Urbanite Theatre closes out its inaugural season with Isaac’s Eye, the final performance in the young theater’s three-show summer debut that included the sold-out Chicken Shop and Reborning. A work of historical fiction from writer Lucas Hnath, Isaac’s Eye takes the true account of a young Isaac Newton plunging a needle through his eye socket in a brash attempt to better understand the nature of optics as a starting point to explore the person behind one of the greatest minds of the modern world.

“It’s a very imaginative and inventive way to look at a historical character,” said Brendan Ragan, Urbanite co-founder. Audiences know Newton from the history books, said Ragan, but that presents only a small sliver of the man and only through the lens of his accomplishments. “But this play presents him as this quirky, odd fellow who struggles in social situations and didn’t make all the best moves,” he said.

Starring Ben Williamson as Newton, audiences may recognize the FSU/Asolo Conservatory graduate from Asolo performances such as Romeo and Juliet, Candida and The Aliens. Williamson is joined by: Kim Stephenson, current Conservatory student; Robby May, a national performer whose credits include performance at Carnegia Hall; and Tony Stopperan, the Sarasota actor and filmmaker who made waves this past year writing the award-winning feature-length film Paradise, FL. Vincent Carlson-Brown directs.

Closing out the season, Ragan said he and co-founder Summer Dawn Wallace wanted to present something a little more fun for audiences. “The palate cleanser,” Wallace has taken to calling Isaac’s Eye, after the more emotionally trying shows of the season. “It’s like the sorbet,” said Ragan. “It’s lighter and it’s funnier, but it still packs a real emotional punch.”

Opening Friday, Aug. 14, Isaac’s Eye is already well on its way to selling out, according to an excited Ragan. “We couldn’t have expected the level of enthusiasm that we’ve seen,” he said, and of the Sarasota audience, “They’ve given us their trust right away and they’re willing to go on journeys with us that may not be their typical theater fare.”

Isaac’s Eye runs until Sept. 6. 

For the third time, online Amish furniture retailer JMX Brands has made Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States, ascending by 1,214 positions from #3197 to #1983 on this list of the nation's most successful private companies and entrepreneurs. 

JMX Brands

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded The Literacy Council of Sarasota (LCS) a $10,000 grant to support adult and family literacy. LCS helps hundreds of local adults each year improve their literacy and English communication skills with the support of almost 200 ProLiteracy-certified trained volunteer tutors and instructors. 

Literacy Council of Sarasota

Certified accountant Joe Gruters has opened up Gruters CPA in downtown Sarasota.  Gruters is a tax professional who helps business owners and their families keep more of what they make through prudent tax planning and compliance, he said. He works with a wide range of client structures including trusts, S corporations, C corporations, LLCs, partnerships, nonprofit organizations and high net worth individuals.  

Gruters CPA

Artist and author Vicki Chelf has opened an art studio at the Sarasota Trading Company. Chelf has a Fine Arts degree from the Ringling School of Art and Design and studied classical academic techniques at Southern Atelier, both in Sarasota. Painting in various media with styles ranging from more classical to the "whimsically demented," the artist has exhibited her work in the United States, Canada, France and England. 

Sarasota Trading Company, 522 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thursday, Aug.20, for a new finish tower at Nathan Benderson Park. The finish tower will be part of world-class rowing facilities at the 600-acre community park, which is owned by Sarasota County and operated by Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates. The finish tower, a four-story structure designed by Sarasota architect Guy Peterson in coordination with Fawley Bryant Architects, is being privately funded through the Nathan Benderson Community Park Foundation. It will house park offices, event officials and media and will feature meeting rooms, community space and decks with views of the entire park and surrounding area.  

Sarasota County