THEATER: 2015 Highlights

OK, you’re back from vacation. Our area’s theater people are, too — and they’ve got some post-holiday gifts for you. We’re talking fractured fairy tales, doomed Russian aristocrats, heroic African-American pilots, charming con artists and quiet heroes pushing back the darkness. Not to spoil the surprise, but here’s a sneak peak at the don’t-miss plays at nearby theaters in 2015.

'The Cherry Orchard'
In translation, Anton Chekhov’s dialog often sounds like a foreign language drill. (“How are you, Anya?” “I am fine, Trofimov. And you?”) Paul Schmidt changed the game with idiomatic translations that sound like real speech — American speech. Speaking of which, the visionary Andrei Malaev-Babel will be directing Schmidt’s lively translation of “The Cherry Orchard” in this upcoming FSU/Asolo Conservatory production. He notes that, “Schmidt revolutionized Chekhov for theater in this country. Without distorting the original, he made his work come alive to the American ear.” That conversational immediacy makes Chekhov’s tale of a Russian family trying to save its estate all the more poignant to secure, well-fed, contemporary American audiences. We know the brutal 20th century will come crashing down on their heads in a few short years. They don’t. Thanks to Schmidt, that family isn’t so remote anymore. But there’s no way to warn them.
Runs April 7 through April 26; 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-351-8000; asolorep.org/conservatory

'Into the Woods'
Without exaggeration, this is probably the greatest musical of all time. (At least in the category of musicals for smart people.) Basically, you’ve got killer tunes by Stephen Sondheim, a whipcrack-witty script by James Lapine, a rapping Witch, a psycho Little Red Riding Hood, a randy Prince Charming and, in general, a deconstruction of the high-octane nightmare fuel of “The Tales of the Brothers Grimm.” (Personally speaking, the creepy Freudian subtext in those stories always seemed like text to me.) This mordant musical is worthy of Jay Ward’s “Fractured Fairy Tales” and probably jump-started the Shrek movies. See it. Or don’t. That thing about “the curse” is probably an urban legend.
Runs Feb. 12 through March 1; Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave West Bradenton; 941-748-5875; manateeplayers.com

'Fly'
The Tuskegee Airmen were a band of brothers in more ways than one. In the final years of World War II, this group of African-American aviators put themselves in harm’s way escorting B-52 bombers over the flak-filled skies of Nazi Germany. In the process, they earned the respect of their fellow pilots, and paved the way for the integration of the United States military and the victories of the Civil Rights era to come. Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan’s acclaimed play tells their story with an inventive, impressionistic mix of minimal staging, rear projection and dance. (A “Tap Griot” visible only to the audience dances the emotions the pilots can’t express.) Khan himself will direct the regional premiere of this uplifting, true story.
Runs Feb. 6 through April 14; Florida Studio Theatre Gompertz Theatre, 1247 First St., Sarasota; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org.

'Catch Me if You Can'
Once upon a time, there was a charming, chameleon-like con artist named Frank Abignale Jr. The man was so charming, Stephen Spielberg made a movie about his life called, well, “Catch Me If You Can” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Said movie charmed the brains on Broadway so much, they turned it into a Tony Award-winning musical. Lo and behold, that charming musical is coming to The Players. Our law-abiding readers can take heart that the real Abignale Jr. went to jail, thanks to a Javert-like FBI agent. But his story lives on—making more money than he ever did. Legit money! It just goes to show you: Crime doesn’t pay. But movies and musicals about crime do.
Runs March 19 through March 29; Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-365-2494; theplayers.org.

'Spunk'
Submitted for your approval, three short stories by Zora Neale Hurston, adapted for the stage by George C. Wolfe, and presented in shades of the blues by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.“Sweat” unfolds an abused wife’s unlikely triumph over her estranged thug of a husband. “The Gilded Six Bits” tells the shattering tale of an innocent wife betrayed. “Story in Harlem Slang” is a straight-up shot of intoxicating Zoot Suit-era lingo that would put a smile on Anthony Burgess’ face. Three stories from the Harlem Renaissance of the “laughin’ kind of lovin’ kind of hurtin’ kind of pain that comes from being human.” We’re sure you’ll approve.
Runs April 15 through May 17; 1646 10th Way, Sarasota; 941-366-1505; wbttroupe.org.

'The Miracle Worker'
The senses are the mind’s gateways to the world; language is the mind’s gateway to other minds. William Gibson’s drama captures Annie Sullivan’s real-life struggle to open the mind of Helen Keller, a young deaf and blind girl resembling a feral child when she first found her. That child had one key sense gate left: touch. How Sullivan brought words through that gate was a miracle indeed — and deeply moving, no matter how many times you’ve seen the play or movie. That said, the versatile Kelly Woodland will be directing. Expect a fresh approach that you’ve never seen before.
Runs May 5 through May 24; Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice; 941-488-1115; venicestage.com

'Woody Sez: the Life and Music of Woody Guthrie'
Woody Guthrie is largely responsible for the American singer/songwriter tradition — folk music, too, come to think of it. He’s the guy a thousand guitar-and-harmonica poets are trying to be, in other words. The difference being, Woody really was that guy. This honest play does that honest man credit, and digs into his life, music and philosophy. A quotable philosopher to be sure. For example: “Life is pretty tough. You’re lucky to live through it.” Yogi Berra would be proud. As a thousand goateed poets know, Woody’s gift of gab and songwriting savvy made him a larger-than-life figure. This play does him justice. It makes him life-sized.
Runs May 30 through June 21; FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-351-8000; asolorep.org