The Asolo Repertory will open its 2014-15 season in November and continue its series exploring the American Character with a production of the 1949 Tony Award-winning musical South Pacific. Known as much for its musical score and story as it is for its progressive social awareness, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic has brought great talent to town, including Kelly Felthous, previously Glinda in the Wicked national tour, as Nellie Forbush and Anthony Festa, who recently starred in a West End production of West Side Story, as Lt. Joseph Cable.

Loretta Ables-Sayre also returns as Bloody Mary, the role she played in the Lincoln Center revival for which she received a Tony nomination.

Preceded by 1776 in 2012 and Show Boat in 2013, South Pacific brings the American Character series up to World War II and America’s struggle with racism in a changing world. Actor Ben Davis returns to the series after last season’s Show Boat, as does director Rob Ruggiero, who feels the show to be a fitting addition.

“Like any great piece of art, it holds a mirror to us as a society,” said Ruggiero. “Even though we have evolved as beings and as a civilization, these issues continue to be obstacles for us as a society.”

And though South Pacific has been performed countless times since 1949, Ruggiero promises something a little different this time. The score has been reimagined from one that would be played by a full orchestra to one more fitting to something akin to a chamber orchestra, with eight musicians including the conductor on piano.

In addition, Ruggiero says this will be one of the smallest casts he has ever seen perform the play, with a total of 19 characters and only 17 adults.

In conjunction with the performances, the Asolo will also be hosting a number of opportunities for the public to meet the people involved in the production and discuss artistic choices, hear behind-the-scenes stories and further explore the themes of the work.

The Asolo will be introducing its new pre-show presentation dubbed The Scoop, giving audience members the opportunity to meet one of the actors and hear a brief presentation and have a little Q&A session. These will be held at every performance, one hour prior to the curtain, with the exception of opening night.

Post-show presentations include Meet the Actors, occurring after both Sunday matinee shows, in which the actors will return to the stage for a Q&A, and Tuesday Talkbacks, bringing one or two guests up to the mezzanine level every Tuesday for a more intimate discussion with some of the cast and crew.

“It goes back to why we do these plays and why [producing artistic director] Michael Edwards picked some of these projects for our American Character project,” said Kathryn Moroney, education and outreach director for the Asolo. “To take the experience of what is a beautiful and profound show and have a conversation with the audience and the artists and spend some time with those questions.”

South Pacific opens Nov. 15 and runs until Dec. 28. 

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce on Thursday held its annual Salute to Business luncheon, where Hoyt Architects partner Chris Gallagher was handed the chairman's gavel by outgoing chairman Lisl Liang, president and CEO of SRQ Media Group. "Together we will continue to make Sarasota an extraordinary place to live, work and play," Gallagher said. 

Liang noted accomplishments for the Chamber for the past year, including the launch of programs like Talent 4 Tomorrow and policy efforts that led to just-passed revisions to the Sarasota County 2050 Plan. "We will experience the benefits for years to come," she said.

Of course, the event also included the showcase of major awards to businesses that made major investments in the region, expanded their workforces and achieved major milestones in their own histories.

In the Hiring Our Neighbors honors, the Chamber celebrated PGT Industries, which expanded its workforce from around 1,260 to 1,630, as well as Wentzel's, which boasted local job growth, and Clare Control, which saw growth in high-quality jobs.

For the Investing in our Future awards, major efforts were noted including the opening if a $250-million bed tower at Sarasota Memorial Health System, the grand opening of the $315-million commercial development The Mall at University Town Center, and some $800 million in capital investment at Ringling College of Art and Design, which just announced it would open a soundstage in Newtown soon.

As for Milestone honors, the Chamber recognized FCCI, which just celebrated 55 years, Mixon Farms, which just passed its 75th year anniversary, and The Players Theater, which has been open for 85 years. 

Cheers to nail polish that doesn’t contain a chemical cocktail of harsh toxins. Wild Ginger Apothecary gets you lacquered up with Scotch Naturals, a safe and eco-friendly alternative to traditional polish. Wave goodbye to the usual harmful suspects like ethyl acetate, acetone and nitrocellulose, brushing on the water-based formula for a high-shining, healthy mani-pedi. For the long, the short, the square and the round, a shade for every shape can be found. No need waiting for the chilly weather to sport your favorite coats. Layer up with toasty, greige Hot Toddy or pink Paisley Martini. Forget the past woes of your toes, naturally nourishing your nails with the conditioning boss of gloss. Scotch Natural’s vegan, cruelty-free ingredients will make your piggies go wee, wee, wee all the way home. 

Wild Ginger Apothecary

Moved From:  Maine, also known as “Vacationland,” even though it only gets a third of the number of visitors as Florida. It seems like Florida deserves that title instead. My Profession There: President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Portland. Friday Nights There:  Huddled by the woodstove, sipping a glass of wine, worried that the snow-plow guy isn’t coming to plow the driveway.

Why I Moved:  The Suncoast region has a great reputation and leading United Way Suncoast presents the opportunity to help make it even better through our goal to break the cycle of generational poverty. Now I Am: President and CEO of United Way Suncoast. I am busy getting to know the area and meeting as many people as I can. Friday Nights Now: Sipping wine outside somewhere near the water, watching the sunset and thinking about all the great activities I can partake in over the rest of the weekend.

First Impressions: I knew the weather would be great, but had no idea the people would be as warm and welcoming. Every day I feel lucky to be here. Biggest Potential Community Mistake: Missing opportunities for all sectors of the community to work better together where we have common goals. My Vision: A community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

United Way Suncoast

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast (CFGC) honored the Floyd C. Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation as its 2014 Conservation Partner of the Year. The honoree was selected for their significant investments in Conservation Foundation over the past five years. In 2009, the Floyd C. Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation made a $1-million gift to the Artist in Residence program, which transformed the carriage house into a Welcome Center and Artist in Residence quarters. Part of the gift provided an endowment for the Artist in Residence program. In the past year, the foundation gave an unrestricted gift of $100,000, understanding the importance and urgency of Conservation Foundation's mission to save land forever. 

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast

Panera Bread will open its newest bakery-cafe at The Mall at University Town Center on Nov. 5. The location will feature free Wi-Fi, table service, outdoor seating and a private room for the convenience of customers. 

Panera Bread