Diversions 10.31.13

Diversions YourObserver.com

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Backstage Pass: Emma Thurgood PAGE 5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT TWO ACTS by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

“Small roles are different from title roles,” Angela Mortellaro says. “Sarasota Opera was an incredibly positive experience … I feel really comfortable here.”

DAY

IN THE

“I had a bigger voice than the other girls and I was going to sing louder than all of them,” Monica Gonzalez says.

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

LIFE

Two singers will perform arias in November at Sarasota Opera House — one a teenaged aspiring opera singer; the other, a professional principal.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: TWO ACTS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

DAY IN THE LIFE Two singers will perform arias in November at Sarasota Opera House — one a teenaged aspiring opera singer; the other, a professional principal.

Angela Mortellaro, above, is a principal Studio Artist with the Sarasota Opera. She will be playing Adele in the company’s upcoming performance of “Die Fledermaus.” Monica Gonzalez, right, will play a lead role in the Sarasota Youth Opera’s upcoming production of “The Little Sweep.”

Prelude to school

It’s 5:30 a.m., and Monica Gonzalez is walking Milo, her American Eskimo puppy. She makes her bed, washes her face, makes herself toast with pineapple and prepares Cuban coffee for herself and her mother, Gina Arabitg. If she has time, she does a load of laundry and the dishes. Most parents would kill for a 17-yearold like this.

After she drops her younger sister, Jessica, off at the bus stop, she heads to Cardinal Mooney an hour before school starts. By 7:55 a.m., she’s in first period, where she’s the teacher’s assistant.

“The chemistry teacher, Vanessa Santos, loves me,” Gonzalez says. “She’s even coming to see the show!”

Gonzalez is referring to Sarasota Youth Opera’s production of Benjamin Britten’s “The Little Sweep,” in which she plays one of the leads, Rowan.

“I feel incredibly different from my peers,” she says. “My priorities, the way I view life — opera opens a completely different world.”

By the time she’s 30, she hopes an international opera company, via the route of a conservatory and graduate school, competitions, summer programs and apprentice programs, will hire her.

She’s currently undecided on schools.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

3

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Professional’s overture

At 8 a.m., 31-year-old Angela Mortellaro goes for a run. She’s had breakfast with her all-important cup of coffee, and by 10:30 a.m., she’s ready to warm up her voice. As a principal Studio Artist, she lives in housing downtown, two minutes away from the opera house. Today, she goes there for her ideal hour-and-a-half vocal warm-up.

Interestingly enough, her first big professional performance after graduate school was at Orlando Opera; she played Ida in “Die Fledermaus.” This time, she’s playing Ida’s sister — Adele.

This is not how Mortellaro expected it would be. When she was 17, she took choir. Her teacher gave her a solo — only once — and she completely crashed and burned.

“I hated it,” she says with a roaring laugh. “I didn’t want the pressure of having a solo.”

Mortellaro worked many hours at the Brookfield, Wis., grocery store her father, Robert, owned.

She said she was independent and strong-willed — two qualities she’d later need as a singer. Although Mortellaro enjoyed music and playing the piano, she never saw herself performing.

“I thought I’d be in Wisconsin, maybe a music teacher somewhere, married with lots of children right now,” she says. “I thought I’d follow a more traditional path.”

She is married to a fellow professional Sarasota Opera singer, Jeffrey Beruan, who is currently singing at an opera in Kansas City, Mo., and who will arrive this winter in Sarasota. They speak two times a day by phone.

It wasn’t until late in her undergraduate student career at the University of Wisconsin when a

Q&A How many people do you have to work with to prepare for a role?

Gonzalez: My voice teacher, Maestro Jesse, is my vocal coach; Miss Martha is my director. And I work with a teacher from Oberlin via Skype on how to tackle this role.

Mortellaro: My vocal teacher; if I don’t know the language then a language coach; and a music coach.

Do you take voice lessons?

Gonzalez: I take voice lessons over Skype with my teacher, Rose Marie Freni, who moved to North Carolina. Every two months I go there to stay with her for a weekend (of lessons).

Mortellaro: I study with Stephen King (at Rice University) whenever I can get to Houston. I go for a week two times a year and take as many lessons as I can.

What are your parents’ names and what do they do?

Gonzalez: My dad’s name is voice teacher, Carlene McMonagle, pointed out Mortellaro’s singing talent.

“People told me in high school, but I didn’t listen,” she says. “I listened to her.”

She went to Rice for graduate school, and that was her turning point.

“There’s not a set path to be an opera singer,” she says. “And, I still feel like I’m really getting started in this business.”

Her first big role with a professional company was Gretel in Sarasota Opera’s 2010 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.”

“Sarasota Opera took a chance on

Dr. Julio Gonzalez, and he’s an orthopedic surgeon who goes to law school at Stetson at night (he’s running for state representative).

My mom, Gina Arabitg, is a gynocologist and an incredible painter.

She’s good at singing, too, but would never sing in front of people.

Mortellaro: Martnie Mortellaro, my mom, is a choral director at a church, and my father, Robert Mortellaro, is retired. He owned Century Foods grocery stores.

Earliest memory performing: Gonzalez: I was in preschool singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and the teacher came up, took me out of class and had me sing it for the other teachers in the faculty room.

Mortellaro: Singing in choir at church because my mom was the choral director, and we had a really great group of singers in that choir.

All of those people were really good musicians. me, and it really paid off and helped me learn I could do it,” she says.

She’s called for a 12:30 p.m. rehearsal for Sarasota Opera’s “Die Fledermaus,” then she gets to take a three-hour break at 4 p.m. when she eats lunch, has another important cup of coffee and calls her husband. She’ll look over her lines and music, but likes to stay quiet to rest her voice. She reads Colum McCann’s “Dancer” until her 7 p.m. rehearsal with the chorus.

Finale out of school

Gonzalez tailored her classes to her passion. She switched from taking Spanish to taking French, and she’s now in a class with all

IF YOU GO Johann Strauss Jr.’s ‘Die Fledermaus’

Benjamin Britten’s ‘The Little Sweep’

When: Opens 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Runs through Nov. 15

When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10

Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Where: Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.

Cost: Tickets $19 to $125

Cost: Tickets $10 to $20

Info: Call 366-8450 or visit sarasotaopera.com

Info: Call 366-8450 or visit sarasotaopera.com

freshmen. At 1:40 p.m., Gonzalez has study hall, and she utilizes her time to take college-level online music-theory classes. If her voice is tired, she tells her friends she’s on vocal rest and avoids talking.

When school lets out at 2:30 p.m., she listens to Russian operatic soprano Anna Netrebko and drives to Sarasota Opera House — her ritual.

Gonzalez loves Netrebko. It was watching a DVD of one of her live performances that inspired her “to get serious” in summer 2012.

“She looked on stage how I felt when I sang,” Gonzalez says. “And the way the audience was responding, I wanted the audience to fall in love with me like that.”

That’s all it took. Gonzalez called her voice teacher with plans to go professional. She’s devoted her adolescent life to acquiring this dream — “The Little Sweep” is her first big role.

Even though her voice teacher moved from Sarasota, she has Skype coaching sessions every Wednesday, in addition to three rehearsal days a week.

Today, she warms up for 20 minutes before her first hour-long rehearsal. Gonzalez spends her 30-minute break with a tutor at Selby Public Library, and then she is back for the evening rehearsal that will last until 8:30 p.m.

She gets home, does her homework and any loads of laundry she didn’t finish that morning.

She takes a shower and tries to be in bed by 10:30 p.m. On the weekends, or if she doesn’t have rehearsal the next day, she’ll act like a 17-year-old and hang out at a family friend’s house swimming with peers until 2 a.m.

Curtain call

It’s been a long day of rehearsals for Mortellaro. She finishes the evening telling her husband goodnight, but sometimes she’ll go out with her opera friends for an hour or so. She tries to get to bed by 11:30 p.m.

With rehearsals six days a week, she likes to spend her off days like a teenager — sleeping in, eating a late brunch and enjoying the Florida weather.

YOUROBSERVER.COM // See a video of Mortellaro and Gonzalez speaking about their upcoming roles at Sarasota Opera House.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Iain Webb dedicates his 2013 Arts Leadership Award to Ulla Searing’s memory Fuzión Dance Artists

Photos by Mallory Gnaegy

Champions and supporters of arts recognized Graci McGillicuddy, patron of the arts and past winner of the Arts Leadership Award, said it the best: “People come here for the beach and stay here for the arts.”

And that was clear at the Arts and Cultural Alliance annual Arts Celebration, which recognized Sarasota arts and its supporters Monday, Oct. 21, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Performances from Sarasota Jazz Project in collaboration with Jazz Club of Sarasota, Fuzion Dance Artists and Sarasota Opera entertained between awards.

Vocalist June Garber joins Sarasota Jazz Project in collaboration with Jazz Club of Sarasota

Executive Director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance Jim Shirley, Lucia and Steve Almquist and Paul G. Hudson

Mary J. Kelly wins the performance arts John Ringling Towers Fund

Ricardo Graziano, Sam Lowry and Richard Russell

Alexis Ortega wins the literary arts John Ringling Towers Fund

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: BACKSTAGE PASS

5

by Mallory Gnaegy | A&E Editor

Emma Thurgood curates excitement Emma Thurgood bet on her college education. She could study art at her parents’ expense, if she graduated with straight A’s and made the dean’s list.

“It was a real deal,” she says.

They signed a contract.

Ringling College of Art and Design brought her to Sarasota, where she’s now the exhibitions coordinator at Art Center Sarasota. Her art, along with remnants from past and upcoming exhibitions, decorates her office.

She picks up a plush navy and pink polka-dotted egg sculpture she made. It’s happy-looking, like Thurgood.

“This season is exciting,” she says. “It’s so different from what we’ve done.”

Four exhibitions launch the season at Art Center Sarasota Thursday, Nov. 7, one of which, “Pulp Culture: Of and About Paper,” she curated.

“Pulp Culture” examines all of the other ways “the unsung hero” is used aside from something you paint on, such as: paper installations, sculptures, origami and bookmaking, for example.

She walks to the back room where boxes of art are waiting.

Thurgood works with a 10-person volunteer committee and Director Lisa Berger to decide the season; then, Thurgood does the legwork. According to her pedometer, she walks seven miles a day during a change of exhibitions.

“Nothing I do is exceptionally difficult, but you have to have a love for it to do it well,” she says.

tter ying ce.

‘CUBEMUSIC,’ ‘Pulp Culture: Of and About Paper,’ ‘Art Center Sarasota Instructor’s Show’ and ‘miniatures’ When: 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. Runs through Jan. 3 Where: Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail Cost: Free Info: Call 365-2032 or visit artsarasota.org

Mallory Gnaegy

Emma Thurgood checks in on her favorite permanent piece at Art Center Sarasota, “Fighting Crime in Florida,”

by Jack Dowd.

Her excitement belies her passion.

Her biggest headache is the packing process. She opens boxes one layer at a time, and takes a photo of each layer so she can send it back exactly the way the artist shipped it. She pulls out a paper antelope sculpture by Tasha Lewis. Letting out a giddy yelp of excitement, she makes it leap through the air. It’s her favorite in the exhibit.

“They’re so cute!” she says.

She displays equal excitement about March’s Confluence Project, featuring the work of Sarasota’s sister cities.

With help from the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Tel Mond, Israel, will be the first sister city exhibited this March.

The exhibit will challenge misconceptions of Israel. Vladimir, Russia, is 2015’s sister city.

Thurgood continues her display of happiness as she discusses last season’s Jackie Peters

Cully’s community leaf project and installation. It was such a success that ACS staff decided to do one every year. This year’s community project will be architectural paper structures that link together from Netherlandsbased artist Noa Haim — Thurgood has a couple on her desk.

For the first time, Thurgood’s passion turns from giddy to serious. When she was in art school, people told her not to get involved at ACS because it doesn’t

help local artists. Those people were wrong, she said.

Last year, ACS paid local artists more than $25,000 for work sold at the center. Thurgood’s challenge is serving both artists and art viewers. Exciting exhibitions of nonlocal artists in one gallery brings people in to see the community-featured work in the others. Two of the four upcoming exhibits feature locals.

Thurgood’s goal is perpetual improvement. And, we’ve learned, so far, that her determination wins bets; whether it’s, as she says, “stepping up the game” at Art Center Sarasota or graduating with straight A’s on the dean’s list — she’s prone to success.

“They drill it into you in art school that you’re going to fail,” she says. “I’m actually way ahead of where I thought I was going to be at this point in my life.”

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

DANCE // ‘Theatre of Dreams’ Opening up the 23rd season of the Sarasota Ballet with a program featuring the works of its own dancers in “Theatre of Dreams” was a great way to kick off what’s expected to be a knock-out year for the ballet company. The entire show always surges with energy — excitement from the dancers who are given the opportunity to choreograph; excitement from the dancers performing their peers’ works; and excitement from the audience witnessing the hard work and passion the entire company has for its craft.

Three of the pieces on the program were created by veteran “Theatre of Dreams” choreographers — Kate Honea, Logan Learned and Jamie Carter — and three pieces were by virgin choreographers — Alex Harrison, David Tlaiye and Kelly Yankle. The program offered a variety of styles and themes offering delight to many styles and tastes. Of course, the veteran choreographers’ pieces were more notably full of depth, levels of complication and length, due to more experience.

Every piece was an achievement in itself.

Kate Honea’s “Gitana Galop” set to Johan Strauss’ “Five Gallops from Kettentanz” was a glittering array of waltzing couples in and out of formations along with solo dances from audience-favorite Logan Learned and lead couple Emily Dixon and Edward Gonzalez.

Honea has mastered multilayered choreography, in which different groups of dancers are dancing different sequences of steps to several different sections of music at the same time. This gives the piece a full-effect, making even a small cast seem larger-thanlife.

Logan Learned always delights the audience with his high-flying leaps, double tour en l’air and multiple entrechat six. The wonderfully talented (both technically and

Courtesy

Kate Honea rehearses Emily Dixon and Edward Gonzalez in her piece “Gitana Galop.”

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Read film critic Pam Nadon’s review of “The Counselor” and Popcorn Bob’s Movie Magic Reviews online.

dramatically) Emily Dixon has found herself a nice partner in Edward Gonzalez, the newest member of the Sarasota Ballet after defecting from Cuba. Gonzalez has all the makings of a Cuban dancer with the Cuban signature knack for being able to pull-off multiple pirouettes.

Edward Tlaiye’s “Xibalba” was a contemporary piece set to Radiohead’s “Videotape.”

The premise of the piece was a love affair gone wrong with Sareen Tchekmedyian leaving Ricki Bertoni for Juan Gil. Bertoni was the star of this piece. His ability to perform diverse styles of dance, from the classical to the utmost contemporary, like in this piece where his body is contorted into a multitude of difficult movements, is astounding.

Tlaiye’s piece was an interesting, and, in fact,

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// ‘The Last Banquet’ by Jonathan Grimwood

A recipe for three-snake bouillabaisse?

Check. A blind pet lion with milky eyes?

Check. A sex scene replete with melted candle wax on bare skin? Check.

“The Last Banquet” by Jonathan Grimwood is a sense-feast of a novel spanning 18thcentury France. Tracing the life of its speaker-protagonist, Jean-Marie D’Aumout, the novel opens with D’Aumout’s earliest memory: snacking on dung beetles in a dung heap outside his childhood home (his parents, destitute nobles, starved to death inside). Through a combination of good fortune, unique intellect, courage and kindness, D’Aumout follows his taste buds down a charmed path that restores his family’s legacy, at least for a time, and aids him on a quest for the perfect flavor.

The stringy flesh of an old lion sautéed with onion? Check. A secret Corsican cheese made from women’s breast milk and tied in muslin? Check.

He continues his quest until the very end of his life, as the French Revolution literally knocks on his chateau’s gates. Although this is a novel that revels in the riches of the senses, it is as much a history lesson mapping the fall of the French aristocracy, as D’Aumout observes the growing discontent of the peasant class — eventually so destitute that they defecate openly in the streets. He winces at the crumbling opulence of Versailles, where princes and tiny dogs dwell together in the stench of bodily functions and rotting meat.

Wolf wrestling? Check. A recipe for braised flamingo tongue? Check. Discarded animals from Versailles’ menagerie? Check. A whole warthog jarred in brine? Check.

This is a sensuous, sensual, engaging and sometimes risqué novel peppered with

slightly disturbing, with Tchekmedyian smothering Bertoni to death with a pillow, start for this new choreographer.

Alex Harrison’s “The Blue Hour” was a beautiful pas de deux set to Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 27 Opus 2) featuring Danielle Brown and Ricardo Graziano, who are the absolute best at dancing pas de deuxs that portray passion and giddy love.

This pas de deux had the lyrical qualities much like Antony Tudor’s “The Leaves are Fading.” Kelly Yankle’s “Ne Me Quitte Pas” set to Edith Piaf’s song of the same name, was another pas de deux featuring David Tlaiye and Sara Scherer. This pas de deux was more contemporary in nature and reflected more on the ending of a relationship.

Logan Learned went the opposite direction this year with his piece “Nebulous.” Last year his piece certainly had a “story” and this year his piece was more along the lines of the neoclassical non-story ballets, much like his title describes. “Nebulous” was set to Philip Glass’ “Violin Concerto Movement 3” and featured some of the company’s strongest dancers in three couples — Kate Honea and Juan Gil, Victoria Hulland and Ricardo Rhodes, Elizabeth Sykes and Ricardo Graziano. Not to take anything away from the lovely ladies, but the three men were certainly powerhouses in this piece.

Jamie Carter is a whimsical choreographer, always surprising his audience with interesting themes. This year “The Tarot” describes the process of tarot cards through dance set to specially commissioned music by Louis Mander that was played live on stage. The large cast was costumed in original pieces designed by Bill Fenner. Ryoko Sadoshima who danced the role of “The Moon” was a true standout in this piece. Her quality of movement in sweeping pas de bourrée couru across the stage and elegant balances in arabesque were a delight to watch.

“Theatre of Dreams” is always one of this critic’s favorite programs of the season and it was a pleasure to have it be the first one of this year’s lineup.

— Anna Dearing

D’Aumout’s exotic recipes. It is, in fact, a story about taste, a story about seeking pleasure in a sad world, a portrait of 18th-century France.

And it’s as much a story about love and friendship: D’Aumout is a husband twice, a father, a lover, a lifelong friend. His interactions with other characters form the backbone of the narrative.

A locked Corsican cave with only live bats for nourishment? Check. An old dog tried by a court of children on behalf of its owner, hanged and cooked? Check.

Despite some dizzying tense changes (perhaps a device Grimwood used to make us question the nature of memory and time and to create passages of present-tense visceral experience), “The Last Banquet” is a fascinating sensory experience written in a mostly engaging first-person voice.

Ben Franklin in a cameo appearance?

Check. One of the most unbelievably strange and strangely likeable protagonists I’ve read in years? Check.

— Alexis Orgera “The Last Banquet” is available at Bookstore1, 1359 Main St., Sarasota. Call 365-7900.

Top 10 fiction titles at Bookstore1 this month: 1. “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver 2. “English Girl: A Novel” by Daniel Silva 3. “Bad Monkey” by Carl Hiassen 4. “Shoemaker’s Wife: A Novel” by Adriana Trigiani 5. “Sycamore Row” by John Grisham 6. “Doctor Sleep: A Novel” by Stephen King 7. “Sweet Tooth: A Novel” by Ian McEwan 8. “Local Souls” by Allan Gurganus 9. “Beautiful Ruins: A Novel” by Jess Walter 10. “City of Thieves” by David Benioff

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

7

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS

THEATER

// ‘Young Frankenstein’

// ‘Crazy for You’

You can’t keep a good monster down — or a good monster story. Case in point, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” Science-fiction authors from Asimov to Zelazny have played with the concepts; James Whale and other horror filmmakers have scared our pants off with them. The mad doctor as wannabe God. The creature as the doctor’s rejected son. It’s a great story — probably one of the greatest.

Like any great story, it inspires great storytellers to find new ways of telling it.

This was Mel Brooks’ and Gene Wilder’s stroke of genius in the original “Young Frankenstein” film from 1974. They didn’t mock or deconstruct “Frankenstein.” They lovingly worked within the tradition. Their movie wasn’t just a satire; it was a sequel.

(In case you missed it, Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson, Frederick, reluctantly follows in his forbearer’s “footshteps”). The original movie didn’t trash Shelley’s concepts. It stitched them together, gave them a new zap of electricity and made them come alive. Brooks and Wilder built on the original story, and it worked.

Mel Brooks’ 2009 musical, (co-written with Thomas Meehan — and now rampaging on the Manatee Performing Arts Center stage) works for the same reason. It’s surprising how much tissue survives from the original film. The horses neigh in terror at Frau Blucher’s name; Igor’s hump shifts from side to side. The gags (both smutty and clean) still make audiences howl.

Director/choreographer (Dewayne Barrett), actors and all the technical wizards involved are clearly enjoying themselves.

Controlled anarchy isn’t easy on stage, but Barrett pulls it off like it’s no big deal. As to the actors: Brian F. Finnerly pushes away from Gene Wilder’s characterization. His Frederick Frankenstein is a nebbishy overachiever, not a sublimated wild man. Mark Netherly’s Igor, on the other hand, is an

“Crazy for You” (the 1992 Broadway hit now hitting The Players stage) is basically a fix-up of “Girl Crazy” (the 1930 Broadway hit). The reincarnation juggled the original plot elements and gave the story more zip — not that the new story makes any more sense. It’s charmingly preposterous. You not only have to suspend your disbelief, you have to put your disbelief in concrete overshoes, drop it off the Brooklyn Bridge and change your address. Simply put …

Back in the 1930s, Bobby Child (Logan O’Neill), a rich, young fellow in New York City, just wants to dance. Bela Zangler (Chip Fisher), the Flo Zeigfeld clone, wants him to dance in somebody else’s theater. His mom (Donna DeFant) wants him in the family business (banking, that is) and sends him to Deadrock, Nev., to foreclose on a cowboy theater. There, Bobby falls in love with Polly Baker (Kathryn Parks), the theater’s cowgirl proprietor. Complications and misunderstandings ensue. Bobby and Polly put on a show to save the theater. They do. (Spoiler alert: They also live happily ever after.)

This short synopsis sounds nearly sane.

Trust me, it’s not. Hilarious, yes. Logical, no.

But the plot’s not the point. As with the original “Girl Crazy,” the story’s just an excuse to put the George and Ira Gershwin songbook on stage. These crowd-pleasers include “I Got Rhythm,” “Bidin’ My Time,” “I Can’t Be Bothered Now,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “But Not for Me,” “Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Naughty Baby,” “Stiff Upper Lip,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It” and, of course, “K-ra-zy for You.” This ear candy is delivered via Jared E. Walker’s screwball direction, Kyle Turoff’s high-voltage choreography and a cast bubbling with chemistry. O’Neill is a snappy dancer (tap and non-tap), a great singer

Courtesy

“Young Frankenstein” runs through Nov. 10, at Manatee Players. homage to Marty Feldman’s original. (You were expecting maybe Peter Lorre?) Karen Lalosh puts in her own deadpan homage of Cloris Leachman’s Frau Blücher, but gets into kinky depths at which the movie only hinted. Andrea Wright’s Inga (not derivative of Teri Garr!) is her own Transylvanian temptress. Robert Austin’s wooden as Inspector Kemp — but his character’s supposed to be wooden — at least partly. (That’s the gag.)

Danae DeShazer sizzles as Elizabeth, Dr. Frankenstein’s narcissistic, teasing-but-sexually-frozen fiancée. DeShazer makes the role her own; Madeline Kahn would be proud.

William E. Masuck’s Creature is less Peter Boyle, more Lou Abbott. His misunderstood monster is a regular Joe, putting up with mopes and dopes in an Eastern European backwater. Space doesn’t permit props for all the mad scientists behind the minimal but effective sets, wacky costumes and joyfully over-the-top lighting effects.

And joy is what this musical’s really all about. (Surprising in a monster story, but there it is.) The original Dr. Frankenstein rejected his stitched-together son. Young Frankenstein doesn’t. In a pep talk worthy of a Jewish mother, he says “This is not a monster, this is a good boy!” In the end, creator and creature swap their best, uh, features, and the villagers put down their pitchforks and go home to have cake.

Don’t you wish all monster movies ended this way?

— Marty Fugate

Courtesy

“Crazy for You” runs through Nov. 3, at Players Theatre. and a fine physical comic, too. Parks brings the same level of talent — nicely playing the down-to-earth comic foil to the untethered balloon of Bobby’s optimism. Fisher’s Zangler is the classic domineering, temperamental, bearded impresario seen in nearly every Marx Brothers movie — though he’s not a heel. Speaking of which, O’Neil (disguised as Zangler) and Fisher (as the “real” Zangler) bring down the house in a spin on the mirror scene in “Duck Soup.” That scene alone is worth the price of admission. But Jeffrey Kin (as Lank, the bad-guy saloon keeper) and Lindsey Nickel-de la O (as Irene, Bobby’s ex-fiancée, who proves to be a naughty baby, indeed) are equally sidesplitting. There are no weak links in the cast’s comedic chain — or weak legs, in the killer congeries of chorus girls. Fine orchestration, great costumes and clever fly-away sets, as well.

Improbability aside, the story framing the songs is sharply penned. Ken Ludwig (the playwright behind the musical’s “book”) is self-consciously working in the pre-Sondheim, pre-Andrew Lloyd Webber tradition of American musical theater. (With plenty of post-modern winks to the audience.)

As crazy as it is, his story makes you care.

Ultimately, it’s a heartfelt love story — to the music of George and Ira Gershwin.

And that ain’t so crazy, after all.

— Marty Fugate

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8

DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// HOME&GARDEN

THINGS

by Robert Plunket | Contributing Writer

TROPHY HOMES TO MATCH A CELEBRITY’S LIFESTYLE

The news that Rosie O’Donnell bought a $5 million home on Casey Key has the whole town talking. The four-bedroom, 4,700-square-foot beachfront residence seems perfect as a second home for the comedian and her family (wife Michelle and five kids), but we can’t help but wonder — what other properties did Rosie look at? So, just in case buyer’s remorse sets in, or you happen to know any other house-hunting celebrities, here are some other trophy homes that are just special enough to tempt the lucky few who can afford the ultimate.

1. THINKING BIG 7922 S. HOLIDAY DRIVE

For the celebrity who collects cars or other large objects, here’s a mainland waterfront estate with a 20-car, air-conditioned “motor salon.” It’s walled and gated and located on the bay, with a sunset view toward Siesta Key. Extra touches abound — two elevators, three fireplaces, a wood-paneled library, an outdoor kitchen, a 125-foot dock and enough lawn for several simultaneous soccer games. It also has a state-of-the-art security system with surveillance cameras to keep overeager fans at bay. An elegant yet kid-friendly home with five bedrooms, which is just a few minutes from Siesta Beach.

Priced at $7.9 million. For more information, call Joel Schemmel of Premier Sotheby’s at 941-587-4894.

NOV 16

•

Photos courtesy of Premier Sotheby’s

The Junior Leagues of Sarasota and Manatee County, in partnership with the Legacy of Valor Campaign, cordially invite you to join us as we honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families.

8PM

The Legacy of Valor Celebration Luncheon Thursday, November 7, 2013 11:00 A.M. Dolphin Aviation 8191 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida

NOV 17

•

7PM

GueST SpeAker

Hosted by Jerry Springer!

Former Army ranger, Sgt. keni Thomas For tickets and information please contact www.jlsarasota.org or www.jrleaguemanatee.org

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. US & Canada legal residents (excl. NY, RI, PR, Quebec), 18+.

Full rules, incl alt entry method, call/visit Venue box office**. Sponsored by Good Games Live, Inc.

TICKETS! 941.953.3368 OR VANWEZEL.ORG

BOX OFFICE: MON-FRI 10AM-6PM • SAT 10AM-4PM • OPEN LATE AND SUNDAYS ON SHOW DATES

GROUP SALES: 941-955-7676 X2225 are subject to change without notice

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VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL Performers, Prices, Dates & Times

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Mattison’s Bayside at the Van Wezel dinner reservations before the show 941.921.3400

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

9

// HOME&GARDEN

2. OLD FASHIONED CHARM 7321 MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD This home, built in 2001, has the look and feel of an old-fashioned country house, with wide porches and verandas overlooking Sarasota Bay. It’s located on Siesta Key, on 2.8 acres of land, well screened from the road. There’s the obligatory elevator, four fireplaces, a wine room and a whopping seven bedrooms, all with intricate wood detailing.

The master suite has his-and-hers offices — or, in Rosie’s case, hers and hers — and the grounds boast giant oaks and a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall. The only thing missing is a tennis court, but there’s plenty of room to put one in.

Priced at $6.95 million. For more information, call Michael Hayes of Michael Saunders at 941-376-1826.

Photos courtesy of Coldwe ll

Banker

3. BEACHFRONT BEAUTY 4125 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE, UNIT S301

A sensational penthouse on Longboat would be a great choice for a celebrity.

The security is excellent, there’s no maintenance to worry about, and you’re right on the beach. This 4,800-square-foot unit in a smaller mid-Key complex fits the bill perfectly. There’s a wraparound terrace with incredible views of the Gulf, complete with a summer kitchen. The real kitchen has Wolf appliances and cherry-wood cabinets, and the master

suite has a wet-bar, a private sitting room and its own terrace overlooking the water. On the ground floor of the building is a private three-car garage. With only three bedrooms, Rosie’s kids would have to double up, but for a celebrity couple looking for a hassle-free beach retreat, this place would be ideal.

Priced at $4,995,000. For more information, call Roger Pettingell of Coldwell Banker at 941-387-1840.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// FOOD&COOKING: COLUMN

TIDBITES

by June LeBell

EAT HERE OUT THERE

Contributing Columnist june@junelebell.com

COOKING FOR KIDS

W

hen I was a kid, called us regarding my parents, preparing lunches for wonderful, inventive them, it was like a sign and artistic cooks, from above. not only gave me so“Adults know what called adult food, they they like,” he says, also let me help out “but kids are still open in the kitchen. We not to new tastes. When only ate really well, cooking for adults, I we all loved devising marry many flavors new recipes, never together and the dish to be quite the same becomes the sum of again. the parts. I keep the Then I had kids’ food very simCourtesy sleepover dates Larry Barrett of Simply ple, not marrying too with girlfriends and Gourmet Caterers many flavors. Keeping found they were not the tastes simpler for only eating dinner earlier and at the the kids helps me isolate what they children’s table, they were eating really enjoy.” spaghetti that came in tins, mystery Who’s fussier? “A child alone with meats smothered in more mysterious family can be a real problem. Food sauces and bland, tasteless things I can sometimes become a weapon, pushed around my plate. a way to manipulate. But adults are Now there’s Larry Barrett of Sim- fussy in their own way. The older we ply Gourmet Caterers. Chef Larry, get, the more we become creatures who’s cooked for U.S. presidents of habit. At the Church of the Palms, and heads of state, has taken on all the students eat the same meal. an even more important challenge: When they see their peers enjoying cooking for children. lunch, the world is a beautiful and or“I started cooking for myself ganized place. when I was seven, so the first child “The only way to get kids to enI cooked for was myself,” says Chef joy food is to expose them to all the Larry, whose Grandma Minnie was a good stuff — fresh foods with texture, fantastic cook and instilled a culinary taste and color. The more diverse passion in him. “I became a profes- their culinary experience, the more sional chef at 22. When it was time they can appreciate not just food, but for our son, Dylan, to go off to kinder- other cultures.” garten, we were shocked to see that Kids aren’t the only ones who the bar had not been raised on pub- can sample and enjoy Chef Larry’s lic school food. We knew right then cuisine. His headquarters, Simply we wanted to contribute to creating Gourmet Caterers, is located at 4783 better cuisine for kids. When Saraso- Swift Road, and can be reached at ta’s Church of the Palms preschool 941-929-0066.

LEARNING TO COOK AS AN ADULT

C

hef Jeremy HammondChambers and Chef Danny Gibbons have started “Innovative Dining,” a series of cooking classes at 1725 Barber Road in, of all places, Finecraft Cabinetry, where there’s a demo kitchen with space to sit and enjoy the show, as well as the cuisine.

Recipes and how to cook them properly are not just demonstrated; the results are served, accompanied by wines, all for $70 per event. In November, the chefs take a look at Mexican recipes by

QUICKS BI T E

Polo Grill, in Lakewood Ranch, has a new executive chef.

Stephane Pierre, the 44-year-old Belgian-born chef who started in the business cleaning fish at a Brussels restaurant, has put on his Top Toque and is just about ready for the re-launching of the Polo Grill in just a few days.

“Chef Pierre is an exciting and welcome addition to the Polo Grill

family,” says Tommy Klauber, the restaurant’s chef and proprietor.

Taste of Asia is now open in its new digs at 4413 S. Tamiami Trail.

The restaurant, most recently on Siesta Key, needed more space to accommodate its devoted clientele, and its new full bar. There’s also abundant parking and both indoor and outdoor dining. Chef Lam’s family says, just ask for what you want. “If Lam can, he will.”

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the talented chef and cookbook author, Rick Bayless; and there’s a Fall Vegetarian Class. In December, they explore the olive oils of Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

And, later, they look at great recipes from modern Japanese culture via the splendid skills of Nobu.

Seating is limited to 16 per class, so you’re sure to get personalized attention and your questions will be easily answered. For reservations, call 941-378-1901 or go to http://innovative-dining.com/.

web

with Chef

video

Kitchen

Courtesy

Eat Here, the exceedingly inventive restaurant that’s fun and fancy-free, is more than a friendly neighborhood hangout.

It’s one of the best places in town for great cuisine at pocketfriendly prices. We were in the newest branch on Siesta Key a couple of weeks ago and got to meet the entire cast of characters who make up this personal place, starting with its heart and soul, Sean Murphy.

This flamboyant restaurateur loves what he does, from socializing with his patrons and making sure his original concept is never diminished, to working with his chefs to ensure highquality cuisine infused with creativity. Although there are now three Eat Here establishments — Holmes Beach, Main Street Sarasota and Siesta Key — this is not a chain restaurant where everything is like a carbon copy of what you’ve had before.

“Things change all the time, even the weather,” Murphy told us at dinner. And he’s right. How many times have you made your favorite recipe and it’s come out tasting different because it was an especially humid day and you had to adjust the cooking time or the recipe, itself.

But, when it comes down to it, Murphy knows the food we love. Not Mama’s pot roast is just what Mama ordered. And Eat Here’s island-style ribs will keep you coming back to, well, Eat Here.

™

Doug

& Owner Beth Owen-Cipielewski

of The Sarasota-Manatee Originals

YOUR SARASOTA DIGITAL AGENCY

DigitalObserver Media

Visit YourObserver.com/InTheKitchen For The Recipe And Video

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INSIDE: Safe Sex Halloween Bash ‘Studio 13: The Undead Disco’ PAGE 13

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Max Lotofskyy and Cinde Carroll

 Chris Voelker, Dini Russell and Kristi Dorman

Photos by Cliff Roles

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Bill and Elle McComb, Brian Lofton and Lauren McComb

by Molly Schechter | Contributor Community AIDS Network’s CANDance “Dancing with Our Stars” gets better every year, and the event Saturday, Oct. 26, at Michael’s On East was no exception. Chaired by Jackie Rogers and Penny Hill, the event was a sellout, and, while numbers are not known at press time, the live auction yielded more than $43,000 (auctioneer Michael Klauber outdid himself, even doubling down on a few items).

More than 340 guests packed the red-hued ballroom (the attire also called for red dresses and black tie) to see the hard work of local celebrities pay off. Dance pairings included Lee Anne Swor

 CoChairs Jackie Rogers and Penny Hill

Grant and Danielle Beatt

Blake, Dr. John, Heidi and Tyler Fezza

David Ashe with Cindy and Michael Cuffage

Dr. David and Yara Shoemaker

and Sid Pocius, Will McComb and Sabrina Paxman, Cinde Carroll and Max Lotofskyy, Ramses Serrano and Ivana Varga, Wendy Feinstein and Luis Pena, Dr. John Fezza (who even took off his shirt, which became an ad-hoc auction item with spirited bidding to $1,100) and Marina Gando and Eve Caballero and Dwayne Barrett.

Grace, style and range of motion displayed by competitor Cinde Carroll made the best possible argument for Pilates and the other kinds of fitness that she teaches, but in the end, Eve Caballero took the trophy for most money raised and Wendy Feinstein won for best performance.

Wendy Feinstein and Luis Pena won the evening’s dance competition.

Howard Millman and Carolyn Michel

Dancing duo Lee Anne Swor and Sid Pocius

Bambi Famous Kane and Shannon Willits

Carol Phillips, Mary Anne Robinson, Ron Carter and Jim Neal

12

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

// BLACK TIE: COLUMN

BLACKTIE&TALES

by Black Tie Staff

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Food & Wine November 8 - 9, 2013

I

f you have your ticket for Wine, Women and Shoes Signature Luncheon Nov. 15, consider yourself lucky, because this will be another sellout year. The event kicked off with the Solemen reception, Oct. 22, at Michael’s Wine Cellar. Competition is fierce and these men are eager to sell some wine.

The “Solemen” include these team captains: Team Armani’s Tim Beury, Team Gucci’s Andy Tack, Team Ferragamo’s Chris Pinckney, Team Milly’s Rob Lyons, Team Burberry’s Robert Stroud, Team Fendi’s Ted Dunn and Team Louboutin’s Wayne Rollins.

An addition to this year’s lineup is the beautiful book, “A Day in my Shoes Sarasota,” which celebrates Forty Carrots Family Center’s 20th anniversary. The high-fashion coffee-table book’s cover features Terri Klauber (on the cover of the 13” x 11” book) and Diana Kelly (on the cover of the 10” x 8” book).

The books will be available for purchase at the luncheon, or by calling 365-7716.

The name game … The atrium of the Sarasota Opera House is sporting a new identity. Board member Harold Ronson named the prominent spot to honor the memory of his late wife, Kay, who was a great fan and introduced him to the art form. The fact that her favorite was Wagner’s ring not Sarasota’s Verdi cycle matters not

S TIDBIT

Select Winemakers from around the world and renowned Chefs come together to collaborate with The Resort at Longboat Key Club in a celebration of food and wine in an event that will dazzle your eyes and thrill your palate.

VINTNER DINNERS

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Benefiting: Children First When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 Where: Sharky’s on the Pier Tickets: $125 | Call: 953-3877, Ext. 124

in the least. It’s never too soon … The debut of its “Top Dog” benefit attracted some 270 guests and 80 dogs and the folks at Donte’s Den have already told BT that they’ve booked the Municipal Auditorium for Oct. 4, 2014.

And to think that some of you haven’t completed your listings for this season’s events!

Send your info to stephanie@yourobserver. com.

Friday, November 8

A unique evening of culinary delights. Choose from four vintner dinners, hosted by guest winemakers at scenic locations throughout The Resort at Longboat Key Club. $135

STONE CRAB CELEBRATION & WINE TASTING Saturday, November 9

This event is the highlight of our Festival weekend. Our talented culinary staff will prepare and serve dishes from tasting stations that showcase our fabulous West Coast of Florida, and of course, the reason for the season—plenty of stone crab claws. This promises to be a night of foodie fun and great wines. $200 CELEBRATION PASS includes attendance to: Choice of one Vintner Dinner on Friday, November 8, Passion of the Pig on Saturday, November 9 Festival Demonstrations (Taste Like a Master,

Wine Blending Class, The Art of Cooking) on Saturday, November 9 and Stone Crab Celebration on Saturday, November 9. $350

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f it were up to BT, Wendy Feinstein would have won a few more awards at Saturday’s CANDance — best dress for her custom design by Bradenton couturier Maria Dela Luz of Purabel Fashions and for the most family in attendance. The local celebrity dancer’s fans filled four tables, which included husband Jerry, mother Betty Clowson, sister Tammy Breymaier, daughter Lindsee Street and many, many more … as well as three babies elsewhere with a babysitter.

A few more tidbits from the evening …

The last of the taxi dances (No. 15) is always a “surprise” and this year’s was Miley Cyrus’ famous song for her “twerking” — ignored by most, but credible versions provided by Carolyn Michel and Brent Greeno … A handsome first-timer was noticed at the event — Michael Zuckerberg, son of Judy, recently relocated to Sarasota from Fort Lauderdale … Gene Noble says he is taking ballroom lessons now so he can dance with his date, Pat Talbott, who is quite an expert and showed her form during the taxi dances … Instructor Ivana Varga had no lifts in the routine she performed with Ramses Serrano for good reason — she is “with child.” … CAN board President Ed Schaye brought daughter Elizabeth Ballis from Chicago and son Robert Schaye from Beloit and his friend, Tracy Meints … The emcees gave Ron Carter and his partner, Jimmy Neal, some stage time to plug the next Community AIDS Network benefit, which is the Black & White GAYLA drag show Nov. 18.

DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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Christina Fraser  Christian DeBlasis, Lauren Prechitti, Zara Barrie, Eduardo Anaya and Skye Stern

 Amy and Chris Shaffer, Kevin Friedman and Tammy Walsh

SAFE SEX HALLOWEEN BASH ‘STUDIO 13: THE UNDEAD DISCO’ Benefiting Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida Friday, Oct. 25, at Michael’s On East

Lauren Brenzel and Mia Newell

Chris Clayton and Bobbi Jo Donner

Mike Pawlus and Audrey Scherer

Sisters Laura and Santa De Oliveira

Silke and Rudi Weiss

Photos by Heather Merriman

Jan Loomis and Sue Tankersley

Michael Pandrella and Briana Martin

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S s w au 14 ie rm 20 ev lede r ee p ie F Fr val re D i fo St be Fe mins

Verdi’s American Home

Don't miss the laughter, fun & well-known melodies of The worlD'S moST popular opereTTa!

Die Fledermaus

JohaNN STRauSS, Jr. | Nov 1, 5, 7, 13 8pm | Nov. 3, 15 1:30pm at the historic Sarasota opera house, Downtown Sarasota performed in english | featuring

The Little Sweep BRITTEN

youth opera

nov 9 (5:30pm) nov 10 (12:30pm)

(941) 328-1300 | SaraSotaopera.org SeaSon SponSor

THE LiTTLE SwEEp MeDia 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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Silvia Miskovic and Martha Bandinel

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Peter Bellile and Mari Zevin

14 The Sarasota Military Academy is a proud participant in the Unified Legacy of Valor Opportunity.

DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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If SMA’s Cadets have made an impression upon your life, now is a great time to let them know.

SMA thanks Sarasota for its support over the last thirteen years!

 Local musicians/ physicians battled for the title of “Doctor Idol”

Donate online

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SarasotaMilitaryAcademy.org and your gift will be MATCHED by the Patterson Foundation until Nov. 15th.

‘DOCTOR IDOL!’ Benefiting The Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County Friday, Oct. 25, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

TM

 Whitney Prewitt, Jennifer Tojun, Alex Miller and Jennifer Rubenzer

Jesse Bono and Kiki Steinberg

Photos by Heather Merriman

Renee and Randy Halbert channeling ZZ Top.

LECOM GALA

Dawning of a New Season:

Benefiting Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Saturday, Oct. 26, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Anu TAli in her first concert as Music Director.

Dvorak No. 7 & Rachmaninoff

Dr. I.J. and Valerie Pober

Hear

Rhapsody with

pianist

Lukáš Vondráček

november 8, 9, 10 Van Wezel | Tickets from $30

941-953-3434

www.SarasotaOrchestra.org

Kinga and Jesse Jakubowski

Chairman Michael Polin and Mary Hawk-Polin

Come as you are.

Leave different.

5

th

AnniversAry

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1949 - 2014

John and Marilyn Ingold with Sally and Kim Schoeffel

Photos by Heather Merriman

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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 Christine Jennings with Jane and Andy Reeves Judy Altier, Mike McMullan, Colleen Blumenthal, Steve Altier and Sommer Altier Henri Zwick and Don Shaver

GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER

‘THE SHOW OF SHOWS’ Benefiting Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Michael’s On East

Bunny Coelingh, Betty Schoenbaum and Rosemary Chase

Judy Cuppy, Chairwoman Sophia La Russo and Carolyn Eagen

Photos by Heather Merriman

Bob and Alice Brittingham

Josh Burch with Goodwill Manasota Employee of the Year Margaretann Villani

Benefiting Goodwill Manasota Thursday, Oct. 24, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Honoree Tana Sandefur with John and Deborah Sandefur

Photos by Heather Merriman

Susie Walters and Honoree Stu Gregory

Allen Conrad, honoree Peter Crowley and Dr. Joseph Arme

TRUNK SHOW

Wednesday, November 6

10am – 6pm

Peter & Susan Migliaccio invite you to experience the

warmth, comfort and world-class food at their NEW, downtown Italian Restaurant.

Call for Reservations 941-366-1840

www.evelynandarthur.com

124017

1480 Main Street, Sarasota 941.365.2210 124674

Monday - Saturday 4:00-11:00 Closed Sunday’s 1213 N. Palm Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236 | In the Theatre District casanticarestaurant.com | casanticarestaurant@aol.com

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

CT

ER D N U

RA ONT

C

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Discover why the buyers and sellers of millions of dollars of Sarasota Real Estate agree...

THE HANLYS – A TOUGH TEAM TO MATCH There is no substitute for experience

PAT, TOM AND SPENCER HANLY Hanly & Associates

St. Armands Circle, Sarasota ( 941 ) 388-2331 pahanly@gmail.com 119526

HanlyHomes.com