An Olivier-nominated playwright and Grammy-nominated musician appearing together, theater productions both opening and closing, and an exhibition featuring local artists and found objects are just some of the arts events taking place this week in the Sarasota area.
Playwright Lindsey Ferrentino, who has a play currently on Broadway, and Iron & Wine musician Sam Beam will take part in “a beachfront evening of theater and music” at Hermitage Artist Retreat. Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, which largely stays quiet during the summer, will welcome a touring stage show with Irish dance, music and more.
This week also marks your last chance to see a romance fantasy novel-inspired play at Asolo Rep, and your first chance to see the latest play in Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Mainstage Series. Then near FST, downtown Sarasota’s Art Ovation Hotel will host a one-week exhibition featuring two artists whose work incorporates found objects. Event details are subject to change.
1. ‘Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music’ at Hermitage Beach
Hermitage Artist Retreat hosts this evening featuring musician Sam Beam, best known for his indie-folk project Iron & Wine, and playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. Beam has released several albums as Iron & Wine, including this year’s “Hen’s Teeth,” and earned five Grammy nominations. Ferrentino’s work includes the musical “The Queen of Versailles,” based on the 2012 documentary about Central Florida couple Jackie and David Siegel, and the Olivier Award-nominated play “The Fear of 13,” also based on a documentary and now on Broadway with Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson; 6:30 p.m. June 22; Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood; $5 registration fee; 941-475-2098; hermitageartistretreat.org
2. ‘Lady Disdain’ concludes at Asolo Rep
Concluding this week at Asolo Rep, this romantic comedy and riff on fantasy romance novels follows rival audiobook narrators Beatrice and Benedict, “with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring,” who are “locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction.” “Lady Disdain” is written by popular playwright Lauren Gunderson, whose other work includes “”Silent Sky,” which was part of Asolo Rep’s 2022-23 season. Through June 27; Mertz Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; ticket prices vary; 941-351-8000; asolorep.org
3. ‘Dog Mom’ at Florida Studio Theatre
In this play by Tate Elizabeth Hanyok that’s part of Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Mainstage Series, Liz is a New Yorker “with a life falling apart faster than her morning bagel” who finds a stray dog on her stoop. Despite not being a “dog person” in the least, Liz reluctantly agrees to foster it, which becomes a journey of self-discovery and unlikely friendship. June 24-July 26; Keating Theatre at Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; ticket prices vary; 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org
4. ‘Celtic Throne II — Psalter of Ireland’ at Van Wezel
Largely quiet during the summer, Sarasota’s Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall this week will feature both a Vince Gill concert on June 26 and this stage show the night before. Telling the story of Irish sage and legislator Ollav Fola, “Celtic Throne II” will feature a cast of more than 40 performers as well as live music, Irish dance, costumes, cinematic storytelling and visual design. 7 p.m. June 25; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $55-$85; 941-263-6799; vanwezel.org
5. ‘Lost & Found’ at Art Ovation Hotel
Creative Liberties co-founders and artists Barbara Gerdeman and Elizabeth Goodwill will present work inspired by found objects in this one-week exhibition. Gerdeman’s ongoing series “Lost Soles” features photographs of single shoes found along the side of the road, with fictional backstories and some of the shoes themselves to be displayed as well. Goodwill’s work collects shells, driftwood, fibers, bones, stones and other found objects that are incorporated into sculptures, weavings and assemblages. June 23-28 (5-8 p.m. June 26 reception); The Studio at Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; free
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top Sarasota area art events this week include opening, closing shows
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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By Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
