New plays in development, some midsummer music, a quirky but popular off-Broadway musical, and some history are on tap in our recommendations for this week’s Critics’ Picks.

August 24

Sarasota Jewish Theatre continues its Newish Jewish Plays reading series with Stephen Kaplan’s “Un Hombre: A Golem Story.” It’s about a sculptur facing a creative block while her withdrawn son is unprepared for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah and is failing Spanish. A little magic help turn some unformed clay into the answers she’s looking for at least, until her creation starts questionining his own purpose and existence. Yinoelle Colon directs the staged reading.

“Un Hombre: A Golem Story” by Stephen Kaplan is presented at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Sarasota Players, 3501 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $18. sarasotajewishtheatre.com; 941-365-2494

— Jay Handelman

August 26

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church is winding up its Midsummer Night Music Festival with the return of the Sarasota Piano Trio, a ensemble featuring pianist Jesse Martins (longtime Sarasota Youth Opera director), violinist Milene Moreira and cellist Nadine Trudel.

These three musicians first came together as colleagues at the Sarasota Opera, following invitations to perform for the Youth Opera. While preparing for their program, the uncovered a trove of overlooked works that inspired them to establish the trio in order to expand the chamber music canon and bring those hidden gems to wider audiences.

Sarasota Piano Trio, part of the Midsummer Night Music Festival at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 North Adams Drive, Sarasota. 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Tickets online $10. purplepass.com/events/375214-sarasota-piano-trio-aug-26th-2026

— Carrie Seidman

August 26-September 6

In 1992, the Weekly World News published a story about a half-boy, half-bat, who had been found living in a cave in West Virginia. That article inspired writers Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming to bring it to the stage, with composer and lyricis Laurence O’Keefe. The result was “Bat Boy: The Musical,” which opened in Los Angeles in 1997 and has been produced around the world ever since. The Manatee Players staged an acclaimed production in 2005, and now the Sarasota Players are tackling the show with a production directed and choreographed by Brian F. Finnerty. It stars Chris Cordero as Edgar (otherwise known as Bat Boy), with Krista Benson and Jason Ellis as the parents who helped to raise him, and Jenn Szakolczay as their daughter.

“Bat Boy: The Musical” runs Aug. 26-Sept. 6 at the Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130. Tickets are $30, $15 for students. theplayers.org; 941-365-2494

— Jay Handelman

August 29

Here’a a fun way to ring in the start of the school year. The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is offering “Imagination Installation: A Family Celebration of Arts and Learning,” a free event for families with children from pre-K to 5th grade. This interactive workshop will include hands-on art activities, free art supplies, music and movement, and giveaways, including free childrens books. It’s meant to spark creativity, inspire learning and celebrate the role the arts play in helping children grow and thrive. Admission is free, but space is limited so registration is required.

“Imagination Installation: A Family Celebration of Arts and Learning,” at Harvest House, 3650 17th Street, Sarasota. 10-11:30 a.m. Free; registration required at eventbrite.com/e/imagination-installation-a-family-celebration-of-arts-and-learning-tickets-1993841600901?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

— Carrie Seidman

August 29

In 1966, Grenada, Mississippi was a major turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, characterized by intense resistance to school desegregation, led by the children of Grenada. This ethnographic theater piece, by Marcus Denard Johnson, director of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, explores the real stories surrounding the events of the Grenada County Freedom Movement.

Johnson, a 2008 graduate of the Conservatory, previously served as a resident artist for the Titan Theatre Company in New York City, where he also served as the Director of Programs for Opening Act, Inc., an arts education non-profit dedicated to providing free theatre programs to New York City’s most underserved schools.

Marcus Johnson: Children of Grenada, part of Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s In-Studio series. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 29, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300. Sarasota. Tickets $15-25. sarasotacontemporarydance.org/in-studio/

— Carrie Seidman

Through September 26

Art Center Sarasota has opened a new series of exhibits, including showcases of the artists Antoine Williams, who explores Black southern cultural folklore, and Molly Duff-Clarke, a St. Petersburg-based ceramic artist. Artist and illustrator John Pirman is the juror for the latest juried show “Icons” and he will be offering a critique at 4 p.m. Aug. 26. The fourth exhibit closes the Art Center’s centennial celebration with “Shaping Sarasota: A Century of Art.” It features archival images that look back at the artists, influential members and community leaders who helped shape the center’s evolution from its founding in 1926. The exhibit was researched by archivist and guest curator Alecia Harper.

The new exhibits are on display through Sept. 26 at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. artsarasota.org; 941-365-2032

— Jay Handelman