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Arts + Entertainment | Reviews

Devin Johnson, Emily Ann Brooks, Kelsey Stalter, Larry Toyter, Jenna Coker-Jones and Joel Newsome star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Dames at Sea."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • June 20, 2025
Ahoy there! 'Dames at Sea' sets sail at Florida Studio Theatre

The show offers a loving pastiche of 1930s musicals packed with plenty of laughs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Brian D. Coats and Imani Slates star in "From 145th to 98th Street," which runs through June 29 at Urbanite Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • June 11, 2025
Telling a tale of Black family life without the usual cliches

Urbanite's "From 145th to 98th Street" has a few big moments but focuses on small decisions.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Pianist Nicolas Namoradze performs at the Sarasota Music Festival.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • June 9, 2025
Shostakovich piano trio leaves a lasting impression at Sarasota Music Festival

A trio of festival artists creates an otherworldly effect with piano, violin and cello.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Mary Magdalene (Sarah Kay) mediates a showdown between Judas (Heath Saunders) and Jesus (Jesse Nager) in Asolo Rep's "Jesus Christ Superstar."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 19, 2025
Asolo Rep stages a stirring 'come to Jesus' moment

Josh Rhodes' "Jesus Christ Superstar" delivers a fast, punchy rendition of the greatest story ever told.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Florida Studio Theatre's "Jersey Boys" runs through May 31 at FST's Gompertz Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • May 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre's 'Jersey Boys' moves from streetlights to spotlights

The character-driven musical tells the true-life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Max Roll and Jonathan Acosta star in Asolo Rep's "Good Night, Oscar."
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 11, 2025
'Good Night, Oscar' captures a tortured celebrity caught in a harsh spotlight

Asolo Rep's gripping production takes audiences back to Oscar Levant's soul-baring appearance on Jack Paar's talk show.

  • Arts + Culture
Sarasota Music Festival alum Earl Lee was the guest conductor for Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks: Grand Treasures concert.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • April 6, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra parades artistry in Masterworks concert

The Grand Treasures program was conducted by Sarasota Music Festival alum Earl Lee.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Tyler Michaels King and Derdriu Ring star in "Dancing at Lughnasa," which runs through April 19 at Asolo Repertory Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • April 2, 2025
Asolo Rep's 'Dancing at Lughnasa' looks back at a magical summer

The Mundy sisters don't know it, but their lives are about to be upended.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Casey Wortmann and Dekyi Rongé star in "No One is Forgotten" at Urbanite Theatre.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 28, 2025
Defying cruel captivity with loving solidarity

Urbanite Theatre's "No One is Forgotten" puts the audience into a pressure-cooker environment.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
'Lost in Yonkers' is a family affair
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 23, 2025
'Lost in Yonkers' is a family affair

Sarasota Jewish Theatre's production of the classic Neil Simon play finds laughter and tears.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Victor Starsky and Ricardo Jose Rivera star in Verdi's opera, "Stiffelio," at the Sarasota Opera through March 30.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • March 16, 2025
Sarasota Opera's 'Stiffelio' is a timeless tale that shouldn't be missed

The opera's power lies in its still relevant story and Verdi’s masterful score using full ensemble and chorus.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Sarasota Orchestra's musical powers shine brightly in 'The Planets'
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • March 9, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra's musical powers shine brightly in 'The Planets'

Every section and nearly every principal was highlighted in Holst's ode to seven planets.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Gabriell Salgado, Zuleyma Guevara and Jenyvette Vega star in Asolo Rep's "Anna in the Tropics," which runs through March 13 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • March 6, 2025
Dreams go up in smoke in Asolo Rep's 'Anna in the Tropics'

Life imitates art in Nilo Cruz’ elegiac play set in 1920s-era Ybor City.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Miguel Harth Bedoya conducts the Sarasota Orchestra's Masterworks concert, "Melting Pot of Music," at the Van Wezel from Feb. 21-23.
    By
  • Gayle Williams
  • February 24, 2025
Sarasota Orchestra's 'Melting Pot of Music' delivered melange of flavors

Conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the concert featured a haunting performance by sax soloist Steven Banks.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Uri Zhang YueYing stars in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's "The Chinese Lady," which runs through March 2.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 22, 2025
'The Chinese Lady' sheds light on a dark chapter of American history

FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of Lloyd Suh’s play, "The Chinese Lady," depicts a living curiosity trapped in a box.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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