Can you fit a life into 90 minutes? At Florida Studio Theatre’s (FST) upcoming production, the Southeastern premiere Birthday Candles, the team gives it their best shot. The play by Noah Haidle, which originally premiered on Broadway in 2022, follows Ernestine Ashworth as she ages from 17 years old to 107, recreating the same birthday cake each year over the course of a century. Throughout the play, the audience learns of the extraordinary moments that make up one seemingly “ordinary” life, through love, heartbreak and all of the special scenes in between.

“The beauty of it is that when you pack that much life into a compact period of time, you see a 17-year-old go through relationships, marriage, the deaths of family members, that’s a pretty wide expanse,” says Richard Hopkins, producing artistic director and CEO of FST. “The play is almost metaphysical and makes you really appreciate life in general. It starts off with this teenager who is very dissatisfied with her life and wants to make a mark on the world, but as time goes by, that ambition subsides and she becomes a normal human being with needs and children who have needs as well.”

Although the story centers around Ernestine, Birthday Candles is not a one-woman show. Five other actors portray an evolving cast of family members and friends that shift as the story progresses through time. “You actually meet her family and watch them grow alongside Ernestine,” says Rebecca Hopkins, managing director of FST. “You get to see all the cycles of her life from her parents to her husband to their children together and ultimately, her grandchildren. Everyone’s life is a story and each one has drama, success and pain.”

Part of the fun for the audience is the challenge that Birthday Candles presents to the actors. Without an overt use of prosthetics or makeup, Rachel Moulton (Ernestine Ashworth), must evolve her performance as her character ages into different phases of her life. “It is a great acting challenge and that is part of the joy of the play,” says Richard Hopkins.

Birthday Candles, April 1-May 17, Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St, Sarasota. 

Peter Kendall and Rachel Moulton in FST's production of "Birthday Candles". Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

To learn more click here

Round Room Live is proud to announce Elmo’s Got the Moves, an all-new Sesame Street Live production that will travel to cities across the U.S. and Canada, with a stop in Sarasota at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on April 26, 2026 at 2 p.m. This joyful and engaging show invites children—and their families—to sing, dance, and move along with their favorite friends from Sesame Street in a heartwarming, interactive celebration unlike anything they’ve seen before. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the Veteran Air Box Office.  

Back and better than ever, don’t miss the iconic Derby and Dressage Dinner Party at TerraNova Equestrian Center. Experience the elegance of Olympic dressage followed by a lively Kentucky Derby viewing celebration. Enjoy pavilion seating for live international dressage competition, then settle in for one of the best Derby viewing experiences around. Savor a Bluegrass-inspired dinner menu, an open beer and wine bar, spirits for purchase, and complimentary mint julep cocktails and mocktails.Dress to impress—Derby hats, bold ties, and classic style encouraged—for an unforgettable evening in the heart of horse country.

Pricing:

Single: $125

Table of 2: $250

Table of 4: $500

Table of 6: $750

Fast Facts:

Pavilion opens at 4 PM

Derby post time between 6–7 PM ET

Menu includes gluten-free and vegan options 

Click Here To Learn More

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present a free performance of "Alligators & Flamingos" on Saturday, April 11 at 11am at The Bay Sarasota. "Alligators & Flamingos," part of WBTT's Rhythm & Tales program for school-age children, is an age-appropriate story whose inspiration is taken from the "wade-in" protests of beach segregation in Sarasota that started in the mid-1950s. WBTT’s Rhythm & Tales program comprises several age-appropriate shows that teach valuable lessons while offering area students – many of whom may not have regular access to arts experience – high-quality theatrical entertainment. These productions feature WBTT professional artists. WBTT is thrilled to have an ongoing partnership with The Bay Sarasota - the organization has performed many times at The Bay. 

To learn more, visit

This beloved classic has delighted audiences across the globe for over six decades. Tevye, the village milkman, is trying to provide his wife and their five daughters a life filled with prosperity, faith, and tradition. But more than one revolution is on the horizon and everything they have come to cherish hangs in the balance. One of the most beloved musicals of all time makes its long-awaited debut on the Asolo Rep stage. 

April 11 – May 24, asolorep.org/show/fiddler-on-the-roof/.