The Central Florida Theatre in Process weekend choices are picks are in, and there are TONS of events opening this weekend!
And continuing!
And … there will be auditions for the fall’s Broadway series production of “The Book of Mormon,” which is coming to the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Check it all out!
Plus, ladies and gentleman, a little thing called “Fringe” is occurring now. Remember to check that out in Loch Haven Park!
Shows opening this week include:
* SPOTLIGHT CABARET SERIES featuring KEVIN KELLY at the Winter Park Playhouse, 711-C Orange Ave. in Winter Park. Kevin Kelly returns to The Playhouse with his latest cabaret featuring songs made famous by Mr. Frank Sinatra. Kevin is a Spotlight Cabaret veteran with three previous sold-out shows at the Playhouse. He’s also performed on the Mainstage in “Forever Plaid,” “Ruthless!,” “The Musical of Musicals”, “My Way” (A Tribute to Frank Sinatra) and many others.
This unique form of entertainment showcases a different professional singer each month up front in the beautiful lobby bar. A truly “New York-style” cabaret, each performance is about 55 minutes long with no intermission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general seating. Shows are May 21 and 28, and suitable for all ages.
Tickets are $18, with a one drink minimum. Standing room tickets are available for $10 (with no drink minimum) once seating has sold out. Call 407-645-0145 or visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=42597.
* TWO NIGHTS ONLY! Tonight and Friday at 7:30 p.m.: Take a journey back in time as non-profit arts organization Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) proudly presents “WELCOME TO THE ’60s,” a family friendly joint venture of their 225-voice Community Choir, members of their Community Orchestra and the CFCArts Dance Team!
https://www.facebook.com/events/237399656445887/
* “SORDID LIVES” by Del Shores continues this weekend at Theatre Downtown. This hilarious southern comedy is for mature audiences only. Called ‘a black comedy about white trash’, the play runs Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22, and $18 for students and seniors. Show your Fringe button for a discount! Call 407 841-0083 for tickets or visit www.theatredowntown.net.
* The Humor Mill Orlando presents, “The Complete Twerks (Abridged),” on Saturday, May 17 at 4 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library in downtown. This one-hour show features original sketch comedy and musical parodies in the style of The Second City. This show is your chance to see Central Florida’s Premier sketch comedy group for FREE! The show is one hour with no intermission, and is rated PG. https://www.facebook.com/events/1426743244251489/.
* Remember those classic romantic-comedy movies of the 1950’s and 1960’s, especially the great Doris Day-Rock Hudson comedies like “Pillow Talk”? Join the Orlando Gay Chorus for romance, sophistication, fun and intrigue, as they deliver the most beautiful and appealing music ever written, from Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole and many others!
Performances will be held Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. at The Plaza Live. Tickets are available online at www.orlandogaychorus.org or at the door (pending a pre-show sellout). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR5HtgMu6FY.
* As part of the 23rd Annual Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, FIGHT THEATRE is performing its newest theatre extravaganza, “The Ride-Along: An Immersive Theatre Adventure for Two.” This show places audiences of two in the back seat of a car driven by a pair of bounty hunters. Adventure ensues, as the audience gets up close and personal with a night in the life of these enthusiastic hitmen. Sword fights, cross-dressers, Wendy’s, rock music, and a general sense of holycrapisthisreallytheatrecauseitsfreakingawesome.
A Teaser Video is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NRSAXic-JU&feature=youtu.be.
Performance dates and times are Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 at 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.; Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25 at 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.
There are only two seats available for each performance time and only 82 seats available for the entire run of the show. The car will be leaving from the front of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater every half hour.
This was written, directed, and choreographed by José Pérez IV. See http://orlandofringe.ticketleap.com/ride-along-an-immersive-theatre-adventure-for-two/.
Productions that are continuing this (with some final weekends!) include:
* “Freckleface Strawberry The Musical” at the Orlando Repertory Theatre through May 25. See https://www.facebook.com/events/218532778343737/.
* This is the final weekend for “FORBIDDEN BROADWAY’S GREATEST HITS” at the Winter Park Playhouse. Laugh out loud as Broadway’s greatest musical legends meet Broadway’s greatest satirist in this hilarious, loving, and endlessly entertaining tribute to some of the theater’s greatest stars and songwriters, with David Almeida, Heather Kopp, Ben Ptashinsky and Alyssa Yostm directed by Roy Alan and music direction by Christopher Leavy. It runs through Saturday, and is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $38-$18 by calling 407-645-0145.
* Come see “The Full Monty” at the Osceola Center for the Arts in Kissimmee. It’s the final weekend! The theater is at 2411 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. Use code: MONTY5678 in person at the box office, over the phone, or by going online to buy your tickets at the link!! https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix…
* “DRIP” DRIP is an industrial bar and show. Dress down, drink up and rock out while dancers tell a love story while dancing in paint, flying water and sand, backed by a LIVE rock band. You will get messy! Shows are Thursdays (followed by a local art night), Fridays, Saturdays. Doors opens at 8 p.m. and show starts a little after 9 p.m. For tickets, log on to www.ILoveDRIP.com. Tickets cost $35, and DRIP is at 8747 International Drive, Suite 102, in Orlando.
* ONGOING: “SAK Comedy Lab” is a 200-seat improv comedy theater in downtown Orlando. Conveniently located at the City Arts Factory’s second floor at 29 S. Orange Ave., SAK performs LIVE improv comedy shows that are fun and suitable for ALL AGES, Tuesday through Saturday. There is a NEW SHOW on Fridays at 11:30 p.m.: The Brawl for all is back! Check out the website for more information: www.sak.com.
* Opening soon: “Shout-The Mod Musical” at the Winter Park Playhouse. Journey back to 1960’s London and the liberating days that made England swing! This smashing musical features an irresistible collection of music by Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Lulu and more including “Downtown,” “Don’t Sleep in the Subway,” and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.” Featuring Heather Alexander, Natalie Cordone, Sarah Lee Dobbs, Jill Vandereof and Kate Zaloumes, it is directed by Roy Alan, with music direction by Christopher Leavy. It runs June 20-29 and July 10-19.
Upcoming auditions include:
* The IceHouse Theatre is holding “ALL SHOOK UP” auditions on Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20 from 7-9 p.m. by appointment only. Email darlin@icehousetheatre.com with your resume & pic for a time slot and the audition Notice for all the show and rehearsal information. Prepare a 1950’s pop song or rock song, (Elvis songs are encouraged.) Bring sheet music in your key. Justin Ward Weber is the music director and Francine Barnhill is choreographer. This is going to be bodacious fun!
* Open call auditions for principle and ensemble roles for Central Florida Community Arts’ upcoming concert version production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” will take place on Tuesday, May 20 and Friday, May 23, from 7-10 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/381228422015222/
* GENERAL PUBLIC APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING BEGINS FRIDAY, MAY 16! TheatreWorks Florida announces AUDITIONS for their upcoming epic production of “SWEENEY TODD – THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET!” Auditions are Sunday, July 13 starting at 2 p.m. and Monday, July 14 starting at 5 p.m. at the Garden Theatre in downtown Winter Garden. Those auditioning must be 18 or older. AEA contracts are not available at this time, and video submissions are not being accepted. The auditions are by appointment only. For complete information and appointment scheduling, visit: www.theatreworksfl.org.
* “THE BOOK OF MORMON” will be coming to Orlando to hold auditions on Thursday, May 29 and Friday, May 30 by appointment only. The production company is looking to build its files for future replacements for all three companies (Broadway, 1st National Tour, and Jumamosi Tour) for the roles of ARNOLD CUNNINGHAM, KEVIN PRICE, NABALUNGI and ELDER MCKINLEY etc. (See the role descriptions below.)
Anyone interested in auditioning for any or all of these companies should submit a picture and resume and any additional materials to jrichcasting@gmail.com by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28. Please make sure you put the City Name of the audition in the subject line. Due to the amount of emails the company receives, they may not be able to respond to every submission. Please note that submitting does not guarantee an appointment. Both Union and Non-Union should submit. Performers must be 18 or older.
The show information is:
Producer: Anne Garefino & Scott Rudin
Director: Trey Parker & Casey Nicholaw
Book, Music & Lyrics: Robert Lopez, Matt Stone & Trey Parker
Music Supervisor: Stephen Oremus
Choreographer: Casey Nicholaw
Orlando Casting Director: Jeremy Rich
Casting Director: Carrie Gardner
Roles to be cast include:
* ARNOLD CUNNINGHAM (Early 20’s-Late 20’s to play 18): Caucasian. Seeking a true character actor. Must be a physical contrast to the other good looking, All-American Mormons. Dweeby, dorky, nerdy, overweight, or all four combined. Arnold is a pathological liar but his heart is in the right place. He is a total screw-up but not for lack of trying, he always wants to do the right thing. Must be fantastic comedic actor who sings well. Tenor. We are also particularly interested in comics who sing.
* KEVIN PRICE (Early 20’s-Late 20’s to play 18): Caucasian. All-American. Very handsome. Head of the class, always optimistic. Heroic Mormon. Must be a great comedic actor and a fantastic pop-rock high tenor to a B. Should be at least 5’10 or taller.
* NABALUNGI (18- Late 20’s to play 20): Black African. Pretty. Takes the hardships of her village very seriously and wants to help her people find a better life. Must have great comic timing. Strong Alto. Belt to an E.
* ELDER MCKINLEY (early 20’s to late 20’s to play 18): Caucasian. District leader of the Mormon missionaries in Uganda. All- American, wide-eyed and hopeful. Often struggles to cover his flamboyant tendencies and adhere to his Mormon morals. Must be a fantastic comedic actor and great singer. High Baritone who can pop out high Bb’s for comedic effect.
* MAFALA HATIMBI (40’s): Black African. Father of Nabalungi. Has come to accept the hardships in the village where they live but is a discerning community leader and tries to bring joy to their lives. Must be a great comedic actor and singer. Also interested in actors who sing.
* PRICE’S DAD/MISSION PRESIDENT/VARIOUS ROLES (40’s): Caucasian. All-American good looks and physique. Plays several parts from the perfect picture of a head of a Mormon household, to the stern missionary president, to Joseph Smith, so must have the ability to be transformative. Must be a great comedic actor and good singer. High Baritone to an Ab.
* MALE & FEMALE AFRICAN VILLAGERS: (Early 20s-Late 30s) Characters are black Africans. Seeking great singers and great comedic actors who can move. Seeking tenors (to high B), baritones, gospel sopranos (to high Bb), gospel belters (to E) and altos.
https://www.facebook.com/events/523347951102450/.
Each week Central Florida Theatre in Process will provide resources and links to a variety of events playing in the Central Florida area, along with news and views! To get involved, join the conversation on Facebook by joining our group at www.facebook.com/groups/277284114334/.

Contact John DiDonna at Freeline Media at Freelineorlando@gmail.com..