- December 23, 2024
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Modern Works Festival
2 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$20
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Returning to an in-person experience, the fourth Modern Works Festival is a playwriting contest, reading festival and celebration of women in theater. Festivalgoers who see all three finalists — “Westminster” by Brenda Withers, “The Apiary” by Kate Douglas and “Therapy” by Jena Rashid — are eligible to vote for a winner. On Friday at 8 p.m. the Hermitage partners with Urbanite Theatre to present a conversation with Bess Wohl. The Tony Award-nominated playwright and Hermitage alumna will discuss her works and career as part of the festival’s focus on women in theater. Runs through May 7.
‘How The Other Half Loves’
7:30 p.m. at The Island Players, 10009 Gulf Dr., Anna Maria
From $25
Visit TheIslandPlayers.org.
In this farce about adultery, Frank and Fiona live in an upper-class house while Bob and Teresa reside in a middle-class mess. Fiona and Bob are having an affair and trying to keep William and Mary in the dark. Runs through May 14.
‘Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave.
$20-$50
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Nate Jacobs’ original tribute features Fats Waller’s signature songs, including “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “The Joint is Jumpin’” and many more. Runs through May 28.
‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!’
7 p.m. at The Players Studio, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130
$15
Visit ThePlayers.org.
Players Kids present a musical based on the book by Mo Willems, who co-wrote the script as well as lyrics. When a bus driver has a crisis, the oft-maligned bird gets its chance to help. Continues Saturday.
‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) [again]’
7:30 p.m. at Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave W., Venice
$15-$29
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
Three female comics play all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in just over 90 minutes, with plenty of hijinks sure to entertain those who are fans of the Bard and those who aren’t. Runs through May 21.
Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown
8 p.m. at Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St.
From $15
Visit Orioles.com/arts.
The program by the Sarasota Orchestra features hits by Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder. The concert concludes with a fireworks display. Continues Saturday.
'RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles'
8 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$37-$87
Visit VanWezel.org.
“RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles” features songs from “Abbey Road” and the Rooftop Concert Live, in addition to all the Fab Four’s hits. Promoters of the show promise “a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles.”
SUP and Run 5K
8 a.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle
Registration $50 for a single sport or $60 for both sports
Visit SUPAndRun.org.
The SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) and Run 5K brings together two great sports into one event. Participants can compete in one or both sports. The event benefits Operation Second Chance, an organization that supports wounded, injured and ill veterans.
Corvettes on the Circle
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle
Free
Visit SkywayCorvetteClub.com.
One of largest classic Corvette shows in Florida will feature more than 150 models of classic American cars. A range of cars will be on display, with Corvette models from the 1950s through present. Trophies will be awarded to the top three Corvettes in each generation, as well as Best in Show, and Skyway Corvette Club Favorite. The event is free for spectators, but car registration proceeds will be donated to the Honor Flight of West Central Florida, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Sarasota/Bradenton-area veterans with honor and closure.
‘Annie KIDS’
2 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W., Bradenton
Tickets $11.50-$20
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
This adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical follows little orphan Annie as she searches for the parents who left her at an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie’s pluck and optimism prevails despite Miss Hannigan’s machinations. Ticket fees from this For Kids By Kids production help support the program and our ability to make it accessible for all.
‘Cash, The Killer and The King’
7 p.m. at Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Building 5, Venice
$36-$100
Visit VenicePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Featuring acclaimed rockabilly pianist Lance Lipinsky as Jerry Lee Lewis, young Elvis performer Brandon Bennett and renowned Johnny Cash impressionist Philip Bauer, “Cash, The Killer, and The King” traces the birth of rock ‘n’ roll at Sun Records in Memphis.
Saxophonist Eric Alexander
7 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$26 members, $30 and $15 students.
Visit WSLR.org/fogartyville.
Known for his sophisticated hard bop and post-bop style, Eric Alexander performs with the Alex Nakhimovsky Trio. In addition to Nakhimovsky on piano, the trio includes Joe Porter on bass and John Jenkins on drums.
FST Improv Presents ‘Comedy Roulette’
7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1265 First St.
$15
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
It’s a good bet that FST’s team of four experienced improvisers will spin the wheel on a fast-paced show featuring a mashup of short form, long form and musical improv. Runs through May 27.
Gulf Coast Honor Band Concert
5 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$20
Visit SarasotaConcertBand.org.
Sponsored by Sarasota Concert Band, this event features middle school and high school students. The Sarasota Concert Band will open the performance.
‘Grace: The Spirit of Aretha’
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$35-$100
Visit KeyChorale.org.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Key Chorale honor Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” on the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking Grammy Award-winning album, "Amazing Grace." Matelyn Alicia and Naärai join Key Chorale, along with its featured soloist, Amy Connours, for an evening of soulful gospel songs and Franklin’s most famous R&B classics.
Jazz at the Cabaret: Scotty Wright Quintet
7:30 p.m. at John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St.
$34-$39
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
A veteran musician with more than 40 years of experience, Scotty Wright has toured in 20 countries around the world. Wright will perform Ellington, accompanied by Pablo Arencibia, Mark Neuenschwander, David Pate and Stephen Bucholtz. Doors open at 6:30 for food and beverage service.
Vivaldi and Mendelssohn
7:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.
$30-$60
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Violinists Rimma Bergeron-Langlois, Nikki Chooi, Jun Iwasaki and Emerson Millar perform Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and Mendelssohn’s “String Octet.”
Shayna Steele
7:30 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$26 members, $30 and $15 students
Visit WSLR.org/fogartyville.
The former backup singer for Jennifer Hudson and cast member of Broadway's "Hairspray" is touring to support her recently released album, "Gold Dust," which spans jazz to rock to R&B.
Melissa Etheridge
7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail
$62-$102
Visit VanWezel.org.
Known for her intimate lyrics and raspy vocals, Melissa Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. In addition to crowd-pleasing favorites, Etheridge will perform selections from her 2021 album, “One Way Out,” a collection of songs she wrote in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that didn’t make the cut — until now.
‘Man of La Mancha’
8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N Tamiami Trail
From $35
Visit AsoloRep.org.
“Man of La Mancha” follows Miguel de Cervantes’ retelling of Don Quixote and his timeless but futile quest, capped by the heartwarming ballad, “The Impossible Dream.” Director Peter Rothstein, Asolo Rep's incoming producing creative director, returns to Sarasota after previously directing the acclaimed productions of “Ragtime” and “Sweeney Todd.” Mauricio Martínez makes his Asolo debut as Miguel de Cervantes/Don Quixote. Runs through June 11.
