Black tie arts culture 3 26 15

INSIDE: BLACK

TIE

BIG TOP GALA: ACS’s sequin-studded night. 13 > < THEATER: ‘Our Betters’ is rich in laughter. 12

ARTS + CULTURE THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Ballroom

BLITZ Whether he’s teaching amateurs or pros, Sid Pocius keeps Sarasota’s dancing community on its toes.

STUDIO SPACE

Vladislav Yeliseyev

The architect and watercolor artist gives a behindthe-scenes peek of the studio where he creates his best work.

PAGE 6

SPOTLIGHT

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

Y

Photo by Nick Reichert

Sid Pocius, owner of Empire Ballroom Studios, demonstrates a dance move with Kathryn Kulik as they prepare for the 7th annual Sarasota Challenge.

ou can hear it before you see it. As you approach the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, the roar of the crowd mingles with the performers’ music.

Inside the ballroom, competitors decked out in sparkly jewel-toned gowns and immaculate suits stretch and warm up before taking center stage.

Each dance school supports its members as 12 teams at a time compete in the waltz, tango and more. One woman yells “Fort Myers!” and waves clappers noisily in the air whenever her fellow dancers pass.

This isn’t your grandmother’s foxtrot. PAGE 2

Urbanite Theatre

Summer Wallace and Brendan Ragan talk about taking risks, long days and longer nights to get the Urbanite Theatre up and running by showtime April 10.

PAGE 8

BLACK

People with Purpose Graci McGillicuddy discusses her passion for being the voice of abused children.

PAGE 19

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

BALLROOM BLITZ: Art meets athleticism – Sid Pocius

Photos by Nick Reichert

Sid Pocius brings out Sarasota’s competitive edge in the world of ballroom dancing.

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Created and hosted by Sid Pocius, of Empire Ballroom Studio, the 7th annual Sarasota Challenge brought the art and sport of ballroom dancing to Sarasota last weekend. The two-day ballroom dancing summit has grown each year and this year included seminars, cocktails, dinner, dancing, professional and amateur showcases, dance competitions and an exhibition by two-time world champion dancing duo Gherman Mustuc and Iveta Lukosiute.

Older dancers all the way to elementary school-aged dancers competing in the pro/am competition all thrived on the adrenaline in the room. More than 3,000 dancing heats took place over the two days.

“I knew the benefits of it, but I didn’t know how it was going to grow,” Pocius said of starting the competition. “But I knew it would grow because I have great support, a great team and, most importantly, I have love. If I put my passion in it, it shows in the growing attendance.”

Pocius was introduced to ballroom dancing in his home country of Lithuania. He started taking lessons at age 6, and he was hooked. He practiced constantly.

He thought if he could win regional competitions, he would be able to compete on a national level, then represent his country in both European and world competitions. If this sounds like the story of an Olympic athlete, then you’re close to Pocius’s mind frame.

“Studies have shown that the amount of energy spent on one dance in a ballroom competition is equal to the energy spent in one round of boxing.

Competition is in my blood.”

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DANCING WITH THE STARS: PROS AND CONS Though it might kill in the ratings and be entering its 20th season, the popular dancing contest show “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC is a bittersweet experience for Sid Pocius. According to Pocius, he enjoys that it’s gotten ballroom dancing out into the popular culture, but he thinks the show is misleading.

“On ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ what they show isn’t the fun part,” says Pocius. “Because they mostly show the television production and spectacle. Learning to dance in real life is much more fun and there’s less pressure. You learn the correct steps and you learn the right way and not just for a TV show. The fun is in the journey to the performance and learning how to dance.”

ARTS + CULTURE

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“Studies have shown that the amount of energy spent on one dance in a ballroom competition is equal to the energy spent in one round of boxing,” says Pocius. “Competition is in my blood.”

Although the annual event is a great showcase for Pocius, his staff and professional and amateur competitive dancers to present their newest routines, it’s the quieter moments that continue to inspire Pocius.

“The best students are those who say they don’t dance or they have two left feet,” says Pocius. “But once they come to the studio and we teach them, they discover a new world. They have a life-changing experience. They become healthier and happier because it’s exercise for the body and mind.”

Pocius and the studio staff constantly receive emails and letters from students young and old thanking them for teaching them how to dance.

Some were recommended by doctors who were seeking a form of physical therapy and exercise for their patients.

Pocius says ballroom dancing is both a mental and physical exercise, because the dancer is not only responding to the music and his partner but is also thinking about his next steps.

“It changed my life and it changed every ballroom dancer’s life,” says Pocius. “Because you cannot be angry and dance with another person. You have to change your state of mind before you go to dance, touch and lead another person. You have to get into a positive and alert state of mind.”

SID SAYS

A primer on dancing styles by instructor Sid Pocius.

Waltz: Elegant, graceful and is considered the mother of all dances. It arrived in the 1800s. It’s a royal dance. The Viennese Waltz is a little bit of the same dance but more celebratory.

Tango: Tango is all drama. It’s drama mixed with passion.

Sambo: Sambo is Rio de Janeiro.

There’s a lot of hip action and it is sensual, erotic and full of energy.

Rumba: This is considered the dance of love. It’s very romantic.

Cha cha: It’s about getting to know each other. It’s a Latin dance also from Cuba. It’s what people do in the club when they see a partner that they’re interested in. It’s a conversation.

Bolero: This is a very sensual dance, and it’s for people who are really in love.

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Each of these dance styles can be performed in either the American smooth or international Latin ballroom dance styles. Sid Pocius demonstrates different poses in the Latin style (with Eliyana Cohen, below) and American smooth style (with Kathryn Kulik, left).

Paso doble: This is based on the movements of the Spanish matador and bullfighting. It has a lot of flamenco and gypsy dance elements in it. It’s not a social dance.

Jive: It’s very similar to swing but just a little bit faster. It’s fun and very energetic. To jive, you must have great stamina and be physically ready because of the speed and technique involved.

Mambo: Mambo came from Cuba and is synonymous with Cuban dance.

Quickstep: It is a fast foxtrot. It’s fun and jazzy. It could be flirtatious but must be faster.

Foxtrot: It is an English dance that’s very flirtatious and jazzy.

Argentinean tango: It’s like a regular tango and it is all about drama and passion. It’s just more than regular tango.

– Sid Pocius

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Swing: It’s America’s fun dance.

Everyone inside of us is a kid when dancing the swing. We can be as crazy as we want. We can jump, kick and be silly.

Merengue: It’s a Caribbean dance. It came from the Dominican Republic. It’s very easy and great to dance on cruises and vacations.

“Ballroom is based on a lot of different cultures. There are so many, but they’re all based on their natural sources and roots. They weren’t just made up. They evolved from their culture.”

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Two step: It’s more of a country dance.

Salsa: It’s spicy and very similar to mambo.

It’s popular in the Latin clubs and great for finding someone and having a conversation and having fun.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

SCENE & HEARD

NICK REICHERT Disney makes artistic dreams come true

Courtesy

Richard Gere in “Time Out of Mind”

Sarasota Film Festival announces opening and closing films festival and receive the Hearts and Minds of Independent Film Award from the festival for his continual efforts to shine a light on social issues such as homelessness, poverty, coming home from war and police corruption.

Closing the festival will be the romantic dramedy “I’ll See You in My Dreams” at 7 p.m.

April 18, at the Sarasota Opera House. Directed by Brett Haley, the movie centers on Blythe Danner, who plays a widow restarting her life and looking for companionship. The films also stars Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman and June Squibb. Haley and Danner will attend the festival, with the latter receiving the festival’s Impact Award.

Haley is a relatively young filmmaker with seven short films to his credit. “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is his second featurelength film.

With the kickoff to this year’s Sarasota Film Festival (April 10 to 19) approaching, SFF has announced its celebrity-studded opening- and closing-night films.

The 17th annual festival launches with director Oren Moverman’s “Time Out of Mind” at 6:30 p.m. April 10, at the Sarasota Opera House. The film stars Richard Gere as a homeless man in New York City trying to survive and reconnect with his estranged daughter, played by Jena Malone.

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014, “Time Out of Mind” has been described as a powerful observation on the day-to-day survival of America’s homeless population.

This is Moverman’s third directorial effort after his breakthrough film “The Messenger” in 2009 and “Rampart” in 2011. Moverman will attend the

Observer music critic will serve as The Met panelist June LeBell, The Observer’s music critic and former professional soprano singer, will once again be taking the stage.

But this time she will be a panelist on The Metropolitan Opera Quiz during the first intermission of the New York City Opera’s production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Ernani” April 4.

This production will be broadcast on public and commercial classical radio stations across the nation. You can find it on WSMR 89.1 in Sarasota and 103.9 in Tampa.

LeBell served as the first female announcer on a major commercial classical music radio station, WQXR, the oldest and largest classical station in the United States.

In 2014, LeBell started her own musical series, “June LeBell’s Musical Conversations,” on WSMR 89.1.

ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE

Nick Reichert

Tim Rogerson

In the world of film animation and illustration Walt Disney Animation Studios is one of the giants.

And for many child artists, their dream is to one day be able to work for Disney. Tim Rogerson fulfilled that childhood goal and is one of two-dozen artists in the world licensed and allowed to create fine-art paintings featuring any of Disney’s iconic characters. A 2004 graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design’s illustration department, Rogerson returns to his alma mater from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, at the madeby Gallery. His Disney pieces, which infuse elements of cubism and abstract art along with other original works, will be on sale in the gallery April 18.

O N L I N E STAGED SERIES: THE ACTORS This week our fourth entry in our “Staged” video series on the Asolo Repertory Theatre focuses on the contributors onstage: the actors.

David Breitbarth has been a part of the Asolo Rep’s acting company for more than 15 seasons. He offers insight on what separates rotating repertory from standard theater and his personal history with the Asolo and Sarasota.

This season Breitbarth can be seen juggling roles in “The Matchmaker,” “Both Your Houses” and “Our Betters.”

See the video at YourObserver.com

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Kathryn Hunter in Sotto Voce. Photo by John Revisky.

By Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright NILO CRUZ Directed By MELISSA KIEVMAN

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ARTS + CULTURE

VISUAL ARTS

EXPLORING WATERCOLOR Art Center Sarasota 9:30 a.m. March 27 Tickets: $175.

Call 365-2032.

NICK’S PICKS

PERFORMANCE ART

‘FLY’ Gompertz Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre 8 p.m. March 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, April 1; 3 p.m. March 28 and 29 Runs through April 4 Tickets: $18-$39.

Call 366-9000.

‘THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO’ Sarasota Opera 7:30 p.m. March 27 Tickets: $45 to $125.

Call 366-8450.

‘SONS, MOTHERS AND OTHERS & THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO’ Asolo Theatre Guild 1 p.m. March 30; 1 p.m. April 1 Gulf Gate Library and Selby Library Call 355-3006.

Courtesy photos

Mark Nadler in “I’m a Stranger Here Myself.”

‘SOTTO VOCE’ Historical Asolo Theater, Asolo Repertory Theatre 7:30 p.m. March 31; 8 p.m. April 1 Tickets: $15 to $26.

Call 351-8000.

BILL MARCUS TRIO The Jazz Club of Sarasota; Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota 2 p.m. March 27 Tickets: $8 to $12.

Call 366-1552.

FLASHDANCE Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 8 p.m. April 1 and 2; 2 p.m. April 2 Tickets: $45 to $70.

Call 953-3368

GRANDE FINALE: MASTERWORKS 7 8 p.m. March 27 and 28; 2:30 p.m. March 29 Neel Performing Arts Center and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall; Sarasota Orchestra Tickets: $30 to $89.

Call 953-3434

MUSIC BROWN BAG CONCERT SERIES Phillippi Estate Park 11 a.m. March 26 Tickets: Free.

Call 861-5000.

SARAH MCLACHLAN Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 8 p.m. March 27 Tickets: $86 to $136.

Call 953-3368.

THE INTIMATE VERDI Sarasota Opera 7:30 p.m. March 26 Tickets: $10 to $30.

Call 366-8450.

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‘HOLOSCENES’ Early Morning Opera, at The Ringling Noon until closing March 25 through 28 Tickets: Free.

Call 359-5700.

‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’ Following a regional premiere production of the musical “Violet,” the Players Theatre is producing a streamlined production of “Catch Me If You Can.” Based on the acclaimed Steven Spielberg film from 2002 starring Leonardo DiCaprio as young con man Frank Abagnale Jr. and Tom Hanks as FBI agent Carl Hanratty who pursues Abagnale across the world, the Players Theatre brings this Tony Award-nominated musical to Sarasota.

Director Dewayne Barrett leads the talented cast and crew through the fashion and musical highs of the 1960s.

It’s a colorful and flowing pastiche of all the glitz and glimmer of the regal jet set.

It’s “Mad Men” minus the melancholy and existential angst. Get there quickly. This musical jet leaves April 4.

Where: The Players Theatre When: 7:30 p.m., runs through April 4 Tickets: $12 to $25 Info: Call 365-2494.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

‘I’M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF’ Dark, brooding and full of love and great by-gone music, Mark Nadler’s cabaret show, “I’m A Stranger Here Myself,” tells the vibrant cultural history of Germany’s Weimar Republic. Cushioned between the end of World War I and the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany, the Weimer era from 1919 to 1933 became a liberal and cultural bastion.

Nadler, along with Vena Johnson on violin and Melissa Elledge on accordion, goes through some of Weimar, Germany’s best-known tunes.

But what elevates Nadler’s show from being a revue is the interweaving narrative of the composers, performers and actors from the past, such as Kurt Weill, Friedrich Hollaender, Lotte Lenya and Marlene Dietrich, along with everyday citizens to expose how prophetic the artists of the day were. They anticipated the sheer cliff that Hitler’s government posed to Jews, homosexuals and foreigners who comprised the mainstream German intelligentsia and cultural in-crowd.

Personal and funny with a pinch of German sensuality, “I’m A Stranger Here Myself” is a time machine to an underground Weimar cabaret.

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ARTS CALENDAR

JOSEPH’S COAT SKYSPACE John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art 7:25 p.m. March 26 and 27 Tickets: $5.

Call 359-5700.

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Where: Keating Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre When: 8 p.m., runs through March 29 Tickets: $36 to $39 Info: Call 366-9000.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

STUDIO SPACE: Vladislav Yeliseyev Classically trained as an architect, Vladislav Yeliseyev paints the buildings and scenes of the world from his home studio.

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

When it comes to art, Vladislav Yeliseyev is a constant student of his craft. Hailing from Moscow, Yeliseyev has been drawing and creating art since he was in the first grade, and for more than 40 years he has re-created the urban and rural landscapes of the world.

Yeliseyev, 54, entered the world of art through architecture. He earned his master’s degree at the Moscow Institute of Architecture, where he specialized in producing concept drawings and paintings of different buildings. Yeliseyev moved to Stamford, Conn., and then to his current location in Sarasota five years ago.

Though he still works as a consultant for architectural firms, Yeliseyev has focused more on creating and sharing his art. He runs the Renaissance School of Art out of his spacious home tucked in a cozy cul-de-sac off South Tamiami Trail. Although his main concentration is watercolor, Yeliseyev teaches the basics of art such as perspective, lighting, shading and color.

“I like to teach,” says Yeliseyev.

“I’m classically trained, and I feel I bring something traditional into Sarasota’s multilayered arts scene.”

Yeliseyev keeps a university student’s schedule and spends at least six hours a day in his studio.

And it’s the things big and small in his naturally lit studio that inspire and help the watercolorist create and find new perspectives and expressions.

“I have to be there when I paint something. I would never paint a photo I didn’t take.”

– Vladislav Yeliseyev

Photos by Nick Reichert

“Thirty percent of the time I paint on location,” says Yeliseyev. “I try to travel once per year to Europe. This year I’ll be going north to New England to focus on painting natural sceneries and the countryside with barns and horses. When I went to London, I was amazed by St. Paul’s Cathedral. As an architect, I’m looking at the traditional designs and architecture in a modern context and setting.”

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“My studio is like a kitchen, and I’m the cook,” says Yeliseyev. “And Lukas paints are my ingredients.

Some of my favorite colors to use are cobalt turquoise and gold ochre, and my absolute favorite is burnt sienna.

I use a palette of warm colors a lot, like yellows and reds. I now just use 18 colors in my pieces.”

“Before I paint, I think, imagine and identify the task and what I’m trying to say,” says Yeliseyev. “Your imagination tells you what the final painting will look like. To get there, I like to use Escoda brushes from Spain and Kolinsky brushes, which hold three times as much water as standard brushes.”

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

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“I like these figurines because they have their own mood,” says Yeliseyev. “When I look at them around my studio, they help me step out into a different world. When you’re focusing so hard on one painting, on one thing, it helps you reset.”

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Urbanite puts finishing touches on inaugural show Co-artistic directors Summer Wallace and Brendan Ragan tackle their to-do lists in the last few weeks before opening night of ‘Chicken Shop.’

NICK REICHERT A&E EDITOR

It’s 5:30 in the morning and Summer Wallace is awake. Wallace and her artistic partner, Brendan Ragan, have been early birds for the last 15 months as they have worked to bring new voices and shows to Sarasota audiences via their Urbanite Theatre.

Wallace and Ragan, professional actors, are no strangers to Sarasota. Both graduates of the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training M.F.A. program in 2012 and 2013, respectively, the duo has a keen sense of Sarasota’s theater scene, honed over years of performing and living in this artistic community. More than a year ago the two decided to do something that, in a relatively small city with several popular theatrical institutions, was rather risky: start their own theater dedicated to new and thought-provoking plays and shows.

“If there’s any statement that we want to make, it’s that we are not afraid,” says Ragan. “We will produce a play if we believe in it and think it’s a powerful story, no matter the content. The policy will be that we’re not scared of content, language, violence,

“I don’t know what opening night will feel like. I think slightly out-of-body and exciting. It’s a dream come true.”

– Summer Wallace, coartistic director of the Urbanite Theatre

nudity, whatever happens with it.”

“Chicken Shop” by Anna Jordan fits that definition. Winner of the 2014 London Fringe production of the year, the play deals with a young man’s loss of innocence as he encounters and befriends a woman ensnared in the steely claw of the human trafficking trade.

But before opening night April 10 there seem to be hundreds of things to do and many days’ worth of preparation. The two trained actors sit in on rehearsals to work on their adapted script for the play’s U.S. premiere; finish final touches of construction on their blank canvas of a black box theater; put in seats, furniture, lights

Size Matters

and other necessary physical installations required for hosting large groups of people; sell tickets and subscriptions; and handle administrative tasks such as contracts and publicity.

Paint buckets, props, set furniture, audience seating, bathroom fixtures and painting mats are splayed all over the theater.

“The train is still full speed ahead,” says Wallace. “Our todo lists are 10 pages long, but what’s been exciting leading up to opening is the artistic stuff interspersed among the administrative and construction tasks.”

From the first table readthrough of the play with the cast the night of March 17 to every rehearsal until opening night, the few hours per day of rehearsal serve as fuel and creative restoration for them to power through the heavy lifting involved in opening their small business. However, as important as opening night is for Wallace and Ragan, the actors will keep moving to the next goal, the next night, the next challenge.

“We’re actors,” says Wallace.

“We put on our ‘on face’ and we go. Suddenly, in a flash, it’s all over. I don’t know what opening night will feel like. I think slightly out-of-body and exciting. It’s a dream come true.”

Nick Reichert

After 15 months of preparation, Summer Wallace and Brendan Ragan will open the Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota April 10.

IF YOU GO

Opening night is already sold out.

“All of those people who helped us are going to be here on opening night, and that’s going to be the meaningful part,” says Ragan.

Wallace adds: “That’s what makes this so special. It’s not going to just be an opening night for us. It’s not going to just be opening night for the actors. It’s opening night for our ‘Urbanites,’ all those people that helped us along the way.”

“Chicken Shop” When: April 10 through May 3 Where: Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota Tickets: $20; $5 for students with valid ID Info: Call 321-1397 or visit urbanitetheatre.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Art Center Sarasota Gallery Opening Thursday, March 19, at Art Center Sarasota

Above: Sisters Barbara Banks and Susan Banks Left: Bix Mannion with his daughter, Grace, who is featured in his painting.

Mike and Carla Miller with Laurie Fitch

Meet the New Ballet Master Luncheon Monday, March 9, at Michael’s On East Benefiting Sarasota Ballet

Photos by Nick Reichert

Photos by Nick Reichert

Sandy Cowing and Marlene Kitchell

Elizabeth and Kate Durbaugh, James Durbaugh and Maninna Martane

David Ricketts and Vicki Winter

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

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REVIEWS

ARTS + CULTURE

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Lifestyles of the rich and shameless MARTY FUGATE THEATER CRITIC

W. Somerset Maugham was clearly great fun at parties — and he was clearly paying attention. The evidence being “Our Betters,” the latest offering at the Asolo Rep. Maugham’s 1923 play masterfully distills his observations of upperclass England at the dawn of the Roaring ’20s.

The result is a fractured fairy tale. Imagine Cinderella as an expatriate American with enough cash to buy diamond slippers and Prince Charming as a broke Brit with land and titles. Now picture the two in a loveless marriage of convenience. It’s a fact-based fantasy. Back in the 1920s, such marriages filled the social pages. They fill Maugham’s play in various stages of formation, stability and decay.

The family plot? Bessie (Allie Henkel), an innocent American heiress/ingénue, is hanging out in London with her notso-innocent expatriate sister, Pearl (Katie Cunningham), who more closely resembles Iago’s meaner sister. Pearl is no lady, but she’s a Lady, having married the never-seen Lord George Grayston. Pearl’s life is an endless party — a party paid for, not by the bankrupt Lord, but by Fenwick, her well-heeled American sugar daddy (Jonathan Epstein).

Pearl schemes for Bessie to follow her example and marry

Lord Bleane (Matt Andersen), a toff with the personality of a tennis racket. Heeding Pearl’s advice, Bessie’s ended her engagement to her childhood sweetheart, a straight-arrow American named Fleming (Buddy Haardt). She’s made her choice, or has she? Second thoughts emerge — buyer’s remorse. Will Bessie marry Fleming or the tennis racket, sorry, Lord Beane?

There’s more to it — a complicated flow chart of gigolos, parasites and poseurs; money, marriages and divorces; and secondary and tertiary affairs.

But Bessie’s the heart of the play. Will she marry a lord she doesn’t love or return to America with her childhood flame? Real love or fake nobility? That is the question. If Evelyn Waugh were writing the story it might end badly.

But the story’s not the whole story. The world on stage is: Britain’s lost Eden of uppercrusty creature comforts and class distinction. To contemporary anglophiles “Our Betters” is a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

They pack the opening-night audience, so my spider sense tells me.

Said anglophiles oooh and ahhh at first sight of Lee Savage’s sumptuous set design: a gilded hall of mirrors painted with a woman’s giant, pretty face set in cold, modernist disdain (a fine image for this empty, painted world). More

joy ensues at the revelation of Tracy Dorman’s spot-on period costumes. When the play actually starts (under Michael Donald Edwards’ deft, “Masterpiece Theatre”-style direction), their joy is uncontained.

The source of all that joy feels more like a character study than a tightly plotted dramatic arc. Maugham wanders — the second act feels like a series of one-liners in the mouths of his various characters. Most are rotten to the core. But they’re all entertaining (and brilliantly acted by enough repertory actors to make up a small soccer team).

Hey, if you’d attended Britain’s best parties, studied the worst people and took notes, you might come up with a cast of characters like that. Maugham did. Upperclass Yanks and Brits behaving badly! He came, he saw, and he put it on stage.

Thanks to Maugham’s comedy of bad manners, you can crash the insecure elite’s exclusive parties and laugh with them and at them. Laugh you will, make no mistake.

“Our Betters” is a funny play.

So funny, it’s easy to miss the point — especially if you’re an anglophile with a golden ticket in your chocolaty hands.

The play’s outrageous laughter tends to obscure Maugham’s outrage. To spell it out: America’s shameless nouveau riche are social climbers;

Fabian Obispo

Allie Henkel and Matt Andersen in Asolo Rep’s production of “Our Betters.”

Britain’s shameless aristocrats are selling England by the pound. It’s the world’s oldest profession on the one hand, the world’s oldest customer on the other. Shame, shame.

As Lady Grantham might put it: That’s the moral, you see.

Do endeavor to restrain your laughter, if only momentarily.

It might possibly set in.

IF YOU GO

“Our Betters” runs through April 19, at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org for more information.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Photos by Heather Merriman

Above: Guests were greeted by elephants as they arrived Right: Michael Scott, Regina Walters, Ringmaster Ty McFarlan, Kim Davis and Scott Anderson

Big Top Gala Saturday, March 14, at Dolphin Aviation | Benefiting American Cancer Society Guests in attendance: 300 | Amount raised at the event: $150,000

A

merican Cancer Society’s 2015 Big Top Gala was a glamorous affair in true vintage circus spirit. Held Saturday, March 14, the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser, formerly known as Cattle Barron’s Ball, transformed Dolphin Aviation into a magical circus playground — with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus acts, clowns, stilt walkers, a meet and greet with Nik Wallenda, a photo booth with authentic circus costumes and two Asian elephants, it was a night of fun for a good cause.

HEATHER MERRIMAN | BLACK TIE EDITOR

Above: Julie and Kim French Right: Becky and Bill English

Co-Chair Greg Steube, right, isn't one for getting into theme for a gala, but since he was co-chairing this circus-themed event, he decided to get into true circus spirit and wear an authentic ringmaster jacket for the evening. He even had a wardrobe change and changed into a black-and-gold piece for dinner.

Honorary Co-Chairs Bonnie and Kenneth Feld

“Once we had confirmation that Feld Entertainment was going to be honorary chairs and produce the gala, the theme Big Top Gala just made sense, since they produce the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

We wanted everyone to have fun while donating to such a worthy cause. I think the new theme breathed new life into ACS’ annual gala and fundraising mission.”

— Co-Chair Jennifer Steube, left, on why the theme of the event changed

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

BLACK TIE & TALES

BLACK TIE STAFF A new stage for Carolyn Michel

Heather Merriman

Sixteen years of hospitality from hosts Rita and Ron Greenbaum.

Asolo Rep’s rite of spring It’s one thing to have real heart for an arts organization and quite another to host a big party on its behalf for 16 consecutive years.

That’s exactly what Ron and Rita Greenbaum have done with Asolo Repertory Theatre’s annual major donor appreciation party.

Ron, who has been on the Asolo Board for 24 years, served two terms as its president and owns up to being its oldest member, recalls that in the beginning, “There were maybe 80 people, maybe not. It is heartwarming and gratifying to see how far the Asolo has come.”

On March 16, there were 175 guests mingling on the deck overlooking the Gulf, feasting on an

hors d’oeuvres buffet from Phil Mancini of Michael’s On East and enjoying the music of John Rinell. Both gentlemen have been part of this party virtually since its inception. Asolo Development Director Tricia Mire had to maneuver oh-so-gingerly, due to an orthopedic boot on one foot.

The guests were the recipients of good news from Asolo Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, who reported that “South Pacific,” the musical that kicked off the 2014-2015 season, grossed $1.2 million and was seen by 24,000 people — both records. Now his sights are set on “West Side Story,” which will open the 2015-2016 season, announced earlier the same day.

See more party photos online at YourObserver.com.

Actress, philanthropist, emcee and fundraiser extraordinaire who can out-paddleraise just about anybody: That’s Carolyn Michel, whose main stage has been the Asolo Rep for 24 years, 19 of them consecutive. But, not next year — she is opting for a sabbatical. It is not exactly a rest; she has already committed to do “Driving Miss Daisy” at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe next spring. Torian Black will play Hoak and Michel’s husband, Howard Millman, will direct. BT’s advice: buy your tickets early. Michel has a big base of supporters in Sarasota and this is clearly a role she was born to play.

Courtesy photos

Lilly Pulitzer’s production team took over the beach on Longboat Key.

Tidbits Summer in Lilly … Lilly Pulitzer took its production team out on the waters of Longboat Key for a photo shoot for its upcoming summer collection. You might have seen them — a team of production, cameras, a drone and a model lounging on a swan float, casually playing in our Gulf of Mexico waters … Welcome to the real world ... A Sarasota songbird who has performed at local fundraising events usually does it from the kindness of her heart and for the performance experience. She occasionally gets a paying gig but was surprised to receive a notice from the Internal Revenue Service saying that she owed $19,000 in taxes. It turns out that the Feds had recorded a 1099 form that reported $625 as $62,500. Who says computers don’t make mistakes? … Mailbox stand-out … This by way of recognizing the terrific work on invitation design being done by

Paula Murray of Artefact Design — starting with the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation’s “Night of 1,000 Cranes,” then Circus Arts Conservatory gala and just last week, this pretty, pop up castle for Children First’s “Fairytale Ball.” It’s hard to ignore invitations this compelling … A swell Sunday for Pups … March 8 saw some 800 animal-lovers participate in “Pedal for Pups,” a benefit for Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, which last year adopted out more than 1,200 dogs and cats. Participants could bicycle on their choice of three courses, run or walk their dogs; there was a calypso band and breakfast donated by First Watch. Sponsors included Benderson Development and Saperston Asset Management; committee members were Cam McCarthy, Dari and Rob Oglesby, Evan Benderson, Rachel Berkun, Robin Slate, Paul Troyer and Jan Carpenter.

The event raised an impressive $50,000 toward medical expenses at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Florida Winefest & Auction

Benefiting Caring for Children Charities

Robert Schafer with selections from Napa Valley and Spain.

Wineries from all over the world offered rare Champagnes and wines.

Banquet on the Block

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Friday, March 20, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall bayfront

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BLACK

Grand Tasting Brunch and Charity Auction

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Saturday, March 21, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall bayfront

Sara Mouton and Brandon Gretsky

Wine on the Water Sunday, March 22, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall bayfront Above: Mike and Sherry Edwards with Diann and Chuck Flanders

Photos by Heather Merriman

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

FAS HI O N INS I D ER SPRING TRENDS FOR THE WOMEN…

HEATHER MERRIMAN BLACK TIE EDITOR

Dresses designed with mixed media — the idea of using different materials that blend, shown below — add a new dimension to style.

W

ith spring fashion weeks coming to an end, we have seen the latest in trends and what’s to come.

So Black Tie stopped in our local fashion houses to see what’s in store and find out what will be sticking around through fall. We discovered a new word, “ath-leisure,” which is a comfortable option for dressy casual. We also learned that pattern blending and mixed media are in, brands are staying true to their original design identity, all men should own a henley and jumpsuits are here to stay.

Missoni brought back some of its classic patterns this season, seen here in these dresses at The Met.

FOR THE MEN…

Photos by Heather Merriman

Katfish knit, $39, at Influence Men

All men must own a henley.

It’s the perfect casual tee that can be dressed up, too. Throw it on with your swim trunks or wear it with a pair of trousers or jeans and layer a sports coat on top to take you from day to night.

Velvet by Graham and Spencer, $135, at The Met

Sachin & Babi Majestic Dress, $495, at The Met

AVANT POP

bright colors, prints and patterns

JUMPSUITS These onesies can easily be taken from casual to dressy and will be seen through the fall.

Lavendar Brown printed shift dress, $160, at Fresh

Greylin, $148 at Fresh

ATH-LEISURE:

a cross between dressy and casual, this style features suits, jeans, pants and sports coats made with a stretch material that makes looking great comfortable.

Left: Vince ankle zip city jogger, $245, at Influence Men

This Helmut Lang dress is an example of ath-leisure for women.

It’s comfortable and athletic looking, while also being chic and sexy. It can be worn to the grocery store or for a night out on the town if you add jewelry and heels.

Z Zenga sport coat, $595, at The Met

Below: Ezekiel Kamden pant, $67, at Influence Me

Another popular item in the ath-leisure department: city joggers. Born out of Australia, this concept was created because surfers would change into sweatpants after a day on the water and then would try to go out to eat. They couldn’t wear sweatpants in the restaurant, so the idea to cross a chino with a sweatpant was created.

Helmut Lang, $460, at The Met

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The Met’s Geoffrey Michel and Influence’s Liz Murray gave us the lowdown on the latest in menswear:

BLACK TIE

YourObserver.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

Organization: Child Protection Center Years involved: 19

What have you learned?

“I’ve learned a lot of horrible statistics, which has just fueled my fire.

The more I’ve learned, the more it fuels my passion to make things right for children. If somebody can come up with an equivalent of PETA for children, I would be eternally grateful.”

read that, I couldn’t believe that anyone could ever do that.

I mean, I put pillows in my kids’ jeans when they started rollerblading. It was around the time of my birthday, so instead of getting another piece of jewelry that I wanted, I asked (my husband) Dennis to help me make sure this didn’t happen to another baby. That’s when I found Child Protection Center. I’ve been involved in making this a safer, better world for children since.

Heather Merriman

MY EARLY involvement was with my children and my children’s schools. Having been a former schoolteacher, I volunteered in the schools and taught reading to the children who were having difficulty.

I was very much involved in their activities. One time I drove all of the French students to Orlando on a field trip. I had to get my chauffer’s license to do it.

HEATHER MERRIMAN BLACK TIE EDITOR

G

raci McGillicuddy is always donning blue. From the blue ribbon on her car, to her nail polish, clothes and accessories, blue seems to be her favorite color. That actually is the case, but for a deeper reason. Blue is the national color for child abuse prevention. Black Tie sat down with the philanthropist to find out more about her roots in philanthropy and her insatiable passion for being the voice of abused children.

A FRIEND of mine, Kay Glasser, told me to look up Child Protection Center. I went there and I met Hal, the executive director at the time, and his parting words when we were talking were, “If I could just put the words ‘child abuse’ in a bottle and set it out to sea and 50 years from now, somebody open it and say ‘Child abuse?

What’s that?” That’s when I knew the vision and the mission were completely aligned with my heart.

IN 1986 I read this horrific

story about Shannon Nicole, an 18-month-old baby who had been brutally abused and killed by her mother and her stepfather and just left in a heap at the hospital. When I

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forget, that just has resonated

TIE

Describe how giving back makes you feel.

“Like I need to do more; there are just not enough hours in the day.”

to the depth of my core, was when I first came to CPC and I walked into the medical examination room and saw a tiny baby infant scale. That just gave me a sense of purpose.

When you think of children having no voice, and those that are too little to literally have a voice — they can’t speak, they can’t talk, they have no advocates.

BLACK

PEO P L E W IT H PUR POSE GRACI MCGILLICUDDY

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I WAS talking with a man who was abused as a child, who is a father now, and the way he treats his children is night and day to the way he was treated. The biggest question with child abuse is: How do we break the cycle?

Meeting him, I had to ask what influenced him to be a different father than what he had experienced. This man said he would watch “Leave it to Beaver” and he knew that what was going on in his home was not normal. He mowed the lawn for a man down the street, who took him under his wing and he was able to understand from that how children should be treated. That was what changed the direction of his life.

Having a teacher or someone who can come into a child’s life to change their life and not only help them, but help change the course of the future, that is how we change this. How can I be that change agent? That is my dream.

EVERY MORNING I wake up

and I’m excited for the day. I am constantly trying to think how I can make a difference.

I feel so grateful that I had the childhood that I had and I know the difference, I’ve had an amazing and supportive husband, and that I’ve been able to follow my passion.

Children have no voice, and the people who are supposed to take care of them and nurture them are betraying them. I want to be the voice for those children.

A diva's jealousy leads to tragedy

A few recent patients, and these results ARE typical!

See hundreds more at daneebarnett.com pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds pounds

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PUCCINI “Intense, gripping ... Sarasota Opera does one hell of a Tosca.” —Classical Review “Never fails to surprise ... one of the best productions to be found anywhere.”

—Herald-Tribune Puccini's Tosca—only two performances left: Wednesday, March 25, 7:30 pm Saturday, March 28, 1:30 pm Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro—final performance: Friday, March 27, 7:30 pm Seats start at $19. Sung in the original language with English translations above the stage.

Call (941) 365-0812 and schedule a private, complimentary, consultation.

Functional Medicine • Acupuncture • Homeopathy • Nutrition • Since 1998 1530 Cross Street • Downtown Sarasota • (941) 365-0812 daneebarnett.com

SARASOTAOPERA.ORG (941) 328-1300 162873

Luisa Oliveira Goldman and Rob Goldman before and after their 30 day Detox.

Partners are our specialty.

Bring someone you love!

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IMAGE: Richard Termine Sarasota Opera

SEASON SPONSOR

Production Sponsor:

Paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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BLACK TIE

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015

HOW THE COUPLE MET

In spring 2011, Hayley Wielgus was interviewing for the morning anchor position at ABC 7. Max Winitz was the only person who approached her to talk about the station.

Hayley left shortly after to fly back to Texas, and by the time she got to the Sarasota airport, Max had already added her as a friend on Facebook. They stayed in touch and the two became friendly at work once she took the job.

Two weeks later, Max asked Hayley to dinner. He says it wasn’t a date, but they went to a nice Italian restaurant on a Saturday night, so to Hayley, that was a date.

MAX AND HAYLEY

THE PROPOSAL

On Oct. 19, 2013, Max asked Hayley to come over to watch a movie at 5 p.m. on a Saturday. It was a Texas A&M game day, so Hayley was dressed in Aggie gear and didn’t have on any makeup.

She even brought over some laundry to do while they were watching the movie. Much to her surprise, she opened the door to the sound of a camera flashing. Max had asked Cliff Roles to capture the proposal.

He ordered several dozen red roses and compiled a video of some of the movies that were special to them as a couple.

At the end of the video, Max had a friend shoot video of him in the newsroom referencing the spot where they first met. Then Max took Hayley into his study where there were even more roses, a bottle of Dom Perignon and an engagement ring, and he got down on one knee.

THE WEDDING

The couple was married March 7 in an outdoor ceremony at Sarasota Yacht Club.

The interfaith ceremony was officiated by Pastor Joe Davis and Rabbi Harold Caminker.

The reception — featuring colors of coral, seafoam green and champagne — followed inside the yacht club where the bride wanted the 110 guests to feel like they were attending an upscale party.

The bride had been amassing a collection of decorations and special touches over the past year, but also felt Sarasota Yacht Club is breathtaking and didn’t need too much extra. The couple honeymooned at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara, Calif. following the wedding.

THE DETAILS First dance “The Way You Look Tonight”

by Frank Sinatra Photography Naomi Chokr Photography Dress Winnie Couture Hair Cutting Loose Salon Makeup Makeup Artistry

by Corinne Floral design Beneva Flowers Cake The Short Giraffe

Naomi Chokr Photography

Where Sarasota Gets Engaged™ 3979 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL | (941) DIAMOND | DIAMONDVAULTJEWELERS.COM

166909

JUST MARRIED

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