SARASOTA THEATER REVIEWS

What did our critic think of THE JERSEY TENORS - PART II at Florida Studio Theatre? Back for a triumphant return to Sarasota since 2017, Jersey Tenors are packing the house at Florida Studio Theatre with The Jersey Tenors - Part II....

The joy that this production seeks to impart upon the audience is palpable, and understandably necessary after the past two years. The process of watching a hero come to life on stage is an undeniably entertaining one, and HOOD's well-intentioned themes have potential to inspire as this new musical ...

The themes addressed by “The Legend of Georgia McBride” sparkle in Florida Studio Theatre’s production, in a way both respectful of drag as an art form but also approachable, with characters that transporting them a glitter-filled odyssey though sexuality, gender expression, and family. The sh...

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In a deviation from your typical theatrical experience, may I present you Urbanite Theatre’s World Premiere of “A Skeptic and a Bruja.” Much to its title premise, this new work takes you on a paranormal journey....

Some shows get away from all the glitz and glamour and just tell a story. There are times where musical theatre transcends the fancy costume and strobe lights; a place where the big numbers wait for another time. What we are left during those moments is something raw and powerful. What we have is �...

By nature, musicals are vastly more popular than plays. They have a natural ability to engage an audience and if there are any lulls in the action, you have a high-flying musical number to bring the show back to life. A play has no safety nets. The actors must be dynamic and make genuine connections...

The Asolo continues its season with the timeless play, Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” directed by Desdemona Chiang. Any time I see this classic piece on stage I am drawn to its simplicity. The show is typically done without a set or props and relies completely on the characters themselves to te...

Rise Above Performing Arts brought a little magic to Sarasota this January with the Broadway adaptation of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. This crowd-pleasing rendition featured Rise Above’s large cast of talented young performers, and provided an opportunity for audiences of all ages to exp...

It is time for a little bit of magic as Manatee Performing Arts Center produces their next mainstage production of “Cinderella.” The theatre touts Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella as the new Broadway adaptation of the classic musical....

It is such an exciting time with Broadway reopened. I spent a day recently in New York City and the hustle and bustle of the theatre district reminded me of why I love the city and Broadway in particular. I have seen a measly 73 shows on Broadway or ones that are part of a Broadway tour and I have r...

There are shows that make you laugh and others that make you cry. We go to the theatre and are swept away by all kinds of emotions. Some shows make us angry and others inspire hope. Then there are the shows that just make us happy. Above all else, “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at Florida Studio...

Sometimes theatre is different. Sometimes it is unique and thought-provoking with enough emotion to pull your heart strings and punch you in the gut all at the same time. There are times where a play is not conventional; yet allows its audiences to experiences an array of feelings that make us glad ...

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In a time where many theatres have struggled to survive, there is a new face in our community that is reimagining theatre during these unusual times. Dingbat Theatre Project is currently in production of “Shrek the Musical,” held at the outdoor theatre at The Bazaar on Apricot. The company has t...

Ovation Theatre took to the stage, or in this case the field to produce an energizing production of Disney’s Descendants. While the school’s spring musical production is typically held indoors, due to the pandemic the show was performed outside in Lakewood Ranch. The change of venue did not stop...

Somedays it seems like the world may never return to normal. It has been a challenging year for everyone and one of the hardest hit industries has been those involving live entertainment. Audiences are craving a return to live theatre which made the Asolo’s production of “Camelot” and even mor...

The stage has been pretty empty this past year, so it was refreshing to be able to go see a live performance, especially one indoors, with enhanced safety protocols. I have tried to attend as many events as my schedule will allow, but musicals naturally have been scarce. Rise Above Performing Arts a...

The world is in a surreal and crazy state. So, what better musical to be one of the first out of the COVID hibernation than Rise Above Performing Arts’ production of “Carrie.”...

Spring is in the air which means the start of baseball season. Baseball is my all-time favorite sport. While many say it is boring, there is such a passion and purity to the American Pastime that its enjoyment and place in our culture cannot be ignored. So, when you take my favorite sport and combin...

Entertainment options are endless in our town that is bursting with artistic performances. Florida Studio Theatre's latest Cabaret, a?oeOutlaws & Angels,a?? is billed as a rousing review that highlights and celebrates the a?oeoutlaws of country music and the angels who loved them.a?? However, what y...

The sunshine state always shines a little brighter when Kristin Chenoweth is in the house. The house being Sarasota's 'purple palace', the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, where Executive Director Mary Benzel and crew are celebrating the theater's 50th year on the Bay. In celebration, they are pullin...

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim changed the face of American musical theater forever. A pupil of Oscar Hammerstein (of the famed songwriting pair Rogers & Hammerstein), Sondheim worked on his first Broadway show - a little known musical called West Side Story - at the young age of 27. Over th...

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Lil Armstrong. The Woman Behind Louis Armstrong's Success. A Story Worth Telling....