Top Picks
February's best bets in the arts and entertainment.
Kimsey at Comma
February 9-March 6 “Unique” and “original” hardly begin to describe the artworks presented in Culminations: Grady Kimsey, An American Master, at Comma Gallery. Kimsey has been creating art his way in a range of media for some 60 years, and his works are immediately recognizable. Whatever the medium, Kimsey has an alchemist’s eye for transforming found objects, paint or clay into mystical compositions. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Second Tuesday artist reception February 10, 6:30-9 p.m. Free admission. 813 Virginia Drive. 407-894-4505. commagallery.com
Singular Sensation
February 10-15 Whether you believe its billing as “the best musical ever,” you have to admit that A Chorus Line has plenty of bragging rights: 12 Tony nominations; the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; such memorable songs as “One” and “What I Did for Love;” and the distinction of being the longest-running musical of its time. Tuesday-Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $37-$66. Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. 407-839-3900. broadwayacrossamerica.com/orlando; ticketmaster.com
Big Year for ArtsFest
February 6-15 Each year, United Arts puts on a free, multi-county celebration of music, dance, theater, visual arts and more. This year, the seventh for ArtsFest, 83 organizations offer events at 75 venues in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties. The festival begins with the movie Big starring Tom Hanks, presented by the Enzian Theater February 6 at 7 p.m. in Winter Park’s Central Park. Arrive early for a chance to win prizes. For details about events throughout the week, visit redchairproject.com, pick up a schedule of events at a local Bank of America or call 407-363-5816.
Cinderella Goes Hollywood
February 20-24 Rossini’s Cinderella story, La Cenerentola, may not be the best known opera around. But the folks at Orlando Opera are pretty excited about it, given some of the star power they have secured. There’s Leah Wool, a recent Sullivan Foundation winner, as the title character and, as her dashing love interest, Jose Manuel Zapata, who last year received rave reviews for an extended engagement at the Metropolitan Opera in that role. This production is set in 1930s Hollywood and depicts a casting agent dissing his beautiful stepdaughter’s career while championing his less-attractive daughters. Friday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., Tuesday 7:30 p.m. $25-$250. Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. 407-426-1700. orlandoopera.org
Wild-and-Crazy Play
Through February 15 When he isn’t starring in movies, appearing on talk shows or dashing off the occasional humorous piece for The New Yorker, funnyman Steve Martin has been known to write plays. His comedy The Underpants is an adaptation of Carl Sternheim’s German production, set in 1910, about a young woman who finds fame after her underpants fall down during the procession of the kaiser. A send-up of bourgeoisie hypocrisy and propriety, the original play is also known as Die Hose and The Knickers.Martin’s adaptation premiered in New York in 2002. Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $12-20. Icehouse Theatre, 1100 North Unser Street, Mount Dora. 352-383-3133. Icehousehousetheatre.com
Bach Is Back
February 15-March 1 Just one year shy of its diamond anniversary, Winter Park’s own 74th Annual Bach Festival, presented by the Bach Festival Society, offers a lineup that includes a Grammy-winning guitarist and a critically acclaimed American soprano. The festival opens with an organ recital by Carol Williams, February 15 at 3 p.m. Subsequent weekends feature soprano Mary Wilson singing with the festival choir and orchestra on Rossini’s “Stabat Mater” at 7:30 p.m. February 21, J.S. Bach’s “Easter Oratorio” at 3 p.m. February 22, and Brahms’ “German Requiem” at 3 p.m. February 28 and March 1. The February 22 concert also features guitarist Sharon Isbin, left, performing Baroque classics with the choir and orchestra. The festival includes lectures and educational programs that are free to the public. $20-$60. Knowles Memorial Chapel, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park. 407-646-2182. bachfestivalflorida.org
