Marie Kilker Backstage Bytes & Bows, April 2014

 

Robert de Warren always attracts international stars of the dance. That’s true of his latest venture, SIDAF (Sarasota International Dance Festival). Drew Jacoby and a host of like dance notables will be at Sarasota Opera House for LIFTED at 8 p.m. On April 15. To support the event and get a head start on preparing for a winter residency of Drew Jacoby at SIDAF’s studio, helping form the stars of tomorrow, there’ll be a benefit on April 10 at the Peterson Great Room in the Opera House. Starting after a 6:30 p.m. door opening, a CASINO FOR A CAUSE allows you gambling, munching elegant snacks, and drinking to your heart’s content for a benefit donation. Sounds like a good bet for a good evening out.

 

Watch for news of a FORWARD FESTIVAL of music events to be held in multiple and not “usual” venues around town through May. Among musicians participating are Abe Fedder, cellist, and Blythe Gaissert, mezzo-soprano.

 

Jay Handleman is back “on the air” (or should I say “screen”?) doing theater reviews for SNN Local News once each week. He may be late reviewing Asolo Rep’s 4000 MILES by Amy Herzog, since he’ll be in Louisville, KY. So will I. We’ll be attending the annual meeting of American Theatre Critics Association, this year an early one, at Humana Festival. That means neither of us will be back in Sarasota at the usual press night opening. But of course, we’ll be on the job right away after getting in.

 

Jo Morello’s short play TALKBACK will be produced by Tampa Repertory Theatre in June. That’s official news but the time is still TBA. Manhattan Repertory Theatre has accepted Jo’s GENE AND AGGIE for its Spring One Act Play Competition. It will be produced by The Night Shift, a group of mainly FSU/Asolo Conservatory alumni.

 

DRUNKEN SHAKESPEARE is an offering by The Night Shift at Bar 9 in NYC on April 27 from 8 to 11 p.m. Asolo alum Katie Cunningham is Artistic Director.

 

Janna Overstreet, Executive Director of Lifelong Learning Academy at USF here, wants to expand program attendance. Obviously, those already attending are happy. Proof: WEDU gave the academy its “Be More Empowered” award for relatively small organizations. I think the academy needs more publicity, as I don’t hear about it regularly through the usual means.

 

Sad to say two great helpers of arts and more have “shuffled off this mortal coil” recently. Deane Allyn, I was surprised to learn, was 96. I always picture her leading the Sarasota Opera as one vivacious lady. Has it really been almost 15 years since she retired? Much of the revitalization of downtown Sarasota can be traced to the build-up of the Sarasota Opera House and activities therein, of which Deane was a major cause. Another major cause of area build-up was Mary Fran Carroll. She was the force behind Hi-Hat Ranch’s leading into Lakewood Ranch. And so many other things! Father Fausto Stampilia of St. Martha’s Church remembered her and asked for attendants’ prayers for her at every Mass on the weekend of March 29-30.

 

Katherine Michelle Tanner, that irrepressible FSU/Asolo Conservatory grad, formed Tree Fort Productions. Its first show, INVISIBLE ME, in the Manasota warehouse area, combined theater and dance to music she composed. The group helps raise awareness and cash to help victims of sex trafficing.

 

FACES OF CHANGE, compiled, edited, and directed by Tiffany Ford for Asolo Rep’s Education & Outreach program, had so many requests for tickets to attend that it scheduled an extra performance on Sunday the 23^rd. I have to applaud the generous participation of volunteer actors: Don Carlos, Guillermo Cava, Manuel Chepote, Claudia Del Cid, Esther Delgado-Lago, Emer Kelly, Dementrius J. Livingston, Jr., Andrea Morley, Beatriz Panniego-Bejar, and Holly Rizzo. The treat that began the performances was a Salsa. Dancers were Naoyo Dary, Sandra Hagerling, Angel Mendez, Yuri Rodriguez, Monika Sauerzopf, Jose Yauez. Demetrius also assisted the director. Tech was handled by Jeff Dillon and stage managing by Lisa Brandon. The hot topic of all was immigration, but there were other concerns articulated to audiences. For a exhibit in the spirit of understanding diversity, see EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES on the Bayfront.

 

 

Marie J. Kilker holds an interdisciplinary doctorate, Speech-Theatre, English, emphasizing dramatic literature in the Western World supported by theatre theory, history, criticism, and literary oral interpretation. She taught on all levels from second grade to graduate and adult education, administered nontraditional degree programs as an award-winning academic adviser, developed funded grant proposals and research, held editorships and moderated college publications, published in academic and popular outlets, led and contributed to panels, directed theatre and educational TV shows, founded a literary magazine. Since the ‘90s, she’s been a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and written criticism, reviews, and articles for Sarasota and national publications.

For Dr. Kilker’s current reviews, go to www.TotalTheater.com (Criticopia or Archives) and AisleSay.com.