For the Tony-nominated director Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Grease), a trip to Sarasota just wouldn’t be complete without at least stopping in at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. “The Asolo is my favorite regional theater to work at,” he says, crediting Asolo’s artistic director, Michael Donald Edwards as a major draw. So when Calhoun and Edwards met up more than a year ago, and Edwards asked him if he were interested in directing a classic musical for the opening of the 2018–19 season, Calhoun jumped at the chance—with a few caveats.

“Without hesitation, I said the only revival that interests me is The Music Man,” Calhoun says. “Because I had an affinity for it as a kid watching the movie.” Edwards readily agreed, but Calhoun had a couple more “prerequisites” if he were going to create a revival the likes of which had never been seen before. And with The Music Man opening November 17 at the Asolo, it looks like Calhoun may have pulled it off.

It’s a tough question, how to differentiate a revival of an iconic show that’s been produced countless times in theaters across the nation since its Broadway debut in 1957, when it ran for a whopping 1,375 performances. But Calhoun thought he had the answer. “I wanted it to be an all tap dancing Music Man,” he says, “which, to my knowledge, hadn’t been done before.” But to pull it off, he knew he needed a special performer. He thought of no one but Noah Racey.

“Noah is one of our great song-and-dance men,” says Calhoun, dubbing the pairing of skills a dying art. “He’s sort of the last to follow in those footsteps of Bob Fosse, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.” Asolo fans may recognize Racey’s prowess from the world premiere of Noah Racey’s Pulse, which came to the Asolo in 2013, also directed by Calhoun. “There was no one else I was interested in for the role,” he says.

Assembling his dream team, the production also sees Calhoun reuniting with the designer from his Tony-nominated production of Newsies in 2012. Together, the challenge was to make a revival of a period piece seem fresh to contemporary viewers. The first step was avoiding the obvious—meaning eschewing the classic setup and looking for something new. “Normally, they paint a front porch and push it on from the wings,” says Calhoun. “And it’s very easy to have the show look like a high school production, even when you have the greatest artists doing it.” He’s mum on the details, but confident they’ve found a solution.

“It’s going to be a very special production,” Calhoun says, mentioning that he’s already reaching out to theater professionals in New York to come see the show. “Not all productions are worthy or warrant a New York run,” he says, “but sometimes you get lucky and the stars align, and I feel that may be the case with this one.”

The Music Man opens at Asolo Repertory Theatre on November 17 and runs through December 29. 

Pictured: Jeff Calhoun. Photo courtesy of Asolo Repertory Theatre.

With the imminent arrival of PINC 2018 on December 6, once again promising a day full of passionate speakers covering a broad and varied range of topics, SRQ went behind the scenes with a few of these incoming artists, activists and entrepreneurs for a quick taste of what’s to come. A bird brain researcher with a focus on corvids (crows, ravens and jays), John Marzluff, Ph.D., has dedicated his studies to seeing how human activity and urban development has affected bird populations, as well as how bird have influenced art and language in humans.

SRQ: Why did you want to come to Sarasota and spend time with this audience in particular? Marzluff: It is not the typical audience for me. I’m used to speaking to birders and others interested in nature, so speaking to the PINC community allows me to get the message about the wonder of birds to a more diverse group

“Birdbrain” used to be a common insult—what do you make of that? Outdated? Most certainly outdated.  Birds have small brains, but these tiny computers can do just about anything our large brains can. They form complex, emotionally charged, spatially relevant memories. They focus the bird’s attention on things that matter. I’d be happy to be called a bird brain—a real compliment.

What crow fact would most astonish the average audience? The ability of some crow species to manufacture tools used to obtain food is a real shocker. But the more typical species also possess amazing skills that enable them to remember particular people for years and solve many complex problems in their environment. 

Pictured: John Marzluff. Photo courtesy of PINC Sarasota.

Valerie Bernhard had suffered a rare complication during her pregnancy called HELLP Syndrome, when her little guy, Arthur Guy arrived to the world early at 35 weeks—she had to be treated in ICU and then transported to a hospital that could potentially prepare her for a liver transplant. Slowly, Valerie physically healed, and her and her husband Karl vowed from then on to live a more mindful, present lifestyle. “Karl played ‘Heart of Gold’ by Neil Young on the car ride home from the hospital and I will never, ever forget it,” she says. “I had a very hard time understanding what had happened, why I got so sick at such a beautiful time in life, but most of all, I felt so cheated that I couldn’t be the one to bring Arthur home and missed the first two weeks of his life.” Craved for a more creative and brighter outlet, the Bernhards packed up a U-Haul in New Orleans and moved to the beaches of Sarasota—honoring their vow as a family to fully enjoy every moment life has to offer. Valerie now spends her sunny days on the Gulf as a graphic designer, screen printing mindul messages on Turkish textiles for her tasteful brand for the tropics, Art Guy Workshop.

“Quality and authenticity led my search to a family-owned company with more than 40 years of experience in the textile industry.”  Her Turkish towels, also known as peshtemals, are imported from Denizli, Turkey—the granddaddy of towels—versatile enough to provide an ultra-soft pat down after the shower with the option to also use as a yoga mat topper, spa swathe, comfy blanket for the beach or trendy spread at a park picnic. Handmade of 100% cotton to be super absorbent and dry quickly, they’re also extremely light weight and fold (or roll) down nicely to take with you wherever you go. Art Guy’s bestsellers include the Low Key towel in either red, aqua, gray or black, sporting the simple mantra, ‘HERE IS GOOD’. For some added company and potential napping, the Siesta double size towel is basically the california king of towels, stamped with the gentle reminder, ‘YOU ARE HERE’. And if you just need to create some space for your bum for a little meditation outdoors, the round circle Lido towel comes in nautical stripes of navy/beige or turquoise/charcoal. Beyond the luxe linens, covet beachy and functional hobo bags, coconut sarong buckles, kids’ ponchos with fun little hoods and swaddles for babies/toddlers.

“I used art to heal and grow as a parent, wife and friend. Art Guy helps me every single day to remember how fortunate we are to have this moment and this day,” Valerie notes. Her journey to recovery and discovery has become her contribution to remind those around her to “live in the present when you can.” Because really, in the grand scheme—it’s 'ALL GOOD'.

Keep a look out for Art Guy Workshop hitting the streets at upcoming markets in Sarasota, St. Pete and Tampa soon, with plans for national yoga festivals in the future. But for now, fill your cart with positive peshtemals to go with the flow from its artful online boutique. 

Photos courtesy of Art Guy Workshop.

As the first flakes of snow begin to fall in the frigid north, Florida remains, as always, a steadfast oasis of warmth and tropical sunshine. For those returning to the sandy shores of this winter haven, and for perennial denizens of the Gulf Coast, there are few dishes that encapsulate Florida’s eternal summer like the fresh dayboat mahi-mahi from Ophelia’s on the Bay. 

Those that have seen mahi-mahi in the water will know that the fish is recognizable for its brilliant colors, and that influence is clear in this stunning dish. Tropical flavors abound as the mild, sweet fish is crusted with a crunchy macadamia and coconut panko crumb topping, and topped with a generous helping of bright, fresh tropical fruit-cilantro jam. Nestled on a bed of either jasmine rice or, for the more adventurous taste buds, Sriracha potatoes, this dish is best accented by a gorgeous Florida Gulf Coast sunset. Take a seat outside, enjoy a cocktail from the bar and welcome winter as a true Floridian should. 

9105 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota

The Fine Arts Department of Ringling College of Art and Design has announced a special off-campus event, HOUSE OF 9, a pop-up exhibition at 238 South Links Avenue with artworks by seniors in Fine Arts. This event is free and open to the public and will be part of the Towles Court Art Walk. HOUSE OF 9 showcases nine young artists delving into the connections between their studio practice as their thesis develops. This collection of work focuses on introspectivity, expressing the artists’ perceptions and experiences. Using unconventional materials and approaches, viewers are invited to explore the artists’ personal explorations. Artists included are: Disco Pat, Meagan Hindel, Alisa Hodzic, David Klos, Savannah Magnolia, Andrea Oded, Brianna Faith Rivers and Kiara Rodriguez. An opening reception will take place this Friday, November 16, from 5pm to 9pm. Additional hours are Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm or by appointment. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital has received Magnet recognition again, a testament to the health system’s nurses and organization’s continued dedication to top-notch care. SMH has earned the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program Magnet designation continuously since 2003, a four-time achievement attained by less than 1 percent of the nation’s 6,300-plus hospitals. SMH is among just 51 Magnet hospitals to earn the designation four times. Valid for four years, Magnet recognition is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and the gold standard for measuring quality of care and professionalism in nursing practice. To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy application and review process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff to demonstrate Magnet elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital