May 22, 2013   Venice Theatre hosts Theatre Winter Haven’s award-winning production of Golda’s Balcony One woman show will be presented locally before heading to national competition   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre is pleased to welcome Theatre Winter Haven’s 60-minute production of William Gibson’s acclaimed drama, Golda’s Balcony. This one-woman show recently won top honors - including best actress and best director - at the Florida State Theatre Festival and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. In preparation for the national competition in Carmel, Indiana in June, an encore performance will be presented on Venice Theatre’s MainStage Monday, June 10, 2013 at 7:30...

May 9, 2013 Venice Theatre seeks entertainers for Summer Cabaret Festival Inaugural event will feature a variety of acts in July and August  (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre is seeking entertainers for their inaugural Summer Cabaret Festival which will run July 19 through August 25, 2013. Performances will be Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons in the 90-seat Pinkerton Theatre.   The theatre’s Producing Director, Allan Kollar, is accepting submissions from interested acts through June 3, 2013. Chosen acts and a festival schedule will be announced on June 8, 2013.  Those interested in being considered for the festival should submit: A brief description of the show A sample song list A video highlighting...

May 7, 2013   Venice Theatre and Loveland Center pay homage to Ed Sullivan 18th Annual Loveland Follies take the stage May 30 – June 2, 2013 (Venice, FL) Students at Loveland Center will present four performances of A Really Big Shoe! The Life and Times of Ed Sullivan, on Venice Theatre’s MainStage from Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 2, 2013. Tickets are available for $15 at the theatre’s box office by phone at 941-488-1115 or online at      www.venicestage.com. Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. The original musical variety show written...

May 1, 2013   Registration open for 2013 Summer ProgramsOpportunities for children, teens and adults! Ages 5-105!   (Venice, FL) Registration is open for Venice Theatre’s annual summer theatre camps and classes for children, teens and adults. This summer, the six-week campers (grades 2-12) will audition, rehearse and perform a full-scale MainStage musical production called Back to the Beach: Surf’s Up! written by the theatre’s playwright-in- residence, Ronald Myroup.  The three-week campers (also grades 2-12) will perform a fully mounted studio production on MainStage.  A two-week camp for students entering kindergarten and first grade is also being offered as well as a...

April 8, 2013Venice Theatre presents a comedy about family, diversity and a tantalizing scandal MainStage season closer, Second Samuel, plays April 30- May 19, 2013 (Venice, FL) Second Samuel, a Pulitzer-nominated comedy by Pamela Parker, will open on Venice Theatre’s MainStage Tuesday, April 30. The show will run through Sunday, May 19, 2013. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25-$28 for adults, $13-$15 for students, and are available now at the theatre’s box office, online at www.venicestage.com  or by phone at (941) 488-1115. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20...

  April 25, 2013 Theatre kicks off National Volunteer Week with Hawaiian-themed awards party   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre hosted a Hawaiian luau to honor its volunteers on Sunday, April 21, 2013. Volunteer Coordinator Kim Kollar invited guests to wear grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts to the annual celebration. A few cocoanut bras were spotted in the crowd as well.   More than 500 volunteers attended the event (the largest turn-out on record) which kicked off with entertainment and an awards ceremony in the theatre’s MainStage. Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase and Producing Director Allan Kollar emceed the event and announced more...

March 25, 2013FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: [not for release] Laurie Colton    941-484-4033, x 221 lauriecolton@venicestage.comVenice Theatre takes a risk on another edgy play by Martin McDonaghA Behanding in Spokane brings playwright’s “signature mix of horror and hilarity” to Stage II   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre’s next Stage II production will be A Behanding in Spokane, an off-beat, dark comedy by contemporary Irish-British playwright and screenwriter Martin McDonagh. Also known for The Pillowman, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Lieutenant of Inishmore, McDonagh has been described by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the half-dozen finest playwrights in the English-speaking world.” His newest play, A Behanding in Spokane, opens on Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton...

March 19, 2013FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: [not for release] Laurie Colton    941-484-4033, x 221  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.      Venice Theatre Summer Stock Auditions: April 6 and 7, 2013Venice Theatre seeking performers for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dream Coat    (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre (VT) is pleased to continue its Summer Stock program for teens and college-age students this summer. Summer Stock VT 2013 is a high-energy musical theatre “boot camp” where company members are immersed in all areas of theatre. While enrolled in the program, students will develop and strengthen their performance skills. They will be trainedby professionals to professional standards.    Although there may be one or...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: [not for release] Laurie Colton; 941-484-4033, x 221;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.       Get ready for a joyful noise to take over Venice Theatre’s MainStage when the gospel musical, Crowns, opens on April 2        (Venice, FL) A powerhouse cast of seven gospel singers are currently rehearsing for the rafter-raising musical Crowns which will open Tuesday, April 2 on Venice Theatre’s MainStage. The show runs through Sunday, April 21, 2013. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25-$28 for adults, $13-$15 for students, and are available now at the theatre’s box office, online at www.venicestage.com  or by...

March 6, 2013Epiphany Cathedral students to perform Guys and Dolls Jr. at Venice Theatre March 23-24, 2013 (Venice, FL) Students from Epiphany Cathedral School (ECS) in Venice will be performing the delightful musical, Guys and Dolls Jr., on the MainStage of Venice Theatre at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2013. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now. Contact ECS at 941-488-2215 for tickets and more information. Tickets are not being sold through Venice Theatre’s box office.   Directed by Venice Theatre’s principal teacher and notable actor, director and choreographer, Brad...

March 4, 2013 Venice Theatre’s Silver Foxes present 21st Annual Follies Young-at-heart seniors bring comedy, music and dance to MainStage March 20-24   The Silver Foxes Follies, a fun-filled variety show that plays to crowded houses each year, will be presented March 20 through March 24, 2013 at Venice Theatre. Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m. Reserved seats for the Follies are $24 and can be purchased online at www.venicestage.com or by calling the box office at (941) 488-1115.         The Silver Foxes are professionally-directed volunteer performers who have...

February 27, 2013   School’s out … theatre is in! Space still available in Spring Break Theatre Camp March 11-15, 2013   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre’s Spring Break Camp is being offered March 11 – 15, 2013. A week of FUN and FROLIC awaits budding performers in grades K-8.  They will advance their acting, voice, and movement skills during this theatrical adventure. The following sessions have openings:   Grades K – 2 Instructor: Gladys Varga March 11 – 15, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tuition: $145   Grades 3-8 Instructor: Ron Myroup March 11 – 15, 2013 1:00 p.m. –...

February 25, 2013 Venice Theatre celebrates 75th anniversary of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town   (Venice, Florida)  Venice Theatre’s upcoming Stage II drama is the cherished Thornton Wilder classic, Our Town. Winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1989 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, Our Town remains a staple of professional, educational and community theatres. 75 years after its premiere on Broadway, Our Town is still performed at least once each night somewhere in the United States, and throughout the world. Venice Theatre’s new production of Our Town is one of many productions around the globe...

February 18, 2013 “IMAGINE” (Venice Theatre’s outreach program with Island Village Montessori School) will perform Life is a Highway! on March 9, 2013 (Venice, FL) Island Village Montessori School (IVMS) and Venice Theatre (VT) are proud to announce their collaborative production of the musical Life is a Highway! by VT’s own playwright in residence, Ronald K. Myroup.   IVMS after-school students will perform on Venice Theatre’s MainStage Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The IVMS Choraliers will present a pre-show at 12:30 p.m. A donation of $10 in exchange for tickets can be given at the school in Jan...

February 15, 2013   Venice Theatre invites Tom Becker back again to pay tribute to John Denver   (Venice, FL) For the third consecutive year, Tom Becker will be presenting his tribute to singer-songwriter John Denver on Venice Theatre’s MainStage. Because of positive audience feedback, Producing Director Allan Kollar invited Becker back again to entertain audiences with three performances on Sunday, March 10 at 8 p.m. and Monday, March 11 at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 and are available at www.venicestage.com, (941) 488-1115 or at the box office located at 140 W. Tampa Avenue on the island in...

February 12, 2013   New Odyssey trio back at Venice Theatre after last year’s SOLD OUT performance     (Venice, FL) In 2011, Venice Theatre’s concert goers fell in love with New Odyssey’sunique act. Last year, the trio came back to play a sold out New Year’s Eve show. This year New Odyssey is returning to Venice Theatre’s MainStage for three shows on Sunday, March 3rd at 8 p.m. and Monday, March 4th at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 and are available at www.venicestage.com, (941) 488-1115 or at the box office located at 140 W. Tampa Avenue on the...

  February 7, 2013   Contact Lisa Rubinstein, LDR Creative, Inc., 941-373-3803 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.       PLAYWRIGHT ARTHUR KOPIT TO SPEAK AT VENICE THEATRE       Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellow and Tony-Nominated Playwright Arthur Kopit will be the featured speaker at a public program at the Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Avenue West, Venice, FL, on Saturday, February 16th at 4:00 pm. Kopit will be interviewed by Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase about his life and work in the theater. The program is free but space is limited so reservations are requested and can be made by calling the theater box...

February 5, 2013   Venice Theatre to hold open auditions Feb 23-25, 2013 Actors sought for family musical, How To Eat Like A Child, and sentimental southern comedy, Second Samuel   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre is seeking volunteer performers to audition for the final two productions of its 2012-2013 Season. Director Murray Chase is casting 11 men and women of varying ages and types for the MainStage “dramedy” Second Samuel by Pamela Parker.  Auditions for Second Samuel are Sunday and Monday, February 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. Actors will be asked to read from the script. Perusal copies are available...

January 2, 2013   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact [not for release]: Laurie Colton; (941) 484-4033 ext. 221;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Venice Theatre Education Department hosts two OPEN HOUSES Meet the teachers! January 18, 2013 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. January 19, 2013 from 10 a.m. – Noon   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre invites students of all ages (pre-kindergarten through adult) to learn about nearly 20 different classes being offered at the theatre this spring semester. Although registration is already open (visit www.venicestage.com or call 941-486-8679), those who want to meet the teachers and hear more about what they have planned for this semester can do so...

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [not for release] Laurie Colton  941-484-4033, x 221      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Doo Wop legends return to Venice Theatre Audience favorite is back for fourth year   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre will present one of the most sought-after harmony acts in the country, The Legends of Doo Wop, on Sunday and Monday, January 20 and 21, 2013. Shows are at 8 p.m. on Sunday and 3 & 8 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are $40. The group features four legendary singers: Tony Passalaqua of the Archies, Tommy Mara from The Crests, Frank Mancuso from The Imaginators, and Steve Horn from...

January 14, 2013   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laurie Colton; (941) 484-4033 ext. 221;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.          REMINDER: Moon Over Buffalo opens tomorrow at Venice Theatre (Venice, Florida)  Venice Theatre’s upcoming MainStage Comedy is Moon Over Buffalo by the reigning king of American farce, Ken Ludwig. Ludwig is best known for Leading Ladies,Lend Me A Tenor and “Buffalo” which brought Carol Burnett back to the Broadway stage. Venice’s production begins January 15 and runs through February 3, 2013. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25-$28 for adults, $13-$15 for students, and are on sale now at the theatre’s box...

January 14, 2013   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [not for release] Laurie Colton  941-484-4033, x 221  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen is a “one-man tour-de-force” Star of stage and screen will bring new show to Venice Theatre Feb 8 & 9, 2013   (Venice, FL) Mr. Ben Vereen dances onto Venice Theatre’s MainStage for three shows only on Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 9 at 3 p.m.; and Saturday, February 9 at 8 p.m. “Ben Vereen still carries a wallop in reputation,” says Venice Theatre’s Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase, “and the show has already surpassed its sales...

January 18, 2013   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [not for release] Laurie Colton  941-484-4033, x 221  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Venice Theatre Cabaret brings back The Great American Trailer Park Musical “A show about agoraphobia, adultery, ‘80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan & disco… It’s everything a musical should be.”   The Great American Trailer Park Musical opens on Venice Theatre’s Pinkerton Stage Wednesday, February 6, 2013. This “colorful and frisky” musical will run through Saturday, March 9, 2013. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Weeknight tickets are...

February 1, 2013 Dolly is back where she belongs … at Venice Theatre! Jerry Herman’s iconic musical returns to the stage during the height of season           (Venice, Florida)  Venice Theatre’s next MainStage musical is the high-spirited Jerry Herman classic, Hello, Dolly! The production opens on February 19 and runs through March 17, 2013. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. (The 7:30 start-time is 30 minutes earlier than Venice Theatre’s usual 8:00.) Tickets are $25-$28 for adults, $13-$15 for students, and are available at the theatre’s box office, online at...

January 28, 2013   Venice Theatre announces 2013-2014 Season Theatre’s 64th Season features an exciting line-up of new releases and classic favorites   (Venice, FL) Venice Theatre proudly announced its 64th season last night at a party attended by sponsors, donors, advertisers, patrons and volunteers. Minutes before the reception was underway, the theatre’s Board of Directors approved the docket of productions presented to them by the theatre’s play selection committee and Artistic/Executive Director Murray Chase.   Offering the widest variety and most robust programming of any community theatre in the area, Venice Theatre has been designated as the third-largest community theatre...

January 7, 2013   Political humor returns to Venice Theatre with the CAPITOL STEPS Highlighting the best of the election year, and much, much more!     (Venice, FL) Washington’s darlings, the Capitol Steps, bring their political humor to Venice Theatre’s MainStage for three shows only Sunday and Monday, January 27 and 28, 2013. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Sunday and 3 & 8 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www.venicestage.com or by contacting the box office at (941) 488-1115.   Notorious for poking fun at Democrats and Republicans alike, the Capitol Steps have...

January 10, 2013 Songs of the "greatest generation" come to Venice Theatre's MainStage The Sounds of Harry James & the Andrews Sisters bring swing music to VT for one night only, Feb 4, 2013 (Venice, FL) The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters bring their tribute show to Venice Theatre's MainStage for one night only Monday, February 4, 2013. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $32 and can be purchased online at www.venicestage.com <http://www.venicestage.com/> or by contacting the box office at (941) 488-1115. The theatre's annual tribute to the swinging '40s has been one of its most popular...

In This Issue: Intimate Moments Give the Gift of Music Musical Expressions Concerts & Tickets  Follow Us(941) 953-3434       Our Musicians Preview Chamber Concert Intimate Moments Dirk Meyer, Associate Conductor on Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 With the smallest orchestra of all of his symphonies and a classical elegance in his melodies, Schubert creates a wonderfully intimate work that reminds us of his idol, Mozart, and delights with its optimism and charm.         Betsy Hudson Traba, Principal Flute onStravinsky’s Octet Scored for an unusual combination of wind and brass instruments, this Octet showcases a wonderful mix of the old and the new. Stravinsky takes...

CONTACT: Rebecca Bute                                                                                                                                                                    (941) 487-2746                                                                                                                                                            (330) 322-1208 – Cell                                                                                                                                           This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   America and Beyond with the Sarasota Orchestra   Who:   Sarasota Orchestra What:  New Music: America and Beyond   Associate Conductor Dirk Meyer leads the Sarasota Orchestra in a concert composed of accessible contemporary classical works.   Concert highlights include William Bolcom’s Commedia and Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs.   Audiences will enjoy a New England journey with Charles Ives’ Three Places in New England; a lyrical portrait of American ideals, lifestyle and patriotism at the turn of the century.   When: Friday, January 4, 7:30 pm   Where: Holley...

   CIRCUS NUTCRACKER VIDEO 2 - THE DESIGN In the second of eight videos, discover the creativity and imagination behind the world-renowned designer, Peter Docherty. From initial concepts to opening night, the videos will provide an all-access pass to the work, passion and time that has enthusiastically been put into this circus-themed Nutcracker. Take a look at VIDEO 2 and be sure to stay tuned for more!CLICK HERE to see the second installment!   friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 The Sarasota Ballet, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is:  The Sarasota Ballet 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243 ...