The touring musical “Aladdin” has added an extra Orlando performance, the opening act for the new Judson’s Live theater has been announced, and LeAnn Rimes and former Miss America Ericka Dunlap present Christmas concerts this week. Here’s a roundup of news and notes from the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
More Genie magic
A touring production of the hit Broadway musical “Aladdin” will be in town right after the holidays, and an additional performance has just been added to accommodate demand.
The show, which is based on the 1992 Disney animated-film version of the traditional tale, will stop at the arts center Jan. 3-7. The newly announced performance will be a 1 p.m. matinee on Thursday, Jan. 4.
Dr. Phillips Center announces grand opening of 5th venue: Judson’s Live
The story, as you probably know, involves a poor orphan who falls in love with a princess, even as he gets caught up in a power grab by the sultan’s scheming adviser. Oh, and there’s a wish-granting Genie with a cheeky sense of fun, memorably voiced in the film by Robin Williams. The hit songs include “Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World.”
The show will be staged in the Walt Disney Theater at the center, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in downtown Orlando. Tickets start at $35 at drphillipscenter.org.
Judson’s Live opening
The Dr. Phillips Center has announced the musical act for the first public concert in the new Judson’s Live venue, opening Feb. 6. That night will see the fiddle-mandolin-bass-flute quartet Twisted Pine take the stage for two shows, at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Judson’s Live is an intimate venue, with table seating in the style of a jazz club. Each event is a 90-minute experience with about 50 minutes of performance time. Specialty food and drinks are available for purchase.
Twisted Pine describes its sound as “Americana funk,” and bassist Chris Sartori says: “We’re rooted in bluegrass, continually inspired by explorers like Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Sierra Hull. … Our bluegrass is jazzy, our indie folk is poppy, our grooves are funky.”
Twisted Pine joins previously announced acts including Keb’ Mo and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. In fact, the arts-center website now lists a full roster of acts from the Feb. 6 opening through May. New additions to the lineup include Selwyn Birchwood, Jane Monheit, Christian McBride, Brandee Younger and Alex Cuba.
Find the complete schedule — and Twisted Pine tickets, which start at $35 — at judsonslive.org.
Seasonal songbirds
Finally, a reminder that two big names are bringing their Christmas shows to the arts center in the coming days.
Country-pop star LeAnn Rimes, who broke onto the music charts at age 13 with “Blue” will bring her “Joy: The Holiday Tour” show to the Walt Disney Theater at 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Among her other youthful accomplishments: She became the youngest solo artist to win a Grammy Award at age 14, and at age 15 became the first country singer to be named artist of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.
Her career has continued since then — she’s now 41 — with huge hits such as “How Do I Live” and “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” In 2015 she released her holiday album, “Today is Christmas.”
Tickets for her Dr. Phillips Center concert begin at $49.50 at drphillipscenter.org.
On Dec. 22, Ericka Dunlap presents two performances of “Christmas With Soul,” at 3 and 7 p.m. in the center’s Pugh Theater. Dunlap, an Orlando resident, was named Miss Florida in 2003 and went on to win the Miss America pageant the following year.
Her show features a 10-piece band and vocalists performing holiday classics with a Motown/R&B vibe, complete with choreography. Tickets begin at $60 at drphillipscenter.org.
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