That’s a pretty corny subject line to my email, but come on, who wouldn’t want to see a show about cats performing stunts?!
Hey, I’m News 6 producer Brooke Savage, back in your inbox with all of the exciting theatre and arts news you need to know about.
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From reliving the nostalgia of American Idol in 2003 to a show putting the intelligence of cats to the test, here’s what we have going on. ⤵
🎙 Get ready to go back to a time when American Idol was just getting big
It has been more than 20 years since Ruben Studdard became the second American Idol winner, beating runner-up Clay Aiken by 134,000 votes. Now, the duo are reuniting and bringing their tour to The Villages on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
I had the chance to speak with Clay ahead of their show, and he told me their goal is to bring you back to 2003. They’ll be performing some of the same songs they performed on American Idol.
See my full interview and ticket information here.
😻 Rescue cats will be taking center stage, showing off their extraordinary intelligence
I’m a little too excited for this show, and I’m a dog mom!
It’s true what they say, cats know more than we think, and one trainer is proving that in her show, “The Amazing Acro-cats.”
Samantha Martin is a world-renowned animal trainer. She saves hundreds of cats every year through her nonprofit, Rock Cats Rescue. She then tries to include them in her all-cat circus-style show. Martin told me the purpose of her show is to demonstrate just how trainable and personable cats can be, in hopes of helping them get adopted.
“The Amazing Acro-Cats” is coming to the Orlando Family Stage on Princeton Street next week from Jan. 24-28.
See how Martin trains the cats, what to expect from the show and how to get tickets here.
🖐Making theatre more accessible: Performance of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ to include American Sign Language
I thought this was so cool. Lake Howell High School students are putting on a performance of “Charlotte’s Web” that will include shadow interpreters doing American Sign Language.
It’s a big team effort from the theater department and ASL students. It’s really a win-win for both theater students and ASL students. Theater students will be making the show more accessible while ASL students will get the experience of the job of being an interpreter.
There will be a show next Friday and Saturday. See how two teachers came up with the idea and how the students are working together through their challenges to make it work.
🎤 Are we in the age of reunions?
I’m seriously curious about this because we’ve had a lot of reunion tour announcements recently (besides the Ruben and Clay show I mentioned above).
Lionel Richie is extending his most recent tour with the band, Earth, Wind & Fire. They’re coming to the Kia Center on Friday, May 31. Tickets for the general public just went on sale today.
Janet Jackson is extending her “Together Again” tour into the summer and hip-hop star, Nelly, will be joining her. Jackson will perform on Saturday, July 20 at the Kia Center. Tickets for the general public also went on sale this morning.
Then there’s a joint tour with *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean. They will be at Hard Rock Cafe Orlando on March 29. Tickets for that went on sale last week.
🎧 Catch News 6 anchors Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin LIVE on a Friday night
Have you noticed more and more podcasts are doing shows live in front of an audience? Usually you have to pay to see those shows, but you can catch Ginger and Matt do their podcast, Florida’s Fourth Estate, for free!
They’ll sit down with legendary football coach Lou Holtz the Friday night before the Super Bowl. It’s happening Feb. 9 at Miller’s Ale House in Winter Park. You do have to be a News 6 Insider to be a part of the live audience. Insiders will also get special swag and local sporting event tickets.
Not an insider? It’s free to join. In the meantime, you should seriously listen to their Florida’s Fourth Estate podcast.
🎶 What’s happening in show biz
😂 Comedian Nikki Glaser at the Peabody Auditorium - She’s considered one of the funniest female voices in comedy, and tomorrow night, she’ll be bringing ‘The Good Girl Tour’ to Daytona Beach. She’s well known for her shockingly honest, no-holds barred style of comedy.
🎙 Comedian Jerry Seinfeld at King Center - Next Friday at 7 p.m., he’ll be performing his newest stand-up routine in Melbourne. Doors open an hour beforehand. His comedy style features his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that audiences find relatable.
🎸 Bowling for Soup at Hard Rock Cafe Orlando - Remember how this band took you back to 1985 when music was still on MTV? I loved this band growing up, so I will actually be going to their concert next Friday. Lit and The Dollyrots will also be there.
🎵 Gladys Knight at the Peabody Auditorium - Don’t miss your chance to see the Empress of Soul live! The seven-time Grammy winner with No. 1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B and Adult Contemporary is coming to Daytona Beach next Friday.
There’s a lot to look forward to over the next few weeks! I hope you’re able to check out at least one of the shows I mentioned.
If you have a show, exhibit or artist you want to tell me about or feature, please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bsavage@wkmg.com.
I’ll see you in two weeks.
- Brooke 🎭
