I guess it's official. Today is my last day at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and here's my farewell column. I'll have a few more stories in the next few weeks in the Herald-Tribune. New things are coming this fall. www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Two strong actors inspire a love of words and books in FST’s ‘Dorothy’s Dictionary’ ‘Dorothy’s Dictionary’ marks the return of a favorite actress and a local debut in a story about a librarian and a troubled teen.

There's a tender and moving play on stage at Florida Studio Theatre called "Dorothy's Dictionary" by E.M. Lewis that runs just about an hour but has a strong impact with two involving performances. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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‘Come From Away’ to replace delayed Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp musical at Asolo Rep A new version of the Tony Award-winning ‘Movin’ Out’ needs more time for development and will be replaced at Asolo Rep this fall by ‘Come From Away’

Asolo Rep is delaying the fall production of a revised version of the Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp musical "Movin' Out" for a year. The Tony-winning "Come From Away" will now open the new season in November.
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Sarasota panel recommends flood-proofing Van Wezel Hall before new venue opens Sarasota's Purple Ribbon Committee was appointed in 2023 to study future alternative uses for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Sarasota panel recommends flood-proofing the @vanwezelpah.bsky.social before a new venue opens www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/l... via @heraldtribune

New grants, gifts bring Venice Theatre closer to restoring building The Pinkerton family challenges community to match $250,000 gift for restoration of Venice Theatre's Jervey Theatre, damaged in Hurricane Ian

New grants, gifts bring Venice Theatre closer to its fundraising goal to restore its hurricane-damaged building www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Van Wezel panel reworking recommendations about venue’s future use The Purple Ribbon Committee was asked to find alternate uses for the Van Wezel once a new performing arts hall is built.

We're going to have to wait another week to see the final version of the Purple Ribbon Committee's recommendations to the Sarasota City Commission about potential alternate uses of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
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Ousted Kennedy Center president encourages arts groups to expand their reach Three months after Deborah F. Rutter was ousted as president of the Kennedy Center, she spoke in Sarasota about the need for resilience in the arts.

Deborah F. Rutter, who was ousted as president of the John F. Kennedy Center, urges Sarasota artists, patrons and arts leaders to weather the storms causing challenging times. @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ closes Asolo Rep season in rousing style The hit Andrew Lloyd-Webber-Tim Rice musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was extended two weeks at Asolo Rep even before opening night.

A thrilling production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ closes
Asolo Rep's season in rousing style. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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Venice Theatre artistic director departing after four years Benny Sato Ambush came to Venice Theatre for what he thought would be one year. He stayed for four and is leaving to return to the Northeast.

Venice Theatre artistic director Benny Sato Ambush, who came for one year but helped lead the company through four challenging seasons, is departing after four years. @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Engaging ‘Entangled’ unravels a performer’s mental health challenges In ‘Entangled,’ Will Luera, best known as an improv performer and teacher, unpacks the mental challenges for has faced in his life and career

Many people know Will Luera as a brilliant improv performer. He reveals a different side of himself and his life story in his new play "Entangled." @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Classic rock musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ closes Asolo Rep season Josh Rhodes, who brought life to many classic musicals at Asolo Rep, brings a new take to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’

As the world gets to know a new Pope, @asolorep.bsky.social is stepping back into history with a new production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," as the cast looks to find the people behind the iconic figures. @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Westcoast Troupe taps into a history of dance with premiere of ‘Syncopated Avenue’ WBTT founder Nate Jacobs creates a new musical that touches on the history of tap dancing and the importance of community.

Fans of tap dancing will find a lot of pleasure in the world premiere of "Syncopated Avenue" at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. I just wish it had a better book to tell the story. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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Florida Studio Theatre stays cool in summer with plays, musicals and cabaret shows FST's summer season includes a classic musical spoof, tributes to Motown and folk legends, a touching drama and a popular farce.

Florida Studio Theatre takes on a lighter tone in the hottest months with six shows in its mainstage and cabaret series. @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

Four Seasons backstory gives ‘Jersey Boys’ some punch at FST A Broadway hit comes to Sarasota to chart the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons from New Jersey Streets to Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

The drama behind Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is the heart of the Florida Studio Theatre production of "Jersey Boys," which features lots of hit songs that will have audiences humming along (and hopefully not sing out loud). @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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I guess you're telling it here. I appreciate the support

One actress takes on 21 roles in regional premiere of ‘Shedding a Skin’ at FST Samaria Nixon-Fleming plays around with accents and postures to create 21 distinct characters in Amanda Wilkin’s one-woman play ‘Shedding a Skin.’

Actor Samaria Nixon-Fleming has a big job ahead, playing 21 characters in Amanda Wilkin's one-woman show "Shedding a Skin" for Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III series.
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Asolo Rep’s ‘Good Night, Oscar’ combines celebrities and mental health Doug Wright’s play ‘Good Night, Oscar’ is about musician Oscar Levant, his mental health troubles and a TV appearance with Jack Paar.

Actor Max Roll was the understudy to Sean Hayes during the Broadway run of Doug Wright's "Good Night, Oscar." Now he gets the role of Oscar Levant to himself at Asolo Repertory Theatre.
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Two actors excel in gripping Urbanite Theatre hostage drama Winter Miller’s drama focuses on two women being held captive somewhere and for unknown reasons, and reveals what they do to stay sane and survive.

It is sometimes hard to watch, but Urbanite Theatre's "No One is Forgotten" by Winter Miller is a compelling drama about two women being held captive with two strong performances from Casey Wortmann and Dekyi Ronge.
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Asolo Rep reveals touching memories in ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ Noted director Joe Dowling stages Brian Friel’s 1990 memory play about an impactful summer in 1936 for five Irish sisters in a small village.

Some may find it a bit slow going, but Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Dancing at Lughnasa" is lovely, lilting look at the lives of five sisters in a small town in Ireland in 1936 and how changes impact them. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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Acclaimed Irish director stages ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ at Asolo Rep Joe Dowling, longtime artistic director of the Guthrie Theatre and Ireland's Abbey Theatre, stages Brian Friel play at Asolo Rep in Sarasota.

I had a chance to talk with director Joe Dowling, the longtime artistic director of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and Abbey Theatre in Dublin about his production of Brian Friel's "Dancing at Lughnasa" at Asolo Rep @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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‘Five Guys’ gets audiences singing and dancing along at WBTT Westcoast Black Theatre celebrates the music and spirit of composer, and bandleader Louis Jordan with a lively revue.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stages a lively, and fun revue "Five Guys Named Moe." @theatrecritics.bsky.social www.heraldtribune.com/story/entert...

‘Bad Books’ makes for good theater at Florida Studio Theatre The new play by TV writer and playwright Sharyn Rothstein gets the first of several world premiere productions at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota

The clash between a librarian and a worried mother who wants a book removed from the shelves takes some unexpected and surprisingly funny turns in the world premiere of Sharyn Rothstein's "Bad Books" at Florida Studio Theatre. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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Billy Joel, Twyla Tharp to update dance show ‘Movin’ Out’ to launch new Asolo Rep season Asolo Rep’s new season will have star power with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp staging a new version of ‘Movin' Out,’ a twist on ‘Fiddler’ and premieres

Asolo Rep Theatre will kick off its new season with some star power as Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp reimagine their 2002 dance hit "Movin' Out."
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New FST housing, theater and parking venue nears fundraising goal FST's plan to building an eight-story building with artist housing, parking and three new theater’s will honor Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy

Florida Studio Theatre is nearing its goal on fundraising for its new arts plaza in downtown Sarasota, and thanks to a successful match challenge, it now has a new name.
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‘The Chinese Lady’ captures centuries of international relations in dramatic form Lloyd Suh’s “The Chinese Lady” is a drama about the first Chinese woman to come to the U.S., and the international relations surprises she reveals

Lloyd Suh's "The Chinese Lady" is a fascinating play about the first Chinese woman to come to the U.S., and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory gives it a fine production in an appropriate setting – The Ringling's Historic Circus Museum. @theatrecritics.bsky.social
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Director Howard Millman who saved Asolo Rep from brink of closing, dies at 93 Howard Millman helped save Asolo Rep from closing when he returned in 1995 as producing artistic director after earlier serving as managing director

Joining others in mourning the passing of longtime Asolo Rep artistic director Howard Millman. He was a major figure in both the Sarasota and national theater scene.
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Architects cut back on buildings and find parking for Sarasota performing arts center Updated concept plans show two buildings combined into one and a medium-sized theater put on hold until decisions are made about Van Wezel hall

Some major changes have been made to the initial concept designs for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Renzo Piano Building Workshop architects reveal new ideas for the project that still awaits approval from the Sarasota City Commission.
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/l...

Asolo Rep adds musical backdrop for Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Anna in the Tropics’ Asolo Rep has had a long history with Nilo Cruz plays, but stages his 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Anna in the Tropics’ for the first time.

Next up at Asolo Rep @asolorep.bsky.social is Nilo Cruz's Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama "Anna in the Tropics," set in an Ybor City cigar factory. The theater's new production features some original music to heighten the emotions.
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Best-selling author Ann Patchett takes a writing break to speak in Sarasota Ann Patchett, who owns a Nashville bookstore, has written numerous best sellers. She talks about her love of reading and how it inspires her writing

I had a great time chatting with author Ann Patchett about how she got started as a reader and as a writer in advance of her talk to the Library Foundation for Sarasota County next week. I'm eager to hear more from her at the sold-out event.
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70+ plays, musicals, concerts, dance, art exhibits opening in February in Sarasota area Dozens of new plays, musicals, concerts, art exhibits, dance pieces and more are being presented across the Sarasota area region in February

February is a really busy month in the Sarasota arts scene, with more than 70 theater openings, classical concerts, dance programs and art exhibits in the region. Who's up for trying to experience them all?
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