SARASOTA INTERVIEWS

Brace yourselves, Sarasota, because MRS. DOUBTFIRE is rolling into town on April 14th and 15th at Van Wezel. Tickets for both the matinee and evening performances are up for grabs, but they're being snatched up quicker than you can say 'Hello, dear!' Grab 'em while you can for a night of knee-slappi...

We had the chance to catch up with a legend of the stage, Robert Westenberg, who plays Neil Diamond (Now), in A BEAUTIFUL NOISE. Having been on the stage since 1975 in various roles, Westenberg has much wisdom to impart. Having played this role in over 570 shows to date in this role, Westenberg is p...

In Sarasota, where the cooler weather is sneaking in along with the buzzing festivities of the upcoming season, excitement is building up as we gear up for a whirlwind of fun events and celebrations! Leading the pack with a touch of spook and a whole lot of fun is the beloved holiday Halloween, know...

Last year when we last met up with Mary Benzel, Executive Director at Van Wezel, Sarasota had just gone through a couple of terrible storms, with the Van Wezel having been tragically affected by the flooding. ...

'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!!!' Ah, the magical chant that kickstarted a phenomenon in the late 1980s, creating a cult following that endures to this day. From its origins as a beloved Tim Burton film, 'BEETLEJUICE' has now taken the stage on Broadway and embarked on a successful two-year...

Family values are the cornerstone of our existence, and despite the differences in our upbringings, we can all relate to the dynamics of a quirky family. Snap, snap! The Addams Family stands out as the epitome of eccentricity and charm, proudly wearing their 'creepy and kooky' banner for all to see....

Van Wezel, the beloved cultural institution in Sarasota, opened last week with a bang and has been delighting audiences ever since! With a jam-packed schedule, they are forging ahead gloriously. We recently had the opportunity to chat with their dedicated Executive Director, Mary Bensel, to learn ab...

Sarasota is truly a gem when it comes to the arts scene! It's no wonder that it's known as the Cultural Center for the State of Florida. John Ringling's vision of making Sarasota a hub for the arts in the Southeast has truly come to life....

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 Broadwa...

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

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 page...

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...

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 h...

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’...

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Like a lot of our neighbors, and maybe our own journey to becoming a permanent resident of Sarasota, Justin Gomlak first came here on vacation. After coming for a few years, the lifestyle, culture and the arts scene made him take stock of what was important in his life and move out of the Big Apple....

Sharon Preston-Folta's documentary feature, Little Satchmo, is the heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of her journey as the secret daughter of legendary jazz trumpeter, Louis Armstrong....

Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Michael Marrero and Julio Trinidad, the creative team behind the new streaming play 'Repair' at The Studios of Key West's 'StudioWorks'....

Jessica Vosk is a celebrated singer and actress and she has just kicked off her “MY GOLDEN AGE” US tour and will be visiting your area shortly! You may recognize her from Broadway roles like Elphaba in WICKED, or as the Narrator in JOSEPH... at Lincoln Center. I had the opportunity to catch up w...

Read BroadwayWorld's interview with Tony and Emmy Award winning icon of stage and screen, Mandy Patinkin, as he discusses his upcoming concerts, his TikTok stardom and more!...

Rock & Roll Reignited, one of Florida Studio Theatre’s current summer cabaret offerings, has been touring the country since 2016, breathing new life to some of the greatest hits of the ’50’s and ’60’s....

“Raised Up West Side,” produced and directed by Brett A. Schwartz, features social activists, entrepreneurs, and ex-offenders from Chicago’s West Side, where nearly 70% of men between the ages of 18 and 54 have been incarcerated. The film highlights the fierce tenacity of those fighting to cha...

“The Smell of Money” made its world premiere this week at the 2022 Sarasota Film Festival. This feature documentary features the first hand accounts of a group of North Carolina residents in the midst of a battle against the corporate hog farms polluting their communities....

Cast member Madalyn McHugh, returning to FST for the third time, has a repertoire that includes musical theatre, opera, pop, contemporary Christian music, and, especially, deep country roots. In this interview, we discuss her Nashville origins, what music has taught her, and the magical music moment...

Watch as Richard chats with Disney on Broadway favorites Ashley Brown, Michael James Scott, Kissy Simmons and Josh Strickland, who will all appear in 'The Music of Disney on Broadway'- a live, theatrical concert at Orlando's Dr. Phillips Center's Frontyard Festival this Saturday and Sunday, March 20...