Sarasota Theater Reviews

Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Rise Above Performing Arts
by Shanti M. Kennedy - June 11, 2024

Spring Awakening, with music by Duncan Sheik and Lyrics by Steven Sater, takes audiences on a wild ride through the tumultuous seas of adolescence. Exploring themes of attraction, desire, insecurity, and the rollercoaster of young adult life, this electrifying show is a must-see for anyone looking t...

Review: OAK at Urbanite Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - June 03, 2024

Making its World Premiere, OAK is presented at our own Urbanite Theater. When entering the black-box space random hip-hop music is playing, but on closer observance, everything is placed with intention. The mix of music used throughout the story, from old TLC through Tyla’s current Billboard hit Wat...

Review: TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - May 15, 2024

What did our critic think of TWELVE ANGRY MEN at Asolo Repertory Theatre?...

Review: MARVIN GAYE: PRINCE OF SOUL at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti M. Kennedy - May 06, 2024

WestCoast Black Theatre Troupe revives one of their most popular original shows, Marvin Gaye: Prince of Soul. Created, adapted, and directed by WBTT’s founder, Nate Jacobs, Gaye’s story is told through the narration of his family and friends. Of course, peppered throughout is the enchanted music tha...

Review: TROUBADOUR at Florida Studio Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - April 14, 2024

What did our critic think of TROUBADOUR at Florida Studio Theatre?...

Review: HAMILTON at Van Wezel all you could hope for and more
by Jacob Ruscoe - March 29, 2024

Hamilton is one of those musicals that everyone should see at some point. Let’s face it, even non-musical theatre people know of and have most likely seen the production. The show has received heralded reviews at every turn. So it is no surprise that the Broadway touring version of Hamilton that gra...

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti M. Kennedy - April 14, 2024

What did our critic think of DIAL M FOR MURDER at Asolo Repertory Theatre?...

Review: THE WHITE CHIP at Florida Studio Theater
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 25, 2024

Another Florida premiere brought to us in Florida Studio Theatre Bowne’s Lab, White Chip brings highly charged raw emotion to the stage. No stone is left unturned in the trials of our main character, Steven, and his journey from being a wild young party boy to a full-blown alcoholic and back to sobr...

Review: RUBY - A WORLD PREMIERE MASTERPIECE at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Jacob Ruscoe - March 10, 2024

Ruby is a masterpiece of musical theater that deserves all the praise it receives. The creative direction, sensational vocals, and chemistry between the cast members all contribute to making it a must-see production....

Review: LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 11, 2024

What did our critic think of LITTLE WOMEN, THE MUSICAL at Van Wezel? Little Women, the Musical, based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel, focuses on the relationship of four sisters while their father is away serving in the Union Army during the Civil War. Loosely based on Alcott’s life, this beloved...

Review: INTIMATE APPAREL at Asolo Reperatory Theater
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 08, 2024

Set in 1905, a young African-American woman travels to New York City to become an independent lady. Limited in ladies’ trades, Esther paves a grand way in life with her expert sewing and is able to navigate a wide world that New York has to offer. She falls into the confines of societal norms, i.e. ...

Review: Alanis Morissette's JAGGED LITTLE PILL Rocks Van Wezel Center
by Shanti M. Kennedy - March 01, 2024

What did our critic think of JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Van Wezel?...

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD at Van Wezel
by Shanti Kennedy - February 22, 2024

Following the story of The “Classic Five” Temptations, this 2017 musical brings to life the powerhouse group that we all know, love, and recognize. From their origination in Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we are taken through how they each met, their personal afflictions and everything i...

Review: BORN WITH TEETH at Asolo Reperatory Theater
by Shanti Kennedy - February 12, 2024

Born with Teeth premiered in May 2022 and has been making the rounds! After their stint at Asolo Repertory Theater they are going on to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Born with Teeth has won a number of awards, including best new play and best actors from Houston’s Theater Awards and the Edgerton ...

Review: THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at Florida Studio Theater
by Shanti Kennedy - February 05, 2024

The Lehman Trilogy is a three-act play written by Italian playwright Stephano Massini. The story follows the lives of the Lehman immigrant brothers, from their arrival in America to the famous collapse of their company in 2008, after being in business for 158 years. At the time, this was the largest...

Review: HADESTOWN at Van Wezel, A Mesmerizing Journey through Myth and Music
by Jacob Ruscoe - January 31, 2024

I have seen over 90 shows either on Broadway or as part of a Broadway Tour. I have a database where I have ranked them in order that I like the show. Obviously with 90 shows to get in the top ten is quite a feat. I would see a show in my top 10 ANY time I could. Now to make it in the top 5, well tha...

Review: A SOLDIER'S PLAY at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti Kennedy - January 26, 2024

A Soldier’s Play was originally performed off Broadway, opening in November 1981 through January 1983 after 468 performances. The original cast included Adolph Caeser, Denzel Washington, Larry Riley, and Samuel L. Jackson....

Review: UGLY LIES THE BONE at Florida Studio Theater
by Shanti Kennedy - January 22, 2024

What did our critic think of UGLY LIES THE BONE at Florida Studio Theater?...

Review: INHERIT THE WIND at Asolo Reperatory Theater
by Shanti Kennedy - January 20, 2024

What did our critic think of INHERIT THE WIND at Asolo Reperatory Theater?...

Review: THE CHER SHOW at Van Wezel
by Shanti Kennedy - January 11, 2024

Cher, the pop-icon, diva, actress, fashion icon, winner of over 300+ awards, including an Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar, is now a Broadway Musical! “The Cher Show” tells the story of Cher’s 60-year boundary breaking career. Cher has lived such a full life (and still rocking) that it takes 3 women to play ...

Review: SALUTE TO VIENNA at Van Wezel
by Shanti Kennedy - January 02, 2024

What did our critic think of SALUTE TO VIENNA at Van Wezel? A cherished tradition, The Vienna New Year's Concert (Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker) is an annual concert of classical music performed by the Vienna Philharmonic on the morning of New Year's Day in Vienna, Austria....

Review: JOYFUL!JOYFUL! at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
by Shanti Kennedy - December 13, 2023

What did our critic think of JOYFUL!JOYFUL! at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe? With their Christmas Card to the Sarasota Community, the WBTT encapsulates traditional and contemporary treasures of holiday music. This show is part Spiritual, part R&B show and part Rock Concert! This show was created b...

Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Florida Studio Theatre
by Jacob Ruscoe - December 04, 2023

Stars are awesome and they are stars for a reason, but this show was a reminder that theatrical experiences are ones that immerse you in a story and take your mind from the cares of the world if only for a moment. That experience is exactly what you will get if you go see FST’s rendition of this cla...

Review: PRETTY WOMAN at VAN WEZEL
by Jacob Ruscoe - November 28, 2023

While it might not be on the top of your must-see list, if this cast comes to your town, it is a musical you will be glad you saw!...

Review: CRAZY FOR YOU at Asolo Repertory Theatre
by Shanti Kennedy - November 23, 2023

What did our critic think of CRAZY FOR YOU at Asolo Reperatory Theater?...