By PAM HARBAUGH

There are two rare theatrical productions you have got to put on your “must do” list. They are “In the Heights” which opened last week at Cocoa Village Playhouse and “Big Fish” which opens tonight at the Henegar. These shows are brilliant, fresh, with a vivid voice resonating with musicality and inspiration. This is not your grandfather’s musical theater.

Theater

BIG FISH tells the story of a young man wanting to learn more about his ailing father. In that pursuit, he discovers that a rich life is one filled with big dreams and love. I saw a dress rehearsal and can confidently say that the talent in this show thrills. Commentary coming later this weekend in Brevard Culture. It opens tonight the Henegar and runs through May 22. Tickets are $16 to $26. The Henegar is at 325 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-8698. Please click onto their ad on the right side of this page.

IN THE HEIGHTS continues its vibrant, exciting run through May 15 at Cocoa Village Playhouse. Read the review by clicking here. Do not miss this. Cocoa Village Playhouse is at 300 Brevard Ave., Cocoa. Tickets are $16 to $24. Call 321-636-5050, visit CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com. or, click onto their ad on the right side of this page and show your appreciation for Cocoa Village Playhouse’s support of Brevard Culture.

Something Different

EAU GALLIE ARTS DISTRICT is the play to go this evening when it hosts its monthly First Friday event running from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. along historic Highland Avenue. Tonight, there will be a special KARAOKE IN THE BAND SHELL. So do those vocal warm ups and have at it. Of course there will also be food, vendors, beer and open art galleries. The Foosaner Art Museum will also host a free jazz concert from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight in its Harris Community Auditorium. For more information, visit EauGallieArts.com or click onto their ad on the right side of this page.

NOT QUITE RIGHT PLAYERS perform 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Derek Gores Gallery, 587 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. General Admission Seating is limited and tickets are $15/$12 for students and are non-refundable. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, since shows often sell out. Doors open at 7 p.m., with an opening act at 7:30 p.m. Main show begins at 8 p.m. To get tickets visit NQRComedy.com.

COMEDY ZONE takes place tonight and Saturday night at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Read more about it by clicking here. This weekend, the Comedy Zone presents comedians KIER and CARMEN VALLONE (“Last Comic Standing”) at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990 or click onto the ad on the right side of this page.

Art

TOUCHING STRANGERS photo exhibition runs through May 14 at Florida Tech’s Foosaner Art Museum. Read more about it and see a video about the photographer Richard Renaldi by clicking here. The Foosaner is at 1463 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Free admission to the galleries. Call 321-674-8916, visit FoosanerArtMuseum.org or click onto their ad.

REIMAGINED: INNOVATIONS IN FIBER ART by Alex Trimino and Carrie Sieh runs through Saturday at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts. This is a vivid, fun, engaging exhibit filled with color and, as the title suggests — imagination. This is a real treat. Free admission. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The Funk Center is on the campus of Florida Tech, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne. Call 321-674-8313 or click here.

LOST AND FOUND exhibition of assemblage art runs through May 29 at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery. The opening reception runs 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. this evening. The gallery is at 1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne, Fla. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.