This Week in Sarasota: Thursday, July 6

THURSDAY, JULY 6

‘Just for Laughs’

9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. 

$10

Call 366-9000.

Florida Studio Theatre's Children’s Theatre presents an improv and music experience that's completely made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions and participation. The cast will perform scenes and create impromptu songs that are appropriate for all ages. There's even a chance to interact onstage with the performers. 

Art After 5

5 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$15

Call 358-3180.

Explore The Ringling's exhibition galleries and the Circus Museum. Tickets required.  

The World Series of Comedy 

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$15 to $19 

Call 925-3869.

McCurdy's hosts this competition to find the best comics in the United States and Canada. Forty professional comics will compete for a chace to win a trip to Las Vegas in September for the main event. 
 

Fifth Annual Summer Cabaret Festival

8 p.m. at Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

Call 488-1115.

Venice Theatre offers this summertime showcase, in which area performers create their own cabaret-style performances in a variety of styles. Runs through Aug. 27

FRIDAY, JULY 7

IncrediBELLO!

2 p.m. at The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$15; $12 children

Call 358-3180.

Bello Nock returns to the Sarasota stage with his world-renowned, gravity-defying comedic daredevil act and signature hairstyle. Runs through July 29.

‘The Jersey Tenors’

7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre John C. Court Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave.

$39

Call 366-9000.

The Jersey Tenors, an opera / rock mash-up act creates a blend of iconic music, from opera classics to pop artists such as Queen, ABBA, Frankie Vallie, The Four Seasons, Frank Sinatra, Springsteen and more. Runs through July 16.

Music on Main

6 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Free

Call 907-6000.

This monthly live music block party continues with Ari & The Alibis, an area band that performs funk, jazz, samba, rock and blues. Event benefits the Friends of Manatee County Animal Services.

‘Once On This Island Jr.’ A Summer Camp Showcase

7 p.m. at the Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N. Tamiami Trail 

$15

Call 365-2494.

Students from The Players Summer Camp perform an adaptation of this one-act musical about a peasant girl on a tropical island who bridges gaps with love. The musical incorporates elements of "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Little Mermaid."

SATURDAY, JULY 8

STAR (Story Time At The Ranch): ‘Revolutionary War on Wednesday’

3 p.m. at the Polo Field Club House, 8201 Polo Club Lane

$20 

Call 365-2494.

Players Centre for Performing Arts presents this series of performances at the Sarasota Polo Field Club House.

FST Improv

7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre Bowne’s Lab Theatre

$15

Call 366-9000.

FST Improv presents Comedy Lottery — a show that audiences help create on the spot. Audience members select games from a bucket to determine the lineup of sketches, songs and other improv routines. 

SUNDAY, JULY 9

HD at the Opera House presents ‘Macbeth’ by Giuseppe Verdi

1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

$20  

Call 328-1300.

Giuseppe Verdi, inspired by Shakespeare’s work, created an opera based on the story of a Scottish general who, afte a prophecy from three witches predicting he will be the country's next king, plots to kill the current king.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

‘Relatively Speaking’

7:30 p.m. at the Asolo Repertory Theatre Cook Theater, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail.

$25 to $35

Call 351-8000.

Kicking off the FSU / Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training's new program, Dog Days Theatre, is this milestone of British theater, in which a new couple becomes entangled in a comedic misunderstanding regarding former lovers, family and some compromising letters. Runs through July 30.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12

Al Ernst

7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

$15 to $19 

Call 925-3869.

A regular on the Blue Collar Network on Sirius/XM radio, Al Ernst returns to McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, which helped launch his career in 1991. Performs through July 16.

 

‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’

7:30 p.m. at The Players Centre for Performing Arts, 838 N. Tamiami Trail 

$18; Summer three-show package $45

Call 365-2494.

This smash Off-Broadway hit takes place in 1958 Springfield High Prom, where four girls with hopes and dreams serenade audiences with more than 30 classics. Runs through July 23.

Broadway in Black

8 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre, 1646 10th Way

$39.50; $22 for students and active military 

Call 366-1505.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe salutes the world of Broadway musicals with this world premiere revue by Nate Jacobs. Runs through July 23.