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Shanti M. Kennedy

Shanti M Kennedy recently moved to the Cultural Gold Coast. She is stepping into the role of Lead Contributing Editor for Broadway World and feels that all her life experiences to date have culminated to prepare her for just this!

She grew up in the City of Big Shoulders, Chicago. The arts have always been a significant part of her life. In her youth she studied voice and sang Opera competitively, as well as studying dance and ballet throughout her life. She has traveled extensively to attend art shows at leading art museums around the world. She earned her degree in Creative Writing from Roosevelt University in Chicago. It was here that she successfully started her yearly goal of reading 100 books, per year. Shanti is passionate about art education and bringing the arts to the masses. She loves getting other people just as excited about the arts as she is! 






MOST POPULAR ARTICLES


MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Comes To Van Wezel Next Month
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Comes To Van Wezel Next Month
December 2, 2024

GFour 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 Theatre
Review: WAITRESS at Florida Studio Theatre
November 13, 2024

Life 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 HALL
Interview: Mary Bensel of THE VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL
November 5, 2024

The 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 Theatre
Review: JENNIFER, WHO IS LEAVING at Urbanite Theatre
October 28, 2024

Nan, 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: SOUL CROONERS at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Review: SOUL CROONERS at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
October 26, 2024

What did our critic think of SOUL CROONERS at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe?

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
September 25, 2024

In 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: Craig Winberry of THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL at Van Wezel
Interview: Craig Winberry of THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GEORGE MICHAEL at Van Wezel
September 17, 2024

'The Life and Music of George Michael' show hitting the shores of Sarasota promises a nostalgic journey for fans both old and potentially new.

Review: THE OUTSIDER at Florida Studio Theatre
Review: THE OUTSIDER at Florida Studio Theatre
August 17, 2024

What did our critic think of THE OUTSIDER at Florida Studio Theatre?

Interview: Dan Landon on his Memoir FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE
Interview: Dan Landon on his Memoir FROM THE BACK OF THE HOUSE
June 17, 2024

Dan 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 Theatre
Review: THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND at Florida Studio Theatre
June 17, 2024

Florida 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 Arts
Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Rise Above Performing Arts
June 11, 2024

Spring 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 Theatre
Review: OAK at Urbanite Theatre
June 3, 2024

Making 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: TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Asolo Repertory Theatre
Review: TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Asolo Repertory Theatre
May 15, 2024

What did our critic think of TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Asolo Repertory Theatre?

Review: MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Review: MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
May 6, 2024

WestCoast 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: TROUBADOUR at Florida Studio Theatre
Review: TROUBADOUR at Florida Studio Theatre
April 14, 2024

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

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Asolo Repertory Theatre
Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Asolo Repertory Theatre
April 14, 2024

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

Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Florida Studio Theater
Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Florida Studio Theater
March 25, 2024

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.

Review: LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
Review: LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
March 11, 2024

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.

Review: INTIMATE APPAREL at Asolo Reperatory Theater
Review: INTIMATE APPAREL at Asolo Reperatory Theater
March 8, 2024

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.

Review: Alanis Morissette's JAGGED LITTLE PILL Rocks Van Wezel Center
Review: Alanis Morissette's JAGGED LITTLE PILL Rocks Van Wezel Center
March 1, 2024

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






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