The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 18-24

Thursday, June 18

Summer Circus Spectacular
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Historic Asolo Theatre, 5401 Bay Shore Road
$15-$20
Visit Ringling.org.

The Ringling and the Circus Arts Conservatory join forces for their annual Summer Circus Spectacular in the Historic Asolo Theater. Ringmaster Ashley Vargas, a veteran of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and circuses around the world, will preside over a showcase of circus artists in a show designed to appeal to all generations. Among the circus arts represented are clowning, juggling, hand balancing, aerial arts and duo roller skating. For $5 more, make it a circus day and tour The Ringling’s Historic Circus Galleries and Tibbals Learning Center, which contains a miniature circus of 42,000 pieces built by Howard Tibbals. Runs through

‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave.
$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Created by Aaron Gundy, “Leaving on a Jet Plane” features an acoustic trio who take you on a flight to the feel-good era of folk music in the late 1960s and 1970s. Among the singer/songwriters whose works are featured in this upbeat show are Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Lovin’ Spoonful. This show “didn’t have to be so nice; we would have loved it anyway,” to quote the Spoonful’s John Sebastian and Steve Boone. Runs through July 19. 

‘Honky Tonk Angels’
7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$25-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Follow three Dolly Parton wannabes on a road trip to Nashville as Angela, Darlene and Sue Ellen follow their dreams of country music stardom and forge lasting bonds of friendship along the way. This road trip tale gives its performers the chance to belt out country favorites like Parton’s “9 to 5” and “Stand By Your Man,” among others. Runs through June 21. 

Photo by Adrian Van Stee

‘Lady Disdain’
7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail
$31-$77
Visit AsoloRep.org.

Lauren Gunderson, one of America’s most produced playwrights, takes on the world of fantasy romance novels with “Lady Disdain,” a rolling world premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre. Audiobook narrators Beatrice and Ben are rivals whose witty barbs mask an inconvenient sexual chemistry. Runs through June 27. 

‘Who is Eartha Mae?’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$44
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

You may know singer Eartha Kitt as the sultry siren who sang “Santa Baby,” a 1950s holiday ditty that lives forever on the internet. Or maybe you remember her as Catwoman from the 1960s TV series “Batman.” One thing is sure: You’ve never seen the glamorous entertainer backstage as Eartha Mae, a country girl from South Carolina who became a citizen of the world. Jade Wheeler created and stars in this show with spirited piano accompaniment by Catherine Stornetta. Runs through June 21.

Friday, June 19 

‘Romeo and Juliet’
7:30 p.m. at Dingbat Theatre Project, 7288 S. Tamiami Trail
$15 and up
Visit DingbatTheatre.org.

You may have seen “Romeo and Juliet,” but you haven’t seen Dingbat Theatre Project’s version of the Bard’s tale of star-crossed lovers. This adults-only production features burlesque and drag performances interwoven with club music. This adaptation is created and directed by Dingbat founder Luke Manual and features choreography by Yasha Wilson. Runs weekends through June 28. 

Courtesy image

Juneteenth Talent Showcase
7:30 p.m. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
Free
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatreTroupe.org. 

This year’s Juneteenth festival spans two days at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. The festivities began with a talent showcase on Friday night and continue on Saturday with an arts festival that begins at 11 a.m. and includes live performances, short films by Ringling College students, food trucks and other vendors. The capstone of the Saturday festival is “Enigma,” at 7:30 featuring WBTT artist Brian L. Boyd. 

Saturday, June 20

AC/DUCE/C - AC/DC Tribute
7 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$30.90-$72.10
Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

During the off season, Sarasota Opera uses its 100-year-old Opera House to screen films and host tribute bands, like this one honoring AC/DC. AC/DUCE/C comes to Sarasota courtesy of Vintage Vinyl Productions, which is known for such tribute bands as Fleetwood Mach, Almost Eagles and Almost ABBA. So get ready to rock on in an opera house. 

Comedy Lottery
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St.
$15-$18
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Florida Studio Theatre’s own improv troupe takes over Bowne’s Lab with “Comedy Lottery,” giving the audience the chance to select the night’s games. If FST Improv isn’t on your radar, it’s time for a new machine. Runs through June 27. 

Sunday, June 21

JP Soars & The Red Hots
6 p.m. at The Oval at The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts
Free
Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

Known for his 2024 album, “Brick by Brick,” JP Soars is a Florida blues rock singer and multi-instrumentalist last known to be living in Boca Raton. He’s backed by the Red Hots, including drummer Chris Peet and bassist Cleveland Frederick. Back in 2009, Soars won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge and he’s been racking up awards ever since. So if Dad has a hankering for the blues, bring him down to Sarasota Bay. 

Monday, June 22

Script & Song with Sam Beam and Lindsey Ferrentino
6:30 p.m. at Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood
$5 with registration
Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

The folks at Hermitage Artist Retreat are in a mood to celebrate because one of its own, Hermitage Fellow Bess Wohl just won the Tony Award for Best Play for “Liberation,” which was partially written during her stay at the artist incubator in Englewood. As part of their Hermitage fellowships, artists share their latest works in progress with the community. Come see what Grammy Award nominee Sam Beam (also known as Iron & Wine) and celebrated Broadway playwright Lindsey Ferrentino are up to in this sunset performance on Hermitage Beach.

Photo by Carol LoRicco

Monday Night Jazz with Fred Johnson
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Theatre, 1265 First St.
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org. 

When season ends, a lot of Sarasota arts groups pack up their tents and wait for cooler weather. Not the Jazz Club of Sarasota, which keeps the music playing throughout the summer with its Monday night series at Florida Studio Theatre. This week’s featured performer is Fred Johnson and the program’s title is a nod to Duke Ellington: “It Don’t Mean a Thing.” Backing Johnson on vocals are a band consisting of LaRue Nickelson on guitar, Michael Ross on bass and Billy E. Peterson on drums.