Harry Witherspoon has a problem. Typically, an all-expenses paid vacation to Monte Carlo would be a good thing, a welcome surprise in the mundane life of the English shoe salesman. Harry’s vacation, however, is much less of a vacation and more of a duty—Harry has been left six million dollars by a mysterious Uncle Anthony from New York that he’s never met. In order to receive the cash, however, Harry must travel to Monte Carlo with his uncle’s corpse—propped up in a wheelchair to appear alive—and carry out a series of tasks. If Harry fails, his inheritance goes instead to Uncle Anthony’s favorite charity, the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn.

Such is the plot of Lucky Stiff, Florida Studio Theatre’s (FST) opening production of its winter mainstage. Based on Michael Butterworth’s 1983 novel The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, Lucky Stiff is a musical farce created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty that made its premiere Off-Broadway at the Playwright Horizons in 1988. “One of the things that we’re trying to do this season is bring people together and find common ground for all of us to stand on,” says Richard Hopkins, producing artistic director/CEO of FST. “Lucky Stiff does that through laughter and the ridiculousness of humanity.”

Part of the challenge of producing Lucky Stiff are the frequent changes in location. Interweaving plotlines of desperate characters all hoping for a chance at Harry’s inheritance, Lucky Stiff jumps from England to Atlantic City to a slew of locations across Monte Carlo. “There are so many different locales and they change so quickly. Keeping those changes simple is the director Ben Liebert’s job, and the scenic designers Isable and Moriah Curley-Clay have done a terrific job with the designs,” says Hopkins. “The set changes very quickly with a simple background, which is often a simple prop or furniture change on stage, because it has to move with the speed of light.”

Making his return to stage as The Body—Uncle Anthony—is ABC 7 meteorologist John Scalzi. “John is an old friend. We worked together many years ago and I contacted him and said, ‘this is a great show to make your comeback in, you don’t have to learn any lines and you get to play dead for two hours,’” says Hopkins. “It’s a fun role, because his character may be dead, but he goes through a lot of trials and tribulations.”

Lucky Stiff, November 5-December 28, Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota 

Barrett Riggins as Harry Witherspoon and Amanda Rose as Annabel Glick in

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Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design is proud to open "Janet Echelman: Radical Softness," on view now through April 26, 2026. The show gives visitors a rare look behind the scenes of the internationally renowned artist's process and is the first exhibition to feature work from all four decades of Echelman's prolific career. "Radical Softness" also features the world premiere of a series of cyanotypes.  

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This past Saturday night, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe presented its annual fall gala, this year titled “Hitsville USA – Celebrating Motown.” More than 450 members of the community came out to join WBTT in recognizing longtime leader Doris Johnson, dancing to the music of Motown, and raising funds for the nonprofit arts organization. The results were most gratifying: WBTT raised over $500,000 ... and counting, as pledges are still coming in. 

Take a break from your planning and come enjoy some tastes of the season! Stop in Chamberlin’s in Center Point Plaza 11/25 from 11a-2p to enjoy a sampling of some of our favorite seasonal snacks, sips, sides, and sweet treats! Browse our selection of fine wine, including organic and biodynamic wines. Try our seasonal sides to discover a new favorite for your holiday table. And did we mention that Rewards Members save 20% off* all day 11/25? If you’re not a Rewards Member, don’t miss out! Enjoy exclusive savings, coupons, and promotional offers as part of this free program. Just sign up at the register to take advantage of this offer. *some exclusions apply. 

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Celebrating its milestone 40th season, La Musica Chamber Music presents a rare opportunity for Sarasota audiences to hear all six of J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos” performed in their entirety on Wednesday, December 3, 7:30 p.m., at the Sarasota Opera House, 612 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. This special event, featuring artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, is presented outside of La Musica’s regular subscription series. Tickets start at $80. To reserve seats or for additional information, please call 941-347-9656 (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Tickets for all other concerts in the 40th season may be purchased online at LaMusica.org. 

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) invites audiences to share in a story of humor and humanity with the southeastern premiere of A Tailor Near Me, a tender tale of self-discovery and fresh starts. Written by LA Law’s Michael Tucker, A Tailor Near Me stitches together a timeless story of unexpected connection. Previews begin Dec. 10, officially opening Dec. 12, with performances running through Feb. 15, 2026, in FST’s Keating Theatre. 

Recognized as the U.K.’s most in-demand orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra comes to Sarasota for a spectacular evening of music on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Sarasota Concert Association, the Royal Philharmonic will be led by its acclaimed Music Director, Vasily Petrenko, and joined by internationally celebrated pianist Boris Giltburg. Single tickets start at $45 and are available online at SCAsarasota.org or by calling the SCA Box Office at (941) 966-6161, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Rise Above Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 2nd Annual Masquerade Gala, an elegant evening celebrating the transformative power of the performing arts, on Saturday, February 7, 6:00pm at Rise Above Performing Arts in Sarasota. This year’s gala will be hosted by three-time Tony Award-winning, Olivier, Grammy Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist Broadway Producer, Tyler Mount.

Saturday, February 7, 6:00pm, Rise Above Performing Arts, Sarasota, Tickets: $150 per person, $1,000 per table of 8, riseabovearts.com. 

Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is pleased to announce the addition of Beethoven, Beats and Beyond, a free, family-friendly concert at The Bay Sarasota, to its schedule on March 15. On April 12, DragonBoot Quartet will present the world premiere performance of composer and Sarasota native Roger Zare’s Gamma for string quartet. Harpsichordist Paolo Bordignon will join the Baroque Treasures concert, with Bobby Nunes, oboe and Phoebe Powell, harp, on May 10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call 941-306-1202. 

Beginning November 22, 2025, and continuing every Saturday* through April 25, 2026, Set Sail with Selby Gardens returns to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, offering visitors an “Old Florida” way to experience both of its bayfront campuses. This exciting maritime experience includes roundtrip transportation by boat along the Intracoastal Waterway between the Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point campuses. The experience includes full access to both campuses and a box lunch by Michael’s on East at Historic Spanish Point. The price of the excursion is $150.00 per person, and $135.00 for Selby Gardens members. The price covers the boat trip**, admission to both campuses, and the box lunch. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Dates, tickets, and additional information on Set Sail with Selby Gardens are now available online at www.selby.org 

Pines of Sarasota Foundation is deeply honored to receive a property donation appraised at more than $1 million, a meaningful gift from long-time Sarasota resident Bob Waechter. The gift was made in loving memory of his wife, Jane Cavanagh Waechter; his mother, Beatrice “Bea” Waechter Parker; and his mother-in-law, Mary Kertesz Cavanagh—three women whose lives reflected care, compassion, and community. All three women were lovingly cared for at Pines of Sarasota. Bob says, “They were embraced in a caring environment and watched over by people who loved them. The 2.2-acre parcel, including a warehouse and office near McIntosh Road and Gypsy Street, will benefit Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s mission to help care for residents who have outlived their resources. For nearly 80 years, Pines of Sarasota has served Sarasota & Manatee Counties—providing compassionate care, innovative programs, and meaningful connections for those who call Pines home. Visit pinesofsarasota.org to learn more.