Sarasota Interviews

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 about the incredible journey they underwent to achieve their ambitious goals, following the immense challenges faced after Hurricane Milton. ...

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....

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’s leadin...

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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 with ...

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 change th...

“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...

Tune in right here as he chats with one of Broadway's most beloved actors, Christopher Sieber, who will perform a very special concert tonight, November 5 (7pm), as a part of the Radio Free Birdland series....

Tune in right here today, October 29 (3pm ET), as he chats with one of Broadway favorite Beth Malone. Beth will soon join Seth Rudetsky for two very special concerts on Sunday, November 1 (8pm) and Monday, November 2 (3pm)....

Tune in right here today, October 28 (12pm ET), as he chats with Rafael Casal and Adrienne Warren, who star in one-night-only virtual Halloween benefit concert presentation of The Nightmare Before Christmas, benefitting the Actors Fund and the Lymphoma Research Foundation. ...

Tune in right here today, October 21 (12pm ET), as he chats with one of Broadway's favorite leading ladies, LaChanze. LaChanze will soon join Seth Rudetsky for two very special concerts on Sunday, October 25 (8pm) and Monday, October 26 (3pm). ...

Tune in right here as he chats with composer John McDaniel, Javier Muñoz, George Salazar, and Joshua Colley from Stick and Stones, which premieres today, October 16, 2020, as part of National Bullying Prevention Month....

Tune in right here today, October 16 (12pm ET), as he chats with Broadway's original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday, who celebrates her 60th birthday in concert on Monday, October 19 (8pm)!...

Tune in right here today, October 15 (4:30pm ET), as he chats with Broadway beltress Keala Settle. Keala will soon Seth Rudetsky for two very special concerts on Sunday, October 18 (8pm) and Monday, October 19 (3pm)....

Tune in right here today, October 14 (5pm ET), as he chats with Broadway couple Jenn Colella and Chilina Kennedy about Divas For Democracy: United We Slay, which streams this Sunday, October 18 (8pm). ...

Tune in right here today, October 14 (3:30pm ET), as Richard chats with Heidi Schreck and Oliver Butler, whose What the Constitution Means to Me premieres Friday on Prime Video!...

Tune in right here today, October 14 (12pm ET), as Richard chats with the wonderful Kate Rockwell. Kate who headlines a concert with Radio Free Birdland on Thursday, October 15 at 7PM ET....

Tune in right here today, October 13 (3:30pm ET), as Richard chats with New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Tiler Peck, curates and stars in A New Stage. Available to stream starting October 16, A New Stage gives you a front-row seat to experience world-class artistry from the comfort of your hom...

Tune in right here today, October 8 (12pm ET), as he chats with Tony winner Beth Leavel who will headline concerts with Seth Rudetsky on October 11 (8pm) and 12 (3pm)....

Tune in right here today, October 7 (12pm ET), as Richard Ridge chats with Noam Ash, Mike Heslin and Jay Armstrong Johnson from the new web series, BoyFriends....

Tune in right here today, October 1 (12pm ET), as he chats with Broadway's favorite couple, Orfeh and Andy Karl, who will headline concerts with Seth Rudetsky on October 4 (8pm) and 5 (3pm)....

Celebrating their 50th anniversary in style, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is pulling out all the stops with a magnificent roster of high caliber concerts and an impressive diversity of prominent Broadway shows. They are gearing up for none other than Tony Bennett's, I Left My Heart Tour and da...

Star of TAXI and WHO'S THE BOSS, former professional boxer, Tony Danza, has come to Sarasota and brought his ukulele with him!...

'People need theatre in small towns. People need theatre in smaller cities, in different cities. We need it everywhere. It's important as an artist to remember that. It's not just about going for the brass ring - sometimes the brass ring is right there, sitting at home.'...

Tony Award winning powerhouse Laura Benanti is scheduled to appear in her one-woman cabaret at the Straz Center in Tampa on February 11. Celebrated for her impression of Melania Trump on Stephen Colbert's Late Show, Miss Benanti played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, winning the Tony A...

Audrey Landers Brings Dallas Love To The Sarasota Pops...

Pre Show Interview With Kinky Boots Cast Members...

Spend an Intimate Evening with Kristin Chenoweth Coming to The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall...

Sarasotan, Evelyn Christina Tonn Comes to the Van Wezel in Chicago the Musical...