Asolo Repertory Theatre gears up for something a little different tonight. not quite a musical and much more than a concert, Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie opens with what Nick Corley, director of Woody Sez, calls a “theatrical concert event.” Featuring four performers, more than 20 instruments and loads of Guthrie hits, Corley and crew take the audience along for an exploration of the music, the man and the world he ultimately helped shape.

“I started learning Woody Guthrie songs when I was very young, growing up in Texas,” said chief deviser David Lutken, who also served as musical director and plays Woody in the show. First devised in 2007 (the creators eschew the word ‘writer’ in deference to Guthrie’s lyrical contributions and guidance), Woody Sez has since gone global, filling theaters from China to the United Kingdom to Germany. But it all began with Lutken’s friendship with Guthrie’s former manager, Harold Leventhal, who, seeing all the shows about Guthrie, wasn’t quite satisfied. The shows often focused on the social issues addressed more than the songwriter. “He wanted to show that it was really about Woody Guthrie, the man,” said Lutken, "and the songs that came out of it.”

“And his life spanned such interesting historical periods,” added Corley, referencing Guthrie’s prominence through the Great Depression and the turbulent days in the rise of labor unions. “His songs are often so joyous, yet it was through tragedy that so much came. It’s very American to deal with tragedy in a ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ kind of way.”

Featuring four performers including Lutken, each will play multiple parts throughout the show, not impersonating but “embodying,” relying on mood and emotion to convey character and story in the absence of rotating sets and scene changes. Switching instruments even more often, all the great folk sounds are brought to bear, from the banjo to the mandolin and from the dulcimer to the dobro.  “They’re like characters to us,” said Lutken, who brings his 1860 Martin parlor guitar to the production in the safe and capable hands of co-star Helen Russell.

“What those four people do is incredible,” said Corley. “Their ability is a joy to watch—a gift.”

And if that wasn’t enough, every Sunday after the matinee performance, Lutken and the gang will convene in the theater lobby for a cast-led hootenanny, where all are invited, ticket or no, to share in an hour-long jam session with fellow musicians and enthusiasts. Revelers are encouraged to bring their own instruments and play along.

Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie opens tonight at 8pm in the Mertz Theatre and runs until June 21.  

Pictured: David Lutken, left, and the cast of Woody "Sez". Courtesy of: McLaughlin Photography.

When Dr. Robert Marbut was asked at a community event in Venice how Sarasota County was handling homelessness, he had plenty of nice words to say about some arenas. Help offered to homeless families, he said, was the best service anywhere in the country. Administrative improvements for government and nonprofit groups was good and getting better. But for the chronic homeless, his assessment was blunt.

“The only word I can use is ‘failure,’ “ he said. A come-as-you-shelter proposed two years ago by Marbut has always been controversial, but the fact it has not come close to fruition disappoints the consultant, and lack of action on that issue is why homeless numbers and reports of aggressive behavior from transients has gone up even as progress is made in other areas.

Marbut spoke to a crowd of residents gathered at the Venice Community Center, most of whom suggested their own hearts were “with the homeless.” Many wondered why vacant business sites in the central part of the county had not been turned into shelters, though Marbut held to a recommendation any facility should be located within walking proximity of social and legal services in downtown Sarasota.

Venice resident Suzanne Kozub said the idea of Housing First, offering housing to transients instead of sending them to shelters, deserves more attention. “It’s about being practical and understanding that maybe if they have a house, and the idea of if they have a little hope and dignity and a place to sleep, they would say, why self-medicate myself?,” she said. “If you only have 10 units in Venice to take in the chronic homeless and take services to them, it keeps them out of the jail and hospitals.” Marbut said he has run Housing First facilities—one is part of a shelter in San Antonio—but that it won't work as well for people with mental and substance abuse problems, and will be costly.

Englewood resident Barry Phelps said he was supportive of the shelter proposal and the entire Marbut plan. “This is the best money ever spent on a consulting coming in,” Phelps said. “To see commentary come back calling him a huckster when usually government pays $150,000 on studies they don't pay any attention to, I don’t get that.” He was hopeful that Marbut coming back to town for a report, especially after elections caused a turnover on the Sarasota City Commission this month, meant the shelter would get back on track.

And Pat Knox, who runs the Jubilee Center in Englewood, said despite the shelter situation, much improvement had already come from the Marbut plan. She said Housing First can’t work in places like Englewood because the price of homes is too high, but social services can be administered properly. “Things are happening now in Englewood because of the networking with people who already have functioning services in other areas,” Knox said. 

Take your supper to the seaside this summer with beach-themed place settings from Indigo West. The indoor to outdoor plate collections will keep you in style no matter where you want to dine. Mix and match the plate patterns with easy outdoor placemats to bring texture to your table. The store also supplies sea-themed seasoning shakers in a variety of shells and creatures. A crab shaker stocked with spice for your favorite fish is sure to add character to any summer setup.  

Indigo West, 134 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, 941-487-7160.

After serving as interim chief since May 2014, Michael Regnier has received a conditional offer to become the new fire chief of the Sarasota County Fire Department. Regnier has been involved in the department since 1988 and will now oversee more than 500 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics of Sarasota. 

Sarasota County Fire Department

First Watch Restaurants announced it has acquired the 114-unit Colorado-based The Egg and I Restaurants. First Watch is now the nation's largest and fastest-growing breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant. The breakfast category is the fastest-growing segment in the restaurant industry and this transaction places first watch as the top player. The acquisition places First Watch with 267 restaurants in 26 states and a combined 18 under development in 2015. 

First Watch

At its annual luncheon on May 27, the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 2015 Business of the Year Award Winners. Winners were selected in honor of their commitment to the community, local economy and quality business practices. Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning, Joyner Family Insurance, PGT Industries, A Catered Affair and Trinity Presbyterian Church-Community Assistance Ministry each received an award.  

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce