Scene & Heard

+ Breaking a Leg
When you say “break a leg” to theater people, they don’t usually take it literally. Well, Michelle Bianchi Pingel, managing director/CEO of The Players, did. She was spotted Saturday night at The Players’ “A Night to Remember,” event rolling around on a wheelie cart to prop up her injured leg.

The joke of the night was: Jeffery Kin beat her up. Clearly, it wasn’t true, because Kin was found later in the evening with a lipstick-covered face. “Women love kissing me!” he says. “I’m just so loveable.”

+ Running into Nik Wallenda
Sarasota has its own celebrity culture, that’s for sure. About a week ago, while I was hurriedly picking up some last-minute items at Publix, I turned a corner at record speed and almost ran over an innocent victim.
After apologizing, I thought, “Hey, that guy looks kind of familiar.”

It was only when I got to the next aisle that I realized it was Nik Wallenda, who had just arrived back into town for his welcome-home celebration, which I attended. But I’m not used to seeing people outside of events and second-guessed myself because grocery shopping is such a normal activity. But I asked the checkout lady for confirmation, who Googled a photo to verify. She agreed — she’d seen him in there before.

Yes, I almost ran over Nik Wallenda’s foot with my grocery cart. Luckily, his feet are still intact for the Grand Canyon walk. Next time, I’ll just say, “Hello.”

+ Playing tribute to DANIEL Moe
The Key Chorale concert dedicated to Daniel Moe Sunday was a moving tribute featuring most of his compositions —11 pieces of his in total.

“The Living Legacy of Daniel Moe” was a tribute to the late conductor emeritus who died in May. His music is slightly modern and forward thinking.

For instance, his SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) acapella version of “God So Loved the World” was an edgier and more powerful sounding work than other versions adapted from John 3:16.

His widow, Ann Stephenson-Moe, played his works on organ, along with Moe’s accompanist for more than 20 years, Virginia Bray, and current Key Chorale accompanist Nancy Yost Olson.

In between songs, Key Chorale Executive Director Richard Storm narrated. The audience learned, if they didn’t already know, that Moe also had a way with words.

The pews were full of his friends and those whose lives he touched with his music. It was an inspired concert, and it shows his legacy will continue to live.

+ Saturday morning is still funny
When I was a child, “The Pee Wee Herman Show” and “Bill Nye the Science Guy” were my favorite Saturday morning television shows. Paul Reubens, if you’re reading this, I’m your biggest fan.

But there’s something local to replace Saturday morning cartoons: Florida Studio Theatre’s Kids Komedy Club. The program began in the ’80s, under FST Associate Director Kate Alexander.

It’s a live comedy show for children, featuring children. The KKC leads the audience through a variety of improv games, parodies and comedy sketches. The next one is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, and will be a “Turkey-riffic Thanksgiving Extravaganza.” Tickets are $6, and include lunch and drink. They can be purchased online at floridastudiotheatre.org or by calling 366-9000.

If only it would be acceptable for guests to arrive in their PJs and be served Cocoa Puffs, then it would be the real Saturday morning deal.

Hot Ticket
Noise Ordinance 3 CD Release Party will take place from 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 10, at Cock & Bull, 975 Cattlemen Road. It’s the celebration of more than 30 local original bands, and will feature lots of live music. Tickets $10. Call 363-1262.

‘Nate Jacobs’ ’50s Jukebox Review’ is a production conceived by Nate Jacobs, the artistic director of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Adapted from the music of Fats Domino, Little Richard and Muddy Waters, it’ll have you shake, rattle and rollin’ starting 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and running through Dec. 16, at 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. Tickets $28. Call 366-1505.