Performing Arts

Review

Aretha Franklin Gets Her Due in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Season Closer

Love Sung in the Key of Aretha delivers a blend of the Queen of Soul's many hits.

03/17/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

The Lion King Brings Spectacle, Imagination and Heart to the Van Wezel

At long last, the megahit musical roars its way into Sarasota.

03/17/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

Urbanite Theatre's In A Word Mingles Comedy and Tragedy with an Unusual Approach

Lauren Yee's play about the aftermath of a child's disappearance is sometimes surreal.

03/10/2019 By Kay Kipling

Preview

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Announces 50th Anniversary Season Broadway and Classical Series

The Broadway season presents 10 shows, with seven of them Sarasota premieres.

03/06/2019 By Kay Kipling

Deadheads

Ship of Fools Brings the Music of the Grateful Dead to Sarasota

The Deadhead community is going strong thanks to local tribute band Ship of Fools.

03/04/2019 By Mana Gale

The Lion King

Actor Jared Dixon Perfects His Craft in Disney's The Lion King

Dixon stars as Simba in the Tony Award-winning musical, coming to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in March.

02/28/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Just Say Yes

We Tried It: FST's Improv Workshop

“Anatomy of the Story” is a class taught by two members of the Austin-based improv comedy troupe Available Cupholders.

02/28/2019 By Isaac Eger

A Night at the Opera

Sarasota’s Own Adelaide Boedecker Makes Her Sarasota Opera Professional Debut This Month

Boedecker became involved with the Sarasota Youth Opera the summer after second grade and says, “I fell in love with it."

02/28/2019 By Kay Kipling

Mr. Chatterbox

Eight Sarasotans Who Shaped Our Past

The secret lives only Mr. Chatterbox knows.

02/25/2019 By Robert Plunket

Review

Taking on Hatred in Florida Studio Theatre's Cherry Docs

David Gow's two-character play asks where hatred begins, and if it can be stopped.

02/24/2019 By Kay Kipling

Preview

Booker High Grad Charlie Barnett to Speak at VPA Fund Raiser

The star of Netflix hit Russian Doll will be guest of honor March 9 at the school's Kaleidoscope of Creativity, raising money for visual and performing arts students.

02/22/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

FSU/Asolo Conservatory Gets Reckless with Craig Lucas Comedy

Absurdities escalate quickly in this piece about a woman on the run for her life.

02/21/2019 By Kay Kipling

Entertainment

Music and Motorcycle Festival Starts Friday

The 21st annual Thunder By the Bay takes place Feb. 15-17 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

02/13/2019 By Staff

Preview

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Hush, Hush" Season Announcement

The 2019-20 season includes four shows new to the WBTT stage, including a world premiere musical.

02/12/2019 By Kay Kipling

Show Stopper

Singer-Songwriter Seal Headlines at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

The British-born star is the Van Wezel Foundation Gala performer Feb. 16. He spoke to us about songwriting, the city and love.

02/11/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Review

Working Hard to Bring Sweat to Asolo Rep

Lynn Nottage's prize winner about tough times in a factory town tells a familiar story.

02/10/2019 By Kay Kipling

Local Music

Indie Band Lemón Royale Wants to Shake Up Sarasota

The newly formed band will play its first public performance at Ringling Underground tonight.

02/07/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Sneak Peek

Asolo Rep Announces World Premiere Musical Knoxville

The creative team bringing James Agee's A Death in the Family to life includes Frank Galati, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

02/06/2019 By Kay Kipling

Circus Act

Cirque Italia Comes to Palmetto

The first traveling Italian Water Circus comes to Palmetto to honor the area's circus legacy.

01/31/2019 By Giulia Heyward