Thursday 5
LAUNCH 2006 Once again, the theater year begins with a program of original short plays solicited and staged by Playwrights Roundtable seven in all, and each in some way advancing the evening's theme, "The Ties That Bind." Subjects from pregnancy to jailhouse reunions provide narrative fodder for tried-and-true PRT scribes like John Goring and David McElroy; meanwhile, the fold expands to welcome new contributors Rob Anderson (founder of the production company Invictus T.C.) and Joseph Reed Hayes (author of Fringe Festival highlights A Little Crazy and Solos). According to producer/artistic director Chuck Dent who also serves as the program's emcee all seven 10-minute playlets were originally submitted for consideration in past editions of PRT's "Summer Shorts" extravaganza. But that doesn't mean we'll be watching some sad parade of artistic also-rans: Back then, the plays in question missed the cut by a few measly judging points. So consider this "Launch" more of a rescue mission than a post-Christmas inventory reduction. (8 p.m. at Theatre Downtown; also Friday and Saturday; $12-$15; 407-788-8468)
SATURDAY 7
3D: EMERGING ARTISTS, CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE Keep in mind that the teachers at Crealdé School of Art in the Ceramics and Sculpture Fellowship Program include director Vincent Sansone and Sculpture Garden curator David Cumbie artistic lights in their own right. But this open house is devoted to the creations of the dozen students who were specially selected for their tutelage. While you're visiting, don't miss the show that's also on display in the Community gallery. Overtown: Miami's Little Broadway is the Florida Humanities Council's traveling exhibit of photographs and posters from the Knight Beat restaurant, which help document the history of Miami's cultural center during the 1950s and '60s for African-Americans. (open house 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Crealdé School of Art; exhibits continue through March 31; free; 407-671-1886)
TUESDAY 10
INFINITE ILLUSIONS, AMAZING LUBOK Auspiciously starting off the year with visual impact, the Albin Polasek Museum hosts two exhibitions by Russian artists. In the Aviary gallery, Infinite Illusions shows off an offbeat selection of works by the classically trained, St. Petersburg-schooled Joulia Vitaliy. Now a resident of Winter Park, the artist's extensive travels informed her influences, which are a blend of Russian and European. In the 1980s, she was part of an avant-garde theatrical group that was riding the edge of the Russian pop-art scene. On display here are carved frescoes, stucco pieces, dresses, a painting and a vase. In the East Gallery, Vladimir Fomin's paintings comprise Amazing Lubok "lubok" being the catchall term for traditional Russian folk art, distinguished by bright colors and simple constitutions. Rollins professor Alexander Boguslawski lectures 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, with Fomin traveling from Russian Karelia to be in attendance for his American debut. (through Feb. 26 at Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens; $5; 407-647-6294)
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT We were positively beside ourselves when we heard that none other than Amy Adams was playing the role of the Narrator in the touring production of Dreamcoat to be brought into town by SunTrust Broadway in Orlando. Amy Adams, we marveled? The same little bundle of spitfire and dynamite who made the indie dramedy Junebug one of the high points of our moviegoing year? But then we read further, and learned that this Amy Adams is/was apparently some sort of contestant on American Idol. Oh, well. We're still going, anyway. Because Patrick Cassidy is starring, and we loved him on Dynasty. (8 p.m. at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre; repeat performances Jan. 11-15; $34-$62; 407-849-2020)
WEDNESDAY 11
Contributors: Jason Ferguson, Steve Schneider, Lindy T. Shepherd
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