A busy week in the arts is almost like normal times.
Due to a technical error, last week's newsletter was sent again today. Here is today's Arts in Sarasota newsletter. Thank you for reading!
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Even with COVID-19 curtailing some productions and events (Florida Studio Theatre suspended performances of “America in One Room” last week), it’s been a busy time in the local arts scene.
Over the weekend, Asolo Repertory Theatre opened its winter season with Thornton Wilder’s classic “Our Town,” Urbanite Theatre launched the area premiere of “The Smuggler” and Venice Theatre opened “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
More productions are coming this week as we all hope that COVID cases don’t get in the way. Three community theaters have new shows to present, including “Forbidden Broadway” at The Players Centre’s new Studio 1130; “Chaplin” at the Manatee Performing Arts Center and “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” at Venice Theatre.
Asolo Rep’s regional premiere of Bess Wohl’s marital comedy “Grand Horizons” opens Friday, the same night Florida Studio Theatre opens the comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong.” We can all use some laughs right now.
The Sarasota Orchestra’s Pop series pays tribute to The Beatles with a series of concerts, and Michael R. Jackson, the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the musical “A Strange Loop,” will be talking about his work in a Hermitage Artist Retreat program at Selby Gardens.
The Players Centre for Performing Arts announced Lee Gundersheimer as its new artistic director. He starts on the job this week and will spend some time with outgoing director Jeffery Kin, who is moving on to lead efforts for a new Sarasota arts festival.
The New York Times recognized Architecture Sarasota on its international list of 52 Places for tourists, citing its efforts to both preserve and promote the community’s architectural heritage.
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón was named the winner of the 2022 Hermitage Greenfield Prize in music. The prize includes a $30,000 commission for a new piece that will have its first performance in Sarasota in two years, and a residency at the Hermitage on Manasota Key, where Tony-winning actor Gavin Creel is working on turning his concert program “Walk on Through” into a theatrical production.
And dance critic Carrie Seidman introduced readers to young dancer Saela Rivera-Martinez, a student at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, who will be taking part in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition.
Let’s see what this week brings us.
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Jay Handelman
Arts Editor
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: A busy week in the arts is reminiscent of normal times
