• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Arts + Entertainment | Reviews

An artistic life in a Parisian garret ends in death for Mimi (Ashley Milanese) in Puccini's "La bohème," which runs at the Sarasota Opera House through March 28.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • February 18, 2026
Sarasota Opera's 'La bohème' skips sentimentality in favor of realism

Each on- and off-stage decision creates warmth and intimacy in Puccini's beloved tale of love and loss.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • February 14, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra refracts an American milestone in a multihued Masterworks

Conducted by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, "Variations on America" celebrates the nation's 250th anniversary with emotional depth.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The cast of Asolo Rep's "The Mirror Crack'd," which runs at FSU Center for the Performing Arts through March 14.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 1, 2026
'The Mirror Crack'd' turns the Asolo Rep stage into a post-modern mirror maze

Miss Marple's on the case of a murder in English countryside, with a little help from her constable nephew.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Japanese violin prodigy lives up to the hype in Sarasota Orchestra debut
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • January 17, 2026
Japanese violin prodigy lives up to the hype in Sarasota Orchestra debut

Her musicality seems to emanate from a heart and soul deeply connected to a universal truth.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
J. Paul Nicholas and David Cantor star in "A Tailor Near Me" at Florida Studio Theatre through Feb. 15.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • December 18, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'A Tailor Near Me' stitches threads of friendship and art

An altered suit leads to altered lives in the regional premiere of Michael Tucker's play.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The audience roared its approval when Spanish guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas delivered an encore performance on the Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks concert, "Close Encounters."
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • December 8, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra gives audience close encounter with Masterworks program

Musicians weren't just on stage; they were in the corners of the Van Wezel for Respighi's "Pines of Rome."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Aaron Kaburick brandishes a fish in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "Come From Away."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 22, 2025
'Come From Away' honors the best of humanity in the worst of times

Asolo Repertory Theatre's “Come From Away” celebrates the heroes who kept their heads when their world turned upside down.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The cast of Florida Studio Theatre's "Lucky Stiff" includes (clockwise from top) Laura Yen Solito, Scott Cote, Barrett Riggins and Amanda Rose.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 17, 2025
'Lucky Stiff' makes a winning bet on comedy at Florida Studio Theatre

A luckless nephew goes for broke in Vegas with a death-defying scheme to save his inheritance.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • November 8, 2025
Maestro takes Sarasota Orchestra to new heights in debut Masterworks concert

Giancarlo Guerrero delivers a performance full of promise for the future and unmatched partnership with the orchestra.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Jon Joseph Gentry and Tyler Gevas star in "Monsters of the American Cinema," which runs through Dec. 7 at Urbanite Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • November 6, 2025
Urbanite Theatre delivers a thrilling monster mash with cinematic timing

In "Monsters of the American Cinema," the scary creatures aren't only on the screen.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
"Cosi fan tutte" runs at Sarasota Opera from Oct. 31 through Nov. 15.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • November 3, 2025
Sarasota Opera's 'Così fan tutte' sparkles with wit and warmth

Mozart's comedic opera marks the revival of a fall production at the company.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Haley K. Clay, Andrew Leggieri and Russell Mernagh star in Florida Studio Theatre's ode to contemporary crooners, "Feeling Good."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 7, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'Feeling Good' cabaret croons with a smooth groove

A talented trio of young singers brings brio to Rat Pack favorites and Michael Bublé originals.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Michael Grieve, Sigrid Wise and Brian Ott are A Band Called Honalee, appearing at Florida Studio Theatre's Goldstein Cabaret through Nov. 2.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • September 16, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre cabaret takes nostalgic time trip to land of folk music

"A Band Called Honalee" invites the audience to sing and remember when the times were a-changin'.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Lily Kren and Gil Brady star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Don't Dress for Dinner," which runs through Sept. 7.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 19, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'Don't Dress for Dinner' serves up a frenetic farce

When the play's lying lovers start to lose, they double down with more prevarication.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Ethan Jack Haberfield and Alice M. Gatling star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Dorothy's Dictionary," which runs through Aug. 10 at the Keating Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • July 21, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'Dorothy's Dictionary' defines redemption

The FST production is an odyssey set on the oceans of language.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
1 2 3 4 5 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Arts + Entertainment

1
Bob Gardner Park offers a mile of trails, sports courts, frisbee golf, pavilions, a kids’ gravity rail and dog parks, all set against peaceful wetland preserves.
  • February 19, 2026
A few of our favorite (Lakewood Ranch) things
2
An artistic life in a Parisian garret ends in death for Mimi (Ashley Milanese) in Puccini's "La bohème," which runs at the Sarasota Opera House through March 28.
  • February 18, 2026
Sarasota Opera's 'La bohème' skips sentimentality in favor of realism
3
"La bohème," which runs through March 28 at Sarasota Opera House, is the first of four productions in the Sarasota Opera's 2026 Winter Festival.
  • February 18, 2026
For Sarasota Opera, it's a season to remember
4
General manager Desmond Hill brings warmth and ease to Lucky Pelican’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high
5
Nate Jacobs directs the gospel revue, "How I Got Over," for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe from Feb. 19 to March 29.
  • February 17, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Feb. 19-25

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now