The stages are filling up fast at the Asolo Rep this season, with Eugene O’Neill’s nostalgic comedy Ah, Wilderness! opening Jan. 22 in the Mertz Theatre. Primarily known for his dramatic work, this sole comedy from the great American playwright (and winner of the Tony Award and both the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes) melds “gentle comedy” with “enormous heart” said director Greg Leaming, for a whimsical yet thoughtful rumination on what’s often deemed a simpler time in the history of American life.  

The story begins July 4, 1906, with the Miller family in small town USA, where O’Neill spins “his vision of what childhood could have been, should have been,” said Leaming. On it’s face a coming-of-age comedy about family, teenage love and generational conflict, “O’Neill could not help that his perspective always included a somewhat darker vision,” said Leaming, “and there are a lot of wonderful darker elements that temper the sweetness of the romanticism.” The danger of sex looms large, accompanied by the specter of lost love.

As part of the Asolo’s continuing American Character Project, the play stands as an interesting counterpoint to productions such as All The Way, which opened last week. Whereas the latter presents a portrait of where the country is now, said Leaming, “Ah, Wilderness! is really a portrait of where we came from.” But taken in context - written in the 1930s, but set in 1906, just prior to World War I - the play also serves as requiem or reminder for perhaps what the country could, or should, have been. O’Neill did have a sense of humor, Leaming assures, “and oddly enough it came out in this play in a way it doesn’t in his other works.”

Starring David Breitbarth in his 20th season with the company and Denise Cormier, also found onstage this season in All The Way, the production likewise sees a large contingent of the third year student company from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, including Tom Harney as the rebellious Richard Miller, which Leaming, also director of the Conservatory, reports had an unexpected effect on the production. “It happens to be an extremely musical group of actors, so we decided to build a lot of music into the play,” he said, incorporating period appropriate music, a cappella performance and an ubiquitous parlor piano, for a “dreamlike” production.

Ah, Wilderness! opens January 22 at the Asolo Rep and runs until April 10. 

Pictured: (L-R) Tom Harney, Denise Cormier and David Breitbarth in character at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Photo courtesy of Asolo Rep.

“We want to showcase that Baja cuisine is a true melting pot. The tuna dish in the picture is Baja spiced ahi tuna served over a lightly dressed guava slaw with Dijon soy glaze and cucumber wasabi ranch on the plate. We’re also doing truffle black bean and shrimp tostadas with citrus cabbage, roasted corn and pepper guacamole, topped with crumbled queso fresco cheese.” Chef Evan Gastman talked to me yesterday about some of the exciting new additions to The Hub Baja Grill menu that he and his team have been working on over the past couple of months. The new menu debuts today, just in time to start your weekend off with a Friday afternoon margarita and a taste of authentic Baja flavor. You had me at “guava slaw”, Chef Evan; you had me at “guava slaw.” 

The Hub Baja Grill, 5148 Ocean Blvd, 941-379-6800

If the cold air makes you long for a cocktail, Tommy Bahama has you covered. Head to the bar on St. Armands for this new island-inspire imbibe, a rum-based drink that the bartenders promise is bursting with fruity flavor.

Tommy Bahama Bajan Swizzle  

Ingredients: .50 part Mount Gay® Black Barrel Rum; 1.50 part Pom Wonderful® Pomegranate Juice; 1.50 parts Pineapple Juice; 0.50 parts Velvet Falernum; 1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters. Pour pomegranate juice into a highball glass and add ice. Combine remaining ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over ice into glass. Serve in a Collins glass and garnish with a pineapple front. 

Allen J. Carlson was elected to the Mayville Engineering Company’s board of directors. Carlson recently announced his plans to retire at the end of March from his role as president and CEO of Sun Hydraulics Corporation while continuing as a member of the Sarasota-based company’s board after a 20-year career, including 15 years as CEO. Sun Hydraulics Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of hydraulic valves and manifolds for worldwide industrial and mobile markets.  

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium appointed Erin Knievel as its new chief development officer. Knievel initially joined Mote as annual and major gifts officer in October 2013 and in August 2015 transitioned to the role of campaign director. Since that promotion, she helped Mote raise $12.5 million toward its $50-million Oceans of Opportunity Campaign, including $3.5 million for the new research and education facility in the Keys. As Mote’s CDO, Knievel will work closely with Mote President and CEO Michael P. Crosby to achieve the $50 million goal and successfully close the Campaign in early 2016. 

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County has made two key hires to fill positions, one filing a vacancy and another to improve the EDC's capacity to support the needs of growing businesses that are diversifying our economy. 

Jamie Miller, with 20 years experience in local, state and national public policy and advocacy, has been named  Director of Business Competitiveness Initiatives for the EDC. In this position, Miller will lead the EDC's efforts to improve Sarasota County's capabilities to compete for and win expansion and relocation projects that will grow our targeted industry sectors. 

Miller’s role focuses on the alignment of public sector regulatory policy, investments and incentives with publicly supported goals to attract and grow targeted industries that help diversify the Sarasota County economy, and to attract and develop the workforce talent needed to support these diversifying businesses. 

The EDC also hired Laura Randall as Director of Investor Engagement to lead investor relationship building activities, including investor engagement, communications, events, and sales.  Randall will also be the lead staff person, in coordination with the President and the volunteer Investor Relations Committee, to maximize investor revenues and coordinate a broad range of engagement initiatives for investors, the news media, and the general public. 

EDC Sarasota County

Insula Companies, a Sarasota-based firm specializing in apartment community acquisition and revitalization on behalf of private investors, announced the recent addition of The Glenn Apartments in Orlando to its portfolio of communities. The $42-million purchase is the company’s largest project to date and marks the first strategic acquisition for Insula Companies in 2016 and the 25^th since the firm began operations in 2009. 

Insula Companies

The Lakewood Ranch chapter of SWAT Networking announced its new leadership team for the new year including: Director Linda Pelletier, owner of Green Cooling Solutions; Associate Director Michele Postell of Junk King; President Jennifer Lee, owner of Modern Wealth; Vice President Angie Garland, owner of Safe Solutions Pest Control; Secretary Keri Else, owner of ODI Consulting; and Treasurer Marie Avery of Re/Max Alliance Group. SWAT, which stands for Successful Women Aligning Together, meets at seven different locations around Manatee and Sarasota counties. 

Nominations are now open for the 3rd Annual Women in Business Competition produced by SRQ Media and their flagship publication SRQ Magazine. Submit women leaders who are excelling in business, non-profits, philanthropy, science and technology, health, education and community leadership for consideration. A panel of eight judges from Jacksonville, FL to Greenville, SC will serve as the panel to select this year's twelve finalists who will be announced at the "Hear Me Roar" Leadership and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Finalists and winners are also recognized in the May 2016 edition of SRQ Magazine. We hope you will take the time to help us celebrate the great positive impact women leaders are having on Sarasota and Bradenton. Nominate someone today! 

Click to nominate an individual.

The Suncoast Science Center will host the inaugural Remote Control Custom Car Open on March 5, 2016. The competition, which will have cash and scholarship prizes, will showcase customized remote control cars designed by youth and adults in four age divisions. Participating teams will be judged on speed, agility and overall design. Registration costs $75 per team (two to four people), and includes the basic materials to build the custom cars as well as access to exclusive classes at Suncoast Science Center’s FabLab during January and February. Registration closes at midnight this Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. 

Suncoast Science Fab Lab

Register a Team