MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Comes To Van Wezel Next MonthDecember 2, 2024GFour Productions, winners of 68 Drama Desk and 54 Tony Awards, are proudly bringing the brand-new national tour of Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change' to Sarasota and will play the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for two performances on January 4, 2025 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Review: WAITRESS at Florida Studio TheatreNovember 13, 2024Life has an uncanny way of serving up surprises, doesn't it? Take Jenna Hunterson, for example. Here she is, a multi-talented waitress and baker stuck in a situation stickier than overcooked caramel. Her husband? Let's just say he's the perfect recipe for disaster. And just when Jenna thinks things can't get any worse, lo and behold, a bun in the oven appears without an invitation!
Interview: Mary Bensel of THE VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALLNovember 5, 2024The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, affectionately known as The Jewel of Sarasota, exudes an air of sophistication and class that only a waterfront location can provide. Picture yourself sipping on a glass of wine, soaking in the scenic views, all while eagerly anticipating the next act of a Broadway show that has stolen your heart.
Review: JENNIFER, WHO IS LEAVING at Urbanite TheatreOctober 28, 2024Nan, working alone on a cold winter’s night at a local donut shop, juggles tasks with the grace of a circus performer. Her husband’s calls provide a touch of comedic relief as he bumbles around searching for his elusive car keys. Nan's patience, though worn thin, endures with an exhausted yet loving tone, continuously reassuring him with a heartfelt 'I love you too'.
Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Van WezelSeptember 25, 2024In a fun and heartwarming tale that many of us know well, 'Shrek the Musical' tells the story of an embittered ogre named Shrek whose peaceful swamp home is taken over by fairy tale creatures banished by the power-hungry Lord Farquaad. With the comical Donkey by his side, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad to save Princess Fiona and, in return, secure the rights to his beloved swamp.
Interview: Dan Landon on his Memoir FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSEJune 17, 2024Dan Landon, with his impressive three decades spent treading the boards of Broadway, has a treasure trove of tales to regale us with! Bursting with anticipation, he has unveiled his latest literary gem to lay bare his journey climbing the ladder within the illustrious Schubert Organization. The pages brim with serendipitous strokes of fortune and impeccable timing, delivering a thoroughly captivating narrative.
Review: THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND at Florida Studio TheatreJune 17, 2024Florida Studio Theatre impresses with their Summertime Mainstage Season opener, delivering a delightful mix of love songs, and sharp-witted comic numbers. This lively revue, perfectly suited to lift spirits during the weighty summer months, captures the essence of joy with both familiar and lesser-known tunes.
Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Rise Above Performing ArtsJune 11, 2024Spring Awakening, with music by Duncan Sheik and Lyrics by Steven Sater, takes audiences on a wild ride through the tumultuous seas of adolescence. Exploring themes of attraction, desire, insecurity, and the rollercoaster of young adult life, this electrifying show is a must-see for anyone looking to relive the highs and lows of growing up. So, buckle up, grab your teenage angst, and get ready for a journey you won't soon forget!
Review: OAK at Urbanite TheatreJune 3, 2024Making its World Premiere, OAK is presented at our own Urbanite Theater. When entering the black-box space random hip-hop music is playing, but on closer observance, everything is placed with intention. The mix of music used throughout the story, from old TLC through Tyla’s current Billboard hit Water, made it hard to place what time this story is set, the 90’s, 2020’s? The elusiveness of this is effective, as this could be any southern town, even today. Playwright Terry Guest, a 3-time Jeff Award winner, expands his talents with this Southern Gothic Horror that was commissioned by Urbanite Theatre in 2020 and was created and designed specifically with the Sarasota audience in mind.
Review: MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL at Westcoast Black Theatre TroupeMay 6, 2024WestCoast Black Theatre Troupe revives one of their most popular original shows, Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul. Created, adapted, and directed by WBTT’s founder, Nate Jacobs, Gaye’s story is told through the narration of his family and friends. Of course, peppered throughout is the enchanted music that made Marvin Gaye an icon and what continues to make him a legend. Originally written in 2011, this time around WBTT is more refined and developed.
Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Florida Studio TheaterMarch 25, 2024Another 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.
Review: LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van WezelMarch 11, 2024What 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.
Review: INTIMATE APPAREL at Asolo Reperatory TheaterMarch 8, 2024Set 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.