The new and the old, and a mixture of the two, combine to make for a wide range of artistic offerings in the Sarasota area this week. There is a reading of a new play, a full staging of a 1940s classic, a screening of one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedies and lots of new and old music to raise your spirits. Here are some possibilities in this week’s Critics’ Picks.
August 31
The Sarasota Jewish Theatre concludes its three-show Newish Jewish Plays reading series with Robert Axelrod’s “Dry Summer.” Preston Boyd directs the story about a depressed gay Jewish man in his 20s, who returns home for the summer and becomes a sober companion to his alcoholic former neighbor who is trying to make it to 90 days without drinking. Audience reactions help determine whicvh, if any of the pieces, may be considered for future seasons.
The Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s Newish Jewish Play Reading Theatre is presented at 7:30 p.m. 31 at the Sarasota Players, 3501 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $18. sarasotajewishtheatre.com; 941-365-2494
— Jay Handelman
September 3-13
The cast of the Manatee Players production of Joseph Keslring’s “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Photo provided by Manatee Performing Arts Center.
I’ve always been a little partial to Joseph Kesselring’s classic comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace,” partly because of one of the main characters is a theater critic. That’s Mortimer Brewster, whose plan to announce his engagement takes a turn when he discovers a dead body in the window seat of the home shared by his elderly aunts Abby and Martha. They have developed a habit of poisoning single men with elderberry wine, and their brother believe’s he’s Theodore Roosevelt. It’s quite a family. Jim Floyd is directing the gentle and perennially popular 1941 comedy with a cast that includes Shawn Genther as Mortimer, LuAnne Pezel as Martha and Barbara Farmuggia as Abby.
“Arsenic and old Lace” runs Sept. 3-13 in the Bradenton Kiwanis Studio Theatre in the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave., West, Bradenton. Tickets are $32.50. manateeperformingartscenter.com; 941-748-5875
— Jay Handelman
September 4
A scene from the classic film “The Princess Bride.” Provided by the Sarsota Opera
It’s still hot enough outside that watching a great movie in the air-conditioned comfort and plush seating of the Sarasota Opera House sounds like an enticing prospect. The next in the “Classic Movies at the Opera House” series is the 1987 classic “The Princess Bride,” directed by the late, great Rob Reiner. It’s an adaptation of the William Goldman novel of the same name that presents the story of a swashbuckling farmhand who rescues his true love from an odious prince as told by a grandfather to his sick grandson. Television screens don’t do it justice.
“The Princess Bride,” part of the “Classic Movies at the Opera House” series at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Sarasota. 7 p.m. Tickets $12 at sarasotaopera.org/summer-and-fall-2025-classic-movies-opera-house
— Carrie Seidman
September 4
Entertainer TL Jentgens wo;; perform at Solis Hall in Venice.
I always like to offer a free option within our weekly Critics’ Picks, and this week it’s a concert with fireworks to follow (weather permitting). If you’ve been wondering where/what Wellen Park is, this is a perfect opportunity to take a drive down to Venice and enjoy an all ages concert by TL Jentgens, whose motto is “Always Outnumbered, Never Outdone.” He’s a one-man band/entertainer, who delivers plenty of cover songs with high energy, stage antics and a beat you can dance to.
TL Jentgens at Solis Hall, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice. 6 p.m. Free; no tickets necessary. All ages welcome. tljentgens.com/
— Carrie Seidman
September 7
Who couldn’t use a little more joy in their lives right about now? And what better way to find it than in the music of Stevie Wonder.
As part of the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz series at Florida Studio Theater, Richard “STretch” Bruyn and his group, Rubberband, will celebrate the six-decade career and remarkable songbook of Wonder in a show called, like the name of his 1985 hit, “Overjoyed.” Along with the vocals by Kirsten Joyner you’ll learn background and historical information about the man and his recordings. The show primarily focuses on Wonder’s “classic period” (1972 - 1976), but there are also a few songs from the early years and later years. Get there early if you want to enjoy the food and beverage service.
“Overjoyed,” part of the Jazz Club of Sarasota’s Monday Night Jazz Series at Florida Studio Theatre’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Doors open at 6:30; music beings at 7:30. Tickets $46. jazzclubsarasota.org/events
— Carrie Seidman
Through September 17
From left, Samantha Duval, Madalyn McHugh and Victora Boland star in “Songbirds of the Seventies” at Florida Studio Theatre. Photo by Kayla Erny provided by FST
Florida Studio Theatre has had several shows extend their runs during the summer. The latest is the musical cabaret “Songbirds of the Seventies.” A cast of three singers salute the women of the pop and rock era, including Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Carly simon, Helen Reddy, Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt. The show was originally scheduled to run through Sept. 6, but has been extended a second time through Sept. 17. Created by Nancy allen, who previously presented “Rhinestone Cowgirls” and “Divas Three” at FST, it features Madalyn McHugh, Samantha Duval and Victoria Boland. In the Goldstein Cabaret, “Legacy: Motown and More” continues through Oct. 11.
“Songbirds of the Seventies” runs through Sept. 17 in Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1265 First St., Sarasota. Tickets are $37-$42. floridastudiotheatre.org; 941-366-9000
— Jay Handelman
