Arts + Entertainment 4.11.24

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

APRIL 11, 2024

INTIMATE ACTS

Summer Dawn Wallace helps Asolo Rep create a safe space for actors to get physical.

As the characters Esther and George embrace and caress each other on their wedding night in 1906 in Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of Lynn Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel,” you can feel the audience collectively holding its breath. What’s going to happen next?

Thanks to the internet, viewers from 9 to 90 have millions of scenes of nudity and sex at their fingertips. Scenes of intimate human behavior that once might have been shocking have become run of the mill, even on mainstream channels like Netflix.

That’s not the case in the theater. It’s still a big deal for actors (especially celebrities) to take off their clothes and engage in real or pretend sexual behavior. Nudity and intimacy pack a bigger punch on the stage than on a small screen.

But who decides what actions players will take to express their ardor or their lack of interest? That’s a question not easily answered.  Historically, a playwright would insert stage directions such as “kisses her” or “grabs him” into the play. Or a director might instruct his actors how they are supposed to behave. In other cases, it’s left to the actors to map out the intimate action on their own.

But a change has happened in these power dynamics in the wake of the #MeToo movement. There’s also been greater concern about physical contact between actors in response to pandemic precautions beginning in March 2020. Actors are gaining what is called “agency,” control over how their bodies are handled and how they touch someone else.

Enter the intimacy coordinator.

“This is a new role for the theater,” says Summer Dawn Wallace, artistic director of Sarasota’s blackbox Urbanite Theatre and intimacy coordinator for the Asolo Rep, Florida’s largest Actors Equity theater.

“Coming out of COVID, there was an attempt to establish best practices. Theater started examining the power dynamics of putting a play together,” she continues.

As a result, a new role was defined.

“The titles are intimacy choreogra-

“This is a new role for the theater. Coming out of COVID, there was an attempt to establish best practices.”

— Summer Dawn Wallace Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine Maxine Hadley and Brooke Turner star in Asolo Repertory Theatre’s “Dial M for Murder.”

Image courtesy of Frank Atura

John Leggett and Caitlin Rose in FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s production of “Miss Julie.”

Summer Dawn Wallace is artistic director of Urbanite Theatre.

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

pher, intimacy director, intimacy coordinator. Everybody’s still figuring it out,” she says. Wallace and those who work with her agree she’s got the perfect credentials for an intimacy coordinator. She’s been an actress, director and artistic director and earned her MFA at FSU/Asolo Conservatory along the way.

To hear Wallace tell it, she’s wellequipped for her job because she’s acquainted with some of live theater’s worst practices.

“I spent half of my acting career in the buff,” she recalls. “As an actor, it’s the strangest thing to go from ‘Hi. Nice to meet you’ to being intimate with someone. You just kind of figure it out.”

The experiences of setting boundaries about what she was willing to do in roles that called for intimacy helped set the groundwork for her current position at Asolo Rep, Wallace says.  The obvious question is: Doesn’t the new role of intimacy coordinator encroach on the territory of other key participants in a theatrical production, namely the director and the actors?

It depends on who you talk to. Curtis Bannister, who plays the role of the bridegroom George, an immigrant from Barbados, in “Intimate Apparel,” says at first he wasn’t sure that having an intimacy coordinator would be a good thing.

Bannister, who has worked with intimacy coordinators in Chicago and Washington, D.C., in addition to his experience at Asolo Rep, initially thought that “having someone in the rehearsal could get in the way of exploratory actions. I thought it would inhibit the action.”

Now, Bannister sees the value of an intimacy coordinator because all actors don’t have the same background. “When you’re going to be having intimate moments, my comfort level may be different than my partner’s, especially if they come from a background with sexual trauma. The intimacy coordinator creates a safe space,” he says.

Aneisa Hicks, whose character in “Intimate Apparel” is an independent African American seamstress with little or no sexual experience, says she never had any second thoughts about having an intimacy coordinator become part of a play.

Says Hicks: “Many of those people in the older generation who didn’t grow up with an intimacy coordinator may say it inhibits them. They are bothered by guard rails. My generation and younger like having an intimacy coordinator because there are too many stories of people using intimacy to harass somebody.”

She adds, “For too long, if somebody crossed a line they could fall back on, ‘I was caught up in the moment.’” Not anymore.

Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal says she recruited Wallace to become the company’s intimacy coordinator to systemize processes that had been evolving.

“We started doing this before 2020 and the #MeToo movement, but we didn’t necessarily have it on every production,” Rosenthal says.

HOW IT WORKS

At Asolo Rep, it’s as simple as using a stoplight system of red, green and yellow to signal what’s acceptable to an actor when the scene is “blocked,” or the movements mapped out. Then actors are required to check in with their scene partners prior to every production with a private sign, such as a fist bump or nod, to acknowledge their consent for that day.

Actors are free to tell the director and fellow cast members that certain parts of their body, say their hair, are off limits under any circumstances, says Asolo Rep Associate Artistic Director Celine Rosenthal. The reason could be as mundane as an actor having a bad hip from an injury, she says. “It’s a lot like fight choreography.”

When Asolo Rep’s new producing artistic director, Peter Rothstein, joined the company last year, the process became more formalized, she says. For “Inherit the Wind,”

Asolo Rep had Wallace do a consent workshop with the cast. She also worked as intimacy coordinator on “Dial M for Murder,” which Rosenthal is directing.

“We had Summer Dawn work on all the shows. It was an interesting catalyst. She makes sure setting boundaries is more systemized, as opposed to bespoke,” Rosenthal says.

Audiences of FSU/Asolo Conservatory plays have also seen the fruits of Wallace’s work in such recent productions as “Miss Julie” and “Clyde’s.”

Not all directors who have come to Asolo Rep are enthusiastic about having an intimacy coordinator. “There’s a fear that it will make the process clunky,” Rosenthal says. “But Summer Dawn is skillful at setting up that space. The folks who have been reticent at first changed their minds.”

As a director herself, Rosenthal says she finds working with Wallace “enormously freeing. It’s still my vision for the piece; I merely have another collaborator. It’s like working with a choreographer. I consider it enhancing, not encroaching.”

Image courtesy of Kayla Emy Curtis Bannister and Aneisa Hicks play the married couple George and Esther on their wedding night in Asolo Rep’s “Intimate Apparel.”

EATING WITH EMMA

These Notorious BLTs reign supreme in Sarasota, Manatee counties

These three ingredients — bacon, lettuce and tomato — are always better together.

Dfrom my head tomah-toes.

I’m talking about that trio that reigns supreme in the world of sandwiches — bacon, lettuce and tomato. Three simple ingredients stacked in between sliced bread sells itself as an interchangeable breakfast, lunch or dinner for anyone ages 3 to 93.  These notorious sandwiches make me nostalgic since the BLT was a no-fault meal we made as a family. Most of the time my sister would slice the tomato since I refused. (My order was and always will be a BL, no T.)

Mom was on bacon duty, while I gathered the best groupings of romaine for the humans and fed our dogs the pieces that weren’t up to my standards. But since the only thing my dad could make in the kitchen was toast, he was supposed to toast the bread. Full disclosure: He usually burned it, so when he wasn’t looking, my mom would make new pieces. Lettuce begin — here are some of the best places to get your hands on the classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich in honor of national BLT sandwich month.

NEW PASS GRILL & BAIT

SHOP

1505 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; 941-388-1618; NewPassGrill. com

STATION 400

Feeling like a breakfast patron this morning? The lemon curd and fresh blackberry pancakes (three buttermilk, $10.95 or three buckwheat, $11.95) are my main squeeze.

YODER’S RESTAURANT & AMISH MARKET

3434 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota; 941955-7771; YodersRestaurant.com

Romaine Calm: Leave it to the Amish to make a BLT ($9.95), a BLT with smoked turkey ($12.95) and an even better-than-the-original version called the southern fried chicken BLT ($15.95). Yoder’s crispy fried chicken breast, applewood smoked bacon, Dijonnaise, fresh lettuce and tomato on a honkin’ hoagie roll: There you have it — the reason why Yoder’s has been around since 1975.

the bartender looked at my soonto-be husband and me and said, “You guys deserve a tequila shot.”

Not only did the staff go above and beyond for our changing-like-thewind needs, the food was terrifically tasty. Not featured on our wedding menu, but I wish it was, is the notorious BLT ($16) with bacon, avocado, kewpie (Japanese mayo), lettuce, tomato on multigrain bread (gluten-free option available).

What Else is Shakin’, Bacon: I can’t help but take this moment to give a round of applause for the Wink Wink’s lounge libations. My eyes are set on the mexcal me loco ($16) made with Los Siete Misterios mexcal, Los Sundays blanco tequila, lemon, lime, mango and agave.

SHAKE STATION

4219 US-301, Ellenton; 941-7227866; ShakeStation.com

Romaine Calm: While you might have to wait until 10:30 a.m. to get this BLT ($9.99), as the switch from breakfast to lunch begins, your tastebuds will be pleased by 10:31 a.m. As I’ve written before, I wish I could keep this foodie paradise to myself. But it would be incredibly selfish of me not to share these sensational bait shop eats. The bounty of crisp bacon will shock your senses, and the cool lettuce and tomato with a small swipe of mayo is what others wish they could create. Where else can you get a view like this with a side of bacon?

8215 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Lakewood Ranch; 941-907-0648 or 400 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota; 941906-1400; Station400.com

What Else is Shakin’, Bacon: Not a BLT fan? Fear not, this spot has one of the best burgers in town. Whether you’re coming by boat, kayak, bike, car or foot — the classic cheeseburger ($11.99) is just what the skipper ordered. Choose from add-ons including lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, mustard, mayo and ketchup.

Romaine Calm: While red tomatoes would suffice for most, it wouldn’t be a Florida foodie feature without a fried green tomato or two, would it? The fried green tomato BLT ($12.50) at this Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch brunch spot staple is made with bold and crispy bacon, field greens, the best herb aioli and, of course, fried green tomatoes (add turkey for $1). Served with your choice of sweet potato fries, tomato cucumber salad, fruit salad or my personal pick — Parmesan French fries.

What Else is Shakin’, Bacon: The hardest part about brunch is deciding which part of the word you’re going to shove into your mouth.

What Else is Shakin’, Bacon: Save room for dessert. Baked fresh from scratch every morning, Yoder’s homemade pies are not only the best in town, the price can’t be beat — $6.95 per slice. Why not take home a pie (prices online) that will please the crowd? Of if you’re going through a tough time, be like me and get a pie for yourself. No one’s judging! I recommend a chocolate peanut butter 8-inch whole cream pie ($20.95, serves 4-6).

WINK WINK MODERN LOUNGE 1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota; 941-906-1290; WinkWinkModernLounge.com

Romaine Calm: My husband and I were supposed to get married at a local estate, but when a hurricane blew in and the governor declared a state of emergency, the venue shut down. But fear not! The Sarasota Modern said, “We got you.” Our 140-person wedding was modified into a 38-person wedding in just 24 hours. Before we said, “I do,”

Romaine Calm: While it might be a trek, when you pull up to this joint from your journey you’ll see it’s worth it. The Big LT ($9.95) has been noted as one of the top versions of this timeless classic in our area. Bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toast is *kiss* (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Or don’t *kiss* and replace with fried green tomatoes or even chicken.

What Else is Shakin’, Bacon: If you’re one to count calories, you’re at the wrong station. But, if you’re like me and know that life is far too short to skip the shake, be sure to order from the ice cream parlor. Your choices of ice cream to scream for is unlimited with milkshakes, hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, sundaes, floats, banana splits, twisters and more. Me? I’m going with a tale as old as time — black and white milkshake ($3.95-$6.95).

Courtesy image Shake Station in Ellenton serves up a sensational BLT sandwich.

THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

OPENING RECEPTION

5-7 p.m. at Creative Liberties, 901B Apricot Ave. and 927 N. Lime Ave. Free Visit CreativeLiberties.net.

View and purchase the work of more than 25 local artists in exhibitions at two Creative Liberties locations.

‘THE FLIP SIDE’

7:30 p.m. at FST’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota $37-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

With songs like “The Ballad of Sigmund Freud” and “Killed by a Coconut,” the latest cabaret creation of Richard and Rebecca Hopkins tips its musical hat to comic songwriters. Runs through June 16.

‘WESTMINSTER’

7:30 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. $5-$31 Visit UrbaniteTheatre.org.

Directed by Urbanite Artistic Director Summer Dawn Wallace, “Westminster” tells the story of a woman who receives a rescue dog as a surprise present from an old friend. Runs through April 28.

‘INTIMATE APPAREL’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $29-$75

Visit AsoloRep.org.

“Intimate Apparel” follows a Black seamstress in the early 20th century. Her correspondence leads to a marriage proposal from a foreign stranger while she pines for a Jewish shop owner who’s bound to another. Runs through April 18.

‘DIAL M FOR MURDER’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $43-$95

Visit AsoloRep.org.

A stylish update of the Hitchcock thriller, “Dial M for Murder” follows a man plotting to kill his wealthy wife. You’ll think twice about where you hide your key after watching Céline Rosenthal’s masterful production. Runs through April 25.

‘TROUBADOUR’

8 p.m. at FST’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota $39-$56

Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Featuring music by Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, “Troubadour’ tells the story of a country music legend’s son in the 1950s who is trying to carry on his father’s legacy. When he joins forces with unlikely allies, the world of country music is changed forever. Runs through May 19.

FRIDAY

JAZZ @ 2 — MARK MOULTRUP

TRIO

2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Road $15-$20

Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

The Mark Moultrup Trio features a tribute to the music of singer, songwriter, musician and actor Mel Torme, who got the nickname “The Velvet Fog” for his smooth voice.

THE BIRDWATCHERS

8 p.m. at Fogartyville, 525 Kumquat Court $13-$22

Visit WSLR.org.

Based in Utah, The Birdwatchers brings three-part harmonies with tenor, baritone and bass ukulele to original tunes and classics.

SATURDAY

‘NEIGHBORS’: IN-STUDIO

PERFORMANCE

3 and 7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts Suite 300 $20

Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

With her piece “Neighbors,” choreographer Tania Vergara Perez uses humor, dance, video projections and music to comment on the need to create emotional bonds with people around us who aren’t family.

MOZART, KODALY & MORE

5 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $63

Visit LaMusicaFestival.org.

This La Musica Chamber Music program features Mozart’s arrangement of his Piano Concerto, Kodály’s Serenade and two works by Arensky.

‘THE LISTENER’: CLOSING FILM

OF THE 26TH SARASOTA FILM

FESTIVAL

6:30 p.m. at the Regal Hollywood, 1993 Main St.

$50

Visit SarasotaFilmFestival.com.

Director Steve Buscemi comes to Sarasota for the Florida premiere of his film, “The Listener,” starring Tessa Thompson as a volunteer at a suicide prevention hotline with a troubled past. Buscemi will hold a Q&A session following the screening. A closing night party takes place afterward at Sage Restaurant for an additional $50.

‘RADIO WAVES’

7 p.m. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road $20 Visit RingSarasota.org.

Ring Sarasota Handbell Ensemble plays radio hits across all genres, including country, Latin and ’80s pop.

SUNDAY

‘WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD’

3 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3131 61st St. $5 Visit SuncoastConcertBand.org. Join the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors as they close out their 2023-24 season.

CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD

7 p.m. at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road $40/Students $5 Visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org.

Choral Artists of Sarasota takes audiences on a moving musical journey about the life of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man murdered in 1998 in Wyoming. The performance also features a chamber ensemble of Sarasota Orchestra musicians.

HARD HEART BURLESQUE

8 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $37 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Created by producers Miss Marina Elaine and Karma Kandlewick, Hard Heart Burlesque welcomes spring with a show emceed by Franki Markstone and featuring burlesque performers Ruby Vesper, Barbarella Brown, Karma Carnelian, pole dancer Kyle and Sarasota songbird Nicole Dreger.

MONDAY

ANGÉLICA NEGRÓN AND ENSEMBLENEWSRQ

7:30 p.m. at The Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood $25 Visit ENSRQ.org.

OUR PICK

‘MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL’

Sheldon Rhoden reprises the title role in “Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul,” which was written, adapted and is being directed by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs. Gaye was a trailblazer in Black music with musical partner Tammi Terrell at Motown before touching a nation with haunting solo ballads like “What’s Going On?” that still resonate today. Runs through May 26.

IF YOU GO

When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 17 Where: at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1012 N. Orange Ave. Tickets: $20-$50 Info: Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

Courtesy Vutti Photography

Contemporary classical music group ensembleNewSRQ presents the world premiere of Hermitage Greenfield Prize Winner Angélica Negrón’s newest work.

TUESDAY

DUO BEAUX ARTS

7:30 p.m. at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W., Bradenton $40 Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Artist Series Concerts presents a husband and wife team of pianists known for their energetic performances of compositions for two pianos.

DON’T MISS

MASTERWORKS 7: YANG PLAYS MOZART

Joyce Yang returns as a soloist in Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 24.” Austrian conductor Katharina Wincor, who makes her Sarasota Orchestra debut, leads the program featuring Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 8.” The program opens with Sarasota native Roger Zare’s ode to the comet that crossed the skies in 2020. Runs through April 14.

IF YOU GO

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11

Where: at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $35 and up Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

Courtesy image

Courtesy image

Set the Bar cocktail contest returns to Ed Smith Stadium

The Sarasota-Manatee Originals event took 2023 off.

Do bartenders really entertain their customers by throwing bottles behind their back to a partner and other juggling antics? In the classic 1988 film “Cocktail,” Tom Cruise made it look that way.

Sometimes art imitates life. And in a circus town like Sarasota, it’s safe to say there are a few bartenders out there who treat bottles of Jack Daniel’s as if they are juggling pins.

Where do you find them? No doubt there is bound to be a juggling bartender or two among the 25 mixologists represented at the Set the Bar cocktail competition on April 14 at Ed Smith Stadium.

If you can’t remember attending last season’s Set the Bar event, don’t worry — you’re not losing your memory. There wasn’t one because of scheduling issues.

Set the Bar is brought to you by Sarasota-Manatee Originals, the same group of local restaurateurs who bring you the Forks & Corks Food and Wine Festival each year. That upscale event, which culminates in the Grand Testing in the courtyard of The Ringling Museum, sells out in minutes each year.

That’s why it’s good news that one of the items that will be raffled off at this year’s Set the Bar is a pair of tickets to the 2025 Forks & Corks event.

There will also be entertainment and light bites from the participating restaurants as a panel of judges and event attendees decide on the best cocktail in five categories — gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey and rum.

Besides excellent libations and tasty bites, Set the Bar gives attend-

ees the opportunity to engage in a favorite Florida pastime — people watching and admiring decorations.

At the last Set the Bar, the restaurant Tsunami constructed a giant ice sculpture. Some restaurants go all out in decorating their booth for the competition as if they were building a float for the Rose Parade.

You might think that the last thing bartenders would want to do on their day off is go make drinks for a charitable cause (Children First is this year’s Set the Bar charitable partner.), but you would be wrong. To become a top bartender in a tourist town, you’ve got to love people.

There’s no arguing that Sarasota native Julie Asher is a people person. But she also likes to compete. This year will be her first time in competition at Set the Bar. Asher, who works at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse, attended the 2022 contest at the invitation of her boss, Doug Chaffin, and his wife.

“I had so much fun as a spectator

“I also love the camaraderie that exists, even among competitors. It’s a huge group of mixologists who are supporting one another.”

— Heidi Finley

“Papa,” or to her own father, Finley replied, “Both. My dad loved Hemingway. I am from Key West.”

This year, Finley is back at Set the Bar, competing in the tequila category instead of rum. But mum’s the word on the ingredients in her concoction.

Speaking of Hemingway, Finley likens creating a cocktail to telling a story, one that begins with glassware.

I decided to become a competitor,” says Asher, who has been a professional bartender for 17 years.

Asher says of Set the Bar, “As a spectator, it’s very energetic, upbeat, fun. It’s almost like a big cocktail party with a lot of people you don’t necessarily know. It’s very educational to learn about cocktails.”

Under Set the Bar’s rules, the bartenders representing the competing restaurants must keep their concoctions secret until the day of the cocktail confab. Asher was able to reveal that she will be competing in the gin category with a cocktail that pays homage to Old Florida.

Asher might be on to something with her Old Florida theme, since that was a winning proposition for Heidi Finley in 2022. Finley, the lead bartender at Jack Dusty in the RitzCarlton, won in the rum category with her drink “Papa’s Paradise.”

Asked if it were an ode to Ernest Hemingway, whose nickname was

Will making cocktails on the fly in a baseball stadium be a difficult transition from her normally sumptuous quarters at Jack Dusty? Not at all, says Finley.  “I was a softball player for many years, so I love Ed Smith,” she says. “I also love the camaraderie that exists, even among competitors. It’s a huge group of mixologists who are supporting one another.”

Here’s how much Finley likes working at Jack Dusty, which routinely wins contests for the most romantic place in town to have a drink: She commutes to her job from Orlando.

She took the position at Jack Dusty three years ago, after her previous restaurant was closed down for more than a year due to COVID. Finley and her family are looking to relocate to Sarasota but are waiting until the real estate market calms down, she says.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine A bartender shows off his moves at the Set the Bar cocktail competition in 2022 at Ed Smith Stadium.

Courtesy image

Heidi Finley is the lead bartender at Jack Dusty in The Ritz-Carlton and a past winner of the Set the Bar cocktail competition.

34th annual Celebration Luncheon

It’s Girls Inc.’s mission to teach girls to be strong, smart and bold, and during its 34th annual Celebration Luncheon on April 3 at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, it honored three women who embody all of those values.

Penny Hill, Kim Ogilvie and Rochelle Curley received awards and shared their stories of challenges and triumph with the more than 450 guests. Girls Inc. also recognized the Baltimore Orioles with its inaugural Community Partner Award.

Co-chaired by Dr. LaShawn Frost, Melissa Perrin, Mary Pat Radford and Zuleima Martinez, the event welcomed guests to shop at the Dream Harbor before lunch. But the highlight was the ladies from Girls Inc. performing their rendition of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

— OBSERVER STAFF

Photos by Lori Sax Heather Roberts and Honoree Penny Hill Honoree Rochelle Curley,

Kim Jansen, Judy Love, Jabarie Williams, Claudia Lagnese and Girls Inc. CEO Angie Stringer

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