It’s a busy time at the Goldstein and Court Cabarets these days, with Soul Mates extending its run to Feb. 14, just as Yesterday opened, and the fifth edition of Laughing Matters right around the corner. With the stage set for this 20th anniversary season of the Florida Studio Theatre Cabaret series, Producing Artistic Director Richard Hopkins and Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins take stock for a moment.

“It’s a genre unto itself,” said Richard, as to the importance of keeping the Cabaret tradition alive. And each genre comes with its own particular challenges, part of the reason not many theaters feature regular Cabaret, the Hopkins agree. Cabaret requires a good environment, quality shows and great restaurant service, and all three have to come from the theater, including writing the shows. “And learning how to do all that is more than most people want to bite off,” said Rebecca.

Writing a Cabaret show typically takes around nine months for the pair, often working in collaboration with pianist Jim Prosser, as was the case for the British Invasion-themed Yesterday. Listening to every hit and chart-topper from 1955 to 1965, songs were ranked, removed or made note of according to quality, popularity and story-telling potential before becoming the matter to marry three distinct stories throughout the performance. “Our objective in all of this is to contextualize the songs in a fresh new way so that you hear it as if for the first time,” said Richard. “And that’s what’s made our Cabaret so successful.”

Successful enough so that on this 20th anniversary, the theater can celebrate the fourth season for the John C. Court Cabaret, opened in 2013. Already, the Hopkins say, seats are running out.

But perhaps one of most anticipated Cabaret performances this season comes with the arrival of the fifth edition of Laughing Matters, Sarasota’s own satirical sketch comedy musical in the vein of Saturday Night Live, except, the Hopkins agree, this show actually has to be good 100 percent of the time but still remain topical. “We go into rehearsal in a week and it’s still being written,” said Richard by way of explanation. And throughout the production’s run, Rebecca will continue to rewrite the show, along with her team of writers, including Prosser, Adam Ratner and Stephan Deghelder. But part of it also seems to be choosing one’s targets wisely. “Most of the world does not evolve as fast as you think it does,” said Rebecca. “Issues like overgrowth in Sarasota aren’t going away in four months.”

Soul Mate: A Journey to Hitsville runs in the John C. Court Cabaret through Feb. 14. Yesterday runs in the Goldstein Cabaret through May 1. Laughing Matters (Vol. 5) Lock the Gates! opens in the John C. Court Cabaret Feb. 17 and runs through Jun. 12. 

Pictured: Eric Scott Anthony, Hunter Brown and Ben Mackel in "Yesterday." Photo by: Matthew Holler

Establishing an outstanding community healthcare system requires much more than just a hospital. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation (SMHF) was established 40 years ago to serve the needs of the community and the growing hospital and now serves as a guiding force in extending the reach of its services. As Sarasota grows, so does our need for excellence in healthcare. The Healthcare Foundation plays a critical role in supporting external healthcare organizations that reach every area and demographic the community, such as Tidewell Hospice, Shapiro Children’s Clinic, Good Samaritan Pharmacy, Cancer Support Communities and Suncoast Blood Bank.

Through an expanding map of urgent care facilities, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is able to reach more patients and provide care in Sarasota and Manatee counties, made possible in part through funding by SMHF. The foundation continues to support the addition of new facilities and expansions as needed to service the needs in neighborhoods throughout the region.

In the 40 years that SMHF has been a supporter of community health, over $6 million dollars have been allocated to furthering the education of Sarasota Memorial Hospital doctors and nurses. Beginning in 2017, the hospital will host a residency program in partnership with Florida State University College of Medicine. With nearly two-thirds of newly graduated doctors leaving the state due to a shortage in residency slots, SMH will provide 13 residency positions. The residency program will serve as a powerful tool in enhancing the internal medicin needs for which there is a shortage.

Critical funding by SMHF helped Sarasota Memorial Hospital in its efforts to become a provisional Level II Trauma Center in 2015. Victims of life threatening accidents and injuries can now receive acute medical care in Sarasota, rather than being airlifted to other trauma centers across the state, increasing critical, life-saving minutes. Through the dedication of the SMHF, over $3.5 million dollars was invested into the emergency facilities at Sarasota Memorial Hospital to be prepared for the distinct needs of trauma care, an investment that has already saved lives.

One of the most rewarding facets of the foundation’s work is recognizing a need and making it a reality, from conception to ribbon cutting. Opening in late 2017, a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Pavilion will support patients on the road to a healthy recovery after life altering medical events. The Foundation is fully focused on bringing the Rehabilitation Pavilion to fruition through the help of our generous donors. As special events are planned to assist in funding, SMHF is developing a virtual tour and naming opportunities to honor donors who are invested in the mission of restorative recovery.

The Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation (SMHF) is a 2016 SRQ Story Project partner and the featured non-profit organization this January. To learn more about the mission and valuable enhancements the healthcare foundation has made to the medical community in Sarasota County, visit them online at SMHF.org. The SMHF Board of Trustees is pictured above. 

Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Peter Logan to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota District Board of Trustees. Logan, 40, is the president of Medallion Home. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wabash College and serves as a member of the Wabash College Alumni Association.  Logan was appointed to a vacant seat for a term that began Jan. 15 and ends May 31, 2019. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

The Sports Turf Managers Association announced Ed Smith Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Orioles in Sarasota, has won the “Field of the Year Award” for professional baseball. Head Groundskeeper of Florida Operations Dan Thomas will accept the award this week at the 27^th annual STMA Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, California. Ed Smith Stadium was built in 1989 and underwent extensive renovations prior to the 2011 season.In the six years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than 640,000 fans have attended Orioles baseball at Ed Smith Stadium. 

Baltimore Orioles

A local music studio, Sunshine Music Lessons, has opened its doors in Sarasota’s Historic Downtown Village. Owner Kira Gaillard is a Sarasota native and a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Gaillard, who recently returned to Sarasota after making her European debut with the Weimar Lyric Opera Studio, teaches private piano and voice lessons, along with group music classes to children and adults. 

Sunshine Music Lessons

Grapevine Communications,a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations agency, announced the promotion of John Butzko, who has served as the company’s copywriter since 2013, to the position of director of communications. 

Grapevine Communications