Black Tie & Tales

+ Asolo Rep’s rite of spring
It’s one thing to have real heart for an arts organization and quite another to host a big party on its behalf for 16 consecutive years. That’s exactly what Ron and Rita Greenbaum have done with Asolo Repertory Theatre’s annual major donor appreciation party. Ron, who has been on the Asolo Board for 24 years, served two terms as its president and owns up to being its oldest member, recalls that in the beginning, “There were maybe 80 people, maybe not. It is heartwarming and gratifying to see how far the Asolo has come.”

On March 16, there were 175 guests mingling on the deck overlooking the Gulf, feasting on an hors d’oeuvres buffet from Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East and enjoying the music of John Rinell. Both gentlemen have been part of this party virtually since its inception. Asolo Development Director Tricia Mire had to maneuver oh-so-gingerly, due to an orthopedic boot on one foot.  

The guests were the recipients of good news from Asolo Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, who reported that “South Pacific,” the musical that kicked off the 2014-2015 season, grossed $1.2 million and was seen by 24,000 people — both records. Now his sights are set on “West Side Story,” which will open the 2015-2016 season, announced earlier the same day. See more party photos here.

+ A new stage for Carolyn Michel
Actress, philanthropist, emcee and fundraiser extraordinaire who can out-paddle-raise just about anybody: That’s Carolyn Michel, whose main stage has been the Asolo Rep for 24 years, 19 of them consecutive. But, not next year — she is opting for a sabbatical. It is not exactly a rest; she has already committed to do “Driving Miss Daisy” at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe next spring. Torian Black will play Hoak and Michel’s husband, Howard Millman, will direct. BT’s advice: buy your tickets early. Michel has a big base of supporters in Sarasota and this is clearly a role she was born to play.

+ Tidbits
Summer in Lilly … Lilly Pulitzer took its production team out on the waters of Longboat Key for a photo shoot for its upcoming summer collection. You might have seen them — a team of production, cameras, a drone and a model lounging on a swan float, casually playing in our Gulf of Mexico waters …

Welcome to the real world ... A Sarasota songbird who has performed at local fundraising events usually does it from the kindness of her heart and for the performance experience. She occasionally gets a paying gig but was surprised to receive a notice from the Internal Revenue Service saying that she owed $19,000 in taxes. It turns out that the Feds had recorded a 1099 form that reported $625 as $62,500. Who says computers don’t make mistakes? … Mailbox stand-out … This by way of recognizing the terrific work on invitation design being done by Paula Murray of Artefact Design — starting with the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Night of 1,000 Cranes,” then Circus Arts Conservatory gala and just last week, this pretty, pop up castle for Children First’s “Fairytale Ball.” It’s hard to ignore invitations this compelling …

A swell Sunday for Pups … March 8 saw some 800 animal-lovers participate in “Pedal for Pups,” a benefit for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, which last year adopted out more than 1,200 dogs and cats. Participants could bicycle on their choice of three courses, run or walk their dogs; there was a calypso band and breakfast donated by First Watch. Sponsors included Benderson Development and Saperston Asset Management; committee members were Cam McCarthy, Dari and Rob Oglesby, Evan Benderson, Rachel Berkun, Robin Slate, Paul Troyer and Jan Carpenter. The event raised an impressive $50,000 toward medical expenses at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.