In today’s column, let’s look at three unusual Orlando theater productions and then have a few music updates — including honoring some award-winners and noting a concert’s date change.
First up, a new play with words in the title I don’t even understand. Playwrights’ Round Table will present the world premiere of “Gra’: a selkie tale” March 17-26 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 Rollins St. in Orlando.
Turns out a “selkie” is a mermaid-like creature who can take the form of a human and live on land — that is, until the sea beckons again. This story of forbidden human-selkie love was written by John Kelly.
“Everyone knows the legend of the mermaid,” says director Jac LeDoux, pointing to Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” as an example. “‘Gra’: a selkie tale’ takes that well-known legend and turns it slightly on its ear, turning it into a beautiful tale sure to move your heart.”
The cast features Madison Smith as Gra the selkie, and Jarman Day as the man who catches her eye. Marcie Schwalm, Jen Guerreio, Ambriah Nieves and Russell R. Trahan also star. Info and tickets ($12-$20): at theprt.com
Also opening March 17: Descolonizarte Teatro’s “Our Lady of the Tortilla.” In the comedy, a Latina woman sees the Virgin Mary on a tortilla and all heck breaks loose.
“‘Our Lady of the Tortilla celebrates our culture and the strong family ties that tend to be characteristic of our families,” says Nadia Garzon, executive director of Descolonizarte Teatro. “This play is also an excellent example of the diversity that exists in our community, a diversity that can be seen even within our own families.”
Luis Santeiro’s play, recommended for ages 13 and older and presented in a mix of Spanish and English (with supertitle translation), will be staged at the Fringe ArtSpace, 54 W. Church St. in Orlando, through March 19. More info and tickets ($25-$32, $5 obstructed-view seats): fringeartspace.org
Finally, a third play with a familiar title but unconventional casting. Little Radical Theatrics will present the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” with a female-forward cast.
The show follows the last days of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of Judas, the apostle who betrays him.
In the Little Radical Theatrics production, Jesus, Judas, the high priests, Peter and other apostles will be played by women, gender-bending a show that usually only offers one notable female role: Mary Magdalene.
Travis Eaton directs a cast of 30, including Rachel Geib as Jesus, Samantha Grace Sostack as Judas and Scarlett Barreto as Mary.
Performances are March 24-April 2 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. More info and tickets ($30-$35): littleradicaltheatricsinc.com
Now turning to music, here’s a concert-change alert. The Bach Festival Society’s next Insights & Sounds concert, which promises to be an interesting look at the history of the American spiritual, has been delayed a week. Mark your calendars for 7:30 p.m. April 13 at Tiedtke Concert Hall at Rollins College in Winter Park.
Guest artist Samuel McKelton, who is “dedicated to the preservation of the Negro Spiritual,” according to the Bach Festival Society, will perform his favorites and share perspective on their historical, cultural and personal significance. Tickets start at $15; go to bachfestivalflorida.org.
While you’re marking your calendar, don’t forget that Opera Orlando’s site-specific production is set for March 31 at Bella Collina in Montverde. The program is a double bill of Rossini’s “The Marriage Contract” and Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi,” two short comic operas.
I’ll let general director Gabriel Preisser’s enthusiasm speak for itself.
“As far as I know, this will be the first opera ever presented at Bella Collina, and it is the first time ever (in the history of mankind) that Rossini’s ‘The Marriage Contract’ has been paired with ‘Gianni Schicchi,’ and it’s the first time ‘The Marriage Contract’ has been done in Orlando and with a new translation,” he writes. “Wowza. That is a lot of first-time and new stuff.”
Preisser wrote the new translation of “The Marriage Contract” himself; both shows will be performed in English. “The Marriage Contract” deals with various romantic and matrimonial entanglements, while in “Gianni Schicchi,” a wealthy dead man’s family members are outraged to learn they will not receive the inheritances they expected.
Appetizers, wine and dessert are included and served throughout the performance.
Tickets are $150 for this special one-night-only affair, with bus transportation from Orlando available for $10. Get all the details at operaorlando.org.
Baroyan (2nd place) and Demetrius Sampson (Encouragement award).
And finally, we conclude with kudos to some musical Floridians. Congratulations to Miami resident Eleomar Cuello, who won the Southeast Regional Metropolitan Opera Competition. The baritone, who was born in Cuba, collected $6,000 and will advance to the national semifinals at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in April.
Armenian soprano Tatev Baroyan, who lives in Sarasota, finished second and won $3,000. Learn more about the annual competition, which identifies the opera stars of tomorrow, at metopera.org/competition.
And one more honor: Aiofe O’Donovan, a Grammy-winning Orlando resident who has performed with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, was honored in February by the nonprofit Folk Alliance International.
O’Donovan won an International Folk Music Award for song of the year with her composition “B61,” from her album “Age of Apathy.” She tied for the honor with Anais Mitchell, who won for “Bright Star.”
O’Donovan is in good company; Mitchell is the creator of Broadway’s “Hadestown,” which earned her a Tony Award for best score.
And that brings this column full circle, back to theater.
Find me on Twitter @matt_on_arts, facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Want more theater and arts news and reviews? Go to orlandosentinel.com/arts. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
