Blogs: Author Archive

Fear Factor: Canine Edition Pink Venue I consider “Fear Factor Live” at Universal Studios (based on the nauseating show of the same name) to be the single worst theme park attraction within Orlando city limits. So I’m relieved to report that Fear Factor: Canine Edition has nearly nothing to do with torturous stunts and...
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 My Monster Blue Venue If you have a deep love of of the cinematic art-form, you may feel compelled to write your own screenplay, stocked with your deepest personal insights. On the other hand, you may actually loathe the cinematic art form, and simply want to make a buck in the movie business (you’d be...
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The first weekend of the 2011 Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is over, and the Orlando Weekly staff has been on site checking out the shows for you. Our reviews will appear in the next issue (on newstands Wed May 25th). But here is an early look at some of my takes on this year’s crop....
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  In an invitation-only press webcast this morning, Universal Orlando Resort announced two new projects for 2012. For several weeks, they teased the reveal through social media, advertising that one would be a new ride, and the other an upgrade to an existing attraction.  In a move that surprised almost no one in the...
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Here we go again. Another beloved big-screen comedy turned Broadway musical has made its way to Orlando’s Bob Carr. Just like Monty Python’s Spamalot, this one is another scatalogical spoof of medieval fantasy icons. Just like Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein, this one stars a not-so-jolly green giant, and was booted off Broadway far sooner...
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A long time ago (1987, to be precise) in a theme park far, far away (Disneyland), the Star Tours ride introduced flight simulator technology to the amusement industry, taking millions on a hyperspace journey to George Lucas’ Star Wars universe. Last year, after over two decades of operation, the popular ride was powered down...
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It seems like only yesterday that Mad Cow Theatre’s Cabaret Festival was founded in the second-story space of downtown Orlando’s Avalon building, on a small stage set for a production of “As Crowds Cheer.” Now, nine years later, CabFest is concluding its ninth annual outing, the final edition in Mad Cow’s current Magnolia Street theater...
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If you’ve ever tried to find something edible inside the Fashion Square Mall’s rapidly fading food court, you know the Colonial Drive shopping center is the furthest thing from foodie central. But last night (May 1st), the mall’s parking lot (the north patch past Dillard’s, to be precise) was transformed into a mobile munchie...
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Do you remember the 1990′s? The Clinton era was two long decades ago, but if you can recall the long-lost gothic glories of Barbarella (before it was Independent Bar) or the raver revolution at Firestone (before it was The Club at Firestone), then tonight’s entertainment at Urban ReThink may be up your alley. At...
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You probably remember that last summer’s debut of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando was one of the most-attended grand opening events Central Florida’s theme parks have ever seen. And you may also remember hearing that last December saw a remarkable rebound in local tourism, bringing big attendance to Orlando’s parks...
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