Review

Asolo Rep Makes The Sound of Music Ring

A new production of a familiar classic is lively, fun and sometimes touching.

11/17/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

Thanksgiving Gets A Makeover in Urbanite Theatre's The Thanksgiving Play

How do you adapt a traditional pageant in today's "woke" era? Take a stab at satire.

11/10/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

Bright Star Launches Florida Studio Theatre Season with a Country Twang

The Steve Martin-Edie Brickell musical tells a touching story mostly through song.

11/10/2019 By Kay Kipling

Chalk Up Another One

After Last Year’s Red Tide-Related Hiatus, the Chalk Festival Returns to Venice

Artists from around the world are already busy creating new work for the 2019 fest, set for Nov. 15-18.

11/04/2019 By Kay Kipling

Top Tickets

Soprano Jessica Sandidge Makes Her Sarasota Opera Debut This Season

While new to the Sarasota Opera stage, she’s worked with maestro Victor DeRenzi before, and she’s visited Sarasota to hear friends perform here.

11/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Top Tickets

Lawyer-Playwright Christopher Demos-Brown's American Son Comes to Sarasota

"American Son" recently ran on Broadway starring Kerry Washington and will take to Florida Studio Theatre’s stage Jan. 22-March 22.

11/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Top Tickets

Violinist Sarah Chang Will Perform With Sarasota Orchestra This Winter

Chang was only 5 when accepted to the Juilliard School, and only 10 when she recorded her first album.

11/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Top Tickets

Blues Guitarist Toronzo Cannon Headlines the Bradenton Blues Festival

“I tell stories that make people feel ‘I’ve lived that’ or ‘I know that situation.’”

11/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Hot Tickets

This Season's Top 24 Must-See Exhibits, Shows and Talks

World premieres, family favorites, international superstars—it’s an arts and entertainment season to celebrate. Mark your calendars now.

11/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Review

FSU/Asolo Conservatory Finds Relevance in Greek Classic Antigone

A tale of war, death and right vs. wrong, Sophocles' ancient play still has plenty of power.

10/31/2019 By Kay Kipling

A Really Big Sand Box

Sand Sculptor Karen Fralich Returns to This Year's Siesta Key Crystal Classic

"With a sand sculpture, the magic happens before you start carving.”

10/30/2019 By Kay Kipling

Access to the Arts

Van Wezel Foundation Grants $600,000 to Support Arts Education

More than 30,000 children and families benefit from the programs provided.

10/16/2019 By Kay Kipling

Dressing It Up

Sarasota Opera Acquires Major Opera Costume Collection

The announcement was part of an update about the opera's $40 million comprehensive campaign.

10/08/2019 Photography by Kay Kipling

Preview

Art Center Season Opens, Welcoming Atlanta Artist Horace Imhotep

The artist's new series, Lion, Tigers, Bears and a Draco, explores the black experience.

10/03/2019 By Kay Kipling

Dance Month

All Kinds of Dance Leap Onto Area Stages This Month

If there were ever a month to rejoice in what Sarasota’s dance professionals and patrons have before them, this October would seem to be it.

10/01/2019 By Kay Kipling

Preview

Urbanite's 2019 Modern Works Festival Celebrates Women in Theater

The second annual festival presents new plays in staged readings Oct. 8-13.

09/26/2019 By Kay Kipling

Stranger Than Fiction

The Haunting True Story of Grey Gardens Comes to the Manatee Players Stage

Given its subject matter, Grey Gardens seems natural for the Manatee Players’ “Action Through Acting” series, which partners with nonprofits to raise awareness about community issues.

09/05/2019 By Kay Kipling

Preview

Florida Studio Theatre 2019-20 Season Presents Music, Comedy and Drama

The mainstage season opens with a Florida premiere: the musical Bright Star.

09/03/2019 By Kay Kipling

A Garden of Delight

The Children's Garden is Full of Delight

Joan Marie Condon founded The Children’s Garden because she worried that development was limiting green space for children—and that technology was taking over the focus in their lives.

09/02/2019 By Kay Kipling

Preview

The Van Wezel's 50th Anniversary Season Is a Mix of Familiar Favorites and Local Premieres

Pop singers, comedians, and yes, naked magicians are taking the hall stage.

08/26/2019 By Kay Kipling