Fabulous Fun. Asolo Repertory Theater’s production of Guys and Dolls is the perfect antidote for any lingering post-election blues. Energetic, boisterous, lively, romantic, it’s hard to find enough adjectives to describe the sheer fun of it all. I had never seen this musical before and was caught up in the music and the fast-paced dancing. And pleased to discover that I even knew a couple of the songs, ”Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” The subtitle of the work is “A Musical Fable of Broadway,” and reflecting that, the action is set on Broadway and in a Salvation Army-like mission and features gamblers and show girls and the most unlikely of romantic pairings. It runs until January 1, so if you’re local, treat yourself!
Christmas Concert
Tucked just in from Sarasota Bay, the Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota’s sanctuary is both elegant and cozy. This week we attended “This Day, a concert of Christmas-related music by the Musica Sacra Cantorum, part of the church’s Great Music Concert Series which runs from December through next May. This concert mixed the familiar, “The Holly and the Ivy”, “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and “Joy to the World” (all verses) with the new and the unexpected. British composer John Rutter is one of my favorites (“All Things Bright and Beautiful”) and we heard his three-movement, “Gloria,” along with works by John Tavener and the hauntingly beautiful, “Shine on This Shining Night,” by Morton Lauridsen. Much honored and lauded, Lauridsen’s name and work were previously unknown to me.
Bob Parrish, the choir director, is a warm and engaging presence at the podium. The program was an ambitious one and at some points challenging for the singers. But overall, an enjoyable paean to the season.
Fresh Fish
For fresh and tasty fish in downtown Sarasota, I highly recommend Duval’s on Main Street. We’ve had lunch there a number of times, but dinner perhaps only once before. This week we took our visiting friend Barb and were delighted. It’s a place where when you walk in, the décor leads you to expect an acceptable casual meal. In our experience, the food consistently trumps the ambience.
Two of us enjoyed the grilled red snapper with a choice of sides. I opted for the lightly sautéed spinach (one of my favorite vegetables) and requested the fried green tomatoes. They were not technically one of the sides, but were being offered in a modified caprese salad. Also tasty were the corn and lobster mac and cheese and a Caesar salad (large enough to share). Our waitress was charming and knowledgeable—the next day we spotted her at the Asolo Theater. Small world.
Header photo: http://www.bradenton.com/entertainment/article115230988.html; Brass: Christmas-brass.jpg
