The Sarasota Orchestra and Sarasota Ballet are in action this week, while the Van Wezel gets audiences ready for Halloween with The Vampire Circus, and two great contemporary musicals are featured on area stages.

October 21-November 8

The ground-breaking musical “Hamilton,” which remains one of the top-grossing shows on Broadway more than 10 years after it opened, is back for its third run at the Straz Center in Tampa. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical is about the life and brilliant career of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers who became the nation’s first treasury secretary and a key driver in establishing the guidelines for our democracy. It is told through a lively mix of hip-hop, jazz, rhythm and blues, ballads and traditional show tunes. This touring company is led by Tyler Fauntleroy in the title role with Deon’te Goodman as his would-be mentor, colleague and nemesis Aaron Burr.

“Hamilton” runs Oct. 21-Nov. 8 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa. Tickets are $75-$279. strazcenter.org; 800-955-1045

— Jay Handelman

October 22-November 1

The musical “Dear Evan Hansen” caused a sensation when it opened on Broadway in 2015. In an era of revivals, jukebox shows and productions based on old films, it was a rare original musical story. The show, which won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is about a high school senior with social anxiety issues, who suddenly becomes the center of attention because of his apparent proximity to a tragedy involving another classmate. It touches on self-worth and the impact of social media on young people. It features a vibrant score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and a book by Steven Levenson. The Manatee Players becomes the first theater in our area to stage the show. Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby directs a cast led by Luke Magro as Evan, Sarah Yonko as his mother, Bailey Sheridan as Zoe, the girl he likes, and Carter Hasbrouck as her brother, Connor.

“Dear Evan Hansen” runs Oct. 22-Nov. 1 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave., West, Bradenton. Tickets are $35-$43. manateeperformingartscenter.com; 941-748-5875

— Jay Handelman

October 23-25

Fresh from their critically praised performances at The Joyce Theater in New York City, The Sarasota Ballet opens its home season with, as usual, a triple bill that includes something new, something old and something reprised.

The new is the company’s premiere of Gemma Bond’s Manners, which reflects on what happens when learned manners become identity. The old is an assortment of divertissements (brief works) by the company’s trademark choreographer, Sir Frederick Ashton, including “Meditations from Thais,” “Friday’s Child” from Jazz Calendar and “Pas de Cinq” from Illuminations.

And the reprise is Dominic Walsh’s “Wolfgang for Webb,” which the choreographer created in commemoration of Director Iain Webb’s first season with the company in 2007. This year marks his 20th.

Sarasota Ballet Program One at the FSU Center for Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 7 p.m. October 23-25. 2 p.m. October 24-25. Tickets are $35-$115. sarasotaballet.org/productions/p1-program-one/; 941-359-0099

— Carrie Seidman

October 23-24

You can expect to see light sabers and some people in costumes when the Sarasota Orchestra completes the original “Star Wars” trilogy with a live musical performance of John Williams score with a screening of the 1983 film “Return of the Jedi.” Guest conductor Christopher Confessore leads the orchestra on stage at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The audience can watch the orchestra as the movie plays, or just listen as they get caught up in the film’s action. These movie and live orchestra programs require split-second timing to ensure that the music perfectly matches with what’s happening on the screen. When the orchestra first performed “Star Wars: A New Hope” in 2023, I was not the only person in the audience to be amazed by how much music is actually played in the film, which most of us never notice.

“Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” with the Sarasota Orchestra will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $52-$112. sarasotaorchestra.org; 941-953-3434

— Jay Handelman

October 25

Looking for an “artsy” way to celebrate Halloween? The Vampire Circus blends circus, cabaret and theater for a high-energy, but darkly fantastical spectacle inspired by Cirque du Soleil and Tim Burton, the American filmmaker and former animator who is known for pioneering a goth subculture in Hollywood.

Set in 19th century Bohemia, Count Dracula uses a traveling circus as the disguise for a sinister plan that is daring, mysterious and unexpected. Featuring international performers, the show combines acrobatics, dance, comedy and illusion in a 90-minute immersive experience.

The Vampire Circus, 6 p.m. at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $41-$81. vanwezel.org/events/detail/the-vampire-circus; 941-263-6799

— Carrie Seidman

October 25

Enjoying the cooler weather and not quite ready to head inside yet for your entertainment? Consider feeding your ears and your appetite at once by attending the
“Taste of the Bay” event at The Bay park, where Kettle of Fish, a longtime favorite band, will be supplying its amalgamation of rock, blues, reggae and New Orleans soul.l

You’ll be supporting local, independent businesses as well, because all the food will be supplied by members of The Sarasota Manatee Originals, more than 70 locally owned restaurants throughout Florida’s Suncoast, from the tip of Anna Maria Island to the southern beaches of Venice. Food tickets available only at the event.

“Taste of the Bay,” at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. Noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free; food tickets sold in $5 increments. thebaysarasota.org/event/taste-of-the-bay-presented-by-sarasota-manatee-originals/?eventDate=2026-10-25

— Carrie Seidman