High-energy comedy
"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," the high-energy comedy about two competing con artists on the French Riviera, opened on Venice Theatre’s MainStage on Nov. 10, and will run for four weeks through Dec. 6.
Based on the popular 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the musical version of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" took Broadway by storm in 2005 and 2006. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and was enjoyed by audiences and critics alike. A review on Broadwayworld.com said the show "miraculously balances high comedy with lowbrow humor." Variety praised it as a "crowd-pleaser of the first order: mightily musical and terribly funny."
The music was composed by David Yazbek, known for another audience favorite, "The Full Monty."
Playing the con men on Venice’s stage are Chris Caswell as the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson and Douglas Landin as Freddy Benson, the small-time crook. The former makes his lavish living by talking wealthy American women out of hundreds of thousands of dollars; the latter more humbly swindles women out of mere hundreds by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother’s failing health.
The three women starring alongside Caswell and Landin are Kim Gardner Kollar as Muriel Eubanks, Gianna Campo as Christine Colgate and Nicole Valentino as Jolene Oakes. David Brown rounds out the cast as Andre, the corrupt police chief.
Director/choreographer Brad Wages says, "The plot works so well and is so much fun because it’s got a few surprises about who’s really the victim and who’s the con."
Venice Theatre is located at 140 W. Tampa Avenue on the island in Venice. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are always available online at www.venicestage.com. The box office also opens one hour before all performances. There will be no show on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26. Tickets are $24 for adults; $12 for students.
Douglas Landin (l.) as Freddy Benson and Chris Caswell as Lawrence Jameson (r.) compete for the affections and fortune of Muriel (played by Kim Gardner Kollar.)
MUSIC
SARASOTA ORCHESTRA - Nov. 12, Chamber Soirees: "In Monuments," featuring harpist Cheryl Losey and the Sarasota Wind Quintet playing Ravel and the Sarasota String Quartet playing Beethoven, Bozza and Ravel; at Holley Hall. Nov. 18-21, Great Escapes: "Musical Postcards, Selections by Duke Ellington and Tchaikovsky, plus numbers from "Miss Saigon"; at Holley Hall. Call 953-3434; visit www.sarasotaorchestra.org.
ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA - Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, cellist Mandy Milliot and pianist Lee Dougherty Ross performing pieces by De Falla, Faure, Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla and Schumann. At the Historic Asolo Theatre, Bay Shore Road. Call 388-1188 or go to artistseries.net.
FAMILY MUSIC FEST - Nov. 14, 1-5 p.m., Oscar Scherer State Park, featuring folk and bluegrass. Performances by Mindy Simmons, Jim Gromko, the Bee Ridge Bluegrass Jammers and Bill Schustik. Tickets: $6, adults; ages 6-18, $4; 5 and under, admitted free. Hot dogs, ice cream, tram rides, crafts and face painting also part of the event. Park located at 1843 S. Tamiami Tr., Osprey; 941-483-5956.
JACOBITES - Nov. 20, "Celtic Autumn," a celebration of the harvest in Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Spain. Free. Located at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church of Venice. Call 350-0271; www.jacobitesband.com.
JAZZ AT TWO - Fridays, 2 p.m., in the Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail. Nov. 13, guitarist Mimi Fox. Admission: $10; $5 for Jazz Club of Sarasota members. Call 366-1552 or visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
JAZZ AT TWO SUNDAYS AT THE GLENRIDGE - Nov. 15, 2 p.m., the Ken Loomer Quintet. Tickets: $7.50, members; $12.50, non-members. Located at 7333 Scotland Way; 552-5325.
NEW COLLEGE NEW MUSIC - Nov. 13-15, "Living and Dead: The Gettysburg Project," in the College Hall Music Room at New College of Florida. Located at 351 College Dr. Tickets: $12; 487-4888.
PINE SHORES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - Nov. 13, 7 p.m., in the sanctuary, concert by the Chorus of the Keys, an a capella choral group with 140 members singing in barbershop fashion. Free. Church located at 6135 Beechwood Ave.; 922-1597; www.pineshorespres.org.
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL - Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., concert featuring the Kiltie Band, Wind Ensemble, Pipers, Highland Dancers and the Jazz Band. Includes the world premier of "1,000 Cranes" by Robert Sheldon, commissioned in memory of Charles Quarmby, a 60-year veteran of music instruction in the Sarasota and Manatee county schools. Located at 1 Ram Way, intersection of Proctor Rd. and Lords Ave.; 923-1484.
SARASOTA JEWISH CHORALE - Beginning its 11th season with rehearsals on Thursdays, 7-9 p.m., at Hecht School on the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation campus, 580 McIntosh Rd. Singers in all voice parts welcome. Rehearsals continue through March. Call Martha Kesler, 955-1021.
SOUTHERN EXPRESS BAND REUNION PICNIC - Nov. 21-22, 1-9 p.m. both days, with 14 bands; super jam at 8:30 p.m. each day featuring Southern Express Band. Benefit for J.J. White. Refreshments available from area restaurants. Tickets: $15, general admission. Located at Farm Bureau Park at Palmer Blvd. and East Rd. Tickets on sale at Fogt’s Music, 4209 S. Tamiami Trail (929-1595), and Rocket Man, 1888 Stickney Pt. Rd. (923-2096).
ST. BONIFACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH - Nov. 15, 6 p.m., organ concert featuring Simon Morley, organist and choir master of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Tampa; works of Bach, Widor and Johnson. Free. Located at 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key.
SARASOTA CHORAL SOCIETY - Rehearsals under way, 7 p.m., every Tuesday through Dec. 1, for the 65th annual performance of "The Messiah." At Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church, 4826 McIntosh Rd. Singers welcome. Visit www.sarasotachoralsociety.org.
SCHOLA CANTORUM SIESTA - Nov. 17-18, new choral group auditioning young voices for performances of music in the English cathedral tradition as part of a small ensemble. Repertoire to range from polyphony of early composers to modern pieces. Weekly rehearsals planned; group to perform at the 11:15 Eucharist on Sundays and during special services between Advent and Easter at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key; 349-5616, ext. 326.
SECOND SUNDAYS AT SELBY - Free monthly concert series, 2:30 p.m., sponsored by the Sarasota Music Archive, at Selby Library. Doors open at 1:45 p.m. Call 861-1168. Located at 1331 First St.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA - Nov. 17, 8 p.m., concert by SCF Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, Neel Performing Arts Center. Dec. 3, 8 p.m., SCF Jazz Bands, in the Neel PAC. Tickets: $8; $4 for Florida students. Call 752-5351 or 752-5252. Maps and directions online at scf.edu/maps.
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL - Nov. 18, 8 p.m., Jackson Browne. Tickets: $10-$60. Nov. 20, 8 p.m., The Bacon Brothers. Nov. 28, Dave Koz & Friends: "A Smooth Jazz Christmas," with special guests Rick Braun, David Benoit, Brenda Russell & Peter White. Tickets: $10-$50. Located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail; 953-3368; www.vanwezel.org.
THEATRE
ASOLO REP - Through Nov. 22, "Contact." Dec. 4-April 1, "The Perfume Shop," a new adaptation of "Parfumerie" by Miklos Laszlo. Located at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000; www.asolo.org.
FLORIDA STATE CONSERVATORY FOR ACTOR TRAINING - Through Nov. 15, "The Mystery Plays" by Roberto Aguirre Sacasa. In the Cook Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail. Call 351-8000; www.asolo.org.
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE - Through Nov. 19, "Rumplestiltskin," the classic children’s fairy tale. Tickets: $6. Nov. 18-Jan. 15, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Through Jan. 2, "That’s Life," celebrating supper clubs of yesteryear. Tickets: $26-$29. Located at 1241 N. Palm Ave. Call 366-9000; www.floridastudiotheatre.org.
GOLDEN APPLE DINNER THEATRE - Through Nov. 27, "Run for Your Wife, a British farce. Through Nov. 29, "Caught in the Net," a look at the "Run for Your Wife" family 15 years later. Tickets are $33-$45. Located at 25 N. Pineapple Ave.; 366-5454; www.thegoldenapple.com.
HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER - Nov. 19-21, "FDR," starring Emmy-winner Ed Asner in a solo performance. Tickets: $30-$40. Call 360-7399 or visit www.ringling.org. Located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd.
LONGBOAT KEY EDUCATION CENTER - Nov. 18, 7:30-9 p.m., "An Evening of Divine Intoxication," with Peter Rogen and two Sufi musicians presenting and interpreting the poetry of Rumi. Tickets: $10. Tea and Persian snacks. For reservations or details, call 383-8811 or 312-5215. Located at 5370 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Ste. 212.
PLAYERS THEATRE - Nov. 12-15, "Letter to Sala," the true story of a woman’s survival in Nazi labor camps. Tickets: $18, adults; $12, students. Dec. 3-13, "A Christmas Carol." Tickets: $23, adults; $12, students. Located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail; 365-2494.
SARASOTA SENIOR THEATRE - Nov. 15, 3 p.m., a play reading, "Three for the Money," followed by a wine tasting at 4:30 p.m. Cost: $22. RSVP to Natalie Gundrum, 351-5106, or send check to SST, 325 Somerset Ave., Sarasota, FL 34243. Located at the historical Crocker Church & Wood House, 12th St.
VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL - Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m., Saturday Mornings for Kids – "Stellaluna." Tickets: $7. Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m., the New Shanghai Circus, renowned troupe of Chinese acrobats, aerialists and contortionists. Tickets: $10-$30. Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., audience Q&A with novelist Stephen King and interview of King by journalist Susan Rife. Tickets: $10-$20. Nov. 29, "Camelot." Tickets: $10-$60. Located at 777 N. Tamiami Trail; 953-3368; www.vanwezel.org.
VENICE THEATRE - Through Nov. 15, "November," by David Mamet. Through Dec. 6, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Located at 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice; www.venicestage.com; 488-1115.
DANCE
SARASOTA BALLET - Nov. 27-29, "Giselle," featuring guest artists Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg. Located at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave.; 359-0099, ext. 102; www.SarasotaBallet.org.
ART
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART - Through Jan. 10, "Venice in the Age of Canaletto." Tickets for the museum are $25, or $20 for seniors 65 and up; children ages 6-17, $10; children 5 and under, admitted free. Art museum free to all on Mondays. Located at 5401 Bay Shore Rd., 351-1660.
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN - Through Dec. 9, Annual Ringling College Faculty Exhibition plus show of works by instructors from continuing Studies and Special Programs, Longboat Key Art Center and Englewood Art Center. Through Nov. 19, "Sarasota Sister Cities Photography Competition." Galleries located one-half block east of 2700 N. Tamiami Trail on Dr. MLK Jr. Way. Call 359-7563; www.ringling.edu/selbygallery.
ALLYN GALLUP CONTEMPORARY ART - Through Nov. 28, "Enveloped Outside," featuring works of William Nichols. Located at 1419 Fifth St.; 366-2093; www.allyngallup.com.
ART CENTER SARASOTA - Nov. 17-Jan. 9, 6th Annual Florida Photography - Open Juried Exhibition. Also on exhibit Nov. 17-Jan. 9, "Shades of Light," featuring Dean Mitchell’s watercolors; and photographs by Arieh Aizenberg, Richard Brownbill and Jimmy Peters. Located at 707 N. Tamiami Trail; 365-2032; www.artsarasota.org
ART UPTOWN - Through Nov. 28, "Atmospheric Abstracts" by Laura Avery. Located at 1367 Main St.; www.artuptown.com; 955-5409.
CARLA’S CLAY - "Legalized Pot," the 7th annual student show and all-day sale, Nov. 20, 6-9 p.m.; Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Homemade chili and keg of Sam Adams donated by T’Katz Pub to be provided. Located at 1733 Northgate Blvd.; 359-2773.
CLAIR MITCHELL GALLERY - Nov. 20-Dec. 8, a showing of all accepted entries in the "Small Works" show. Opening reception, 6-10 p.m., Nov. 20. Visit www.towlescourt.com; 374-1988. Gallery located in Towles Court on Adams Lane.
DABBERT GALLERY - Through Nov. 30, Fifth Anniversary Exhibition. Located at 76 S. Palm Ave.; 955-1315; www.dabbertgallery.com.
ELIZABETH STEVENS GALLERY - Through November, exhibit of works by gallery artists Debbie Dannheisser and Marge Bennett. Nov. 29, 6-10 p.m., showing of enameled jewelry by Melissa Erlenbach Searle. Located at 1945 Morrill St.; 365-4222; elizabethstevensgallery.net.
GALLERIA SILECCHIA - Through Nov. 15, exhibit of works by Doug Randall, American glass artist, and Glenn Harrington, American oil painter. Through Dec. 14, exhibit of works by Japanese glass artist Hiroshi Yamano, sculptural mobiles by Mark Davis and abstract paintings and sculpture by Paul Tamanian. At 12 S. Palm Ave. and 20 S. Palm Ave.; www.galleriasilecchia.com; 365-7414.
GALLERY AT TOWLES COURT - Through December, "Gone Fishing," multi-media panels and collages by Marilyn Helfenbein. Opening reception, Nov. 20, 6 p.m. Located at 252 S. Links Ave.; 308-1986.
GULF COAST PORCELAIN ARTISTS CLUB ANNUAL SHOW & SALE - 42nd annual event, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 2050 Oak St. Admission fee: $3. Also, demonstrations and drawings for painted pieces. Call 349-4661 or 966-8530.
IMPERIAL FINE ART - Through November, exhibition of works by Luigi Rocca of Italy, Alfredo Navarro of Spain and Gerhard Nesvadba of Germany. Located at 1453 Main St.; 954-8901; www.imperial-fineart.com.
JULIE LONDON FRAMING - Through Nov. 30, "View from the Terrace." Located at 2101 Reynolds St.; 921-5096; www.julielondonpictureframing.com
KATHARINE BUTLER GALLERY - Through Nov. 14, Gallery Artist 2009-2010 Group Show. Nov. 18-Dec. 12, exhibit featuring works of Charlie Barmonde, Martha Kelly and Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. Artists’ reception, Nov. 20, 6-10 p.m. Located at 1943 Morrill St. in Towles Court. Call 955-4546 or log onto www.kbutlergallery.com.
LOCAL COFFEE & TEA - Through Nov. 18, "Chain Reaction," exhibit of abstract paintings by Betty Bolivar. Located at 5138 Ocean Blvd. in Davidson’s Plaza on Siesta Key; 870-2671; www.localcoffee.com.
LONGBOAT KEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS - Through Dec. 3, "Aging in America," in the Durante Gallery, a photojournalism exhibit. Nov. 13-Dec. 17, exhibit of works by John Hampshire. Opening reception, Nov. 13, 6-8 p.m. Located at 6860 Longboat Drive S., Longboat Key. Call 383-2345.
M GALLERY OF FINE ART - Through Nov. 14, "Sfumato: From the Smoke," exhibition and silent auction, highlighting paintings and drawings recovered from the ashes of a studio fire at the Southern Atelier then restored. Located at 16 S. Palm Ave.; 954-8774; info@mgalleryoffineart.com.
PARADISE GALLERY - Through Nov. 15, "Café Scenes," featuring works of Jill Stasium. Nov. 16-30, "Whimsical Moments," featuring humorous works by Karen Hoepting. Located at 5760 Palmer Blvd.; 378-1234.
PASTRY ART - Through Dec. 15, exhibit of works by Marge Bennett, "Homage to Matisse," including a national award-winning watercolor. Located at 1512 Main St.; 955-7545; www.pastryartonmain.com.
PLAYERS THEATRE - Through Nov. 15 in the main lobby, "Drama," an exhibit of works by Daniel Petrov. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and during performances. Located at 838 N. Tamiami Trail; 365-2494.
SELBY GARDENS - Through Jan. 4, "Visions of Selby: Inspirations from a Botanical Treasury," in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. Located at 811 S. Palm Ave.; 366-5731 or www.selby.org.
SIMON’S COFFEE HOUSE - Through Nov. 29, "Best Friends," featuring works by Julie Hanson. Nov. 30-Dec. 28, "Colors of Nature," featuring works of Gillian St. George. Restaurant located at 5900 S. Tamiami Trail; 926-7151.
STATE OF THE ARTS GALLERY - Through December, "Beyond the Sea," interpretations of sun, wind, air and water. Located at 1525 State St.; call 955-2787 or go to www.sarasotafineart.com.
STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, MANATEE SARASOTA - Nov. 13-Dec. 17, "John Hampshire: Expressive Eccentricities." At SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W, in the Fine Art Gallery, building 11 North; 752-5225.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH - Through Dec. 30, "Artful Giving: An Exhibit of Artistic Gifts," featuring items priced at $200 or less. Located at 3975 Fruitville Rd.; 371-4974.
ARTWALKS
FIRST FRIDAY WALKS - Downtown galleries of Burns Square, Pineapple Avenue, Palm Avenue and Main Street, from 6-9 p.m. featuring live music, refreshments and general merriment. Next: Dec. 4.
TOWLES COURT GALLERY WALK - Art walks every third Friday of the month, from 6 p.m. Many galleries and restaurants are open for evening strolls and dining. Live music; 365-8683 for details. Parking on Adams Lane. Next: Nov. 19.
COMEDY
KOMEDY 4 KIDS BY KIDS - Every Saturday, 11 a.m., Florida Studio Theatre in the Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets: $6; includes lunch. Located at 1241 N. Palm Ave. Call 366-9000; www.floridastudiotheatre.org.