Looking forward and celebrating the past in a busy arts week
One of the best things about being a journalist is that something unexpected happens just about every day. As a feature and arts writer, I can play out the stories I’m going to work on, but I always have to be prepared for breaking news.
This last week was a great example, beginning with the announcement from the Hermitage Artist Retreat that it was picking a new recipient for its Hermitage Major Theater Award, which was launched just last year. It’s a $35,000 commission for a new work of theater. Because of personal issues and work conflicts, the inaugural recipient Radha Blank dropped out. She was replaced by one of the initial finalists, playwright Madeleine George, a writer on the Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” who will create a new play about the devil visiting a bowling alley for a reading or workshop in the fall of 2023.
The week also brought the sad news of the passing of Warren Coville, who with his late wife, Margot, was a major donor and active leader of several charitable organizations focused on the arts and Jewish causes in both Michigan and Sarasota. He was a significant contributor to Asolo Repertory Theatre and The Ringling, among many others, and he was just an overall great guy to know.
Florida Studio Theatre traditionally waits until almost the last-minute to announce its fall and winter seasons, and this year was no exception. Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins revealed a lineup that includes one world premiere commissioned by the theater, and three shows that were hits on Broadway for its mainstage season. There are also new cabaret shows and a growing season of theater for young audiences.
Artist Series Concerts always presents a varied lineup of rising young classical artists, and this year, the programs have been divided into five distinctive series to touch on different styles. Daniel Jordan, concertmaster of the Sarasota Orchestra, is the director of artist programs and put together the schedule.
This week brings the opening of a new production of Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” to the Manatee Players’ Kiwanis Studio Theatre, staged by Danae DeShazer. It’s the first production of the groundbreaking and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical for the theater company.
Also opening this week is Venice Theatre’s production of “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson, one of the most produced playwrights working today. It is about four women who were beheaded during the Reign of Terror in 18th century France. The subjects include feminist playwright Olympe de Gouges and former Queen Marie-Antoinette. Candace Artim directs the production that runs Friday through Oct. 2 in the Jervey mainstage theater.
CreArte Latino Cultural Center opens a production of Claudia Soroka’s play “MADENUSA,” about the experience of some immigrants. The company has presented several stage plays, but this will be the first to be performed in Spanish with English surtitles available.
I saw three shows last week (it’s almost like pre-pandemic times), and highly recommend the Players Centre’s production of “Side by Side by Sondheim,” which runs through Sunday. My review takes a different approach. Let me know what you think.
And “Mr. Yunioshi,” which closed Sunday at Urbanite Theatre, gets another few performances Thursday through Sunday at St. Petersburg’s freeFall Theatre. It’s a fascinating look at Mickey Rooney’s role of a Japanese photographer in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” And a Sarasota actress is presenting “Mann’s Last Dance,” her one-woman look at Polish-Jewish dancer Franceska Mann, who started an uprising at a concentration camp during the Holocaust. It is running at Tanner’s Tree Fort Productions at the Crossings at Siesta Key shopping center, just down the hall from the Players Centre.
I hope you find something fun in the arts.
Jay Handelman
Arts Editor
Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Arts in Sarasota-Manatee newsletter
