Backstage at the Kennedy Center. Photo by Pam Harbaugh.

By PAM HARBAUGH

While one offering opens locally, others are nearing the end of their runs. But more are waiting in the wings, so be sure to look below in the “Plan Ahead” listings.

Please click onto the ads of those organizations supporting BREVARD CULTURE.

Area Theater:

CALENDAR GIRLS continues its sold-out run at Melbourne Civic Theatre. Read Kraz’ review by clicking here. MCT keeps trying to make its patrons happy by adding more shows (most recently Thursday Feb 23 @ 8pm), so keep an eye out on their Facebook page. “Calendar Girls” runs through Feb. 26. Tickets are $31 general $29 seniors. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click onto their ad.

RAGTIME opens tonight and runs through March 19 at Titusville Playhouse. The musical is set during the turn of the century and explores the cultural and ethnic melting pot that is America. Tickets are $20 to $28. Titusville Playhouse is at 301 Julia St., Titusville. Call 321-268-1125 or visit TitusvillePlayhouse.com.

Professional Theater:

CONSTELLATIONS runs through March 19 at Mad Cow Theatre. “A love story with infinite possibilities. Marriane is a physicist. Roland keeps bees. Sparks ignite and they light out on the journey of relationship. Unless they don’t. Or do…but differently. Love has many shades and manifestations…as does this play and the quantum multiverse that lies at its heart.” Tickets begin at $40 with discounts for seniors, military and students. Mad Cow Theatre is on the second floor at 54 West Church Street, Orlando, FL. Call 407-297-8788 ext. 1 or visit MadCowTheatre.com.

THE GREAT GATSBY runs through March 26 at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Playwright Simon Levy has adapted the play from the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. As the press release states: When Nick Carraway is befriended by his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, he is drawn into a glitzy world of lavish parties and secret speakeasies. But as Gatsby’s elusive past is uncovered and his intentions revealed, Nick finds himself a pawn in a love triangle so scandalous, it threatens to destroy all those around him. This American classic is a poignant examination of prohibition America—exploring the notions of love, morality, identity, and the corruption of the American Dream.” Orlando Shakes performs at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL. Tickets begin at $25. Performances held throughout the week. Call (407) 447-1700 or visit OrlandoShakes.org.

Concerts & Nightlife:

COMEDY ZONE at Riverside Theatre features Comedian “Mr. Showtime” David Scott and Gid Pool this weekend. Shows begin 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You can buy a picnic style dinner and also drinks. Tickets begin at $16. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com.

PARTY FOR THE PLAYHOUSE will benefit Surfside Playhouse. The event runs 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25 at Cocoa Beach Country Club. Included are a buffet dinner, dancing, silent auction and live entertainment. Tickets are only $30 per person or $25 per person in parties of two or more. For reservations, call 321-783-3127.

TRAVIS TRITT performs 7 p.m. Sunday at the King Center. Tickets start at $58. The King Center is at 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne. Call 321-242-2219 or visit KingCenter.com.

Exhibits:

STEVEN SEINBERG exhibition of abstract paintings is on view in the Frits van Eeden Gallery at Florida Tech’s Renee Foosaner Education Center, 1520 Highland Ave., Melbourne. Mr. Seinberg, who lives in Indian Harbour Beach, was born in Brooklyn, NY and has shown around the country. His work is in the permanent collections of Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom’s and the North Hampton Country Club in Tokyo, Japan. An artist’s reception is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3. The Frits van Eeden gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, as well as from 5:30-7:30 p.m. the first Friday of each month. Admission is free. Admission is free. Call 321-674-8923 or click here.

THE RED THAT COLORED THE WORLD is on view now at Florida Tech’s Foosaner Art Museum. Read about it by clicking here. The Foosaner Art Museum is at 1463 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Free admission. Visit FoosanerMuseum.org, call 321-674-8916 or click on their ad.

CHILD’S PLAY: A Journey into Imagination runs through Sunday at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery. On view will be recent work of Michigan artist Lisa Mistiuk. A percentage of earnings from the show will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida. The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.

TRADITIONAL ART OF THE BEDOUIN opens Saturday at Florida Tech’s Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts. Read about it by clicking here. The Ruth Funk Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Center is located next to Evans Library on the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne, Florida, 150 W. University Blvd. Admission is free. For more information, visit http://textiles.fit.edu or call 321-674-8313.

Plan Ahead:

UNCOMMON THREADS at the Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts is getting ready for its symposium March 2 and 3. Elizabeth Semelhack, the senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum, will hold two talks — “OUT OF THE BOX: The Rise of Sneaker Culture” at 7 p.m. March 2 and “TO THE POINT: The Short History of the High Heel” during the luncheon symposium which begins 10:30 a.m. March 3. Tickets to the symposium are $75.
Call 321-674-8313 or click here.

TAPE opens March 3 and runs through March 19 at Theater on the Edge in Orlando.

SOUTH PACIFIC opens March 3 at Surfside Playhouse.

MAME opens March 7 and runs through March 26 at Riverside Theatre.

AIDA opens March 10 at Cocoa Village Playhouse.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME THE MUSICAL opens March 10 at the Henegar Center.

THE CHRISTIANS opens March 21 and runs through April 9 at Riverside Theatre.

RUMORS opens March 24 at Melbourne Civic Theatre.