Jacob Ruscoe

“The Burdens” should not be missed. If you love to text message, (and who doesn’t) this is the show for you.

Let It Be is a great way to experience the classic songs of the Beatles! The Players Centre for the Performing Arts is continuing its 92nd season with the concert revue style musical, 'Let It Be.' Director, Sunny Smith, notes that the musical is 'the journey of Beatles songs through the turmoil of war and loss in the 60's, and the battle of holding on to your family and trying to find yourself.'

In a deviation from your typical theatrical experience, may I present you Urbanite Theatre’s World Premiere of “A Skeptic and a Bruja.” Much to its title premise, this new work takes you on a paranormal journey.

Some shows get away from all the glitz and glamour and just tell a story. There are times where musical theatre transcends the fancy costume and strobe lights; a place where the big numbers wait for another time. What we are left during those moments is something raw and powerful. What we have is “The Last Five Years.”

By nature, musicals are vastly more popular than plays. They have a natural ability to engage an audience and if there are any lulls in the action, you have a high-flying musical number to bring the show back to life. A play has no safety nets. The actors must be dynamic and make genuine connections in order for thee beauty of a show to be felt.

The Asolo continues its season with the timeless play, Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” directed by Desdemona Chiang. Any time I see this classic piece on stage I am drawn to its simplicity. The show is typically done without a set or props and relies completely on the characters themselves to tell the story of life and mortality.

It is time for a little bit of magic as Manatee Performing Arts Center produces their next mainstage production of “Cinderella.” The theatre touts Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella as the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical.

It is such an exciting time with Broadway reopened. I spent a day recently in New York City and the hustle and bustle of the theatre district reminded me of why I love the city and Broadway in particular. I have seen a measly 73 shows on Broadway or ones that are part of a Broadway tour and I have ranked them all in the order that I love/like them. One of those shows that has remained in the top 10 since I first witnessed its magical artistry is “Come From Away.” So, I jumped at the chance to see it again at the Van Wezel.

There are shows that make you laugh and others that make you cry. We go to the theatre and are swept away by all kinds of emotions. Some shows make us angry and others inspire hope. Then there are the shows that just make us happy. Above all else, “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at Florida Studio Theatre is just that show.

Sometimes theatre is different. Sometimes it is unique and thought-provoking with enough emotion to pull your heart strings and punch you in the gut all at the same time. There are times where a play is not conventional; yet allows its audiences to experiences an array of feelings that make us glad we spent an evening at the theatre. All of this and so much more await guests when they see “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen” which is making its regional premiere at Urbanite Theatre.

In a time where many theatres have struggled to survive, there is a new face in our community that is reimagining theatre during these unusual times. Dingbat Theatre Project is currently in production of “Shrek the Musical,” held at the outdoor theatre at The Bazaar on Apricot. The company has taken and innovative approach to a well-known show to produce what can only be described as pure entertainment.

Ovation Theatre took to the stage, or in this case the field to produce an energizing production of Disney’s Descendants. While the school’s spring musical production is typically held indoors, due to the pandemic the show was performed outside in Lakewood Ranch. The change of venue did not stop this spirited cast from entertaining its audiences while performing a high-quality production.

The entertainment world continues to slowly make its way back into the spotlight through innovative ways that create a safe environment for patrons. Florida Studio Theatre is currently presenting its production of “Vintage Pop!” which runs through May 16.

Somedays it seems like the world may never return to normal. It has been a challenging year for everyone and one of the hardest hit industries has been those involving live entertainment. Audiences are craving a return to live theatre which made the Asolo’s production of “Camelot” and even more welcome sight

Spring is in the air which means the start of baseball season. Baseball is my all-time favorite sport. While many say it is boring, there is such a passion and purity to the American Pastime that its enjoyment and place in our culture cannot be ignored. So, when you take my favorite sport and combine it with my love of theatre, well there is the show I want to see. a?oeDamn Yankeesa?? at Manatee Performing Arts Center opened Thursday night and is sure to have that rare breed who love both sports and theatre in a?oeHeaven.

Entertainment options are endless in our town that is bursting with artistic performances. Florida Studio Theatre's latest Cabaret, a?oeOutlaws & Angels,a?? is billed as a rousing review that highlights and celebrates the a?oeoutlaws of country music and the angels who loved them.a?? However, what you truly experience is an evening full of fun that will immerse you in the timeless country songs you have always loved. This Cabaret will entertain you and revive memories inside you that will put a smile on your face.

The 2020 SaraSolo Winter Fest is just around the corner, February 10-15. Now in its 6th Season, SaraSolo has evolved and will take place as 3 festivals this year all focusing on the power of the solo performance. The concept is unique as one does not often go to the theatre expecting to see a a?oeone man show.a?? The festival invites actors who perform in a variety of styles, bringing a range of perspectives, and myriad ways of illuminating the human condition.

The a?oeMatildaa?? hype is flying through our local community. A quick search of Music Theatre International's website will find five different venues within driving distance performing this show within the next year. However, Manatee Performing Arts has set a high bar with the Area Premiere of a show that is sure to be a true favorite for audiences of all ages.  

Sarasota High School produced a heart-warming rendition of Irving Berlin's a?oeWhite Christmasa?? this past week. The show which is full of laughter, was engaging and entertaining, and another shining example of the incredible theatre productions our local schools produce.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre is starting the 2019-2020 season off with a marvelous rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's a?oeThe Sound of Music.a?? Any time you go to see a classic piece of musical theatre your past experiences and schema come into play. Expectations are high (or low) based upon what you think you know about the show. It can be difficult to change those perceptions and to not see what you expect to happen. While the songs and storyline are timeless as ever, Asolo's version, which is spectacular on many levels, offers you a new perspective that will make you feel like you are watching the show for the very first time.