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SRQ DAILY Apr 17, 2015

Friday Weekend Edition

Friday Weekend Edition

"As a choreographer, the opportunity to create diverse and various styles has been a blessing."

- Denis Jones, Luck Be a Lady
 

[Film]  Seymour, Danner, Weisz Helping Close Out Festival
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

The Sarasota Film Festival comes to a close this weekend, but not before the red carpet is rolled out for some big stars and major parties. Jane Seymour, Blythe Danner and Rachel Weisz all plan to attend the festival in these last few days of festivities.

Seymour will be honored at a Tribute Luncheon today at the Sarasota Yacht Club, and she will walk the red carpet alongside director Evangelos Giovanis at 2:45pm before a screening of her new film Bereave. Seymour will also do an “In Conversation…” event at 7pm at Florida Studio Theater.

Weisz, who executive produced SFF selection Radiator, will introduce Thom Browne at his own “In Conversation…” event on Saturday at 2:45pm. Browne this year will be honored with the festival’s Emerging World Cinema Auteur Award.

And Danner, who will receive this year’s Impact Award from the festival, will do a special event called “Tea By The Sea” at noon on Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club before attending the Closing Night screening of her new film I’ll See You In My Dreams.

The last major celebrations of the festival occur tonight and tomorrow, first with the Cinema Tropicale event at Michael’s On East this evening, and then the Closing Night events at the Sarasota Opera House followed by the 1137 Party at Louies Modern. 

For all of SRQ's wall-to-wall coverage of the festival, follow SRQ Backlot throughout the festival.

[Theater]  Asolo Rep To Stage World Premiere of Luck Be a Lady
Philip Lederer, Phil.Lederer@srqme.com

Asolo Repertory Theatre pays tribute to one of America’s greatest songwriters for the stage with the upcoming world premiere of Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser, written and directed by Drama Desk Award-winner  and Asolo veteran Gordon Green and set to open on the Asolo stage May 1.

As the composer and lyricist of some of theater’s greatest productions, including Guys and Dolls and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, as well as cinema classics such as “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Loesser’s work holds a special place in both the history of American theater and the country itself, according to Green, who was inspired to write Luck Be a Lady last year by a revival of Guys and Dolls. A longtime fan himself, there was something in particular that caught Green’s ear in Loesser’s music. “He had the unique ability to inject character and story into songs,” said Green, who describes Loesser’s lyrics as “rich, not just in poetry, but specifics.”

By weaving 28 songs from Loesser’s Tony-, Pulitzer- and Oscar-winning catalogue into one tale of love, loss and life within the nostalgic confines of an abandoned 1950s nightclub, Luck Be a Lady follows three women and three men, all at loose ends and seeking solace in the music of their unburdened youth. “There’s a great mystery to them, and optimism,” said Green of the nightclub setting, that helps bring characters and viewers back to “When anything was possible, before we knew everything we know now.”

In addition to the show’s pedigreed cast, including Tony nominee Louise Pitra, who originated the role of Donna Sheridan in Broadway’s Mamma Mia!, Erik Altimus, the original ‘Lewis’ in the Broadway revival of Pippin, and Mary Michael Patterson, the youngest Christine in Broadway’s history producing The Phantom of the Opera, Luck Be a Lady brings a six-piece band to the stage, providing swing and ballroom-style accompaniment, intermittently joined by members of the cast picking up an instrument mid-number.

“The music is all over the place in a wonderful way,” said choreographer Denis Jones. “As a choreographer, the opportunity to create diverse and various styles has been a blessing.”

Luck Be a Lady: The Iconic Music of Frank Loesser opens May 1 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. 

[Daily Shop]  Vince Camuto Opening Sarasota Store

Yet another high-end fashion designer makes its way to Sarasota this weekend. The new Vince Camuto Sarasota Store wholds its grand opening at The Mall at University Town Center on Saturday. A grand opening party will be held, with the promise of "sips and sweets." And for those who celebrate an arrival by seeking out hot deals and cool garb, a free Vince Camuto scarves will be given to anyone who swings by and makes a purchase of $150 or more. 

[Recognition]  Honda Recognizes Wilde

Wilde Honda has been recognized by American Honda Motor Company for 40 years of automotive excellence as a Honda dealer. Established in 1975 by Harold L. Wilde in Sarasota, Wilde Honda is now in its second generation of being a family owned and operated business in the Sarasota and Suncoast area. 

Wilde Honda Sarasota

[Groundbreaking]  Ringling Preps For New Library

Ringling College of Art and Design will begin demolition today at 8:30am in preperation of a groundbreaking for a new Ringling College Library. The groundbreaking is planned for this summer following the conclusing of a fundraising campaign. 

Ringling College of Art and Design

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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