Arts + Entertainment 10.20.2022

A+E INSIDE: <‘GUYS AND DOLLS’: Broadway classic comes to Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. 7

BLACK

TIE INSIDE:

MAYOR’S BALL: Erik Arroyo gets roasted during new fundraising event. 8>

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 20, 2022

YOUROBSERVER.COM

SECRET WEAPON SPENCER FORDIN | A+E EDITOR

T

here’s a famous legend concerning the 1792 premiere of Cimarosa’s “The Secret Marriage,” and Richard Russell believes it’s true. The original cast performed for the

an encore of the entire opera.

It’s believed to be the longest encore in opera history, and Russell says the story is not apocryphal.

court of Austrian emperor Leopold II, and after dinner, they did

SEE SECRET, PAGE 2

Photo courtesy of Rod Millington

Brenna Markey, Stefano de Peppo and Hanna Brammer star in Sarasota Opera’s production of the rare Cimarosa gem “The Secret Marriage.”

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

Secret

Give

Th

FROM PAGE 1

nks

Now with inflation, even more help is needed.

You can turn empty plates into ThankFULL tummies.

374131-1

Give today at allfaithsfoodbank.org 941.379.6333

It really happened. But you probably shouldn’t expect history to repeat itself when Sarasota Opera performs “The Secret Marriage” for the first time next week.

“That will not happen,” says Russell, laughing at the suggestion.

“First of all, it’s not a short opera.

We cut some pieces from it to make it within two-and-a-half hours or so.

“That was going to be a long evening for them. I can’t imagine the singers going through it again.”

The rare opera, says Russell, is today mostly performed by university groups as opposed to professional opera companies.

But back in its day, Cimarosa’s masterwork was quite popular.

Victor DeRenzi, Sarasota Opera’s artistic director and principal conductor, says Cimarosa was influential for Rossini and a whole school of Italian composers. But because of the vagaries of the ever-shifting opera canon, it’s fallen out of fashion here in the United States.

“The Secret Marriage” was first performed in the U.S. in 1834, just 42 years after its Austrian premiere.

But according to the website operabase.com, there have only been five productions of “The Secret Marriage” in the U.S., dating back to the year 2000. One was scheduled for Miami’s Florida Grand Opera and postponed during the pandemic.

By coincidence, it will be in running in November right as the Sarasota Opera completes its run.

DeRenzi, who has conducted productions of “The Secret Marriage” three times previously — but none since 1978 — says the opera’s rarity doesn’t really surprise him.

“The history of opera is very interesting, because there are many works that were extremely popular when they were written and then they disappeared,” he says.

“There are other works that were not very popular but then they became more and more performed.

And what has happened is that the opera repertoire has become a bit distilled down to the great works.

Mozart was Mozart; you can’t deny

THE BUSINESS OF OPERA There are practical reasons “The Secret Marriage” makes sense for Sarasota Opera.

For one, says Richard Russell, there’s the company’s long-standing mission, which is to provide productions for opera customers that are out of the mainstream.

But there are also financial considerations in the mix.

Russell says the opera does not have a chorus this fall, and since “The Secret Marriage” has a small cast without a chorus, it’s a perfect choice to perform.

Sarasota Opera, he says, is also trying to rethink the way it goes about fall programming.

“We’ve been doing very popular operas, which have been good for sales,” says Russell.

“The problem is that we have a smaller audience here in the fall than we do in the winter. A lot of our seasonal people have not yet arrived or they arrive late in the season and don’t get to see it. So typically, we end up doing fewer performances of these very popular operas. During the winter, we can do more of them and more people can see them.”

Russel says he hopes to put on a future production of “La Traviata,” which hasn’t been performed by Sarasota Opera since 1998. And he also hopes to see a winter production of “Rigoletto.” Sarasota Opera hasn’t performed “Rigoletto” in the winter since 2008.

how great Mozart was. But there were other composers who were much more performed than Mozart was (in his day). Even his contemporary, Haydn, wrote a lot of operas and they’re not performed anymore.”

DeRenzi, who now is at the helm of Sarasota Opera for his 41st season, laughs when asked how much has changed in his life since the last time he conducted “The Secret Marriage.”

Everything. He moved to Sarasota.

He got married and raised a daughter. He has grandkids. He’s now conducted 80 operas, and he’s held the baton for more than 1,000 performances.

DeRenzi says the music for “The Secret Marriage” came back easily for him because he learned it while he was in his 20s and not his 60s.

“The Secret Marriage” is a perfect fit for this opera house, he says, because it was designed for a smaller cast and for a smaller orchestra.

It was never meant to be performed in a gargantuan opera house.

DON’T MISS THE RINGLING’S 2022/23 SEASON KICK-OFF!

! y t r a P Salsa

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY!

FEATURING

LOS HACHEROS WITH JEREMY BOSCH AND

DJ LE SPAM

PRE + POST SHOW

Dance, Music, Food, Drinks y Azúcar!

OCT 22

7:30 PM (7:00 PM/VIP)

35

$

Brooklyn’s Los Hacheros is one of today’s hottest

GENERAL ADMISSION

torchbearers of the Golden Age of Latin music

100

$

VIP

THUR, DEC 8 - 7:30PM

NEW Christmas album available NOW!

Monday-Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-4 Open later Saturday and Sunday (on show days only)

Los Hacheros photo by Javier Raez; DJ le Spam Photo courtesy of the artist

Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice. ringling.org

(941) 263-6799 • (800) 826-9303 • vanwezel.org

390659-1

Salsa bands and are hailed as the modern-day

380839-1

2

YourObserver.com

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

IF YOU GO

‘THE SECRET MARRIAGE’ When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 28, Nov. 8 and Nov. 10; 1:30 p.m., Oct. 30 and Nov. 12 Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets: $23-$150 Info: SarasotaOpera.org.

3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

Experience

Close Encounters!

Photo courtesy of Rod Millington

ago and also in Germany a bit more recently.

Fontana, who will be returning to Sarasota Opera in the winter for “Madama Butterfly,” says “The Secret Marriage” is a challenging role.

“I know what happens and where my entrance is,” he says. “I know when I have to sing and when I’m off stage. Those kinds of things are much easier because I’ve done it already.”

Fontana says that yes, “The Secret Marriage” is done more often in Italy, but even there, he says it’s a victim to changing times and attitudes.

Sometimes it is popular and there are dueling productions, and sometimes there is a little bit of a quiet time for it. But eventually, he says, the charms of the opera come back to the forefront.

“The music is very lovely,” he says.

“It’s funny at times —there’s a loving couple that already got married but nobody knows. They have lovely arias to sing. Lovely duets.

“The result is a misunderstanding about who I’m going to marry; I don’t like the eldest daughter. I think she’s ugly. I like the youngest one. It’s funny how I try to get rejected.”

The way Fontana describes the plot should be familiar to anyone who’s ever seen a sitcom.

Except that this was written in Italy all the way back in 1792.

“I guess some things never change,” he says. “When it’s about love and marriage.”

Brenna Markey and Hanna Brammer star as sisters in Cimarosa’s “The Secret Marriage.”

going

Come see what everyone’s

WI LD

about!

Get friendly with some flamingos. Take your picture with a parrot. Feed and touch a tortoise. Hold and play with our fun-loving lemurs. Our animal interactions and private experiences let you get up close and personal with an assortment of new friends.

Make some lasting memories today!

Sarasota's Favorite Family Attraction

SarasotaJungleGardens.com • 941.355.5305

381563-1

“The typical European opera house is not much bigger than our opera house,” he says. “We have 1,100 seats. The theater of Venice, which is where many operas were premiered, it has 1,200 seats.

“Pieces like Cimarosa’s, when you put them in a bigger theater, they don’t have the same effect as they do here. So in a way, you’ll get more out of this piece in this theater than you may in San Francisco or Chicago or New York.”

Does DeRenzi have any other theories as to why “The Secret Marriage” is rarely performed?

At this point, he says, it’s basically a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Singers claim their roles, and if they don’t perform this one, how can they claim it as their own?

“If a famous singer wants to do ‘Madama Butterfly,’ then people who love that famous singer want to see her do that,” he says in explanation.

“If your favorite bass wants to sing in ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’ then you’re going to see ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ because you love his singing.

“The unknown operas don’t have that history built in, so it takes convincing of an audience to come and see them. ‘Why am I seeing this? I’ve never heard of the opera. I’ve never heard of the composer. How good can it be?’ Well, the answer to that is it could be very good.”

Both DeRenzi and Russell say that they’ve never seen “The Secret Marriage” as a customer, but they also say that’s not really out of the ordinary.

They also say they’ve done operas that are even more rare in recent seasons, including “The Silken Ladder” (2021) and “La Wally” (2020).

Only one member of the current cast, though, has performed his role before. Filippo Fontana, who will be playing Count Robinson, sang the role once in Italy about 10 years

|

Book by

JOE MASTEROFF JOHN VAN DRUTEN CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD JOHN KANDER FRED EBB Based on the play by

and stories by

4420 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota 941.260.8905 www.shellysgiftandchristmasboutique.com

Lyrics by

Music by

Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm

and

Directed and Choreographed by

JOSH RHODES

NOV 16 - DEC 31 941.351.8000

asolorep.org

A S O L O R E P E R T O RY T H E AT R E 372865-1

390488-1

SPONSORS

4

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

THIS WEEK THURSDAY

‘GUYS AND DOLLS’ 7:30 p.m. at Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave. $20-$48 Visit WestCoastBlackTheatre.org.

“Guys and Dolls” has won the Tony Award for best musical and best revival, and it was selected as the Pulitzer Prize-winner for Drama in 1951, although it did not officially receive that award due to the politics of the time. Standards like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” came out of this play, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will bring their song-anddance talents to bear at bringing the show back to life on stage.

‘GYPSY’ 7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W, Bradenton $30-$38 Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

388760-1

Everything’s Coming Up Roses at Manatee Performing Arts Center.

“Gypsy” has been a starring vehicle for Ethel Merman, Bette Midler and Patti LuPone, among others, and it was revived in London as recently as 2015. The musical first hit Broadway in 1959, and it won a Tony Award for Best Revival during the LuPone run in 2008. “Gypsy” will be running through Oct. 30 at Manatee Performing Arts Center.

IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE FEATURING EDUARD COSLA AND MICHAEL RUTHERFORD 7 p.m. at SCD Home Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts $10-$20 Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

Electronic musicians Eduard Cosla and Michael Rutherford spent a year exploring modal mood music, and then they got together with Sarasota Contemporary Dance for a program in which the dancers find ways to articulate the rhythms they put down. Cosla and Rutherford will perform on Friday and Saturday, and the latter performance will be available via streaming.

‘THE BURDENS’ BY MATT SCHATZ 8 p.m. at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St. $25-$39 Visit UrbaniteTheatre.com.

Two siblings share the titular burden of shepherding their 100-year-old grandfather into the next world in this black comedy, but the codger just won’t go gracefully into the beyond. Brendan Ragan directs, and much of the story is told through sarcastic and misspelled text messages. The takeaway? It’s much easier to write down things that most people would never be comfortable saying in person.

FRIDAY SONGS OF GRACE: ELEGANT PIECES TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St. Free Visit SarasotaMusicClub.org.

Soprano Johanna Fincher, who grew up singing with the Sarasota Youth Opera and Venice Little Theater, will usher you through works of Haydn, Bach, Strauss and at least one familiar Broadway favorite. Fincher will be accompanied by pianist Andi Zdrava in this opening act of the Sarasota Music Club season.

www.manasotaonline.com

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

The group garnered 10 Grammys over its 50 years in the business, but the Manhattan Transfer is still touring and still making innovative music. The vocal group became the first assemblage to win Grammys in the pop and jazz categories in 1981, and they came out with their newest album, “Fifty,” this year. Sarasota pianist Liston Gregory III will also play as part of the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s kickoff to its 43rd season at the Circus Arts Conservatory’s Sailor Circus Arena.

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

DON’T MISS ‘PREMIERES’ It’s a new season and a new era for Sarasota Ballet, which will welcome new principal dancers Macarena Giménez and Maximiliano Iglesias to their first performance in town.

All three acts of the program will be world premieres crafted by choreographer Gemma Bond and company members Ricardo Graziano and Richard House. Graziano’s ballet, “The Pilgrimage,” will be danced to music penned by Dmitri Shostakovich.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 21; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 and 23 Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $35 and up Info: SarasotaBallet.org

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN Special Financing Available

385014-1

389746-1

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER IN CONCERT 7 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. $60-$120 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

YourObserver.com

‘LOOKING FOR ITHACA’ 6 p.m. at Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Free Visit AsoloRep.org.

This is a show that doesn’t have a home. Which is fitting since it’s re-telling the story of “The Odyssey.”

Writer Jess Shoemaker and director Gaby Rodriguez collaborate on this update on an ancient tale that is touring throughout several venues.

This play, developed for Asolo Rep on Tour, takes just 45 minutes, and it will examine in greater detail the plight experienced on the homefront while Odysseus was away.

‘BUDDY — THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY’ 7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $37-$77 Visit VanWezel.org.

IF YOU GO When: 1 p.m., Oct. 23 Where: Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St. Tickets: $75 Info: EatLikeALocal.com.

SAT, NOV 26 • 8PM SPONSOR: Michael’s on East

Celebrate the work of the unsung heroes of Selby Gardens, the volunteer photographers who have spent countless hours cataloguing the beauty and diversity of orchids.

The images will span two decades of orchid photography, and you’ll even get a chance to see how the volunteers do their work in person.

Many of the displays simulate camera lenses, and you can take your own Perfect Shot.

SIMON JOHNSON, WESTMINSTER CATHEDRAL ORGANIST IN CONCERT 6 p.m. at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road $20; students $10 Visit BonifaceChurch.org.

Simon Johnson has come all the way across the Atlantic to play some organ masterworks at St. Boniface. Johnson is the organist at Westminster Cathedral in London, and he’ll let his fingers do the talking as he rips off some of the most hallowed compositions ever heard in church assemblies.

WEDNESDAY PROFESSORS TALK MUSIC SERIES: MERIBETH CLARK, NEW COLLEGE 10:30 a.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First Street Free Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

Meribeth Clark, humanities division chair at New College of Florida, will talk about her life’s work in research and teaching. Clark has specialized in both the history and anthropology of music, and she’s specifically spent a great deal of time researching the history of 19th century French ballet and opera.

MON, NOV 28 • 8PM The ALLMAN FAMILY REVIVAL is a celebration of the life, spirit and music of Gregg Allman. The event is hosted by his son, Blues Music Award-winning Devon Allman, and anchored by his group, The Devon Allman Project.

PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY DANIEL

TUE-WED • NOV 29-30 • 7:30PM SPONSORS: Lexus of Sarasota and ABC7

390493-1

THE ORCHID SHOW 2022: CAPTURING THE PERFECT SHOT 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. Free with admission Visit Selby.org.

5

SET THE BAR Call an Uber or bring a designated driver. Twenty-five bars and restaurants will be competing for the title of the most innovative cocktail crafter in Sarasota at this event, and you can help decide the winner. There will be five contestants in each of the five following spirit categories — gin, vodka, tequila, rum and whiskey — and a jury of experienced palates will judge each offering. But only the people can choose the overall best cocktail.

SUNDAY

Wilbur may be the runt of the litter, but that doesn’t mean the Zuckerman farm’s animals will just let him be led to slaughter. Florida Studio Theatre’s talented cast of acting apprentices take on multiple roles as they explore the roles of friendship and mortality in this adaptation of the E.B. White tale.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

OUR PICK

The music has been played for 65 years, and it won’t be fading away anytime soon. This play, which began in London and hit Broadway and several other venues all over the world, will take you on a journey with Buddy Holly as he crafts some of the most unforgettable songs in rock history leading up to “The Day The Music Died.” It’s one night, and it will get you singing “Peggy Sue.”

‘CHARLOTTE’S WEB’ 10 a.m. at FST’s Keating Theatre, 1215 N. Palm Ave. $10 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

|

Monday-Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-4 Open later Saturday and Sunday (on show days only)

Prices, dates and times subject to change without notice.

(941) 263-6799 • (800) 826-9303 • vanwezel.org

390494-1

SATURDAY

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

6

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

DISTINCTIVE DISHES An occasional series on signature dishes from local restaurants.

AV I VA P R E S E N T S

AN EVENING IN

ITALy

A W I N E PA I R I N G D I N N E R B E N E F I T I N G AV I VA’S BENEVOLENT FUND

6:00 PM MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022 MICHAEL’S ON EAST

WHAT’S THE DISH: It’s a remarkably versatile blend of herbs and spices that could be served to people of all palates.

But you have to know what you’re getting into before you order it.

Pho Cali’s Lemongrass Chicken can be molded to your specific taste buds; you can have it spicy or mild or somewhere in between and can try it with a variety of different protein options.

Don’t like chicken?

You can order lemongrass tofu, shrimp or vegetables instead.

The X-factor?

Chili peppers. They’re chopped very fine and worked into the delicate balance of tastes.

“More spice? More chili,” says Kimberly La, the chef and co-owner of Pho Cali with her husband Harrison La. “And if you don’t want spice?

No chili.”

AVIVA GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES OUR SEASON PARTNERS TITLE PARTNER

CHAI PARTNER

PRESENTING PARTNER

Debbie and Dr. Larry Haspel

Edie & David Chaifetz

PREMIER PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNER

Isabel Anchin Becker Sheila & Jerry Birnbaum

387040-1

For sponsorship opportunities and tickets, contact Lynne Georgette, 941-203-6237 or lgeorgette@avivaseniorlife.org

HOW IT’S MADE: It all starts with quality ingredients and time to prepare. Lemongrass can be purchased locally, say the Las, and every day, the staff arrives early to chop the lemongrass, the onion, the peppers and the garlic thinly before anybody arrives. And then, when you order the dish, it can be ready in as quick as five to 10 minutes.

Kimberly La says that one misconception of preparing lemongrass chicken is how much of the lemongrass you actually use. You don’t use the leaf, she says; you only use the stalk and throw the leaf away.

“You slice it, and you chop it really fine,” she says. “Then you get the pan with a little bit of oil. You sauté the chopped lemongrass, chopped chili and curry powder.

After that, you add in the chicken, tofu or shrimp; whatever protein or vegetables you like. Then you cook the chicken a little bit until it’s brown. Then you add in the sauce and the coconut milk and you cook it down until the meat is done.”

Ever Onward Season 27

Anthony Trionfo, flute Albert Cano Smit, piano

October 27 • Sarasota Yacht Club 11:00 am performance followed by lunch

Praised as “a musician of prodigious talent and scintillating personality,” Anthony Trionfo made his debut at Kennedy Center in 2018.

Albert Cano Smit, his frequent collaborator, won First Prize at the 2017 Walter W. Naumburg Piano Competition.

TOFU TIME: Not everybody likes to eat meat. But that shouldn’t stop them from trying this recipe.

Harrison La says the tofu is there as a healthy option and that it carries the taste of the herbs and spices much the same way the chicken does.

“The tofu comes pre-fried with a little crust on the outside, but we cut it into cubes,” says Harrison La. “And then we sauté it with the onion and the chili and the curry sauce.”

Bass to Bass: John Miller and Michael Ross November 9 • Plantation Golf & Country Club 5:30 pm performance followed by dinner

Get the low down on the low sounds as John Miller, principal bassist of Sarasota Orchestra, and his colleague Michael Ross explore the jazzier side of bass playing. Fabulous improvisors and entertaining personalities, the pair perform a program of jazz standards with a little funk and R&B thrown in.

View our complete schedule of concerts at

ArtistSeriesConcerts.org

THE OLD COUNTRY: How would the dish be different if it were served in Vietnam?

This project is supported in part by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County; Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida (Section 286.25 Florida Statutes); The Exchange; Gulf Coast Community Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; and Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.

Address: 1578 Main St. Ambiance: Lunch crowds, no frills, family style, great for takout Price: Entrees from $14 to $24 Info: Call 941-955-2683

Photos by Spencer Fordin

CO-OWNERS KIMBERLY AND HARRISON LA

Kimberly La says the chicken would probably be served bone-in, and Harrison La says coconut milk might not be part of the recipe there.

“We wanted to go healthier so we just used a boneless chicken breast,” he says. “In Vietnam, they’d mix the white meat and the dark meat, the whole chicken. It would be served on the bone. But we strip out the bone.”

QUEST FOR PERFECTION: Harrison said his wife isn’t formally trained. She grew up in the Vietnamese countryside and has spent decades teaching herself how to skillfully blend traditional recipes half a world away from home.

“She read a lot of cookbooks,” says Harrison. “And she kept modifying, learning and correcting to reach perfection in her cooking.”

Harrison La says his business has thrived on Main Street for 17 years, and on a recent visit to Pho Cali, it was standing-room only in the middle of the lunch rush.

La says that many of his customers are regulars and that they come in and know what they want to eat without even looking at the menu.

And how has business changed on Main Street over the years?

“More restaurant and more competition,” he says. “But competition is good. It brings the best out of you.”

— SPENCER FORDIN

West Coast Picnic

Parrillada en la Playa

A Golden State of Mind

This gourmet picnic will be centered around local and sustainable ingredients. Master Sommelier, Michael Jordan and Kendall- Jackson Winery will showcase their Estate and Grand Reserve wines. We will finish the afternoon with a Vine to bar Chocolate Tasting. The Jackson Families are committed to the Grow True philosophy—growing better, smarter, and kinder by heralding sustainability.

Enjoy a Gulf of Mexico sunset at this wine dinner hosted by the iconic, Spanish wine producer, Marques de Caceres. Savor interesting and vintage wines paired with a La Rioja-inspired menu cooked over an open flame.

This bucolic table is set under the stars, featuring an innovative menu and wine pairings starring the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of the Flowers Winery of Sonoma and the bold reds of Quintessa Winery from Napa Valley.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3RD 6 pm / North Beach

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3RD 7 pm / Harbourside Lawn

$145++ per person (Limited reservations)

$145++ per person (Limited reservations)

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3RD / 12:30 pm Under the Bayou Oaks Islandside (across from Island House) $80++ per person (Limited reservations)

Stone Crab Celebration and USF Charity Auction MINUITY ROSÉ SOIREE BACCHUS REGISTRATION / 3 pm / Poolside

This Annual Celebration of Food and Wine features winemakers, producers, and vendors sampling hundreds of wines and spirits as Longboat Key Club chefs provide delectable tasting stations and a centerpiece display with mounds of iced stone crab claws.

Music, dancing, and a live auction benefiting the University of South Florida School of Hospitality round out this fabulous evening.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 4TH / 5:30 PM / Beachside Tent / $180++ per person A portion of the proceeds benefits The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, College of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership.

Presented by

Media Sponsor

For details and ticket sales visit:

NOVEMBER 3

rd

and 4

th

https://bit.ly/Bacchus2022 or scan QRcode

390406-1

389190-1

Box office: 941-306-1202

LEMONGRASS CHICKEN AT PHO CALI

YourObserver.com

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

|

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

REVIEWS

‘Guys and Dolls’ Forever

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings new life to eternal Broadway classic.

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

S

ome things will never change.

Bart Simpson will always be 10 years old. In the mystical Scottish village of Brigadoon, the year will always be 1757. Jeffty (Harlan Ellison’s childlike creation) will always be 5.

Thanks to the Broadway musical adaptation, the characters of Damon Runyon’s short stories will live forever in “Guys and Dolls.”

They’re living and breathing right now on the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe stage.

The place is New York City. The year is 1950. It will always be 1950.

This musical’s slice of time is packed with colorful characters.

With names like “Harry the Horse,” “Nicely-Nicely,” “Nathan Detroit,” and “Sky Masterson,” it’s like saying a hydrogen bomb makes a big bang.

This motley assortment of crooks, schnooks, dancers, hustlers, mugs, pugs, high rollers and holy rollers puts the rainbow to shame.

In the ineluctable logic of storytelling, these characters all want something, and have to overcome some obstacle to get it.

Nathan Detroit (Warren G. Nolan Jr.) wants to find a spot for his “permanent floating crap game,” but can’t cough up the $1,000 rent fee for the only available secret spot. After a 14-year engagement, Nathan’s fiancée, Adelaide (Marta McKinnon) wants to tie the knot already. Sister Sarah (Kirstin Angelina Henry) wants to save souls.

(As she works for the Save-A-Soul Mission, her desire is also her job description.)

Sky Masterson (Brian Boyd) initially wants to win a $1,000 bet with Nathan — and then wants to

GRAND PRIZE

win Sister Sarah’s heart.

Lieutenant Brannigan (Michael Mejia-Mendez) just wants to throw most of the other characters in jail.

So, do these “Guys and Dolls” find what they’re looking for?

I won’t spoil the ending.

Let’s just say that if they all wound up dead in a gangland shooting, this Broadway blockbuster wouldn’t still be alive and kicking in the 21st century.

The WBTT production succeeds at every level.

It’s a matter of skill, not luck.

Director Jim Weaver is hitting on all cylinders. This musical’s weird subcultures started out in observable reality and wound up in fantasyland. The result is sentimentality disguised as cynicism.

If the director’s tone is too gritty or too sappy, this musical doesn’t work. Weaver deftly walks that tightrope. And it works.

Nolan Jr.’s Nathan Detroit is an entrepreneurial everyman whose skill set is sadly illegal.

Boyd’s sweet-talking, heartstealing Sky Masterson might be related to Lando Calrissian. Henry’s Sarah Brown avoids the stereotype of prim religiosity and sells you on her transition to romantic (but still religious) womanhood.

McKinnon’s Adelaide also sidesteps cliché. A Betty Boop imitation would be the lazy, easy choice. But McKinnon’s fancy dancer is funny, layered, and three-dimensional.

Darci Collins’ flashy costumes make you want buy a Panama hat.

Jordan’s choreography is energetic, athletic and sometimes balletic. He’s in perfect synch with the director’s intentions.

(Since he’s also the director; they probably didn’t argue much.)

Donna and Mark Buckalter’s set design doesn’t distract you from the

Photo courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

action. Just projections and rotating panels. It’s simple. It works.

The result is a visual treat. What you hear is as fun as what you see.

Music director Christopher Jordan’s arrangements sizzle with subtle contemporary choices.

The band he directs is out of sight but never out of mind. WBTT’s talents deliver a great show.

They started out with great material, of course. “Guys and Dolls” has a lot going for it.

Frank Loesser’s music and lyrics are catchy and clever. His tunes (“Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”) were a hit parade in 1950 — and are just as entertaining today.

Starting with fragments of Runyon’s fiction, writers Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows created a hilarious, yet moving story.

The tale is wildly improbable, but it grabs you and won’t let go.

You identify with the relatable characters and laugh at the oddballs. Either way, you’re hooked.

Swerling and Burrows also smartly distilled the quirky sub-dialect of Runyon’s fiction.

$50 PER

RAFFLE TICKET OR 5 FOR $200

MEDIA SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

woody & sue wolverton

Thomas-Matthew Elijah Shands, Leon S. Pitts II and Lee Hollis Bussie are featured in WBTT’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”

Due to a scheduling conflict, this is a review of a preview show.

This is by permission of WBTT, which stress that the talents involved were still refining the performance.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

OR ONE OF 3 OTHER FANTASTIC PRIZES!

KEN SCHNEIER & CYNTHIA CRAIG

(“Guys,” “dolls,” “markers,” “action,” “dough,” “welchers,” etc.)

It’s funny, but it’s more.

Like the patois in “A Clockwork Orange,” the lingo pulls you into the musical’s world.

And speaking of parallel realities, this show has an added bonus …

Runyon was a racist.

(Many writers were in the 1950s.

No excuse, just a fact.)

The creators of “Guys and Dolls” sifted out his sneers and slurs in their musical adaptation. This WBBT production goes further.

Their African-American cast implies an alternate history where racism didn’t exist.

Black people live in New York City in this counterfactual 1950. But they don’t live in the ghetto.

Evidently, some things change.

At least in the many realms of musical theater.

PRESENTED BY PLATINUM SPONSOR

$5K GOLD SPONSOR

7

Hosted by Longboat Key Kiwanis Club

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 | NOON - 2 PM Ken Thompson Park 1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota Valet Parking Available I Rain or Shine

PROCEEDS BENEFIT “For foster care kids in need”

FEATURING SIGNATURE DISHES OF SARASOTA AND MANATEE’S FINEST CHEFS AND RESTAURANTS

PARTICIPATING ESTABLISHMENTS

Join us for the opening of Scrollathon and view the Sarasota Community’s Collaborative Masterwork.

National Scrollathon: Florida

BEER & WINE DISTRIBUTORS • Gold Coast Eagle • Johnson Brothers • Prestige Brands

• Republic National Distributors • Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits • Winebow

Scrollathon invites members of community groups of all needs and abilities to create a collaborative work with Steven and William Ladd.

Also on view: Steven and William Ladd: Lead With a Laugh.

Opening October 16, 2022

This exhibition is made possible, in part, with generous support from:

PURCHASE TICKETS AT THESE LONGBOAT LOCATIONS SunTrust 510 Bay Isles Rd. Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2049, 5390 Gulf of Mexico Dr.

The Lazy Lobster Restaurant 5350 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Online: www.LBKLawnParty.org

75

$

SarasotaArtMuseum.org

ADMISSION TICKETS

For more information, visit LBKLawnParty.org

1001 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236 941.309.4300 382233-1

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

• Nothing Bundt Cakes • Pesto Bistro & Wine Bar • Publix • The Resort at Longboat Key Club • Tropical Shores Popcorn • Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill • Tyler’s Gourmet Ice Cream • Viento Kitchen & Bar at Zota Beach Resort • Whitney’s LBK and more....

390197-1

BRONZE SPONSORS

• Anna Maria Oyster Bar • Apollonia Grill • Blue Dolphin Cafe • Chick-fil-A • Crab & Fin • Crisp Waffle Company • Dry Dock Waterfront Grill • Euphemia Haye • H2O Bistro at Hotel Indigo • Harry’s Continental Kitchen • Kacey’s Seafood & More • La Norma • Lazy Lobster Longboat Key

BLACK

TIE

YOUROBSERVER.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

Photos by Harry Sayer

Mayor’s Ball

Sarasota Mayor Erik Arroyo thanks the assembled crowd with committee members Donna Koffman and Jane Cirksena.

Saturday, Oct. 15, at Waterworks | Benefiting Sarasota City Foundation

E

rik Arroyo showed up ready to play at the first Mayor’s Ball event.

The Sarasota mayor knew he’d be getting roasted at the fundraiser, so he made sure he’d have some jokes aimed at the audience as well.

He made playful jabs at supporters and fellow city officials —even teasing Vice Mayor Kyle Battie for being perpetually late and Hagen Brody for coming off as a dollar-store JFK — all to the cheers and jeers of the crowd.

Of course, city staff and friends were more than ready to dish it back.

“Erik swore he’d get the traffic problem under control,” said donor and supporter Donna Koffman to laughter throughout the crowd. “Flash forward, we ended up with electric scooters.”

It was all in fun, and such was the mood at the Mayor’s Ball, a small but lively fundraiser in support of the new Sarasota City Foundation at the SRQ Waterworks social club on Oct. 15. The organization — put together in part by Arroyo himself — aims to assist with funding for city projects.

The idea for the Mayor’s Ball took form last year when Donna Koffman met Arroyo for lunch and hatched out the idea for an annual event that could assist the new Sarasota City Foundation.

But for the Mayor’s Ball itself, the goal was fundraising, fun and to be an informal roast of sorts of the Sarasota mayor. Donors and city officials arrived dressed in tropical (and stylish) Cuban-inspired dress wear for an evening of drinks and mingling.

Eventually, Arroyo, Koffman and other organization committee members took to the top of the steps to thank the assembled group for helping fund the organization’s new venture.

“This organization is to help bridge that gap between city services and the needs of the community,” Arroyo said. “Imagine the foundation providing funds for repairing bridges, safer road signage or assisting with homelessness ... this all begins with a community that cares. It’s a partnership between private philanthropy and government.”

By the night’s end, Koffman said the organization had raised over $100,000.

Arroyo said he looks forward to next year’s event — he’s already thinking of jokes to get back at the crowd.

—HARRY SAYER

Committee member Jane Cirksena and Alex Chau

Eric and McKenzie Baird

Carolina Cotran and Kaitlyn Lake

Sydney Koffman, committee member Donna Koffman and Madison Piper

Mario Oliva, Amie Austin and Ron Karp

YourObserver.com

BLACK TIE

|

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

9

BLACK

Heroes SAVE When They SOAR!

TIE Photos by Harry Sayer

Pauline and David Wamsler with Executive Director Virginia Shearer

Ambassadors and Founders Reception Saturday, Oct. 15, at Sarasota Art Museum | Benefiting Sarasota Art Museum

The Ground Is Overrated BRADENTON

T

941-219-4457

www.TreeUmph.com SPECIAL MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS PRICING ALL YEAR ROUND

20% OFF

*

ANY REGULARLY PRICED ADVENTURE ANYTIME YOU CLIMB! Emory Conetta and Christa Molinaro

—HARRY SAYER

we

because we

For Active or Retired Military, First Responders and up to 4 family members!

Military use Promo Code: Military | First Responders use Promo Code: FirstResponder *Military members and first responders must show qualifying ID at check-in. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

CARE

390439-1

he Sarasota Art Museum marked the opening of two new exhibits with a reception on Oct. 15.

The Ambassadors and Founders Reception brought supporters and artists alike to the museum for the opening of the “National Scrollathon: Florida” and “Journeys to Places Known and Unknown: Moving Images by Janet Biggs and peter campus” exhibits.

The latter event was scheduled to be released a month earlier but was postponed because of the hurricane.

Guests mingled indoors because of inclement weather before hearing from SAM Executive Director Virginia Shearer and the exhibit’s artists.

The crowd then moved upstairs to walk through the new exhibits.

Zip•Climb Swing•Soar

for you about

you.

We believe your doctor should get to know you personally, have the flexibility to see you at any time, and commit to delivering benefit-oriented care and advice tailored to your unique needs.

Discover how LernerCohen puts the CARE in Healthcare.

Schedule a meet and greet to see if concierge care is right for you.

The Doctor Is In. Always.™ 941.953.9080 • LernerCohen.com 1921 Waldemere Street, Suite 814 • Sarasota, FL 34239

372798-1

Dr. Brad S. Lerner | Dr. Louis M. Cohen | Dr. James R. Cocco | Dr. Amy M. Roth

BLACK TIE

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

Photos by Harry Sayer

Molly Laramie, Yuliya Tkachuk and Bria Miller

Isaac Rivera, Lori Rasmussen and Ariana Gillooly

Beverly Perez

Jesse Bauer

28th Annual Fashion Show Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | Benefiting Women’s Council of Realtors Sarasota

T

he Women’s Council of Realtors Sarasota brought a touch of glamour to the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, during its annual fashion show on Oct. 13.

“Glamour on the Gulf” brought more than 400 supporters and local Realtors to the annual event, which supports Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Guests mingled and shopped at pop-up vendors before heading into the ballroom to see a number of agents rock the runway wearing a variety of different clothes.

Women wore clothes from Style by Olga, while men donned attire from Tweed Custom Suits.

—HARRY SAYER Event co-chairwoman Julianna Regina thanks the audience for attending.

1 0 T H A N N1U5ATLH LAONBNSU TA ER L DINNER A N D B E AC H PA R T Y

Alina Kirilenko

T H E Y N E E D U S.

We Need

You.

Meals On Wheels feeds Dan, a veteran with leukemia who appreciates the healthy meals and the companionship of our delivery drivers.

6:00 PM SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2022 sharky’s on the pier Enjoy sunset on the Gulf of Mexico, a delicious Maine Lobster dinner, rockin’ music, and sand under your feet.

Your help delivers so much more than a healthy meal.

Without federal funding, Meals On Wheels of Sarasota has been serving seniors, expecting mothers, veterans and disabled people of all ages in our community since 1971.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Your generosity doesn’t just make it possible – it makes it happen. Donate today. Simply scan

TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE: CHILDRENFIRST.NET/SPONSORSHIPS For more information, please call (941) 953-3877, ext. 1126

the code below to learn more or make a donation.

941.366.6693 Meals On Wheels of Sarasota, Inc. delivers nutritious meals to persons in need in the Sarasota community who are unable to provide or prepare a meal for themselves in their homes.

374811-1

MealsOnWheelsOfSarasota.org 421 North Lime Ave | Sarasota, FL 34237

389269-1

10

YourObserver.com

BLACK TIE

|

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

11

389099-1

Photos by Harry Sayer

Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Stephanie Sundine

Curtain Raiser Dinner Sunday, Oct. 16, at Selby Gardens Event Center | Benefiting Sarasota Opera

T

he Sarasota Opera paid tribute to General Director Richard Russell’s 10 years with the organization during the annual Curtain Raiser dinner on Oct. 16.

The opera’s closest supporters met at the Selby Gardens Event Center late Sunday afternoon for mingling and drinks as the sun set over the bayfront. Guests stopped

S A R A S O T A

CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL PRESENTS

to have their photos taken at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens entrance and headed in to walk through the grounds before the program started. The crowd headed into the Michael’s event space to hear from Russell and other Sarasota Opera staff before enjoying a performance from Sarasota Opera singers.

—HARRY SAYER

SARASOTA OPERA HOUSE ~ DECEMBER 3, 2022 AT 7PM

CALL 941-328-1300 CALLsrqcubanballet.org 941-328-1300

Harry Leopold, General Director Richard Russell and Stacy Ridenour

Sense & Sensibility

IllustratIon

by

389096-1

tickets.sarasotaopera.org/6054/6055 DavID shahan

FSU/ASOLO CONSERVATORY PRESENTS

NOV 1-20

Monday, November 7, 2022 • 11:30 AM SARASOTA YACHT CLUB - 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236 Event Co-Chairs: Deborah Beacham and Marie Monsky Presenting Sponsors: Audrey Robbins, Charlie Ann & Jim Syprett, Deborah Beacham, The Huisking Foundation

Celebrate with us! You’ll enjoy:

“If I loved you any less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

Written by Kate Hamill Based on the novel by Jane Austen Directed by James Dean Palmer

941.351.8000 | ASOLOREP.ORG/CONSERVATORY/SEASON

Performance by the Key Chorale Chamber Singers, Student Scholars, and a special performance by the 2022 Perfect Pitch Awardee, Daniel Jordan and friends.

For more information or to purchase tickets:

KeyChorale.org or 941.552.8768 386821-1

REBECCA ROSE MIMS AND ISÁYAH PHILLIPS. PHOTO BY JOHN REVINSKY. 390534-1

An Annual Luncheon Supporting Education & Community Outreach

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022

RECOVER | REPLACE | REBUILD

RECOVER | REPLACE | REBUILD

CLIVE DANIEL HOME IS OPEN AND READY TO HELP! IN-STOCK FURNITURE AVAILABLE FOR

TO OUR SWFL COMMUNITY:

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY.

WHETHER YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH PAST

YOU MAY NOT BE READY FOR OUR SERVICES

ACCOUNT RECONCILIATIONS, INSURANCE

RIGHT NOW, BUT WE WILL BE READY FOR YOU

REPLACEMENTS, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, OR

WHENEVER YOU ARE. TOGETHER, WE WILL

NEW PRODUCT, WE ARE HERE TO HELP. WE HAVE A

RECOVER, REPLACE, AND REBUILD.

DEDICATED TEAM OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL: CARE@CLIVEDANIEL.COM

W E W I L L B E O N E C O M M U N I T Y. O N C E A G A I N .

NAPLES, FL

2777 TAMIAMI TRAIL N 239.261.HOME (4663)

SARASOTA, FL

3055 FRUITVILLE COMMONS BLVD. 941.900.HOME (4663)

BOCA RATON, FL 1351 NW BOCA RATON BLVD 561.440.HOME (4663)

AWARD-WINNING | INTERIOR DESIGN | FINE FURNISHINGS | CLIVEDANIEL.COM

IB26001785

389875-1

12

CDH-OBSERVER-FP-BACKCOVER ARTS-ENT-Oct15.indd 1

10/14/22 1:27 PM