2-10-20 The Crown Prince of Cabaret, Steve Ross can be seen, remarkably for free, one night only – Thursday Feb 13th at Pritchard’s Piano Co 2108 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239, (941) 924-1204.Although he knew that music, he began playing piano very early, would always be a part of his life, his passion for performing the works in the Great American Songbook, the impact he would have on audiences and the success it has brought him, emerged slowly over time until even he could see it’s inevitability. Listen to this charming, thoughtful, self-deprecating man describe his ironic journey to becoming one of the best known Cabaret performers in the world.

1-27-20 – Actress/Singer Jannie Jones is one of a tiny percent of performers who actually make their living with their talent. Jannie was five years old when her mother taught her and her two sisters to sing Acapella. They became the sought after Ford Sisters performing at church and community groups. Known as the little girl with the Golden Voice, Jannie didn’t understand that she was “special.” Listen to this animated, vibrant woman describe how she came to appreciate her talent: how she accidentally became a theatre major and how, without any help or guidance, she found her way to her “place.” And come see her as Caroline in Caroline or Change at The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s brand new building.

1-20-20 Celine Rosenthal, is an Associate Artistic Director at The Asolo Repertory Company. She was captured by theatre very young and predictably studied acting. Surprisingly, although she loved everything about acting; script analysis, the rehearsal process etc., she really didn’t like being on stage. And in tandem with her acting studies she was also a pre-med student. After graduation she spent a year in Mumbai India creating a children’s theater, then found her way into producing, achieving Tony nominations for her work on Leap of Faith and Seminar. She worked as a New York City Medic before and taking the plunge to get her Directing degree from the New School of Drama in NY. Listen to the thoughtful, serious, exuberant woman describe the circuitous path that lead to her true calling – directing – and hear her describe “Lifespan of a Fact” the unique play she has directed for the current season at Asolo Rep.

1-13–20 Four year old Peter Amster decided that if Peter Pan could fly so could he and he had to be restrained from jumping out of the window. From then on he never stopped pushing his limits. Although he was to discover that his body was not designed to dance, he became a passionate dancer and choreographer. Although he says he wasn’t a very good actor – he nonetheless got work, and finally although already a working director – he questioned his technique and expanded his skill. Peter is not only a triple threat; he is a charming, delightful and funny man. Listen to his remarkable man talk about his journey. And hear what he has to say about his direction of one of the first productions of Murder at the Orient Express which is now playing to deservedly rave reviews at the Asolo Repertory Co.

12-30-20 Wendy Lyons Sunshine is an award-winning writer whose creative journey has included visual art and songwriting. After a career as a technical writer, Wendy began reporting for local publications and partnering with experts on books. Her first book collaboration was The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family, which has become a classic in its field. More recently, she partnered with leaders of the child welfare agency, Chaddock, on Raising the Challenging Child, coming out in January 2020. Listen to this thoughtful, intelligent, self-deprecating woman describe her journey to understanding how her unique abilities allow her to help other people tell their stories. Her website is polishedwriting.com

12-2-20 Joseph Holt is the Artistic Director of Choral Artists of Sarasota (formerly Gloria Musicae) as well as the Artistic Director of Artists Series Concerts, he is a virtuoso pianist who played all over the world before coming to settle in Sarasota. He was apparently a hyper active child, who was “scattered all over the place” and “something of a hellion.” So much so that a committee was formed in the church where his father was pastor to pray for “the soul of little Joey Holt.” Hoping that an extracurricular activity would give him an outlet (focus) for all his energy, Joey was given a choice of several activities; little league, cub scouts or piano lessons. Even though his family didn’t own a piano and he had to practice on a paper keyboard, with a little encouragement from his grandmother, a pianist herself, Joey choose piano. And from the very first lesson it was clear that the Joe and the piano were linked. Listen to this still exuberant man describe his amazing career, what’s next for the organizations he shepherds and come to see/hear Piano Grand IV, at the Sarasota Opera House on December 8th at 4:00 PM

11-12-19 Dancer, singer, actor and Broadway director/choreographer Josh Rhodes is in Sarasota directing his seventh show for the Asolo Repertory Theater; The Sound Of Music.. Listen to this charming story of a man who was drawn to musicals as a 5 year old boy, who dedicated his life to becoming the very best performer he could possibly be and was rewarded for his talent and his diligence with the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography, and the Astaire Award as well as nominations for the Drama Desk and LA Critics Circle Awards and a career in which he never had to have a straight job!

Alejandro Arenas thought he wanted to play guitar, but when he tried to put a band together (he always wanted to make music with others) he could only find guitar players and drummers, so he picked up the bass, a fell in love. Listen to this thoughtful, interesting man describe the ironic way he discovered his true instrument – the upright bass, and listen to a cut from a CD by La Lucha the band (with John O’Leary on piano and Mark Feinman on Drums) with which he has been making amazing music for 10 years.
And come see Alejandro and La Lucha open the Jazz Club’s kick-off of its 40th anniversary season with the fabulous Shelly Berg
Sat, October 26, 2019 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM EDT at Holley Hall, Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center 709 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236

9-9-19 Nora Hooper is an intuitive, she gets information about people in unconventional ways. When still a child Nora was knew things about people, that she had no way of knowing. Fascinated by “anything to do with altered states,” she began reading Edgar Casey and Buddha, gobbling up anything she “could get her hands on.” Although her family encouraged her it was a long time before she was able to accept her “mission,” which is “helping people through intuition.” Listen to this thoughtful woman describe the journey that took her from trying to make a living doing things she wasn’t good at, to finally accepting her calling and creating a “reading” practice with clients all over the world. And go to NoraHooper.com, to get a reading for yourself.

8-12-19 Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Musical Director Assaf Gleizner, can’t remember when he wasn’t involved in music. At 3½ he picked up a Melodica and played Happy Birthday, and he has been making a life with music ever since. Listen to this interesting, articulate man talk about his early life during which “he ate, slept and played piano,” his time in the Israeli army, his certainty that he had to come to New York, and the remarkable career his talent has allowed him to create. And come see him demonstrate that talent as the Musical Director of “Hollywood Serenade” with The Swingaroos at Florida Studio Theatre

The Anatomy of an Artist Series with Lynne Bernfield

7-29-19 Lynne Bernfield at Bookstore1’s Book Fair on August 10th at 2:00
Come talk to Lynne and get a signed hardcover copy or audio version of her book.
“When You Can You Will, why you can’t do what you want to and what to do about it.:

Click on this link to hear her talk about the book

Clink on this Link to listen to the introduction to the audiobook

7-22-19 Actor, director, playwright, author and teacher E Katherine Kerr said, that “as a girl from Indiana, with no exposure to theater and no formal training she should never have become an actor.” Listen to the hilarious story of the first time she was on a stage which convinced her never to step foot on a stage again. But time after time she found herself on stage until she finally accepted that she was meant to be an actress, Hear how she was discovered by her idol Mike Nichols, and the extraordinary career that followed in which she shared stage and screen with stars like Meryl Streep and Cher. Having spent years working on stage, film, and TV and as one of the principle members of the prestigious Westport Theatre Group, Katherine brought her talents and skills to Sarasota where she was gratefully embraced and will be missed by the Sarasota Theater Community.

7-15-19 Director Laura Braza says she was probably the “most difficult child that one could imagine.” She started directing her parents in scenes from her favorite cartoon – Robin Hood – by the time she was three years old. Luckily Laura had generous, understanding parents who let themselves be directed until the scene that got them to put an end to the Robin Hood production. But then they exposed Laura to every possible art form, feeding what turned out to be an insatiable hunger for all things art. Listen to this exuberant, talented woman describe a life dedicated to the relentless pursuit of learning, to acquire all the skills she would need to do the work she was born to do. And come see her direction of Thornton Wilders’ “Theophilis North”, a Dog Days Theater production.

7-8-19 Vanessa Russo discovered by accident that she was a dancer. She was three years old when her friend’s mother asked Vanessa to join a dance class so that her reluctant friend would attend. The friend didn’t stay, but Vanessa fell in love. Although sure she had a “plan,” she was supposed to follow, Vanessa relentlessly pursed each art she discovered; singing, acting, and teaching. Listen to this talented, determined, articulate woman tell the story of how she realized that performing, not following her original “plan,” was what she was meant to do.

7-1-19 In honor of his 55th birthday and to invite you all to his birthday bash – fund raiser I am re-airing an interview I did many years ago with Jeffery Kin. The youngest of six from a farm family in Central Ohio, Jeff broke the family mold by being the “creative kid.” Discovering very early his desire to entertain and the charisma that would later make him so compelling on stage, Jeff was lucky enough to have a mother who saw that he “belonged on the stage.” So he was able to develop not only his acting, singing and dancing skills, but his play writing, directing and finally the administrative abilities that make him the perfect choice to shepherd The Players Theater’ renaissance. Come out to let him know how much we appreciate and love him – Happy birthday Jeffery!!!