When it comes to the Sarasota arts world, it makes sense to quote Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The best, because the 2024-2025 season promises lots of entertainment and enlightenment. The worst, because Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged multiple local arts facilities, forcing expensive repairs and causing shows to be canceled. And that came on top of funding cuts for arts organizations at both the state and county level that have threatened the stability and success of an arts scene that many have worked hard to build over the years.

But let’s focus on the positive. Here’s a look at some upcoming highlights as we celebrate what we can see, hear and enjoy this season.

Music

Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival

Dec. 7

While we may still be mourning the loss of the Bradenton Blues Festival, we can celebrate this inaugural festival that will be held in its place at Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Park. The lineup is once again being curated by Paul Benjamin, the former artistic director of the long-running Bradenton event, and it still features a slew of blues musicians, including the Danielle Nicole Band, Vanessa Collier, Monster Mike Welch, Kat Riggins and others. Hail to the new.

The Cleveland Orchestra

Jan. 26

The Sarasota Concert Association’s landmark 80th season is filled with an impressive lineup of music and musicians (including a couple of debuts), making it hard to single out any one performance. But The Cleveland Orchestra, retaining its aura of being in the “top five” of American orchestras, is a certain smash, performing under the baton of dynamic young Singaporean guest conductor Kahchun Wong. Japanese violinist Sayaka Shoji will deliver Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, and Mussorgsky’s beloved Pictures at an Exhibition will round out the evening at the Van Wezel.

Verdi’s Requiem

Feb. 15

Symphonic chorus Key Chorale celebrates its 40th anniversary “Ruby Jubilee” season with a performance of Verdi’s masterpiece, which NPR has called “one of the most sublime and terrifying works in the repertoire.” The ensemble’s singers are joined by opera soloists Rebecca Krynski Cox, Jamal Sarikoki, Olivia Vote and Jonathan Burton in performance at Church of the Palms; in all, more than 150 musicians will be led by maestro Joseph Caulkins.

The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro

Select dates in February and March

We love that the Sarasota Opera is giving us not one, but two productions centered around the clever, resourceful Figaro. First up is Rossini’s Barber, last seen here in 2018, in which Count Almaviva tries to get the barber’s help in wooing the beautiful Rosina (with Figaro sung by Filippo Fontana). Then comes Mozart’s follow-up (last produced in 2015), with the count now casting his lecherous eye on Susanna, Figaro’s fiancée (Mattia Vienna does the honors as Figaro here). What’s a poor barber to do? He’ll Figaro it out.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Feb. 25

For more than six decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has reached out to fans of country, folk, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll, roots music and Americana, performing along the way with musicians as varied as Linda Ronstadt, Maybelle Carter and John Denver. Now the group is saying goodbye to the road with “All the Good Times: The Farewell Tour,” which includes a stop at the Van Wezel. (Note: Longtime member Jimmie Fadden won’t have to travel far for the gig; he’s a Sarasota resident.) It’s a chance to hear a slew of the band’s hits, which include “Mr. Bojangles,” “Fishin’ in the Dark” and, of course, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

The Planets

March 6-9

It’s time for a little space exploration as Gustav Holst’s popular The Planets dominates the Sarasota Orchestra’s Masterworks in March. It’s a seven-part suite demonstrating the very different “atmospheres” of our solar system’s planets (except for Earth). Also on the program for these concerts: Dvořák’s Romance in F Minor, Op. 11, Ravel’s Tzigane and Vaughan Williams’ overture to The Wasps. Violinist Grace Park, whose playing has been called “fresh, different and exhilarating,” guests, under the baton of Peter Oundjian. Concerts take place March 6 at Neel Performing Arts Center; other dates at the Van Wezel.

Crazy for Gershwin

March 14 and 15

Who isn’t a little crazy for the music of George Gershwin? The Venice Symphony is, with a concert this season blending the composer’s jazz and classical leanings, including music from An American in Paris, Girl Crazy and Rhapsody in Blue. Doing ample justice to the master’s works will be pianist (and composer and former violinist) Conrad Tao, a multiple award winner who’s often been described as “prodigiously talented.” He’ll join the symphony under the direction of Troy Quinn, at the Venice Performing Arts Center.

Sarasota Jazz Festival

March 17-22

The jazz fest is back at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, with mainstage concerts lined up for March 20-22. Headliner Emmet Cohen Trio starts things off Thursday, then Hammond B3 organist Tony Monaco is joined by sax man Eric Alexander on Friday. Rounding things off on Saturday night is composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Miller, a one-time Saturday Night Live band member who’s worked with the likes of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Luther Vandross. His opening act is Terrell Stafford and his group; Stafford is also the artistic director of this year’s festival.

Dance

Fanciful Journey

Dec. 20 and 21

The world premiere of David Bintley’s whimsical The Spider’s Feast was originally supposed to take place during Sarasota Ballet’s 2022-2023 season, but we’ve had to wait a bit longer. Judging from Bintley’s previous works seen here (A Comedy of Errors and Still Life at the Penguin Cafe) and the incredible sets and costume designs by Dick Bird, the wait should be worth it. Also on the bill at the Sarasota Opera House: Balanchine’s Rubies and the company premiere of Edwaard Liang’s Wunderland, set to music by Philip Glass.

Twyla Tharp Dance: Diamond Jubilee

March 14

There’s more music by Glass in store when Tharp’s company comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to present a “reimagining” of the composer’s Aguas Da Amazonia choreographed in Tharp’s distinctive style. Also on the program: Tharp’s take on Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, first performed in 1998. Described by one music scholar as “the greatest set of variations ever written,” Diabelli is a showcase for the versatility of the company’s dancers and a fitting salute to Tharp’s life work.

Romeo and Juliet

March 28 and 29

The Sarasota Ballet returns to the Van Wezel with a company premiere of Frederick Ashton’s version of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed to Sergei Prokofiev’s famous score. Given the company’s longstanding affinity for Ashton, it may seem surprising that we haven’t seen this piece before here. (Turns out, it’s seldom seen in the United States.) But with its heartbreaking romantic pas de deux, street fights and live music by the Sarasota Orchestra, it should be stirring.

Talks

Dr. Anthony Fauci

April 14

Whatever side of the political aisle you dwell in, Fauci, who closes out the Ringling College Library Association Town Hall 2025 season, is a name we’re all familiar with—not just for his work during the Covid-19 pandemic, but stretching back to the HIV/AIDs years and before, in a public health career that has spanned more than five decades. His memoir, On Call, out last year, has made The New York Times bestseller list; see what he has to say about the decisions he’s made that have affected millions.

Visual Arts

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks

Feb. 9-May 4

Got a thing about shoes? You’re not alone. There are a number of museums devoted “solely” to exhibitions of footwear, including Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum, which draws more than 100,000 visitors a year. Now, the Sarasota Art Museum is one of five museums participating in a national tour curated by the Bata that presents digitally designed and 3D-printed shoes, sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, and more. Designers range from Mr. Bailey to Zaha Hadid to Benoit Méléard. Put your best foot forward and check it out.

George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life

Feb. 9-June 29

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Jean & Alfred Goldstein exhibitions have tied art to nature for eight years now, with artists ranging from Dalí to Warhol to Mapplethorpe. What they haven’t had, until now, is a Beatle. Longtime musician George Harrison is honored with this year’s exhibit, which explores his passion for gardening, especially at his home, Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames, an 1889 property he spent years restoring, with special attention to the 32 acres of grounds. The gardens’ museum will feature related objects and ephemera, while Selby horticulturists will create living displays to accompany music and lyrics written by Harrison.

Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums

March 15-July 13

The Ringling offers something a little different this season with this show organized by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. (You gotta figure the town of Salem knows its ghosts and such.) The show focuses on the role art and objects played for mediums and magicians like Harry Houdini, Margery the Medium and Howard Thurston in “communicating” with the dead during the Spiritualism movement of the 19th and 20th centuries. You can expect to see paintings, vintage posters, photos, stage apparatus, costumes, films and more that will summon up the “spirit” of the times—with maybe a few chills along the way.

Circus

Circus Sarasota

Feb. 15-March 9

They’re still booking some of the international acts for this year’s big top, but we do know that among the confirmed performers are tight wire artist Brando Anastasini (a ninth-generation performer), comedy characters Davide and Ashley Vassallo, hand balancers the Pellegrini Brothers, the popular dog-comedy act Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix, and an acrobatic troupe from Ethiopia. Always a crowd-pleaser; taking place at Nathan Benderson Park.

Theater

Waitress

Through Dec. 29

This stage musical version of the late Adrienne Shelly’s hit film starring Keri Russell has entertained audiences around the world, but Florida Studio Theatre’s season-opening production at the Gompertz Theatre is the first by a local company. With music by Sara Bareilles, it centers on Jenna, an unhappily married diner worker who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant by her abusive husband before falling into an affair with her married doctor. The only way she sees into a happier future is to win a pie baking contest, and that means audiences get to see a lot of dough getting rolled out. At press time, the theater was not planning to sell pies after the show (as they did on Broadway), but maybe we can organize a pie protest? (Read our review here.)

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Asolo Rep kicks off its season with this Tony-nominated musical telling the story of songwriter King’s early wins—and losses. It’s packed with songs by her and former husband Gerry Goffin as well as some from their friendly competitors Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Julia Knitel, part of the Broadway production of the show from 2014 to 2019 and a veteran of the national tour, as well, plays King, a demanding role that requires keyboard talent as well as singing and acting chops. Will we feel the earth move? Hope so. (Read our review here.)

Spaceman

Jan. 3-Feb. 16

Over the course of 10 seasons, downtown’s black-box Urbanite Theatre has earned a reputation for presenting new, often challenging works you won’t see anywhere else. That emphasis continues in the coming 11th season, and we’re intrigued by this one-woman play by Leegrid Stevens that focuses on astronaut Molly Jennis, who’s traveling on an expedition to Mars. Molly is played by actress Terri Weagant, who won acclaim for an earlier one-woman piece, Bo-Nita, at Urbanite, and the show promises to be a “weightless, full-sensory, surround-sound” exploration. Producing artistic director Summer Wallace directs.

Tootsie

Jan. 16-26

This 2019 musical based on the hit comedy film of 1982 starring Dustin Hoffman hasn’t been seen much in the area, but the Manatee Performing Arts Center will bring to life the tale of difficult actor Michael—who reinvents himself as an actress named Dorothy to snag a role. The show’s book, by Robert Horn (Shucked), won a Tony Award, replacing the film’s daytime soap opera setting with, natch, a Broadway musical called Juliet’s Nurse, making room for plenty of tunes by David Yazbek (The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). No word yet on who will don the dress and wig as Dorothy, but it should be a sought-after part.

Fun Home

March 6-16

The Players (celebrating 95 years of offering live theater in Sarasota) takes a step into some new territory with this Tony-winning musical based on the graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel. With songs by Jeanine Tesori (a Hermitage Artist Retreat fellow) and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, the show centers on cartoonist Bechdel’s coming of age years and her later life, as she looks back on that era and realizes her lesbian identity and struggles with her relationship with her father—himself a closeted homosexual. It’s some fairly tough subject matter, but the play won raves from critics, including some that mention its moments of joy.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

March 18-23

Fans of the Baz Luhrmann movie starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as star-crossed lovers Satine and Christian, sparking in Paris during the Belle Époque, should be thrilled to see the stage version, which nabbed the Tony for Best Musical in 2020, at the Van Wezel. The show, with book by playwright John Logan (Red), is jampacked with even more hit songs spanning the decades (featuring composers from Elton John to Lady Gaga and the Police) than the film, and audiences will be able to immerse themselves in the lush costumes and sets of the period. Vive l’amour.

Good Night, Oscar

April 4-27

We’ve been curious about this show, written by Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, Grey Gardens) ever since we first heard about it in its Chicago and Broadway productions starring Sean Hayes, so we’re glad Asolo Rep is bringing its regional premiere to the stage, under director Peter Amster. It’s possible that younger audiences are not familiar with the play’s subject—pianist, composer, actor, raconteur and neurotic Oscar Levant—but anyone who recalls An American in Paris or Levant’s witty guest spots on talk shows in the 1950s and ’60s will want to watch this show, which focuses on one of Levant’s appearances on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar.

Syncopated Avenue

April 16-May 25

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe closes out its 25th mainstage season with this world premiere musical created by artistic director Nate Jacobs. It’s tap-centered, featuring both new songs and popular jazz tunes from the likes of Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake and Irving Berlin. It also stars Lamont Brown, a singer-dancer-actor who has performed on Broadway national tours such as 42nd Street and White Christmas, along with Riverdance at Radio City Music Hall. Jacobs was inspired to create the show when he saw Brown in the show After Midnight, and a collaboration was born. Get ready to clap for the taps.