It’s Halloween week, which means quite a few “spooky” or holiday-themed performances, including a concert by the Pops Orchestra featuring students from Sarasota Ballet’s Dance — The Next Generation, a Sarasota Cuban Ballet production of “Dracula” and a musical version of the classic body-switching comedy “Freaky Friday.”
October 28-Nov. 1
Cast members from the Sarasota Players Studio production of “Urinetown: The Musical.” Photo provided by Sarasota Players
In the musical “Urinetown,” the characters sing “It’s a privilege to pee.” That may be true, but they have to pay for the privilege. The musical by Mark Holmann and Greg Kotis about a community facing a devastating water shortage is the latest production by the Players Studio, the educational wing of The Sarasota Players. A cast of young performers will tell the story of one young man’s battle against a wealthy corporation that is growing richer by charging everyone who uses public facilities. And because of the water shortage, that means everyone. It’s a satirical look at society, corporate greed, bureaucracy and social inequity.
“Urinetown” runs Oct. 28-Nov. 1 at The Sarasota Players, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets are $25, $15 for students. theplayers.org; 941-365-2494
— Jay Handelman
October 29
The Hermitage Artist Retreat — which, as ArtsBeat recently reported, has had its woes in getting back up to speed after the hurricanes two years ago — returns to its beach presentations this week with “We Got the Beat: Poetry & Percussion,” a rhythmic program featuring Hermitage fellows Sarah Galdes and Robyn Schiff.
Sarah Galdes and Robyn Schiff. Photo provided by Hermitage Artist Retreat.
Galdes, a drummer and producer, has toured, performed and recorded with such renowned artists as Julien Baker, Lauren Bayberry and TEEN. Schiff is an acclaimed poet who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her book, “Information Desk: An Epic,” based on her experience as a staff member at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s information desk. The two talented artists will share their original work and discuss their respective journeys as the sun sets into the Gulf.
“We Got the Beat: Poetry & Percussion, with Sarah Galdes and Robyn Schiff at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. $5 registration fee required; register at HermitageArtistRetreat.org. 941-475-2098.
— Carrie Seidman
October 30
A scene from last year’s Hocus Pocus Pops concert. Photo provided by The Pops Orchestra.
Looking for a way to celebrate Halloween musically? You’re in luck. The Pops Orchestra is bringing back its family-friendly “Hocus Pocus Pops” for a second year, a concert with a spooky set that includes melodies haunting, eerie and playful.
As an extra enticement, Sarasota Ballet’s Dance — The Next Generation (an after-school program that combines dance education with academic support for underserved students) will perform the famed dance from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as well as the “Monster Mash.” A special appearance by the “Stay Puff Marshmallow Man” is included as well. (Though what the Halloween tie-in there is we’re not sure … S’mores anyone?)
Tickets are provided free to families connected with local organizations, including Take Stock in Children, Girls, Inc., Big Brother Big Sisters, Bosy & Girls Club, Forty Carrots, Children First, UnidosNow, Harvest House and others..
“Hocus Pocus Pops,” presented by The Pops Orchestra at Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. 7 p.m. Tickets $35-$55. thepopsorchestra.org
— Carrie Seidman
October 30-November 1
Photo by Soho Images.
Just as the Christmas season brings “The Nutcracker,” Halloween provides an opportunity for the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School to present its original ballet of “Dracula,” choreographed by Master Teacher and Associate Director Rolando Yanes, a former professional dancer in Cuba and with the Milwaukee Ballet. His Gothic interpretation of this love story explores the pairing of horror and beauty in the vampire world.
Audience members are encouraged to wear their “spookiest” costumes and a ticket to the Cuban Ballet’s “Nutcracker” in December will be awarded to the best costume at each performance. Held in the school’s intimate black box auditorium, Friday and Sunday’s shows are already sold out, but you can still get tickets to the matinee or evening show Saturday.
“Dracula,” by the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School at the Sarasota Cuban Ballet Auditorium, 4740 Cattleman Road, Sarasota. Friday, October 30 and Sunday, November 1 SOLD OUT; tickets available for 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 31. 941-36508400. srqcubanballet.org
— Carrie Seidman
October 30-November 22
Hannah-Rose Randi, left, and Sarah Robles-Wise play a mother and daughter who go through a body switch in the musical version of “Freaky Friday” at Venice Theatre. Photo by Renee McVety provided by Venice Theatre
Mary Rodgers is probably best known as the composer of the endfuring hit musical “Once Upon a Mattress” (or as the daughter of famed Broadway songwriter Richard Rodgers. But she was also the author of the novel “Freaky Friday” which has had quite an afterlife, including a series of films, about an overworked mom and her teenage daughter somehow swapping bodies, one day before the mother’s wedding. And in the process, they learn a lot about how the other sees the world. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the songwriting team behind the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Next to Normal,” turned the story into a musical with a book by Bridget Carpenter. Brad Wages directs the production which features Hannah-Rose Randi as the daughter, and Sarah Robles-Wise as the mother.
“Freaky Friday” runs Oct. 30-Nov. 22 at Venice Theatre’s Raymond Center, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. Tickets are $40, $30 for college students and current educators and $19 for youth. venicetheatre.org; 941-488-1115
— Jay Handelman
October 30-Nov. 29
From bottom left, Amber McNew, Ben Williamson, Ariel Blue and Casey Murphy star in Urbanite Theatre’s production of “Ahoy-Hoy.” Photo by Sorcha Augustine provided by Urbanite
Urbanite Theatre kicks off its Urbanite Theatre kicks off its season with a comedy that won last year’s Modern Works Festival. Jenny Stafford’s “Ahoy-Hoy,” which it playfully describes as “a play about that relatable feeling when someone else invents the telephone three hours before you do.” We have long been taught that Alexander Graham Bell did invent the telephone, but, but another innovator named Elisha Gray was thisclose to getting a patent for the new device first. The play is partially about the invention, but mostly about egos, ambition and legacy and who gets credit for an idea. It features a cast of mostly familiar performers. Amber McNew plays Elisha Gray, opposite Casey Murphy as Bell. Ben Williamson plays Elisha’s assistant, and Ariel Blue plays an employee at the patent office. Céline Rosenthal directs the production.
“Ahoy-Hoy” runs Oct. 30-Nov. 29 at Urbanite Theatre, 1487 Second St., Sarasota. Tickets are $52, ($42 for Oct. 28-29 previews), $32 for for those 40 and younger and $5 for students. urbanitetheatre.com; 941-321-1397
— Jay Handelman
