- December 26, 2024
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Scott Novotny
7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd.
$26
Visit McCurdysComedy.com.
Looking for a laugh on Halloween? McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre has got you covered with Scott Novotny, a versatile performer who owned Minnesota’s first full-time comedy venue, The Comedy Cabaret. Novotny has written for “Saturday Night Live” and the comic strip “Strange Brew” and has worked as an improv actor/writer at the “Brave New Workshop.” See what tricks and treats he has up his sleeve for his Sarasota gig.
‘Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition’
7:30 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $22-$52
Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.
Created and directed by Nate Jacobs, “The Soul Crooners” returns to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s main stage for the first time since its 2009 premiere. The opening show of WBTT’s 25th anniversary season celebrates the soul music of the 1970s. The show’s “Solid Gold Edition” was a hit at this summer’s International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Runs through Nov. 17.
‘Merrily We Roll Along’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$40
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
Stephen Sondheim’s semi-autobiographical musical, “Merrily We Roll Along” explores the tumultuous relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends. The recent Broadway revival scored four Tony Awards and the cult classic with some of Sondheim’s most personal songs finally achieved success on the Great White Way. Runs through Nov. 10.
‘Off the Charts’
7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St.
$18-$42
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
The creative team behind Florida Studio Theatre’s popular cabaret series is at again with “Off the Charts.” Richard and Rebecca Hopkins and Sarah Durham take the audience on a tour of 20th-century pop music with arrangements by Jim Prosser. Take a stroll (or a hum) down Memory Lane with hits that ruled the Billboard Top 100 ranking, which debuted in 1958. Runs through Feb. 9.
‘Jennifer, Who is Leaving’
7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St.
$5-$33
Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.
Directed by Celine Rosenthal, “Jennifer, Who is Leaving” is a comedy set in a Massachusetts donut shop about three overworked women. Urbanite Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace takes the stage as Jennifer, a caretaker doing her best to ignore her patient, Joey, played by Ned Averill-Snell. Working the night shift are Lili (Trezure B. Coles), whose mind is on her upcoming SAT, and Nan (Suzanne Grodner), whose husband keeps interrupting her shift with annoying calls. Runs through Dec. 1.
Jazz @ 2 with Scotty Wright
2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist SRQ, 3975 Fruitville Road
$15-$20
Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.
Jazz Club of Sarasota presents jazz favorite Scotty Wright, performing everything from blues to bossa nova to ballads with his soulful style. Joining Wright are Judi Glover on piano, Michael Ross on bass, Stephen Bucholtz on drums. Jazz @ 2 is the perfect way to wind down after a hectic week.
‘9 to 5: The Musical’
7:30 p.m. at the Raymond Center, 1 Indian Ave building 5, Venice
$15-$37
Visit VeniceTheatre.org.
This toe-tapping musical is based on “9 to 5,” a 1980 film about sexism in the office that featured the hit song of the same name written and recorded by Dolly Parton, who also starred in the film with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman. The Venice Theatre production is one of the community theater’s many revivals during its 75th anniversary season. Runs through Nov. 24.
Le Marché Bohemien
10 a.m. at Five Points Park, 100 Central Blvd.
Free
Visit DestinationDowntownSarasota.com.
Get a head start on your holiday shopping with a visit to this European-influenced outdoor market. Sponsored by Destination Downtown Sarasota, Le Marché Bohemien features unique gifts and festive foods created by local artists and artisans.
Sarasota Medieval Fair
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Woods of Mallaranny, 29847 S.R. 70, Myakka City
$24.95; seniors, students and military $21.95; children $14.95
Visit SarasotaMedievalFair.com.
The Sarasota Medieval Fair begins its 2024 run, that will last every Saturday and Sunday in November, along with Veterans Day. A wide range of family-friendly activities include jousting and human chess performances, fun food (including the classic turkey legs), a children's realm area, local artesans and craft demonstrations, rides and games, and vendors.
Yamazalde Trio
4 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road
$43-$63
Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.
Artist Series Concerts presents Sandy Yamamoto on violin, Matthew Zalkind on cello and Julio Elizalde on piano in a program featuring music by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Paul Schoenfeld.
Halloween Block Party
5 p.m. to midnight at 1843 Main St.
Free
Visit Facebook.com.
Gather with your friends, family, and neighbors for a night of music and fun with Classico Sarasota.
Sarasota Art and Dance Night
5:30 p.m. at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave.
$100
Visit SarasotaArtandDance.com.
Take a break from hurricane cleanup and kick up your heels at Art Ovation Hotel with a festive evening featuring performances by Klaudia Petriti and Ron Garber, International Ballet of Florida, Soul Dance Studio, Lindy Land Swing Group and others. Sarasota Art and Dance encourages you to learn new steps and participate in social dancing as you support the Sarasota Youth Opera.
Compton and Newberry
8 p.m. Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court
$24
Visit WSLR.org.
Come hear Grammy winner Mike Compton, considered to be the world expert on Bill Monroe-style bluegrass mandolin, and Joe Newberry, known for his banjo prowess but also a guitarist, songwriter and singer. You may remember him as a frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
Suncoast Concert Band
3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St.
$5
Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org.
Suncoast Concert Band kicks off its 92nd season with “Salute to Veterans,” a program of patriotic favorites. Call 941-907-4123 to check on ticket availability and please be sure to dial the right number.
Chamber Soirée 3 – Schubert Octet
4 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail
$42-$52
Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.
Sarasota Orchestra Assistant Concertmaster Jennifer Best Takedo conducts one of the masterpieces of the chamber music repertoire, written when Schubert was just 27 years old. The Octet features string quartet, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and horn.
‘Much Ado About Nothing’
4:30 p.m. at The Bay, The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts
Free with registration
Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
Asolo Repertory Theatre and FSU/Asolo Conservatory team up to present a free performance of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing." In this adaptation by Gaby Rodriguez, “Much Ado” is set among the counselors and campers of Camp Messina.
‘Merrily From Center Stage’
7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton
$40
Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter.com.
The first Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along” was an unmitigated flop back in 1981. Sarasota actress Ann Morrison knows the story all too well. She lived it. But Morrison used lemons to make lemonade. Her one-woman cabaret show, “Merrily From Center Stage,” has played in New York City, Minneapolis and London. It runs for one night only in connection with the Manatee Players’ production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Joy McIntyre: Musical Theater from Strauss to Sondheim
10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St.
Free with registration
Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.
Join opera veteran and educator Joy McIntyre for a series of lectures that runs through Nov. 20. McIntyre spent 20 years performing throughout Europe in opera houses from Munich to Salzburg, before moving into academia with a two-decade career at Boston University. Upon retiring to Sarasota, she became a board member, past president and donor of the Sarasota Concert Association.
‘Waitress’
8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St.
$39-$59
Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.
For fans of Sara Bareilles, Florida Studio Theatre’s production of “Waitress” needs no introduction. The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter wrote the music and lyrics for this hit Broadway musical based on a 2007 film of the same name. Spoiler alert: Pie is always the answer! Runs through Dec. 29.
