Arts + Entertainment 3.2.23

A+E INSIDE:

AIR TIME: FST’s ‘Network’ toys with the illusion of TV versus reality. 8>

BLACK TIE INSIDE:

COOKING FOR WISHES: Make-A-Wish cook-off goes through the looking glass 9

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

BOUNTIFUL BOWLS

FUSHIPOKE 128 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, 941-330-1795, FushiPoke.com

Ihate to admit this, but I can’t stop scrolling and feeling incredibly influenced by TikTok. My most recent searches include #traveltok, rescue pets and my most frequented and double-tapped search — rice bowls recipes.

These recipes have not just inundated my own social media feed but bowl recipes, similar to the infamous go-to taco night, are becoming part of the weekly menu for families — since buying rice, a protein, one or two few veggies and a sauce at your local Publix won’t force you to take out a second mortgage, except if your protein is eggs, of course.

But when your husband says, “Let’s order take out,” it’s a nice surp-rice, especially when restaurants of all culinary backgrounds are adding this healthier (depending on what you add into the mix) and often allergy-friendly option to their menus.

We aren’t talking about the basic Chipotle, foodies.

Our own community chefs are cultivating flavors within a bowl that capture the hearts and mouths of each patron.

So when you aren’t wanting to cook at home, be rice to yourself and order a bowl from one of these menus.

Rice, rice baby: I could live off these poke bowls until my last bite, I mean breath. Since its opening in 2018, I’ve consumed at least two per month (OK, maybe four or five). For those not familiar with poke, the traditional seasonings are influenced by Japanese flavors — it’s sushi, but in a bowl rather a roll. Slurp green tea, soda, CBD drinks, beer, wine and sake in between bites of your bountiful bowl.

The great quest for the Rice Bowl Champions of 2023. FUSHIPOKE

Eye of the Be-Bowler: Select a base of white or brown rice (or if you prefer to choose from kale or soba noodles) and pick a protein of Hawaiian tuna, salmon, red shrimp, grilled chicken, Kaula pork or sesame tofu. Next up, place a plethora of add-ins ranging from enoki mushrooms to tempura flakes to avocado and more. Top if off with as many toppings as you’d like (I garnish with as much ginger as the staff grants me), and smack on one of five sauces (spicy mayo all the way). If you’re overwhelmed by the options, don’t fret. Fushipoke has their favorite bowls to choose from, including the Hawaiian-style bowl with tuna, nori, Maui onion, pickled radish, traditional sauce with white rice ($17.99+) or the Moa bowl with grilled chicken, edamame, corn, kimchi cucumbers, ponzu tamari with brown rice ($9.99+).

Time to Impro-Rice: Not feeling like Mr. Rice Guy? No problem, pal. The ramen ($17.99+) served up at this eatery has me reeling in a religious experience of sorts. Go for the Spicy version with shiitake, soy egg,

create

You

FOOD + BEER

SCREAMING GOAT TAQUERIA

BOWLS

scallions, bean sprouts, kamaboko, garlic and chili oil with chili threads and add either pork belly, tempura shrimp, grilled chicken or tofu. Scared of spice? Snag a pork belly steam bun ($5.65) and you’ll see what the pig deal is about.

SCREAMING GOAT TAQUERIA

6566 Gateway Ave., Sarasota, 941210-3992, Screaming-Goat.com

Rice, rice baby: A few rice bowls ago, I was gluten and dairy free and Screaming Goat was my saving grace — everything, except the tortillas used for burritos, is gluten free at this go-to tacqueria. Vegans and vegetarians will also be excited by the Gulf Gate establishment’s menu, which is all made from scratch each day.

Eye of the Be-Bowler: Batter up, bowler. Bowls ($11.95) start with citrus rice, black beans, your choice of protein, salsa and five toppings. Mouth-watering proteins include pork Cochinita Pibil, beef barbacoa ($2), pollo asado, curried sweet potato, masa-dusted cauliflower, Latin falafel and my treasured pick, the vegan chorizo. Select from all gluten-free toppings such as curtido, roasted mushrooms and guac (it’s extra, duh) just to name a few. Finish your bowl-o-masterpiece with one of seven salsas — this ravenous bowler gets either the avocado-tomatillo or chimichurri.

Time to Impro-Rice: The slogan at the Goat should be, “Let’s give them something to taco ’bout.” SGT signature craft tacos ($4.25) are nacho average corn sandwiches. From the beef barbacoa with Guajillochipotle salsa, pico de Gallo radish and queso fresco to the vegan chorizo with Scotch bonnet-roasted pineapple salsa, arugula and sweet corn relish you are ensured to have a fantas-taco foodie fun experience at the Goat.

KOREAN SSAM BAR 1303 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, 941-312-6264, facebook.com/

KoreansSamBar

Rice, rice baby: After five years of relentlessly relaying to a coworker that this was the best-kept secret in Sarasota, she sat down at the 10-ish table family owned restaurant and ordered the dish I had been dying for her to dig into. She texted me a photo of the glutenfree bowl with one phrase to follow, “It’s O-mazing.” Like many others, you’ve probably driven by this holein-the-wall (that was in Bradenton for 11 years and now in Sarasota for 6 years) hundreds of times — next time, stop and smell the SSAM and then thank me later.

Eye of the Be-Bowler: Have you ever had a meal that intensified all your senses? Hearing the sizzle, smelling the selection of seasonings, looking at the love that went into the plate, picking up the spoon (The owner told me to NOT use the chopsticks) and stirring the mixture of gorgeous goodness before you and then BAM! The experience takes you to a place of comfort and heightened happiness? This meal does that. The stone pot bibimbap ($14) has successfully solidified its spot as one of my favorite meals I’ve consumed in Sarasota. Rice topped with a choice of beef, pork, chicken, tofu or spicy squid ($2+) with a fried egg in a stone bowl mixed with red pepper paste an assortment of Korean sides will blow your bowler brain.

Time to Impro-Rice: I often won’t tell you to order one thing and one thing only, but this bibimbap has transformed so many tastebuds since I’ve spread the word, I feel like it would be disservice to direct you to any other dish (other than the bulgogi, which is brilliant). So I say this, order the hot sake with an appetizer, like the Korean Kimchi pancake ($10) that said co-worker told me to order next time I go there for dinner (which was last night).

More Than A Meal.

providing a nutritious meal to our homebound neighbors unable to prepare one for themselves. Every day, dedicated volunteers deliver a warm greeting, a hearthealthy meal, and a safety check to hundreds of people; from seniors and veterans to children with disabilities.

We Need Your Help. Each month we provide 11,000 meals

OF CHARGE to residents that cannot afford to pay for our program. For us to continue to provide meals to our most vulnerable residents, it takes the support of the community.

a month with a donation of $132.

Ever Onward Season 27

MICHELLE CANN, piano

BAR

March 7, 7:30 pm • Historic Asolo Theater

Winner of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence and recipient of the 2022 Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award, Michelle Cann’s program includes repertoire by Florence Price, whose music she champions. Michelle Cann appears by arrangement with the Curtis Institute of Music.

SAMANTHA BENNETT, violin

March 23 11:00 am performance followed by lunch

Sarasota Yacht Club

In this program of music that has inspired her career, Samantha Bennett will lead a journey through the centuries, performing works by Prokofiev and Berio, as well as perhaps the most famous unaccompanied violin piece of all, the Chaconne of JS Bach.

FRESH KITCHEN

FOOD + BEER

4804 14th Street W., Bradenton, 941-751-2675, 5446 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, 941-444-7823, 6529 Superior Ave., Sarasota, 941952-3361, 1525 Fourth St. Unit B, Sarasota, 941-444-1101 and 301 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, 941-8673780, EatFoodDrinkBeer.com

Rice, rice baby: Like the feeling that floods our local veins once spring breakers retreat from the sands of Siesta, Lido and Longboat Key, Food + Beer gives food lovers the unexplainable feeling of home sweet home. But unlike Gen-Z spring breakers fleeing to the Gulf Coast in their string bikinis and 4-inch seam swim trunks, I plan on wearing flowy mu-mu or staple sweatpants when indulging in the calories-don’t-exist-here-and-itsworth-it menu at this five-location food haven.

Eye of the Be-Bowler: Flip to the “Bowls Etc.” part of the menu to find what we’re talking about. From the Cali hot cobb ($13.99) with Buffalo stewed chicken, cheddar, guacamole, bacon, pico de Gallo, black bean and corn salsa, tobacco friend onions on sticky rice to the vegan bun cha ($14.99) with Impossible peanut glazed meatballs, pickled veggies, cucumber, cilantro, peanuts, onion, sesame on sticky rice to the burrito bowl 2.0 ($13.49) with tomatillo stewed chicken, Monterey jack, black bean and corn salsa, cherry tomato, lie crema, honey lime vinaigrette, cotija cheese, lime and sticky rice, the be-bowler wins with every single bite.

Time to Impro-Rice: Comfort food has been taken to a new level here and this hungry gal is excited for the elevation of exciting eats. While the burger selection is ungrill-lievable, I’m a basic babe and crave their classic Caesar ($13.49) with chicken and a side of truffle Parmesan fries ($7.49). However, if I were to write about Food + Beer and not mention my husband’s guilty pleasure, I couldn’t continue this column. So PJ, this weekend I’ll treat you to your dream dish — the Buffalo Mac ’N Cheese ($14.99) with scratch fried chicken, blue cheese crumbles and Cheez-itz.

FRESH KITCHEN

8491 Cooper Creek Blvd. #101, Bradenton, 941-208-3900, EatFreshKitchen.com

Rice, rice baby: The Floridian fast-growing (with 12 locations) build-it-yourself bistro offers an abundance of 100% gluten-free variations that you can construct to your tastebuds delight. From kids’ bowls ($10.29), to family meals that feed four to a feast meal serving up to eight people, this spot is perfect for all occasions.

Eye of the Be-Bowler: At Fresh Kitchen, you are the head chef. Curate a four bowl ($12.19+) with two bases, one veggie, one protein and one sauce or a six bowl ($15.59+) with two bases, two veggies, two proteins and one sauce. Although there are other bases besides rice, this is the Rice Bowl 2023, so we’ll stick to the big three themselves: brown rice, coconut ginger rice and cauliflower avocado “rice.” Did I mention that not only are all these options’ gluten-free but some of them are also nondairy friendly, no processed sugar added and vegan friendly? Rack up your bowl with roasted veggies from lemon garlic broccoli, sesame green beans, my personal pick, golden spice chickpeas and more.

Place a protein in the mix like chilled caprese tofu, roasted salmon (for a bit extra), the almond baked chicken and others. Slather on sauce from the creamy white ginger, to herb balsamic vinaigrette or the one that my mouth craves, coconut siracha — and the list goes on. While your bowl may be billowing over the sides of its container, you still have an option to add-on items such as Parmesan or feta cheese, kale pesto tomatoes or avocado.

Time to Impro-Rice: Did you think I really wouldn’t share the non-rice options for you? I know we just met but, I would never leave out food facts. Not ready to rice? Build your bowl off the other base foundations such as kale slaw, crunchy kale Caesar, spinach salad, sweet potato noodles or the cloud-like cauliflower potato mash. Bowl appetite, besties.

THIS WEEK

‘A PLACE IN THE SUN: A TRIBUTE TO STEVIE WONDER’

6 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $34-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Did you know that Stevie Wonder is the most awarded solo artist of all time? Well, it’s true. And in case you need proof, this performance pays tribute to Wonder and his six decades of musical genius. Runs through April 2.

‘IT’S ALIVE! A MONSTROUS CIRCUS ON FRANKENSTEIN’

New Music New College

8 p.m. at Koski Plaza, 5800 Bay Shore Road $15 Visit NewMusicNewCollege.org.

Twenty-seven performers (and one disembodied voice) bring you this unforgettable evening inspired by Mary Shelley’s historic work. This blend of storytelling, theater and music transforms the text of “Frankenstein” into a living, breathing piece of art — that includes audience members.

FST IMPROV PRESENTS

‘LIFE’S A BEACH’

8:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $15 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

THURSDAY OPENING RECEPTION

6-8 p.m. at SPAACES, 2087 Princeton St. Free Visit Spaaces.art.

The opening reception for “Metaphors: Finding the Poetic in the Mundane” invites attendees to see how three artists take daily phenomena and translate them from the commonplace to the sublime. Music by Los Rumberos will complement the experience.

‘COMPANY’

7:30 p.m. at Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton

$30-$38

Visit ManateePerformingArtsCenter. com.

When Robert’s 35th birthday arrives, it brings with it questions from his friends about when he’ll get married. Follow along in this timeless Sondheim musical as Robert navigates the topics of love and adulthood and whether marriage is worth pursuing at all. Runs through March 12.

KEN LUDWIG’S ‘THE THREE MUSKETEERS’

8 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail From $33 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Adventure. Bravery. Sword fights. And, above all, loyalty. Yep, that’s what you can expect with this adaptation of the popular novel by Alexandre Dumas. Explore all the laughs that come with enduring friendship and remember: “All for one, and one for all!” Runs through March 26.

Twelve,” is a comedy about times of utter embarrassment Timney has experienced.

POPS: GERSHWIN, BERLIN & FRIENDS

7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $40-$90

Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The Sarasota Orchestra puts on a program of finger-snapping hits from the great composers of the early 20th century, including George Gershwin, Irving Berling and Isham Jones. Runs through Saturday, March 4.

‘REEL MUSIC’

9 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Court Cabaret, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $34-$39 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“Reel Music” celebrates songs from movies that have transported us over the years. From “Singing to the Rain” to “My Heart Will Go On,” this music revue is a tour of the most iconic songs from the silver screen through the years. Runs through June 25.

SATURDAY

Florida Studio Theatre’s skilled improv troupe uses sketches, musical numbers and classic improv games to bring to life themes all Sarasotans can relate to: traffic, unending construction on roundabouts, snowbirds, spring breakers and more.

SUNDAY

SPRING CONCERT

2 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church, 12075 S.R. 64, Bradenton

$10 Visit LWRWindEnsemble.org.

Enjoy an afternoon of classics during the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble’s annual spring performance.

MONDAY

‘YOU LOOK LIKE A FUN GUY’

11 a.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free Visit Ringling.org.

Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones will perform at the Downtown Sarasota Blues Festival this weekend.

OUR PICK

DOWNTOWN SARASOTA BLUES FESTIVAL

Sit back and enjoy a lineup of nearly a dozen local and regional bands during this weekend of fun. In addition to music ranging from blues to funk and gospel, take in food and drink galore by local restaurants and vendors.

IF YOU GO

When: 4-10 p.m. March 3. Runs through Sunday, March 5.

Where: J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive

Cost: Free Info: Visit ParagonFestivals.com.

FRIDAY

ANN MORRISON AND BLAKE WALTON: SARASOLO

7 p.m. at Sarasota Contemporary Dance Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300

$20

Visit SarasotaContemporaryDance. org.

Sarasolo founders Ann Morrison and Blake Walton come to this In-Studio performance at Sarasota Contemporary Dance to feature the work of Claire Timney, a Booker High School VPA student for musical theater. Her work, “What I Wish I Knew When I Was

‘MADAMA BUTTERFLY’

1:30 p.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. Tickets start at $23 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

One of Puccini’s most beloved and most-performed works, “Madama Butterfly” tells the story of a young geisha swept off her feet by an American Naval Officer. But, as is the case in tragedies, her heart ends up broken by his broken promises. Runs through March 24.

This outdoor dance and theater presentation is a work that you are invited to come see in progress. Performed by Dance Heginbotham, this new work is inspired by mushrooms (Fun-guy ... get it?) and their astonishing powers to facilitate transformation.

TUESDAY

PILOBOLUS: BIG FIVE-OH!

7 p.m. at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail $22-$82

Visit VanWezel.org.

This touring troupe will make you pause at times to remind yourself: Are these humans? With their unique pairing of music and movement, their performances surprise, delight and leave audiences in wonder of the feats of the human body.

DON’T MISS

THE TEXAS TENORS

Considered the most successful touring group in the history of “America’s Got Talent,” The Texas Tenors treat audiences to a unique blend of country, classical, Broadway and pop music with their talented vocals, comedy and distinct cowboy charm.

IF YOU GO

When: 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 4

Where: Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice Tickets: $36-$100

Info: Visit VenicePerformingArtsCenter. com.

WEDNESDAY

GREAT ESCAPES: ‘AMERICAN VIBES’

5:30 p.m. at Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail

$45-$108 Visit SarasotaOrchestra.org.

MARCH 19 – 26, 2023

2023 JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CHAIR

MARSHA EISENBERG

EVENT CHAIRS

OPENING EVENT

EDIE CHAIFETZ

FRAN COHEN

CLOSING EVENT

MICHELLE CANN, PIANO

7:30 p.m. at Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road

$30-$50

Visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org.

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota presents pianist Michelle Cann, who made her debut at 14 and has since performed as a soloist with orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

In this program featuring AllAmerican composers, traverse hits from Broadway, Disney and the Great American Songbook. Then dive into some heavier fair with a movement from Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony and Copland’s “Simple Gifts.” Runs through March 12.

SUSAN & MICHAEL ALBERT

CLOSING EVENT FILM PARIS BOUTIQUE

SPECIAL GUESTS

OPENING NIGHT FILM KARAOKE WITH DIRECTOR MOSHE ROSENTHAL

YOU WILL NOT PLAY WAGNER FILM WITH ACTOR

ANNETTE MILLER

n karaoke

n more than you deserve

n my neighbor adolph

n one more story

n paris boutique

n reckonings

n rose

n the conference (FEATURE + DOCUMENTARY)

n the levys of monticello

n the man in the basement

n you will not play wagner

ISRAEL @75 PRESENTING SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

Marsha Eisenberg

Bunny Skirboll

SILVER SPONSORS

Karen & Arthur Adler

Edie & David Chaifetz

Leon R. & Margaret M. Ellin

Debbie & Larry Haspel

Rosenthal Roots

Family Foundation

Sharon Sexter & Howard Berman

Cheryl & Steve Shapiro

Hadassah Strobel

Lois Stulberg

MEDIA SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

Dr. Louis & Mrs. Milly Chaykin

Debby & Gerry Hamburg

Lori & David Liner

Marge & Irv Weiser

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, FILM DESCRIPTIONS AND SCREENING TIMES, VISIT

JFEDSRQ.org/jff

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary Season of this leading national arts incubator, Hermitage Artistic Director Andy Sandberg returns to his roots as a performer to sing a benefit concert at the iconic Van Wezel to raise funds for the Hermitage Artist Retreat following the impact of Hurricane Ian. Sandberg – a director, writer, performer, and Tony Award-winning producer – will perform an evening of songs alongside celebrated Broadway stars with music direction by 2023 Grammy nominee and Hermitage Fellow Rona Siddiqui

BROADWAY STARS COME TOGETHER IN SARASOTA FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!

‘Frankenstein’ returns to New College

New Music New College reprises

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

OK, I’ll admit it. The headline is accurate, but misleading. The “Frankenstein” in question is a New Music New College happening. (Strictly speaking: “It’s Alive: A Monstrous Circus on ‘Frankenstein.’”) It’s an avant-garde performance cooked up from a John Cage recipe. New Music New College (NMNC) first brought it to life in 2018. It’s doing it again in 2023. Simply put: Frankenstein’s Monster isn’t returning to New College; the “Monstrous Circus” is. There’s nothing to fear, my friends. Nothing to fear. At least according to Ronald Silver ... And he should know.

A MONSTROUS ORIGIN STORY Silver is NMNC’s producer and interim director. He and Stephen

Miles stitched the first “Monstrous Circus” together five years ago. According to Silver, “Our original iteration was in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the first edition of ‘Frankenstein.’ That was an anonymous, private printing. The second edition of 1823 credited Mary Shelley as the author — and it really had a profound impact. That’s what we’ll be celebrating this year.”

So, how do you turn the first science fiction novel into a cuttingedge concert?

Very carefully.

Following the recipe of John Cage’s “Circus On,” the show’s creators transformed lines from the novel’s text into 256 “mesostic” poems. (These 12-line poems resemble acrostics but go through different letters in the word “FRANKENSTEIN.”)

“The process of creating these poems is semi-random,” Silver says. “That pulls out many elements from the book that you might have missed. There are so many references to ‘cold,’ ‘ice’ and ‘storms.’ We establish an atmosphere very quickly — and it’s all drawn from the book.”

Silver notes that the resulting

a high-voltage tribute to Mary Shelley’s tale of a modern Prometheus.

“mesostics” flow in sequence from the novel. If you know Shelley’s original story, you can connect each poem to the narrative. If not, you might be lost. And many people who think they know the story don’t.

“There’ve been umpteen film adaptations of ‘Frankenstein,’” he says. “Most of us have seen one or more of them. But the movies are all very different from Shelley’s novel — and our ‘Monstrous Circus’ is rooted in the novel’s text. We’ve pulled everything from the book and no other sources.”

Silver adds that the show’s creators also noted all of the novel’s references to sounds and music. They’ll also be part of the experience.

It’s an interesting theory and an interesting process.

But the show’s the thing.

A MULTIMEDIA MONSTERS BALL

The “Monstrous Circus” comes to life on March 4. More than two dozen talents will give it life. These include New College students, faculty and staff, along with people from the community. They’ll be reading their poems from the balconies of the Academic Center and strategic locations in Koski Plaza at New College. Their high-voltage happening will also include singing and instrumental musicianship, along with projected illustrations and sounds drawn from the pages of Shelley’s novel. (No peasants with pitchforks permitted.)

Each performer will carry a timer. Needless to say, it’s a precisely timed show. But it’ll be anything but monotonous. “At times, there’ll be only one event,” says Silver. “At other times, there’ll many events happening simultaneously — or moments of silence. The density will constantly vary. It’s going to be very immersive!”

Creating an immersive experience was John Cage’s original goal.

It’s Silver’s goal, as well.

He doesn’t want an invisible wall dividing the performers from the audience. This won’t be a show where you can passively watch and listen. There’ll be no barriers at all — and no place to hide. If you show up, you’ll be part of the “Monstrous Circus.”

And that’s the fun of it.

“It’s going to be a free-flowing

With the help of producer Ron Silver, New Music New College presents “It’s Alive: A Monstrous Circus on ‘Frankenstein.’”

IF YOU GO

‘IT’S ALIVE: A MONSTROUS CIRCUS ON “FRANKENSTEIN”’

When: 8 p.m., Saturday, March 4.

Where: New College’s Koski Plaza

Tickets: $15

Pre-concert Talk: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 4 (Free) Info: Call 941-487-4888 or visit NewMusicNewCollege.org.

event,” Silver says. “The performers will be free to roam around outdoors — and the audience can, too.”

With all that intermingling, how can you tell the difference between the performers and the audience?

“The performers will all wear white lab coats,” laughs Silver. “But they’re not only ones creating the show. The audience is equally responsible.”

As he describes it, different things will happen unpredictably during this show. What does it all mean?

That’s up to you.

“Each person gets to shape their own interpretation,” Silver says.

“Our ‘Monstrous Circus’ will give each individual their own John Cage-ean experience. It’s not for everybody — but many people really love it.”

Directed by

SEEMA SUEKO

“Seema Sueko’s direction has a lyrical, weightless quality.”

Observer

“An

FINAL PERFORMANCES

Don’t touch that dial!

MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Paddy Chayefsky was a fearless, funny, brilliant playwright, screenwriter and novelist. Back in the 1950’s “Golden Age” of television, he wrote several award-winning teleplays. After that, Chayefsky saw TV devolve into a medium for morons. Chayefsky changed channels — and became a screenwriter. In 1975, he wrote a screenplay called “Network.” And took a cinematic poke at the boob tube’s unblinking cyclopean eye.

Director Sydney Lumet’s movie hit the cinema screen in 1976. Peter Hall adapted it as a stage play in 2017. Today, Chayefsky’s satiric barbs are still as sharp as ever. For proof, tune into the current FST production.

Stage or screen, the story of “Network” remains the same. CBS, NBC and ABC were America’s “big three” broadcasting networks in the 1970s. “Network” imagines a fourth — UBS. A nasty, multinational conglomerate called CCA has just gobbled it up. The new owners plan to gut the old network’s unprofitable news division. Before that, they fire Howard Beale (Sheffield Chastain), the UBS news anchor — a national father figure like Walter Cronkite. After Howard gets the pink slip, he gives the nation some bad news: He’s going to kill himself on live TV. The network pulls Howard off the air — permanently. But his old friend, Max (Rod Brogan) is still running the UBS news division. Howard wants a guest editorial? Max lets him have it. Howard’s first rant is merely profane. It’s merely a hit. His second diatribe is either lunacy or prophecy — but his ratings are stratospheric. To the network’s corporate overlords, that’s all that matters. So Howard stays on the air.

While Hall’s script keeps most of Chayefsky’s dialogue, the story plays differently on stage. Director Richard Hopkins makes the most of live theater’s possibilities.

IF YOU GO ‘NETWORK’

When: Through March 19.

Where: Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. Tickets: $25-$39.

Info: FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

vellian sex bomb. She’s playing with the big boys, but she’s not a boy. (April Andrew Carsell’s sizzling costumes make that clear.)

Sean Phillips’s Frank Hackett is a corporate hitman. The CCA suits use him to cut costs and ruin lives at UBS. He’s good at his job. Robert Duvall played the character as a raging hatchet man. Phillip’s Hackett is more of a coldly calculating sniper. He gets you in the crosshairs from a mile away. One bullet. One kill.

Out of all the main characters, Max is toughest to play. He’s the story’s designated regular guy — whom Diana symbolically seduces. Brogan ducks around Chayefsky’s heavy-handed symbolism and plays Max (believably) as Howard’s loyal, flesh-and-blood friend.

“Network” is a story about television. It unfolds in Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay’s convincing simulation of a working TV studio. Nathan Scheuer’s videos, Ben Rawson’s lighting and Thom Korp’s audio complete the illusion. Their collaboration is outstanding, despite a few opening-night glitches.

This parallel world looks contemporary. You can easily connect the dots to our world. They had one big TV screen; we have lots of little screens. Their idiot box had one giant cult of personality. Our “smart” devices have a multitude.

This FST production is consistently great with flashes of genius. Kudos to all the talents involved. They had great material to work with, of course.

R SOT CONCERT SSOCI TION

Presenting world-renowned orchestras, chamber ensembles and acclaimed soloists

VIOLINIST SARAH CHANG & PIANIST JULIO ELIZALDE

March 12, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

Known as one of the foremost violinists of our time, Sarah Chang dazzles audiences with her technical virtuosity. Acclaimed pianist Julio Elizalde joins her for a program of Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, Brahms’ Sonata No. 3 in D minor, and Franck’s Sonata in A Major.

BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC JOANN FALLETTA MUSIC DIRECTOR

March 27, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

JoAnn Falletta leads the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7 and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring violinist Sandy Cameron.

| 941-966-6161

Hopkins knows that this play (like any play) is inherently interactive. You’re watching a live show on stage, not a recorded images on a screen. With “Network,” the conceit is you’re part of the TV studio audience.

Chastain neatly avoids the looming shadow of Peter Finch’s iconic film performance. He’s found a fresh take on Howard Beale — and a new voice, too.

Zien’s Diana is also a brave, new beast. Forget Faye Dunaway’s Nordic Ice Queen. Her character’s more earthy, more sensual — a Machia-

Chayefsky’s screenplay ends with an iconic last line. Fifteen words of pure dynamite. Hall added 103 more words. He spells out the story’s moral — just in case you missed the point. But “Network” had already made its point — several, in fact.

The main point?

Here’s Howard Beale with the answer ...

“You’re beginning to believe this illusion we’re spinning. You’re beginning to think this is the true reality and it’s your own lives that are unreal ... In God’s name YOU are the real thing. We’re illusions. So turn off your sets! Turn it off and leave it off!”

Thanks, Howard. You say it far better than I can. Good night. And good luck.

COOKING FOR WISHES

Thursday, Feb. 23, at Circus Arts Conservatory | Benefiting Make-A-Wish Southern Florida

The Make-A-Wish Southern Florida organization has followed a familiar template with its Cooking For Wishes event in years past.

The event typically brought a number of guests to Michael’s On East to cook their own meals under the watchful eyes of chef Jamil Pineda and Phil Mancini.

It worked (though the event space occasionally grew hot with the many stoves) year in and year out, but the organization decided to mix things up for its 2023 offering.

The latest Cooking For Wishes fundraiser took guests through the looking glass to a transformed Circus Arts Conservatory on Feb. 23. The annual event adopted a comprehensive Alice In Wonderland theme that started with Alice welcoming guests at the entrance and the Mad Hatter beckoning crowds into the space.

“I wanted to take this (event) down the rabbit hole from Michael’s On East to the Circus Arts Conservatory,” Co-chairwoman Terri Klauber said. “We’ve doubled our audience.”

Around 400 people filled the circus space decked out in their wackiest Alice-inspired clothes from Red Queen makeup designs to Cheshire Cat costumes.

The night helped the organization provide wishes for dozens of local children a year. Those wishes can take many forms, from meeting celebrities to being a firefighter for a day.

“Some can be a simple shopping spree,” Make-A-Wish Southern Florida COO Richard Kelly said.

“Some are more elaborate.”

One of those more elaborate wishes was provided to wish child Silas Bichler, who traveled to Europe to meet the pope in 2017. Bichler and his mother, Tonia, attended Cooking for Wishes as a Make-A-Wish family.

There were also surprises in store. Local Make-A-Wish child Jocelyn Alvis — who said she always wanted to play in the snow — was welcomed onto the stage with her family to have her wish granted with the help of a snow machine raining flurries overhead. Guests mingled before settling down to cook a series of meals with instructions from Pineda and Mancini. The crowd worked together and successfully cooked and dined on seafood, steak, a vegetarian plate and finally desert to round out the menu.

By the end of the night, the event had raised $650,000, which will provide more than 80 wishes for local children.

23rD Annual

Art in the Park

March 11 & 12, 2023

10 AM–5 PM | RAIN OR SHINE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ADMISSION & PARKING

Art in the Park is a celebration of the fine art created in the University Park community. Over 150 pieces of art by 60+ artists will be on exhibit and for sale. Visit ArtintheParkUPCC.com to find out more about the show!

Granting Wishes

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida spares no expense when granting wishes for local children (you’ll find that those wishes can range from going on shopping sprees to meeting the pope), which is why events like Cooking For Wishes have been critical for their operation. Make-AWish staff said wishes can often cost around $8,000. Local donors stepped up in a major way and brought in $650,000 at this year’s event. Social scene mainstays Thomas and Linda Doan, in particular, put forth $80,000 for local kids.

Talented Women

The Sarasota Ballet has a longstanding practice of hosting a major dance company as part of its program lineup each year.

This year’s offering was the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a renowned multiethnic company that put on a varied repertoire from Feb. 24-27.

Sarasota social scene figure Rochelle Nigri assembled a crew of local “Melanated Women of Magic” — composed of Black doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, Realtors and more — to mark the occasion and catch the show opening night.

Second Heart Help

The Second Heart Homes nonprofit — which has provided temporary housing and programs for homeless in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas since 2019 — recently had the good fortune of the 100 Women Who Care-Greater Sarasota organization donating more than $26,000 for its programs. The donation was part of a presentation system where Second Heart Homes staff made their case for needing the funds.

“We put it to immediate use by purchasing computers for every home in our program,” Second Heart Homes founder Megan Howell said in a statement. “This will allow our clients to enhance their skills through access to computer programs and webinars. They will also be able attend important online

meetings for therapy, medical appointments and court proceedings.”

Some of the donation was also used to help a homeless man enter the Second Heart Homes system.

Trip to the ’70s

The Florida Studio Theatre welcomed some fierce figures and wild designs from a throwback time during its annual fundraiser on Feb. 6.

The ’70s Shindig more than lived up to the name, where guests arrived in colorful clothes, floral designs, big glasses, poofy hair and much more.

The event, chaired by season underwriter Wendy Grady, started off with drinks like “The Groovy Green Tea” and “Lit Lemon Drop” before it was time for the program to start with a performance from the casts of “The ’70s: More Than A Decade” and “A Place in the Sun: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder.”

This year’s Spelman Award was presented to Ed and Susan Maier for their work introducing numerous friends and colleagues to the many productions at Florida Studio Theatre.

Impresario Dinner

The circus is in town and locals have enjoyed the Circus Arts Conservatory’s latest show celebrating 25 years of operation. Performers have dazzled audiences with aerial strap acts, physical feats, equine showcases and more.

A select few, though, were able to meet the performers in a much more personal way.

The CAC’s Impresario Dinner connected the show’s talent with supporters under the Big Top on Feb. 21.

The show’s sponsors mingled with the many performers who made up this year’s show before settling down for a dinner in the middle of the event space.

The Circus Sarasota show runs through March 5.

of Latin composers in music from all over the Americas Don’t miss it.

MONDAY, MARCH 13 : 7:30 pm

Riverview Performing Arts Center

For information and tickets, lamusicafestival.org or the Sarasota Opera box office at (941) 328-1300.