stars of Broadway, the Van Wezel stage lineup
is just as vibrant as the performing arts hall’s
exterior. The 2018 lineup includes “The Wizard
of Oz,” “Peter Pan,” “Motown: The Musical”
and “A Chorus Line.” The Van Wezel also hosts
monthly Friday Fest outdoor concerts that are
free to the public on its grounds each summer.
Venice Theatre
In south Sarasota County, the Venice
Theatre is recognized as the third-largest
community theater in the United States, as
well as the largest per capita, earning it a reputation
that exceeds the average community
theater. Farther south yet, but worth the trip,
is the Lemon Bay Playhouse in Englewood,
which celebrated its 30th season in 2016-2017.
Dance
When it comes to globally acclaimed ballet
on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is the place
to be—barre none. The Sarasota Ballet is
the only professional ballet company on the
Gulf Coast of Florida. Under the direction of
Iain Webb, the company’s repertoire features
works from the world’s top dance choreographers,
including Sir Frederick Ashton and
Antony Tudor, and earns national and international
recognition.
The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School (SCBS)
was founded in 2012 by Cuban-born husbandand
wife team Ariel Serrano and Wilmian
Hernandez, who first came to Sarasota in 1993
to join The Sarasota Ballet. Today, their award-
winning SCBS is the only classical ballet school
in the United States to teach in the Cuban style,
which emphasizes dancing with the entire body,
harmonious movement through the limbs and
torso, and impeccable footwork.
Looking for something new? Sarasota
Contemporary Dance (formerly known as
24 The Official Destination Guide of Sarasota County
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