Jerry Jarrett

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training today announced that it is the recipient of a $7,500 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This generous gift supports the Conservatory's Shakespeare in the Gardens: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, a new initiative presented in collaboration with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The final show of the Conservatory's 2016-17 season, the production will present Shakespeare's spirited and whimsical classic on the stunning grounds of Selby Gardens April 11 through 29. The grant is made possible by the Jarrett Family Fund at Gulf Coast.

'This is like a real homecoming. The last time I worked at Maine State Music Theatre was in 1995, and it was also Fiddler on the Roof,' says nationally acclaimed director-choreographer Gary John LaRosa. La Rosa, who is widely considered one of the reigning authorities on the beloved 1964 Bock-Harnick bitter-sweet musical about Russian Jews confronting a changing world, has in his own words, 'literally done dozens' of Fiddler productions throughout his vibrant, busy career. 'I've actually stopped counting,' he says with a smile, though we note that among all these, he staged the 50th anniversary Fiddler gala on Broadway, as well as at least four of these won prestigious theatre awards and nominations. This month he finds himself in Brunswick, Maine, directing a thirty-six person cast in MSMT's third main stage show of the 2016 season.