Scene & Heard

+ Asolo costume shop dresses its tree
Leave it to the costume shop at the Asolo to have the best-looking Christmas tree in town; it’s a yearly tradition. Every holiday season the costume shop is decked with strands of lights and blinking snowflakes.

And amid all the sewing tables and machines is a tree that reaches the ceiling. But this is no Douglas fir. The tree is made out of petticoats in different shades of green and teal. It’s decorated in lights, gold garland and even has ornaments.

+ From deadlines to show time
The employees at The Observer Group’s (and Gulf Coast Business Review’s) Main Street office are veterans in the production of news. But, they’re going to be known for another type of production soon.

Observer Group’s Digital Fulfillment Specialist Danae DeShazer has been gracing the stages of the area’s community theaters — six shows in two years, to be specific. Seven, if you count Venice Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” as Pippi. It runs from Feb. 6 to March 9.

You may recognize Alex Mahadevan as the Pelican Press news editor, or perhaps you recognize his name from Venice Theatre’s recent playbill — he played Tackaberry in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” He’s putting on his dancing shoes for another debut in the ensemble of “Sunset Boulevard,” at The Players Theatre. The show runs Jan. 10 to Jan. 20.

And Gulf Coast Business Review Web Editor Amanda Heisey is premiering in her first Sarasota production as Nurse Kelly, in “Harvey,” at The Players Theatre from March 28 to April 7.

+ Van Wezel draws a new curtain
If you head to the Van Wezel in the coming months, be sure to admire its newest feature — a wine-colored grand drape.

And when Van Wezel goes drape shopping, man, do they go drape shopping! Looking for the perfect fit, more than two-dozen options from five different manufacturing companies were sampled. It was donated by the Van Wezel Foundation, but staff of the Van Wezel helped in the decision.

The previous grand drape opened and closed for every show in the past six years — no wonder it was tired looking! But this facelift looks great. It made its debut at “Dave Koz & Friends” Nov. 26.

Hot Tickets in a cool season
’Tis the season for lots of holiday productions! And what makes a better present than tickets to a production, and a night spent with loved ones?

All Orphan “Annie” wants for Christmas are her parents. See if she gets her wish at The Players Theatre. The show runs through Dec. 23. Tickets $25. Call 365-2494.

Add a little country to Christmas this year with “Wynonna’s Rockin’ Christmas,” at 8 p.m. Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel. Call 953-3368 for more
information.

Take the “bah-humbug”out of Christmas at “A Christmas Carol,” at the Van Wezel. It runs at 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Call 953-3368.

The Manatee Players production of “Plaid Tidings” features holiday songs in a barbershop style. It’s running now through Dec. 23.

Walk through a Florida winter wonderland at “Lights in Bloom,” at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. It runs through Dec. 27. Tickets are $15. Call 488-1115 for more information.

Artist Series Concerts offers “Home for the Holidays,” Dec. 20 through Dec. 22, at the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets $25 to $45. Call 360-7399.

Sailor Circus will perform its holiday show, “Polar Express,” Dec. 27 through Dec. 30, at the Sailor Circus Arena. Tickets $12 to $16. Call 366-0156.

Jazz Juvenocracy puts a jazzy spin on “The Nutcracker,” from Dec. 21 through Dec. 23, at The Glenridge Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25. Call 552-5325.