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Arts + Entertainment | Reviews

Tracy Michelle Arnold plays an editor caught in a battle of wills and journalistic standards between a meticulous fact-checker (Derek Speedy, left) and a celebrated narrative journalist (Gene Weygandt). Photo by Cliff Roles.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2020
“The Lifespan of a Fact” wages war of the words at Asolo Rep.

Play questions the relationship between style and substance in news

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Estranged but united, Rod Brogan and Almeria Campbell live out a parent's nightmare together but experience it differently.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 29, 2020
'American Son' reverberates with pent-up tensions

Parents' nightmare made worse by societal issues in Christopher Demos-Brown drama

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Cynthia Erivo and Michelle Rodriguez in "Widows." Photo source: HBO.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 24, 2020
Binge Blog: Music, music everywhere

"John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch" and "Widows" are this week's picks.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
EnsembleNEWSRQ co-founders Samantha Bennett and George Nickson continue to carve their unique niche with their sincere, playful creative style.
    By
  • Edward Alley
  • January 23, 2020
ensembleNEWSRQ 's 'Fire and Light' burns bright with innovative sounds

Guest violist Jessica Meyer contributes a fascinating trio of compositions

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
    By
  • Emma Burke
  • January 22, 2020
Key Notes: 'Siesta Key' Season 3, Episode 3

You are cordially invited to the January 21, 2020 edition of Key Notes.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Guest conductor Steven Sloane's handling of Mahler's First Symphony was dynamic yet precise. Photo by Jarle Vine.
    By
  • Edward Alley
  • January 19, 2020
Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks 3 remarkable in its precision

Guests conductor Steven Sloane, pianist Shai Wosner demonstrate skill guided by instinct

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Eric Gilde and Leah Greene have a moment in "The Nether," but when nothing and no one are what they seem, it's hard to know what's really happening in the moment.  (Photos by Matthew Holler)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 18, 2020
'The Nether' is an awfully good play about an awful, bad place

In Jennifer Haley's dark sci-fi drama, escapism is worse than reality

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Javisha Strong (with backup dancers Eliette Rogers and Naomi Lockerd) is convincing as a diva in distress in "Sister Act."  Photo: Don Daly
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 18, 2020
Players Centre's 'Sister Act' faithful to the original

Strong vocals anchor a joyous production played for mass appeal

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 17, 2020
Binge Blog: Guns. Lots of guns.

"RoboCop" and "John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum" are this week's selections.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
L. James needs to have more to say than "Honey, I'm home" after he returns to Mary Williamson after a year in "Sender." (Photo: Dylan Jon Wade Cox)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 13, 2020
'Sender' compelling even as it is ambiguous

Story about slackers resisting full adulthood isn't without sympathy

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
The camera follows as George MacKay, left, and Dean-Charles Chapman move through the trenches on a vital mission in "1917."
    By
  • Pam Nadon
  • January 12, 2020
'1917' may well be 2019's masterpiece movie

Director Sam Mendes leads a perfectly executed cinematic strategy for battlefield drama

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
In the hands of Xavier Foley, the double bass becomes as nimble as its smaller relatives, which he demonstrated during a recital Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Historic Asolo Theatre.  (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Edward Alley
  • January 11, 2020
Xavier Foley expands double bass's musical territory

During Artist Series Concerts recital, he demonstrates level of versatility usually associated with smaller instruments

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Detective Hercule Poirot (James Devoita, left) finds an unexpected mystery on his hands, and his friend Monsieur Bouc (David Breitbarth) fervently hopes he can solve it in "Murder on the Orient Express." (Photos: Cliff Roles)
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 11, 2020
Asolo Rep's 'Murder on the Orient Express' a theatrical joyride

Ken Ludwig's stage adaptation adda a touch of humor without losing gravitas

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Jordan Matthew Brown, Alyah Chanelle Scott and Liam Tobin star in "Book of Mormon."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • January 10, 2020
No sacred cows spared in 'Book of Mormon'

Satire pulls no punches in its social commentary, but leaves room for sentiment

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) and his horse, Roach, in "The Witcher." Photo source: Netflix.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • January 10, 2020
Binge Blog: Toss a coin to your witcher

"The Witcher" and "Gourmet Makes" are this week's picks.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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