April 7-26
Alan Kim plays Puck in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Adrian Van Stee photo provided by Asolo Conservatory
Love is in the air at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory as four young lovers find their lives upended and reignited by some mischievous fairies and a troupe of actors in a new production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The last time the conservatory staged the play, it was performed outdoors at Selby Botanical Garden. Director Jonathan Epstein is now working with the second-year students in the graduate acting program for an indoor production in the Cook Theatre, where they create the spirit of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
"A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs April 9-26, Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30 for April 9 preview, $40 for other performances. asolorep.org; 941-351-8000
— Jay Handelman
April 8-19
Jim Floyd, left, and Michael Raver star in “Cherry Docs” at the Sarasota Jewish Theatre. Photo by Sorcha Augustine
David Gow’s play “Cherry Docs” helped to inaugurate the Sarasota Jewish Theatre in the 2020-21 season with an online performance presented during the COVID pandemic. The company now closes its sixth season with a live and in-person full production of this impactful play. Michael Raver, who has become a local favorite, plays a Jewish attorney who has been assigned to defend a neo-Nazi played by Jim Floyd. It’s a play that deals with hatred, anti-semitism and the legal system. Diane Cepeda directs.
“Cherry Docs,” presented by Sarasota Jewish Theatre, runs April 8-19 at the Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota. Tickets are $38 for April 8-9 previews, and $44-$50 for other performances. Students are $19. sarasotajewishtheatre.com; 941-365-2494
— Jay Handelman
April 8-May 17
From left, Jazzmin Carson, Jonathan DeWitty and Riki Stevens are featured in Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s world premiere of ‘Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales.” Photo by Sorcha Augustine provided by WBTT
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe closes its 2025-26 season with another world premiere by founder and artistic director Nate Jacobs. “Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales” is a home-grown show that celebrates the spirit and cultural essence of a people as expressed in sayings, tales and traditions passed down through generations. Jacobs composed original music to a book by his brother Michael. The cast is filled with familiar WBTT performers, including Brian L. Boyd, Jazzmin Carson, Michael Mejia-Mendez, Raleigh Mosely II, Leon S. Pitts II and Patric Robinson.
‘Lies, Spells and Old Wives’ Tales” runs April 8-May 17 at Westcoast Black Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. Tickets are $54, $24 for students and active military and $44 for previews. westcoastblacktheatre.org; 941-366-1505
— Jay Handelman
April 10
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival gets underway this week with the opening night film, “Deep Water,” a dramatic feature about a flight that goes down in the middle of the Pacific and the survivors’ efforts to stay alive in shark-infested waters. (“Jaws” anyone?) Director Renny Harlin and producer Gene Simmons will be in attendance. The screening will be followed by a reception in the Sainer Pavilion Courtyard.
“Deep Water,” is the opening night film of the 2026 Sarasota Film Festival. / Photo courtesy Sarasota Film Festival
2026 Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Film, “Deep Water,” 6 p.m. Sainer Pavilion, New College, 513 Bay Shore Road. Film tickets $50; opening night party tickets $50. SFF Box Office, 332 Cocoanut Ave (Cocoanut Ave. and 4th St.); SarasotaFilmFestival.com
— Carrie Seidman
April 10-11
Love the ballpark but not sitting through nine innings with only those annoying short bursts of organ music to chant to? How about singing along to your favorite Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley or Beach Boys tunes instead? “Parrots & Palms - Tropical Rock for Five O’Clock… Somewhere,” this year’s Sarasota Orchestra Outdoor Pops Concert provides the same great stadium and hot dogs, but way better music and a fantastic fireworks show as a grand finale. Whether you’re a Parrothead or a Bobby McFerrin fan, “don’t worry (you’ll) be happy.”
“Parrots & Palms - Tropical Rock for Five O’Clock…Somewhere,” Sarasota Orchestra Pops Concert, 7:30 p.m. Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St. Tickets starting at $25. 941-953-3434; sarasotaorchestra.org/concerts/special-concerts/outdoor-pops?.utm.
— Carrie Seidman
April 10-12
Evelyn Lyman of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company. / Photo courtesy SCBS
One of Fidel Castro’s priorities when he came into power in 1959 was to make Cuba the home of one of the finest ballet companies in the world. Much like what had been created in the Soviet Union, he established a government-run schooling program to train promising dancers from a young age and funnel them into a national company that did, indeed, become internationally renowned.
Today that system is a shadow of its former self and most of the island’s best dancers have defected to perform elsewhere. But you can see the traces of that technical and artistic lineage in the dancers of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company, who will present “La Primavera,” a program featuring two classic pieces rarely seen outside of Cuba, as well as the “Paquita Grand Pas Classique,” a dazzling showcase of Romantic classical technique.
“La Primavera” presented by the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Auditorium, 4740 Cattleman Road. $45. 941-365-8400; srqcubanballet.org
— Carrie Seidman
