An image from the Fritz Lang 1927 silent film METROPOLIS.

By PAM HARBAUGH

You’re creeping closer to the edge…art and culture wise that is. Artsy sci-fi silent flick happens Saturday at an area gallery. While shows are closing, a much anticipated production opens tonight at Melbourne Civic Theatre. A little pre-cursor to ROBOT LOVE happens Saturday evening….yes, that event is coming up next week, read below in the “Plan Ahead” section.

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Area Theater:

RUMORS runs through April 30 at Melbourne Civic Theatre. This much anticipated revival…wait, can we call it a revival? MCT has never done this show although most of the cast, including its director, have. So, yeah, for the sake of “essence,” let’s call it a revival. It’s a very funny farce by Neil Simon and the performances in the past have been hysterical. And, it’s almost sold out already…before opening even. MCT has added some Thursday evening shows. Get on the phone now and order your tickets, which start at $29. It runs through April 30 at MCT, 817 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-6935, visit MyMCT.org or click on their ad.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME the Musical runs through March 26 at the Henegar Center. Director Hank Rion brings more than 100 people to act, play in the pit orchestra, to help backstage or to sing in the choir…Latin. It stars Dillon Giles as Quasimodo, Amanda Cheyenne-Manis as Esmeralda, Damon Dennin as Frollo and Joe Horton as Captain Phoebus. Audiences are going crazy for this show. Here’s a commentary on it. It sounds like it will sell out, so click on their ad now for tickets. The Henegar is at 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Call 321-723-8698 or visit Henegar.org.

TAPE has been extended through Sunday at Theater on the Edge in Orlando. The long one-act drama is set in a seedy motel room in Lansing, Michigan, where three old friends confront each other with truths about a possible crime. For Joan Taddie’s review in Brevard Culture, click here. To read the review in Orlando Weekly, click here. The show runs through March 19. Tickets are $19 and $22…if they become available. The show’s been sold out for its entire run. Theater on the Edge is at 5542 Hansel Avenue, Orlando (about 10 minutes from the airport). Email info@theaterontheedge.org.

ELTON JOHN AND TIM RICE’S AIDA has been extended through April 2 at Cocoa Village Playhouse. This captivating musical features Nicole Ramos-Torres, Andrew LeJeune, Sarah Huff, David Morales, Brian Smith, Daniel Hill, Shatirah Rolle and Terry Clowney. This is a revival for CVP. Its first production was simply stunning and I expect no less the second time around. Tickets start at $27 with discounts for students, seniors and children. CVP is at 300 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa. Cal 321-636-5050, visit CocoaVillagePlayhouse.com or click on their ad.

Professional Theater:

THE CHRISTIANS runs through April 9 at Riverside Theatre. Read more about it by clicking here. Also, keep an eye out for a review. Tickets start are $45 with discounts for students. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Drive, Vero Beach. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click onto their ad.

MAME runs through Sunday at Riverside Theatre. This big musical stars Michele Ragusa as the sophisticated bohemian urging everyone to “Live, live, live!” To read the review, click here. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Drive, Vero Beach, FL. Tickets start at $35. Call 772-231-6990, visit RiversideTheatre.com or click on their ad.

THREE SISTERS runs through April 16 at Mad Cow Theatre. The Chekhov play looks at Masha, Irina and Olga who live in provincial Russia and long to go to Moscow. As Mad Cow’s website states: “In one of the greatest masterworks of dramatic literature, Anton Chekhov paints a lyrical portrait of missed opportunities, delicate delusions, and the persistence of life despite disappointments.” Tickets are $16 to $40. 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 Sunday 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.

Film:

DILETTANTE FILMHAUS will present the silent film “Metropolis” 7 p.m. March 25 at Derek Gores Gallery. This is a simply WONDERFUL black and white film by Fritz Lang. The New York Times calls it the “holy grail” of silent movies. Its presentation coincides with next week’s presentation of ROBOT LOVE 2017. Tickets are $7. Derek Gores Gallery is at 587 West Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne. For more information or to buy tickets ahead of time, click here.

Exhibits:

ART 31: BORROWED LIGHT runs through April 16 at the Art and History Museums in Maitland. Read more about it by clicking here. Regular museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission regular is $3 general, $2 for seniors (55+) and students, free for A&H Members and children age 3 and under. The Art & History Museums Maitland is at 231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland. For more information, visit www.art31.org, contact 407.539.2181 or click on their ad.

TRADITIONAL ART OF THE BEDOUIN runs through April 29 at Florida Tech’s Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts. Read about it by clicking here. 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.

MUSINGS IN COLOR features work by Witha Lacuesta and will be on view throughout March. The exhibit comprises two series: “Dancers and “Cypress Tree” series, inspired by the Blue Cypress Conservation area. As the artist states: “The beauty of these century old trees was deeply moving. Having withstood various weather extremes, they stand for persistence, resilience, and grace. They also inspire us to strive for the same attributes when facing adversity or solitude.” The Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is at 1470 Highland Avenue, Melbourne. Call 321-259-8261 or visit FifthAvenueArtGallery.com.

THE RED THAT COLORED THE WORLD is on view through April 15 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.

Plan Ahead:

ROBOT LOVE runs March 31-April 1, 2017

ELMAR OLIVEIRA performs with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra April 1. Read about that by clicking here.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 31 and runs through April 23 at Titusville Playhouse.

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL returns to the Foosaner Art Museum April 7 to 22.

HEIDI’S JAZZ LOUNGE will present a couple of unusual concerts: TOMAS LOPEZ brings a classical touch for a matinee concert April 15; the cast from the Henegar’s LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL will present an evening of Billie Holiday music April 25.