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Oliver Buchannon
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: Lively but long new musical puts spirit into traditions

Apr 15, 2026

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7 min read

Theater Review: Lively but long new musical puts spirit into traditions

'Lies, Spells and Old Wives Tales' could use some editing but features a vibrant cast and score

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: Conservatory casts a spell with ‘Midsummer Night's Dream’

Apr 14, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: Conservatory casts a spell with ‘Midsummer Night's Dream’

Shakespeare's popular romantic comedy gets a colorful production by graduate acting students

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Apr 12, 2026

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7 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of April 13

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
Theater Review: Disturbing 'Cherry Docs' digs into racism and hatred

Apr 10, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: Disturbing 'Cherry Docs' digs into racism and hatred

David Gow's 1998 play closes Sarasota Jewish Theatre's 2025-26 season

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theatre Review: 'Birthday Candles' captures a life

Apr 7, 2026

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5 min read

Theatre Review: 'Birthday Candles' captures a life

Florida Studio Theatre presents the regional premiere of Noah Haidle's play about family, traditions and a special birthday cake

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Apr 5, 2026

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7 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of April 6

Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman, +1
A century of Sarasota Opera House

Apr 4, 2026

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9 min read

A century of Sarasota Opera House

A weekend of events celebrates building's history as a vaudeville house, movie theater and a stage where Elvis Presley performed

Jay Handelman
Sarah Goebel, ArtsBeat Intern
Jay Handelman, +1
Prizes and new additions help Hermitage Artist Retreat expand reach

Mar 30, 2026

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13 min read

Prizes and new additions help Hermitage Artist Retreat expand reach

The retreat on Manasota Key has received a major gift of land and will take over the shuttered Englewood Art Center

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: 'Crucible' stays potent in changing times

Mar 27, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: 'Crucible' stays potent in changing times

Arthur Miller classic about the Salem witch trials speaks to new generations at Sarasota Players

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: Venice Theatre takes a 'Drive' through sensitive subjects

Mar 24, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: Venice Theatre takes a 'Drive' through sensitive subjects

Paula Vogel won a Pulitzer Prize for her engaging and disturbing "How I Learned to Drive"

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: ‘The Apiary’ creates some buzz at Urbanite

Mar 23, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: ‘The Apiary’ creates some buzz at Urbanite

A play about dangers faced by bees takes a funny and smart look at world issues

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Mar 22, 2026

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6 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of March 23

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
Van Wezel books ‘Hell's Kitchen' and 'SIX' for Broadway season

Mar 18, 2026

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7 min read

Van Wezel books ‘Hell's Kitchen' and 'SIX' for Broadway season

New season celebrates female empowerment with new and returning favorite musicals

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: A fresh and raw 'Janis Joplin' on stage at FST

Mar 17, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: A fresh and raw 'Janis Joplin' on stage at FST

A musical exploration of the roots and power of Janis Joplin closes Florida Studio Theatre's Stage III season

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Mar 15, 2026

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6 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of March 16

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
Five questions with Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

Mar 13, 2026

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8 min read

Five questions with Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

The songwriters behind "Ragtime," "Once on This Island," "Anastasia" and "Knoxville" to receive Asolo Repertory Theatre's Luminary Award

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Asolo Rep promises 'greatest season' with circus-themed premiere

Mar 10, 2026

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9 min read

Asolo Rep promises 'greatest season' with circus-themed premiere

Theater company will end its historic rotating repertory and expand performances in two spaces for the 2026-27 season

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Mar 8, 2026

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5 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of March 9

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
A new sound for Sarasota Opera

Mar 2, 2026

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11 min read

A new sound for Sarasota Opera

Incoming Artistic Director Richard Russell expands the mix of works for the company's 2026-27 season

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Mar 1, 2026

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7 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of March 2

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
Review: Daring stunts and comedy keep Circus Sarasota's 'Epic' lively fun

Feb 24, 2026

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5 min read

Review: Daring stunts and comedy keep Circus Sarasota's 'Epic' lively fun

Young performers from Sailor Circus Academy are featured in a show filled with thrill acts

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Theater Review: Spirits rise in joyous 'How I Got Over' at Westcoast Black Theatre

Feb 22, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: Spirits rise in joyous 'How I Got Over' at Westcoast Black Theatre

Artistic Director Nate Jacobs stages a new production of his 2013 revue with a large cast of vibrant singers and dancers.

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Critics' Picks

Feb 22, 2026

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6 min read

Critics' Picks

For the week of February 23

Carrie Seidman
Jay Handelman
Carrie Seidman, +1
Theater Review: Cringey comedy ‘The Unfriend’ makes American debut at Asolo Rep

Feb 21, 2026

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5 min read

Theater Review: Cringey comedy ‘The Unfriend’ makes American debut at Asolo Rep

Steven Moffat, the television writer behind the hits 'Dr. Who' and 'Sherlock' makes his playwrighting debut

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
Music Review: Rapturous ‘La bohème’ at Sarasota Opera

Feb 20, 2026

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5 min read

Music Review: Rapturous ‘La bohème’ at Sarasota Opera

Puccini's classic love story has become one of the world's most popular operas.

Jay Handelman
Jay Handelman
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