Shanti M. Kennedy

What did our critic think of TROUBADOUR at Florida Studio Theatre?

What did our critic think of DIAL M FOR MURDER at Asolo Repertory Theatre?

Another Florida premiere brought to us in Florida Studio Theatre Bowne’s Lab, White Chip brings highly charged raw emotion to the stage. No stone is left unturned in the trials of our main character, Steven, and his journey from being a wild young party boy to a full-blown alcoholic and back to sobriety, all within 90 minutes.

What did our critic think of LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel? Little Women, the Musical, based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, focuses on the relationship of four sisters while their father is away serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Loosely based on Alcott’s life, this beloved story is brought to life on the stage with music and a new melodramatic flare.

Set in 1905, a young African-American woman travels to New York City to become an independent lady. Limited in ladies’ trades, Esther paves a grand way in life with her expert sewing and is able to navigate a wide world that New York has to offer. She falls into the confines of societal norms, i.e. marriage and fails miserably, but is able to get herself back up with the help of her friends.

What did our critic think of JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Van Wezel?

J. Robert 'Bobby' Spencer spends a lot of time in airports. He has been traveling for the last 13 years with The Midtown Men all over this country and while doing so has become a part of the million-mile-club. While that says something about him having allegiance to one airline, that is not the only place you can see he is a very loyal person! He took a small reprieve, waiting for a flight of course, to catch up with us at Broadway World Sarasota.

Following the story of The “Classic Five” Temptations, this 2017 musical brings to life the powerhouse group that we all know, love, and recognize. From their origination in Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we are taken through how they each met, their personal afflictions and everything in between that tore the group apart.

Born with Teeth premiered in May 2022 and has been making the rounds! After their stint at Asolo Repertory Theater they are going on to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Born with Teeth has won a number of awards, including best new play and best actors from Houston’s Theater Awards and the Edgerton Foundation.

The Lehman Trilogy is a three-act play written by Italian playwright Stephano Massini. The story follows the lives of the Lehman immigrant brothers, from their arrival in America to the famous collapse of their company in 2008, after being in business for 158 years. At the time, this was the largest commercial bank collapse in history.

A Soldier’s Play was originally performed off Broadway, opening in November 1981 through January 1983 after 468 performances. The original cast included Adolph Caeser, Denzel Washington, Larry Riley, and Samuel L. Jackson.

What did our critic think of UGLY LIES THE BONE at Florida Studio Theater?

What did our critic think of INHERIT THE WIND at Asolo Reperatory Theater?

Taking a short break from his busy schedule of touring and cutting a new studio album (to be released soon) and a Live album to be released later this month, I got a chance to catch up with Nick, the lead singer of Yacht Rock Revue. If he sounds like he is busy now, just wait till you hear what he has been doing the last few years.

Cher, the pop-icon, diva, actress, fashion icon, winner of over 300+ awards, including an Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar, is now a Broadway Musical! “The Cher Show” tells the story of Cher’s 60-year boundary breaking career. Cher has lived such a full life (and still rocking) that it takes 3 women to play her. Performing 35 of her songs over the course of the show, they interact and support each other onstage to tell one woman’s life story.

What happens when two leaders in their respective fields of Improvisational Comedy and Hypnosis come together through Second City? There is a joke in there somewhere, but I am no comedian! However, when I interviewed Colin Mochrie (“Whose Lins is it Anyway?” and who some consider the “World’s leading improv-otier”) and Asad Mecci (World Renowned Hypnotist and Peak Performance Coach), I was laughing the entire time.

What did our critic think of SALUTE TO VIENNA at Van Wezel? A cherished tradition, The Vienna New Year's Concert (Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker) is an annual concert of classical music performed by the Vienna Philharmonic on the morning of New Year's Day in Vienna, Austria.

What did our critic think of JOYFUL!JOYFUL! at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe? With their Christmas Card to the Sarasota Community, the WBTT encapsulates traditional and contemporary treasures of holiday music. This show is part Spiritual, part R&B show and part Rock Concert! This show was created by Nate Jacobs, Founder and Artistic Director of WBTT. The intention of this show was to create a feeling of gratitude and to “remind us to celebrate the gift of life”.  In this performance I would say that this ensemble has surpassed this assignment!

What did our critic think of CRAZY FOR YOU at Asolo Reperatory Theater?