Canadian World Traveller Summer 2019 Issue

24
“Show” me Orlando
by David J Cox
When in Orlando, there are so
many destinations to grab your
attention with Disney, SeaWorld
and Universal parks, but what if you want
something on a smaller scale? The theatre is
a great alternative and Orlando has something
for every taste.
A Mad Cow Christmas
Tucked away on a second story of a building
on the trendy West Church Street is the Mad
Cow. What began in late 1997 as a simple
two show project between a group of
Floridian actor/directors has become a hub of
local theatre. The productions have become
renowned and popular for their featured
works of consistent quality and simplicity.
Our experience was in line with the philosophy.
“It Was a Very Good Yule”, was filled with
the Christmas cheer that the outside summerworld
of sunny Orlando cannot really accomplish
for visitors used to snow and cold. The
four musicians were excellent singers, with the
three young women channeling the Andrews
Sisters and keyboard player offering up some
fun with Sinatra and Elvis. Wonderfully choreographed,
the hour-long show featured 26
carols and Christmas songs and was wellpaced
with small anecdotes from the 1940s
and 50s mixed in as well.
The Mad Cow, at 54 West Church Street
1997, now produces 10 shows per season
and produces a yearly Christmas show.
Gangsters, gals, gags and grub!
Capone’s is dubbed as a “Funtastic” Dinner
Show, and it does deliver some good laughs
and good lines. Reasonably priced, the
evening starts with finding the ticket taker and
the doorman in character as 1930s gangsters.
After saying the code word, ‘four cherry
cokes’, we were led to the bar by a flapper
and awaited our seats.
The wait staff and stage performers would
interact throughout the evening with often
hilarious jokes and double-entendres. Once
seated, we enjoyed a hearty Italian food buffet
with a salad bar, pizzas, meat carving station,
and an array of Italian favorites like
baked ziti, lasagna and garlic bread sticks.
The highlight of the night was the show, with
a core ensemble of actors and lots of group
and individual interactions with the crowd.
Sections of the restaurant were divided into
“families” and each had their own sayings.
Our section was “Get outta’ here!”, and we
were called upon to say it several times during
the show. The inclusion of the audience
made the show that much better!
For those who wish, there is an opportunity to
purchase some personalized memorabilia
during the show with a mug shot in a fake
newspaper.
Salsa, singing and sweet times
At this beautiful multi floor pub, the evening is
for famillies and the night belongs to singles.
For us with kids, it was filled with dancing and
a three course dinner with dessert.
Although the meals at the Mango’s Tropical
Cafe were standard fare and nothing too
exotic, the dishes were presented well and
service was quick and efficient. My dish, the
mango salmon, was really well done and
delicious. My companions tried the pasta and
chicken, with one enjoying the magnificent
surf and turf steak and shrimp dinner. Desert
was a highlight, with a huge slice of creamy
cheesecake and a rich chocolate lava cake.
The exotic was saved for their amazing list of
specialty cocktails, including enormous glasses
of margaritas and other rum drinks.
The music selection is diverse and the dancers
were very good, it felt like the whole staff really
want you to have a good time. The live
musical set, complete with dancers, costumes
and live band, included Cuban Conga,
Bachata and a mix of dance music. A multilevel
stage with light show and great sound
offered a great atmosphere for the high energy
dinner show which, at several points,
included the wait staff. It was really entertaining.
We especially appreciated the Michael
Jackson dance impersonator who even nailed
the Moonwalk!
Canadian World Traveller Summer 2019