would face off at a time, gesturing and getting in each others faces. Then each dancer would show off his moves. A TV camera sat on a rail rotating around the circular stage to catch all the action and show M on two big screens above the stage. Photographers snapped shots constantly from the front row, and iPhones caught the action from just about every seat in the theater.

Legendary radio host and MTV star Sway hosted the evening. Phife, of A
Tribe Called Quest, entertained with a set of some of his classics. The
crowd was in for a night of surprises, with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Grandmaster Flash, Hip Hop pioneer DJ Charlie Chase, and legendary NYC
Hip Hop Photographer Joe Conzo all hitting the stage to show support.
The four elements of Hip Hop were alive and thriving in Orlando.

I could hear how each dancer was doing by the audience reactions. The level of athletics and balance was astonishing. I remember local boy Vicious Victor Montalvo from last year’s competition. He always had that extra spark and insane moves that would get the crowd screaming. It came as no surprise the he won round after round and was the ultimate victor for the day. He successfully defends his title in his hometown of Orlando
in front of a 3,000-person crowd at the Dr. Phillips Center for the
Performing Arts, making history as the only B-Boy to win consecutive
titles.

The one-on-one battle format pitted 16 of the best U.S. and Canadian
breakers against each other. Victor pulled out some of the best moves in
his repertoire, including back flip flares, backspin air babies, and his
completely unique style of form spins. “It feels so good to win this year because Orlando really supported
me, more than I ever could have imagined,” Victor said. “They were
screaming for me like crazy, and that got me hyped. I gave it all I had,
and it means so much to me that I won here.” Vicious said. Several months later, Vicious Victor went on to win the World Championship in Rome.