Saw a production of Purlie, performers were absolutely fantastic, facility is impeccable.read more

This is a really nice spot! Been there several times. Super intimate.... your high school…read moreauditorium is bigger!!! How I got over Gospel Review was great albeit way way way too loud! I should have said something as checking with others this is a common complaint! The actors/ singers are so talented and the theatre is so small they honestly don't need the microphones which make it over the top loud. Still love this place!!!

As snowbirds, we love to support and enjoy local theatre. The Manatee Players are exquisite in…read moretheir sets, execution and hospitality. The venue is very nice. Our first play, The Cemetary Club, was held in the smaller theatre. Only con was the proximity of the chairs to the foward row. My 5'10" friend had her knees jammed into a chair back for most of the show. Our second play, Bright Star, was in the Stone Hall portion of the venue. It was true theatre seating and elevated stage. These volunteers do a wonderful job of entertaining. Highly recommend.

Saw "Newsies" at Manatee Players tonight (Friday). Best opening show since Les Miserable in my…read moreopinion. The cast defies adequate superlatives to communicate their amazing performance. The youthful cast permeates the audience with their energy and enthusiasm. Music is by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein and the show is based on Disney's the Newsies. It takes place in the 1890's but the story seems very relevant to today's news. Rick Kerby has outdone himself with this production. His direction of dance numbers leave the audience exhilarated and clapping. Kudos to the entire production team but special note to the set designer Donna Buckalter. In the opening number the set moves like a Rubik's cube into cleaver formations. Each and every member of the cast is perfection. They work together like they have done it for years. Everyone should be mentioned but due to space I will laude the leads Austin Greshem as Jack Kelly, Alexander Zickafoose as Crutchie, Savannah Sinclair (Katherine Plummer) and all the newsies. Javisha Strong as Medda Larkin is literally show stopping in her number "That's Rich". The cast dance numbers are Broadway worthy. Simply breathe taking. The tap number at the opening of the second act had my heart beating faster than it should. The entire show reminded me why I love theater. This show is not to be missed if you are in the area. 5/5 stars.

Will return. A town…read morewith 54,842 residents, their ballet company is quite exceptional. Although they perform at various sites, including their Opera House, this venue, next to Ringling Museum, is their main home. Many patrons do dress up for the occasion. This ballet company was founded in 1987 by dancer Jean Weidner-Goldstein (Your observer; Tribune). The current director Iain Webb (1959-) was once a dancer, started out with Royal Ballet (1931-) of UK. Tonight's performance P4 Quintessential has three individual segments: Rococo Variations | Choreography by Renato Paroni | Music by Tchaikovsky Brandenburgs | Choreography by Paul Taylor | Music by Bach World Premiere | Choreography by Gemma Bond | Music by Rachmaninov Modern ballet with classical music - a good combo. The Tchaikovsky piece is in light blue tutu; the second and the third are modern costume, skimpy skintight. I enjoyed the first two, especially the second one by Rachmaninov. Reportedly many come to see the third. Oh well, I'm not a Bach fan -:) Rachmaninov's music sounds tumultuous, struggles, pathos but this ballet interpretation is beautiful and well done. I also like their costume the best, simple clean line is aesthetically pleasing. All dancers are more or less of the same physique, with good skill. I don't really follow ballet but saw Misty Copeland once. No one in this ballet company is of Misty Copeland's fame but the dancers are very enjoyable to watch. Out of curiosity, I googled the following annual budget: $102m The New York City Ballet's (NYCB) 2024 $45m The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) where Copeland dances $9m Sarasota ... oh well - someone is doing well with less

The Sarasota Ballet is a treasure which delights with every fresh viewing. The venue is gorgeous…read moreand offers wonderful sight lines from a variety of seats. I am from out of state and always enjoy coming here when I am in town. Most recently I went to see the Mark Morris Dance Group show which included his works Pacific, Ten Suggestions, Candleflowerdance, and Going Away Party. All four pieces were exquisitely done and evocative in vastly different ways. The dancers were top notch. I especially was moved by Candleflowerdance. The performances here stay with you for a long time. I found the audience here to be respectful and quiet. That is always a pleasant occurence in public art spaces. Well recommended. Sarasota should be proud of their amazing arts offerings.

I'm a big fan of Cirque du Soleil, so it was hard to not compare. It definitely would not be fair…read moreto do so. With that said, this is a touring circus with decent acts. I enjoyed 3 or 4 of them. My seat was excellent, first tier, last row. But either section would have provided a great viewing of the show. No need to sit up close. Would I attend another tour? Maybe.

Very safe for young adults. A lot of profanity but sexual exploitation…read more This is a unique experience. It was a bit of Halloween mixed with Christmas that surprisingly works. Many amazing acts and a couple that will wow you. Think gymnasts and acrobats. The men and women are all gorgeous and have put in alot of time to perfect their act. I was highly impressed. They interact just enough with the audience that keeps you on your toes. I will say there is 1 or 2 acts that I find unnecessary. Ie- the main guy comes out in his undies. It was sexual or even humerous.

Sailor Circus Academy started in 1949 and is now a top circus training program. The venue is very…read morenice, the inside of the building really gives you a circus tent feeling. 3 times a year they have a show. The spring show we visited was called "Victorious " and it was super. Lights, music, 2 very good announcers made it a spectacular show. It was 2 hours of fun and excitement. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

I last went to the Sailor Circus about 50 years ago. It was great to get to go again. There are…read moreperformances only 3 days, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and a matinee and evening performance on Saturday. The circus performers are kids! Their ages range from 6-18. It is truly amazing what these youngsters are capable of doing. Not only are they doing many of the typical acts one associates with the circus(tightrope walking, juggling, aerials, unicycle and bicycling feats, high flying on trapezes), but they are incredibly strong. Both the boys and the girls are able to swing from trapeze bars and hold on to other performers who spin and twirl high above the circus floor or catch a performer flying through the air. The boy who pedaled the bike was strong enough to carry 5 other performers who did handstands while in motion. It's a wonderful show put on by school children. Bright costumes and great music! The show is 2 1/2 hours, including a brief intermission.

Totally sucked it's not a circus and not a music concert the sound totally sucked for an orchestra…read moreperformance. The few acts were lame Total rip off for the amount of money they charge. No butter for the popcorn BYO

Circus performance at the tent next to the University Town Center Mall organize by the Circus Arts…read moreConservatory of Sarasota. The performance by the season artist who are the winner of many circus honorary. This circus include an orchestra, chorale, and the performer. The orchestra is awesome to attached to the circus. The chorale team also is very good. However the circus act did not impress me. The are momentum build up but not follow with wow factor act. I between the show, there are too many not interesting section or keep up the beat of the show. Lost my interest in many moment. Overall they have a good portable bathroom. They are good and clean. This cuscus has only two shows. It is good for the community and people to spent their time with family.

This is an event space where we went to to see a dance recital. Although it is small it serves it's…read morepurpose. It was cozy and intimate. We arrived after everything started and sat where we could find a seat for 4 people together. Our seat was located in the front but we did not want to disturb the show. It turns out the people who belonged in these seats came after we did. The usher told us we had to move but we negotiated with the other people and they took our unused seats up front. It's a cute little place but when you walk in you don't know who works there and who doesn't. The ushers should have something in letting you know they are an usher.

So, last night we wrapped up our week of Theatre with an absolutely phenomenal presentation of…read more"Spring Awakening" at Rise Above! This was the senior year production, and I got to tell you... I was blown out of the water by what these kids brought to the stage! This production has everything! Talent, great voices, impeccable, choreography, and a love scene that would rival any Broadway production. to everyone involved with this... Kudos and thank you for a marvelous night in the theater. Wishing everyone of you much success in your journey ahead. simply brilliant!

If you're on the beach on Sunday afternoon- it's worth a stop. Depending on when sunset is, it…read morestarts about an hour before. Here in May, sunset is at 8:15 and this started around 6:30. It's a bunch of locals that dance and play drums and other instruments. It's a great for people watching. Local beach goers will join in on the dancing and the kids are all out there playing as well. They form a bit of a circle, leaving a large dance floor area and people set up chairs to enjoy the spectacle. There is no leader. People just play. The music is repetitive and catchy. I just had random conversations with people around me. Everyone was in a good mood and happy to be there. It's totally free. You'll hear the music as you approach. It's close to public beach access.

It was a dark and dismal day on Siesta Beach, but the lure of the sea still drew us in. I asked the…read morelifeguard where the Drum Circle met, and it was just a short ways over. I have never been to a Drum Circle, but in my mind I pictured guys pounding away on bongo and other types of drums. Boy was I off base! As more and more drummers arrived, it was apparent that I didn't have a clue. This event turned out to be a percussion extravaganza of the likes I have never seen. These were talented and gifted musicians that performed in such a manner that they were totally in snyc. No microphones or any type of electrical enhancements were necessary. After it started to rain, the party moved to a covered Pavillion, and the acoustics were incredible! They played and played and played as many other guys & gals joined in and took turns taking breaks. Not only were they gifted percussionists they were also athletes to maintain the strength and energy needed to perform like that. Freaking unbelievable. The final set I heard was so moving that it filled my soul and my heart. It turned into a rhythmic frenzy that conjured up visions of half naked women dancing around a fire . An unbelievable amount of energy & stamina was required to complete that presentation. IMPRESSIVE!! I left the beach with a peaceful, yet exhilarated spirit. If you do not experience the same emotions, you didn't open your mind and soul. Bring a tambourine, beverages, glow in the dark bracelets, or any hand percussion instrument you have and join the fun! Be prepared to DANCE!