It was gratifying to see such a full house for Rachel Potter’s album-release concert in late August at the Renaissance Theatre, near Loch Haven Park north of downtown Orlando.
The concert was part of the theater’s “Broadway at the Ren” series, which is adding a much-needed component to our arts scene: Cabaret-style concerts by Broadway performers that are in an intimate setting, have a casual vibe and are affordable (tickets for this show topped out at less than $40).
Potter, who played Peron’s Mistress in “Evita” and Wednesday in “The Addams Family” musical on Broadway, was celebrating the release of her album “Stages.” This particular concert had something of a hometown reunion feel to it, as Potter lived in Orlando for years. She performed at Walt Disney World and graduated from the University of Central Florida.
Potter performed medleys and mashups from shows like “Les Miserables,” “Matilda” and “Waitress,” often joined by special guests who live locally — which served to prove how deep the talent bench is in Central Florida.
During an Aug. 25 performance at the Renaissance Theatre in Orlando, Rachel Potter is joined by friends and fellow singers Jamey Ray (left) and E.J. Cardona of Voctave. (Courtesy Jake Pearce via Renaissance Theatre Co.)
My personal favorites: a harmonic “For Good,” with Ashley Espinoza, a soaring mashup of “Come What May” and “The I Love You Song,” with Joshua Waddy and Easton J. Curtis, and a triumphant “Animazement Trio,” in which Potter, E.J. Cardona and Jamey Ray brought to life three Disney anthems — “Just Around the Riverbend” from “Pocahontas,” “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Go the Distance” from “Hercules” — with gorgous overlapping musical layers.
These types of concerts at the Ren really offer an up-close-and-personal experience, along with a full bar (serving inventive and fairly priced cocktails).
If you don’t believe me, take it from longtime Disney pianist and enthusiastic arts supporter Carol Stein, who posted afterward on Facebook: “We are so fortunate to have so many opportunities for intimate concerts with world class talent here in Orlando. Support Live Entertainment!!”
I can’t wait to see who shows up at the Ren next.
Rachel Potter brings Broadway ‘home’ with Orlando concert
Singhaus Scholarship
The Renaissance Theatre also was home to this year’s “Anything Goes” cabaret, which raises funds for the Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts — named in honor of performer Sam “Miss Sammy” Singhaus, costume designer Marcy Singhaus and arts supporter Steve Singhaus, all of whom died in recent years.
Cheers to Central Floridians who showed up to support this initiative; organizer Eddie Cooper reports the show brought in more than $12,000 for next year’s scholarship recipients — nearly double last year’s amount. Eventually, the organization would like to raise $20,000 each year for its awards, which go to students interested in performance and technical aspects of theater, music and dance.
“It was a magical night, and we really felt the love,” Cooper said.
Artist Kandy G. Lopez of Fort Lauderdale talks her work at the Orlando Museum of Art on May 30. She was awarded the People’s Choice Award for the museum’s annual Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
People’s Choice Award
Turning to visual art, Orlando Museum of Art has announced that Kandy G. Lopez was awarded the $5,000 prize for winning the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibit.
“It was an honor to be a part of this show, and I’m really happy to have been picked for this,” Lopez shared during her acceptance speech. “Even for me to pick my favorite artist in this exhibition was really hard, so to be able to come here and win People’s Choice Award is really sweet. This art is for the community, and I am proud to be recognized for it.”
The award, presented by AdventHealth, was decided by more than 9,000 public votes cast throughout the summer while the annual exhibition was on view. A multimedia portrait artist based in Fort Lauderdale, Lopez uses fiber to depict everyday people of color in a challenge to traditional artistic images.
“Her powerful fiber portraits invite viewers to engage with complex themes of representation,” said museum CEO Cathryn Mattson, “and we are proud to see her work celebrated by so many in our community.”
This was the first time in the Florida Prize’s history that the public was able to vote all summer for a favorite artist. Colombian-born South Florida artist Nathalie Alfonso won this year’s juried prize for her site-specific, large-scale drawing installation.
Michael Rakowtiz’s “The invisible enemy should not exist (Room H, Northwest Palace of Nimrud)” is made of Middle Eastern food packaging and newspaper. (Courtesy of the artist and the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, Rollins Museum of Art)
Alfond Inn collection
Sticking with the realm of art, the Alfond Inn in Winter Park has refreshed what’s on view from the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, curated by the Rollins Museum of Art. This bi-annual rehang brings more than 100 works into the hotel’s public spaces — including recent acquisitions and rarely shown pieces.
This year’s installation includes new multimedia works, paintings and prints. Among the highlights: Michael Rakowitz’s large-scale sculptural tribute to lost Assyrian heritage, composed of Middle Eastern food packaging and newspaper; a luminous vinyl work by Hank Willis Thomas that activates historical memory; and a shining example of postwar abstraction from Deborah Remington, who’s currently enjoying a critical resurgence in the art world.
“With this latest installation of stunning, complex artworks, The Alfond Inn continues to make museum-quality art accessible to all visitors to our hotel and to the local community,” said Michael Briggs, the hotel’s managing director. “Our art program and our philanthropic mission are what truly set The Alfond Inn apart from any other hotel in the region, and beyond. More than a hotel, we are a cultural cornerstone with purpose, and we take pride in providing this culturally enriching service to our patrons.”
Hank Willis Thomas’s “Freedom Riders,” a 2021 work, is now on view at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park. (Courtesy of the artist and the Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, Rollins Museum of Art)
Winter Park Playhouse OK
In other Winter Park news, city commissioners have given their final approval to a plan that would see the city buy the Winter Park Playhouse‘s building on Orange Avenue. The city will then lease the space back to the theater at a nominal rate, allowing the Playhouse to renovate the space. Work already has started on the theater’s upgraded; while construction goes on this year, the Playhouse’s shows will be presented at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Orlando.
Winter Park Playhouse renovation project gets city approval
Lake Choir at 100+
Another quick followup to an earlier article: The new Lake Community Choir reports that it has already attracted more than 100 singers. The new chorus, for anyone interested in singing, just started up Aug. 19 and it’s still possible to join. The fee for the season, which culminates with a holiday concert, is $100. Rehearsals are weekly in Clermont. Get more information at lakecommunityarts.org.
Love to sing? Lake Community Arts will bring new choir to Clermont
Rosen JCC gift
Finally, the Jack & Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center outside Lake Buena Vista has received $1 million from Andy Pargh to remake its auditorium.
Now known as the Pargh Event Center, the space feates theater-style seating for 600 and banquet accommodations for more than 350 guests.
“This recognition is especially meaningful as it continues the legacy of giving instilled in me by my parents, who supported countless Jewish and humanitarian causes throughout their lives,” Pargh said. “With this gift, I’m proud to help transform the Pargh Event Center into a vibrant space for celebrations, cultural programming and community engagement — serving as a true home for the arts in Southwest Orlando.”
Ofira Bondorowsky, CEO of the Rosen JCC, expressed her gratitude for the donation and said it would help the organization expand its artistic offerings.
“This gift supports our growing arts and culture initiative and brings us closer to our vision of establishing
the Rosen JCC as a creative and cultural hub for Southwest Orlando,” Bondorowsky said. “This moment represents more than a name change, it signifies a bold step forward for the Rosen JCC.”
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