Diversions 10.30.14

Diversions YourObserver.com

A&E

Larry Forgard captures the flow of life.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT | AN ACTOR’S DOZEN

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Just Married: Matthew Gilbert and Elyse Huss PAGE 12

by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor

student

SPOTLIGHT After almost a year and a half of training, the newest FSU/Asolo Conservatory company is ready to take the stage.

Nick Reichert

FSU/Asolo Conservatory second-year students Chris Alexey Diaz, Josh James, Kevin Barber, Joseph Knispel, Kelsey Petersen and Tom Harney craft their newest colorful personas.

ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: AN ACTOR’S DOZEN

Home state: Georgia Drama or comedy: Comedy Lead or supporting actor: “Lead, even though supporting is awesome.”

Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: “Even though I would love to play Hamlet, I think my dream role is not yet written.”

Home state: Illinois Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: Neither, ensemble Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: “A female Richard III or female Iago.”

by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor (continued from page 1)

Home state: Montana Drama or comedy: Both Lead or supporting actor: “I’m leaning more toward supporting, but I wouldn’t say no to a lead.”

Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare all day.

Dream role: “I’d love to play Katurian in ‘The Pillowman’ by Martin McDonagh.”

Home state: Utah Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: “That one is hard. It depends on wherever the better role is.”

Play or musical: Both Sondheim or Shakespeare: Both Dream role: “Henry V. Someday, someone will let me play it.”

Home state: Connecticut Drama and comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: Lead Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: “Shakespeare, but that’s not a fair question.”

Dream role: “Any new male role in a Michael John LaChiusa musical.”

student SPOTLIGHT

After almost a year and a half of training, the newest FSU/Asolo Conservatory company is ready to take the stage.

J

ust on the outskirts of downtown Sarasota, there exists a dense jungle. However, this rainforest is rich with creativity and humanity instead of exotic wildlife and giant plants (though it does have its fair share of foreign Banyan trees). The Ringling Complex, the combined canopy of The Ringling, FSU Performing Arts Center and the New College of Florida, houses and produces

an abundance of classic art, circus artifacts, new works of theater and ballet, foreign architecture and gardens galore.

But living within this wilderness lives a strong collective that feeds off this ecosystem of creative raw materials: the FSU/ Asolo Conservatory.

Formally titled the Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, the conservatory is a competi-

tive, three-year, master’s of fine arts acting program that ranks among the top 10 programs in the country and in the top 25 in the English-speaking world.

Each incoming class consists of 12 students — just small enough for the faculty and staff to mold and elevate each individual performer, but also just large enough to create a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. After a three-year gauntlet

of learning and performing, the students earn a degree and their Actors’ Equity Association card.

“The conservatory combines academia and graduate-level training that is professionally based,” says Greg Leaming, director of the conservatory and associate artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre. “This is not an academic institution per se. We’re not training teachers; we’re training artists.”

The tribe of thespians is as eclectic in taste, temperament and creative energy as the conservatory’s upcoming season. The conservatory’s season opens with David Mamet’s rarely produced play, “The Water Engine,” running from Nov. 4 through Nov. 23. The remainder of this year’s productions are William Shakespeare’s cross-dressing comedy “As You Like It;” the fairly new musical Duette Vertiglide®Shades

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

Home country: Singapore Drama or comedy: Both Lead or supporting actor: Both Play or musical: Musical Sondheim or Shakespeare: Sondheim Dream role: Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Home state: Nebraska Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: Lead Play or musical: Musical Sondheim or Shakespeare: Sondheim Dream role: Jamie Wellerstein in the musical “The Last Five Years,” written by Jason Robert Brown.

about creating a musical, “Title of of study in London, and returns Show,” by Jeff Bowen and Hunter the subsequent semester to perBell; and Anton Chekhov’s semi- formance opportunities with the nal play of class struggle and de- Asolo Repertory Theatre compacay, “The Cherry ny during its proOrchard.” duction season.

All 12 of the conBut, in the end, servatory actors the goal of the 12 ‘The Water Engine’ have their own actors and the personal goals, but overall mission

by David Mamet stay connected in of the FSU/Asolo When: Opens 8 their ultimate deConservatory is p.m. Nov. 4 and runs sire of taking the to not only prothrough Nov. 23 stage this year. duce professional Where: Cook Theatre, Their first year in actors, but craft 5555 N. Tamiami Trail the program was and participate in Cost: Tickets $29 dedicated to inawe-inspiring thetense training and ater.

Info: Call 351-8000 or the study of act“My strongest visit asolorep.org. ing, voice and texmemory was the tual analysis. Then first time I ever acafter this year of four produc- tually felt fully connected inside tions (each student performs in of my body within the rest of the three out of the four shows), the ensemble and the audience at the troupe ventures on to a summer same time,” says Joseph Knispel.

IF YOU GO

Home country: Panama Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: Lead Play or musical: Musical Sondheim or Shakespeare: Both Dream role: Richard III or Lady Macbeth “I was in the play ‘Three Sisters’

by Chekhov, and I was doing a monologue, and it literally felt like the entire world had stopped spinning and was listening to me.

Ever since then I’ve been working toward figuring out how to get back there.”

Even though they are practically surrounded by a veritable sea of fine arts and entertainment, the dramatic dozen of the FSU/ Asolo Conservatory stand strong among the league of professional and classical art offerings of the Ringling Complex.

“Our approach is a lot more energetic and tends to be a lot more imaginative,” says Leaming. “The audiences that come to see our work are surprised at the caliber of the actor and surprised at the plays that we are presenting that nobody else in town seems to be doing.”

Home state: Kentucky Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: Lead Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: “There are too many things that I would love to do, but I’m really excited about getting to play Lyubov Ranevskaya in ‘The Cherry Orchard’ this year.”

Home state: California Drama or comedy: Comedy Lead or supporting actor: Lead Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: Cyrano de Bergerac

Home state: Michigan Drama or comedy: Dramedy Lead or supporting actor: Supporting Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: Peter Pan

Home state: New York Drama or comedy: Drama Lead or supporting actor: “Any and all.”

Play or musical: Play Sondheim or Shakespeare: Shakespeare Dream role: “Miss Julie from ‘Miss Julie’ by August Strindberg because the role terrifies me and I love doing things that terrify me.”

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: SPOTLIGHT

Artist experiences brush with life Through decades of teaching and creating art, Larry Forgard learned to allow his pieces to go with the flow.

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by Nick Reichert | A&E Editor Various shapes, hues and textures buoy artist Larry Forgard’s studio. They adorn the walls, which consist of completed works and those still evolving, eagerly awaiting the next brushstroke or dab of paint. While a local jazz station bounces out fiery notes of trumpet, saxophone, drums and bass on the radio, Forgard

adds the final touches to his pieces for his upcoming show, “Figure Flow of Life,” which runs until Nov. 22, at Art Center Sarasota.

Born and raised in Chicago, Forgard was practically raised in the Windy City’s art crucible; he studied at both the Art Institute of Chicago and the American Academy of Art. His studies led him to a career in graphic design, and he worked

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his emotive, symbolic and colorful portraits of men and women, such as “The Kiss” and “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I.” Solo showings are nothing new to Forgard. During his decades-long career, he has had work exhibited at the Lincoln Center’s Cork Gallery as well as in Chicago, Atlanta, Louisville, Ky., Washington, D.C., Boca Raton, Tampa and Palm Beach.

“When people look at my work, I can only ask that they feel something personal for themselves,” says Forgard. “If I can produce something that has a little bit different emotion, feeling or concept, I can only ask that of someone, and maybe somebody who’s sitting next to them won’t feel anything at all.”

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at several Chicago design and advertising studios. Forgard’s combination of art and business acumen led to an instructor position at the Ringing College of Art and Design.

Having lived, worked and taught in the Sarasota area for more than 25 years, Forgard draws inspiration from a local muse: the everyday existence. Shades and shadows of human lines and figures live in his canvases in diverse hues. His works provide a snapshot of life on busy streets or quiet cafés as if captured through the soft-focus lens of a camera. Forgard uses several paints and oils and adds raw materials for extra texture.

“Everything I see inspires me,” says Forgard. “I’m a visual person, and as I walk through the city or do anything in my life, I’m always absorbing visual stimuli to get me started.”

Even though he has resided and taught in Sarasota, Forgard does not let his stable geographic location stifle his techniques or cause his art to become static.

“The process of being an artist is constantly moving on,” says Forgard. “You’re discovering technique through concepts, through experimentation, through mistakes.”

And one continuing source of inspiration is different artists, new and old masters. Artists whom Forgard has connected with throughout his career include Francis Bacon, Edgar Degas, Wolf Kahn and, most recently, Gustav Klimt. “Figure Flow of Life” contains visual echoes of the late 19th century Austrian painter, known for

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: REVIEWS Live musical performances that Entertain, Engage, and Inspire!

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“Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?” asks narrator Edward French at the beginning of “The Secret Garden.”

One would think that the Sarasota Ballet couldn’t top its world premiere of Will Tuckett’s “The Secret Garden” in August, but this garden certainly grew to new heights. Opening its 24th season, the Sarasota Ballet performed the “The Secret Garden” flawlessly.

This production that includes dance, theater and puppetry, has the dancers working full-time — not only dancing — but also as the crew performing scene changes of the gates and walls on wheels and the puppetry, as well. The wheeled walls were magical as they transformed the stage from the secret garden to the various rooms of the hallowed Craven Mansion.

The puppetry is still a standout feature of this creative masterpiece that is set to music by Jeremy Holland-Smith. The dancers are not concealed behind their respective puppets, but almost merge as one with their animals, using graceful moments to bring the crow, robin and fox puppets to life. Calvin Farias and Patrick Ward were once again experts as the fox puppeteers, not missing a single moment — even mimicking the fox panting while waiting for the next scene.

Jessica Cohen delighted as Mary Planwho to starts attend our Lennox, off as a petulant orphan but blossoms into a happy, loved young girl surrounded by friends and a new family. Her technique is strong and she displays elegant lines, especially in arabesque lifts byour Juan Gil during Plan topress attend a scene in which Mary dances with her dead parents, Gil and Danielle Brown, in a dream.

Photo by Frank Atura

The Sarasota Ballet opened its season with Will Tuckett’s “The Secret Garden.”

Jamie Carter, Kate Honea and Ricki Bertoni are ever adept at character roles, so much so that Bertoni was recently promoted to Character Principal. Carter was perfect in portraying the melancholy Mr. Craven. Honea stomped around the mansion as the mean Mrs. Medlock. And Bertoni performed as Ben Weatherstaff with a permanent scowl on his face.

Two new dancers to the company made their debut on Friday night: Michael Burfield and Kyle Hiyoshi. Both displayed immense talent and ability. Burfield was buoyant and quick on his feet as Dickon, and Hiyoshi jumped with fervor and might as the bad Dr. Webster.

Sara Scherer lead the female servants, Kristianne Kleine, Sareen Tchekmedyian, Dagny Hanrahan and Ellen Overstreet, with a sunny demeanor that seems to glow across the entire stage.

Tchekmedyian was sharp and strong and danced with a very nice style.

At the end of the ballet French states: “Garden is Love.” I think it’s safe to say, we love “The Secret Garden.”

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

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// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

ARTS AND CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF SARASOTA COUNTY’S ANNUAL ARTS CELEBRATION Monday, Oct. 20, at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Photos by Nick Reichert

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT: HIGHLIGHTS

Polish-American Association of Sarasota in cooperation with

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“A delightful and inspirational evening of music by Chopin, Piazzola, Boccherini and other favorites”

Karin Billings and Joanna Coke

Carol Paver and William Blackburn

Kelsey Grondahl and Annie Landry

Join chef Nils Tarantik, of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, on a fishing charter field trip in Sarasota Bay. Then watch Nils in the kitchen preparing his fresh catch, pan seared snapper with apple jicama slaw.

Michelle Held and Lisa Swift

For the video and recipe visit:

YourObserver.com/InTheKitchen

Oct. 31 – Dec. 10, 2014

Evan Roth//Intellectual Property Donor Selby Galleries I & II The worlds of hacking and art intersect in Roth’s powerful work. Organized by the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University Middletown, CT; and curated by Ginger Duggan and Judith Hoos Fox of curatorsquared.

Opening Reception: Friday, Oct. 31, 5-7pm.

Come in costume for treats and raffle prizes.

Curator Tour: Monday, Nov. 3, 11:30 am Artist Talk: TBA Web: www.ringling.edu/selbygallery

DineOriginal.com

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Sponsored for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax Revenues.

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Black Tie

INSIDE: CANDance PAGE 11

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014 Photos by Heather Merriman

Left: Kara Ostedt with Chris and Lisa Leedom Right: Virginia Hughes and Jamie Kalman

SAFE SEX HALLOWEEN BASH

‘MIDNIGHT ON THE BAYOU’ Benefiting: Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida • Saturday, Oct. 25, at Michael’s On East

by Heather Merriman | Black Tie Editor

Safe Sex Halloween Bash: the spookiest event of the season, infamous for attracting the most creative, over-the-top costumes for Halloween in all of Sarasota. This year’s theme “Midnight on the Bayou” was a New Orleans-inspired late-night kiki. It was decorated with such intenseness that after a few signature “Bayou Banshee” cocktails, guests surely thought they were in the murky swamplands of haunted ‘Nola.

Picture this: hosts in voodoo-inspired costumes greeting you at the ghoulish entrance, fire breathers to your left, and a swamp and creaky wooden dock to your right, leading you into the ballroom where you find burlesque dancers, an undead DJ, candy bar, unlimited drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The truly daring could hang outside with a live alligator named Jack and an alligator snapping turtle named Big Teeth.

Lily Volpert

Co-Chairs Kyla Weiner, Christina Valastin-Fraser and Jenn McAlister

Sera Balderston and Bryan Moore

Darin Parks and Oscar the Grouch

Bruce Shwedick, of Reptile Discovery, with an alligator

snapping turtle

Kelly Smith, Nancy Hausman and Robert Finkelstein Rachel Robertson, Johnny Sparks and Kristen Correia

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DIVERSIONS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

THE SHOW OF SHOWS 2014

GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS DINNER

Benefiting Mental Health Community Centers Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Michael’s On East

Benefiting Goodwill Manasota Thursday, Oct. 23, at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Photos by Heather Merriman

Dick Battles, Chairwoman JoAnn Tomer and Len Nathanson

Regina Morris, John Annis and Sophia LaRusso

Judy Amores, Cheryl Tichacek and Eladio Amores

Honoree Jo Rita Stevens and Goodwill Industries of Sarasota President and CEO Bob Rosinsky

Lynn Carter and Bev Fisher

George and Dr. Sarah Pappas with Cindy Malkin

Laura Denenholz and Marnie Hayden

Photos by Amanda Morales

Judy Altier and Jayna Hamel

Kathryn Shea, Kirk Bauer and Susan Stewart Mistress of Ceremonies Lulu from 106.5 CTQ

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

11

// BLACK TIE: CAMERA READY

MUSIC AT THE MARINACCIOS’ Benefiting The Perlman Music Program/ Suncoast Inc. Thursday, Oct. 23, at a private home

Photos by Heather Merriman

Leif and Katherine Anderson with Michelle and Pat Gallagher Co-Chairs Penny Hill and Jackie Rogers

Lynette Mancuso competes in the CANDance competition.

Photos by Cliff Roles

Hosts Ann Marie and Lou Marinaccio

Alexandra Jeanroy, Linda Driggs and Fran Lambert

Barbara Staton and Bob Cutler

Susie and Ray Penge

Jack and Patricia Givens

CANDANCE Benefiting Community AIDS Network Southwest Florida Saturday, Oct. 18, at Michael’s On East

George Mazzarantani and Marina Gando

YOUROBSERVER.COM // Visit our website for more black tie photos.

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DIVERSIONS

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

// BLACK TIE: JUST MARRIED

GROOM’S PARENTS:

BRIDE’S PARENTS:

Paul Gilbert and Deb Gilbert

Jim Huss and Peggy Huss

HOW THE COUPLE MET

Matthew Eyerly Gilbert and Elyse Margaret Huss met at Rollins College when Matt was about to graduate and Elyse was finishing her second year. Shortly after meeting, Matt graduated and they stayed in touch over the summer because of their mutual connection to Longboat Key/ Anna Maria Island. Elyse grew up on Anna Maria and knew that Matt’s family owned a home on Longboat (the houses are only eight miles apart).

Elyse started her third year of school and needed a date to her sorority formal, and while she knew it was a long shot, she asked Matt. He immediately booked his flight. After the formal on Nov. 20, 2010, the flights didn’t stop.

Matt told Elyse that he was planning a fun weekend, but wouldn’t tell her anything else.

On Dec. 29, 2012, Matt took her to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a place they visited on Elyse’s first visit to Philadelphia.

The couple visited Elyse’s favorite exhibit last, and Matt wanted to take a picture in front of her favorite Degas statue. He asked a stranger to take it, however, he actually asked him to videotape everything.

The newly engaged couple walked outside, and Elyse was shocked to see so many family members and friends waiting on the steps. The couple enjoyed the evening celebrating with all who traveled to witness the big moment.

The ceremony took place May 31 at Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast with the reception following at the Manatee Riverhouse. The couple recalls the weather as a fun memory from the wedding — a rainbow appeared right before the rehearsal dinner and the rain held off just long enough to make it through the ceremony. Thunder actually boomed as the bride walked down the aisle, which gave everyone a good laugh.

The bride and wedding planner Nicole Kaney transformed the venue for a classic, timeless and elegant look, using the couple’s colors of navy and ivory.

The card box and the box they used during their ceremony to seal love letters and champagne for their 10-year anniversary were both handmade by the bride’s dad. He used the pecky cypress he had leftover from her childhood home that he had built.

THE DETAILS First dance: “Cheek to Cheek”

by Louis Armstrong Photography: Naomi Chokr Photography Wedding planning: Nicole Kaney, NK Productions Cake: The Cake Zone Honeymoon: Amalfi Coast, Italy

Photos by Naomi Chokr Photography

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

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THE PROPOSAL

THE WEDDING AND CEREMONY