Here we are in April already: How did that happen? Well, if like me, you’re flipping the calendar in disbelief, at least take comfort that arts organizations have been feverishly planning for events this month. Here’s a quick look at 10 cultural happenings — plays, concerts, visual art and more — to check out.
‘THE PROM’: April 4-21. Prom season is upon us, and the Breakthrough Theatre Company gets in on the action with this charming and comical Broadway musical. “The Prom” tells of four self-absorbed Broadway stars who descend on a small Indiana town when its PTA cancels the prom after finding out a female student plans on attending with her girlfriend. The show is as heartwarming as it is humorous; it won the Drama Desk Award for best musical. Wade Hair directs the musical for the theater, 6900 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park. Tickets are $14-$25 at breakthroughtheatre.com.
FREE MUSEUM ENTRY: April 4-5. As is the case during the first weekend of each month, Bank of America card holders receive free admission to multiple Orlando cultural institutions as part of the Museums on Us program. Participants include the Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd. in Orlando, and three organizations at Loch Haven Park, off Princeton Street between Orange and Mills avenues: Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center and the Mennello Museum of American Art.
‘AMERICAN IDIOT’: April 4-12. Valencia College presents the rock musical based on Green Day’s hit album of the same name. Directed by John DiDonna, the show features a cast of Valencia students, alumni and professionals. It tells the story of three disillusioned young men coping (or not coping) with their stifling suburban lifestyle as they enter adulthood. The play will be staged at Valencia’s Black Box Theater, on the college’s East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. Tickets are $7-$15 at events.valenciacollege.edu.
ROCKIN’ AT THE ROOST: April 4-5. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra moves its annual outdoor rock-themed concert to Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. The move was sparked by the desire to accommodate more patrons; concerts at the previous location in Longwood sold out quickly, meaning many missed out. This year’s tribute is to the music of Fleetwood Mac, makers of hits such as “Dreams” and “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” and features the orchestra’s musicians collaborating with Jeans ‘N Classics. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. each night with single tickets priced at $55 (various packages and a student discount are available) at orlandophil.org.
SUNDAY LIVE: April 6. The monthly music series at Orlando Lutheran Towers, 300 E. Church St., continues with a family appearance. Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois will perform with her husband, Gabriel Bergeron-Langlois — who just happens to be the orchestra’s principal bassoonist — and their children, who are pianists. As always, admission is free to the 3 p.m. concert.
‘GORGEOUS’: April 11-May 3. Donald Rupe’s original musical about a small-town beauty pageant and the eccentric folks it attracts gets an encore at the Renaissance Theatre, 415 E. Princeton St. in Orlando. Loosely based on the film “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” the show stars Blake Aburn as caustic town choreographer Svedka Stolichnaya and Rebecca Jo Lightfoot as pageant director/mom Breanna Buckley. Tickets are $40 ($50 includes the “Boots” after-party show) at rentheatre.com.
ORLANDO FRINGE TEASERS: April 14. Get a head start on planning your Orlando Fringe Festival schedule by attending the local teaser shows at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando. Central Florida performers are given two minutes each to preview their shows at the upcoming May fest — hoping to tempt you into buying tickets. The first teaser show, from 7-8:30 p.m. is suitable for all ages, the “mature” teaser show, from 9-10:30 p.m., is obviously for adult audiences. Tickets are $15 per show, or $25 for both at orlandofringe.org.
JOHN WILLIAMS: April 19. Celebrate the music of the legendary composer with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Expect music from the “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Arc,” “Superman” and “Harry Potter” sagas, among others. Concerts are at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and act fast: Only a couple of tickets remain at drphillipscenter.org.
‘LEADING LADIES OF STAGE AND SCREEN’: April 23-24. At Winter Park Playhouse, Russell Stephens will debut a cabaret paying tribute to iconic singers such as Judy Garland, Elaine Stritch, Nell Carter (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Debbie Reynolds, Bernadette Peters and more. Christopher Leavy will accompany on the piano. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows are $20 plus a drink from a bar, and the Playhouse is at 711 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando. Get more information, including details on how to watch a recording of the show online, at winterparkplayhouse.org or by calling 407-645-0145.
‘CARRIE’: April 24-27. Rollins College is also going to a prom as it stages “Carrie,” a musical adapted from Stephen King’s horror novel and the move it inspired. Missy Barnes directs the production, which tells the story of the title character, a teenage girl who endures relentless bullying at school and a fanatically religious mother at home. But then, she discovers she has supernatural powers. The show will be in the Annie Russell Theatre on the Rollins campus, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park. Tickets are $25 at rollins.edu/annie.
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