Performing Arts

Celebrating Our Arts

New Sarasota Arts Festival Moving Forward

Sarasota Rising is working toward presenting a weeklong festival in 2024.

02/24/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

Asolo Rep's Chicken & Biscuits Goes for Big Laughs

You could say this show about a Black family puts the "fun" in funeral.

02/20/2023 By Kay Kipling

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Circus Ring of Fame Will Induct New Honorees This Saturday

They include Peggy Williams, the first female graduate of Clown College, and "circus chaplain" Father Jerry Hogan.

02/02/2023 By Yasi Bahmanabadi

Far From Home, High Above Earth

Circus Sarasota Welcomes Ukrainian Aerialists to Its 25th Anniversary Season

The female duo from the war-torn country will add both beauty and drama to this year's performances, Feb. 10 through March 5.

02/02/2023 By Kay Kipling

Mad As Hell

Paddy Chayefsky’s Network Comes to Florida Studio Theatre, and It’s More Relevant Than Ever

Nearly 50 years since its debut, it feels like little has changed—which makes the story ripe for a revisit.

02/01/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

FST's Network Makes for Compelling Viewing

Paddy Chayefsky's 1970s tale of a newsman and a world on the edge proves as timely as ever.

01/30/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

Disney's Aladdin Dazzles On Tour at the Van Wezel

The Broadway musical adaptation makes some successful changes to the classic animated film version.

01/25/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

Silent Sky Shines at Asolo Rep

Lauren Gunderson's play springs from the real life of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, and it's something of a relevation.

01/23/2023 By Kay Kipling

The Play Is On

Venice Theatre's Pinkerton Theatre Will Reopen Today

After facing devastation from Hurricane Ian, the theater has been issued a certificate of occupancy. The Cemetery Club is its first show since the storm.

01/20/2023 By Staff

Preview

Sarasota's Own Tori Byrd Tours in Disney's Aladdin at the Van Wezel

It's her first national tour, but she may be familiar to local audiences from roles here.

01/18/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

Asolo Rep's The Three Musketeers Goes for the (Comic) Gusto

A lot of swash gets buckled in Ken Ludwig's adaptation of the "all for one, one for all" story.

01/17/2023 By Kay Kipling

Review

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's Flyin' West Tells a Surprising Story with History Behind It

Black settlers in 19th-century Kansas struggle for land and freedom in Pearl Cleage's play.

01/10/2023 By Kay Kipling

A Year of the Arts

Sarasota's Top 10 Performances of 2022

We pulled together a short list of the best of the arts, theater and performance in Sarasota this year worthy of reminiscing or catching before they close.

12/27/2022 By Kay Kipling

Review

FST's 'What the Constitution Means to Me' Asks the Big Questions

The award-winning play by Heidi Schreck is believable, entertaining and thought-provoking, all in one.

12/12/2022 By Kay Kipling

Preview

FSU/Asolo Conservatory Grad Stars in My Fair Lady at the Van Wezel

Jonathan Grunert plays Henry Higgins in the classic musical, now on tour.

12/05/2022 By Kay Kipling

Season Preview

The Best Plays, Shows and Exhibitions in Sarasota This Season

Artistic directors have planned all sorts of exciting shows and performances for us.

12/04/2022 By Kay Kipling

Dance Dance Revolution

At The Ringling, Elizabeth Doud Is Committed to Showcasing Diverse Performances

The final show of the fall 2022 season runs Dec. 1-3.

11/30/2022 By Andrea González

All That Jazz

'Chicago' Stars Say the 2022 National Tour Is More Inclusive Than Ever

A conversation with actors Christina Wells and Logan Floyd.

11/28/2022 By Andrea González

Review

Asolo Repertory Theatre Opens Its Season With an Often Stunning Cabaret

Put down the knitting, the book and the broom and enter the world of the Kit Kat Klub.

11/21/2022 By Kay Kipling

Review

FST's 'Something Rotten!' Delivers Lots of (Intentionally) Silly Fun

The musical comedy brings us playwright brothers inventing a new art form in Elizabethan England.

11/14/2022 By Kay Kipling