Venice Theatre

Richard Robinson, Jeremy Guerrero, Jessica Szempruch and Rebecca Phippard play all 19 characters in this quirky and poignant romantic comedy where couples fall in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.

By John Cariani
Directed by Kelly Wynn Woodland

"Almost, Maine at Venice Theatre was a wonderful show. Full of heart ... If you need an injection of feel-good emotions go see it."
~ Audience member, Jeremy Stone

A little bit about the show

Having trouble finding audition material that he liked, playwright and actor John Cariani wrote several monologues and short scenes for himself. With encouragement from a New York director, those scenes became what is now the full-length play Almost, Maine.

The action takes place in the present at various locales throughout the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. Everything happens at 9 p.m. on a clear, moonless, slightly surreal night in the middle of the deepest part of a northern Maine winter.

Trivia

Almost, Maine has surpassed Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream as the most-produced play in North American high schools.

Our stellar cast brings to life the Leiber & Stoller songs "On Broadway", "Hound Dog", "Yakety Yak", "Teach Me How to Shimmy", "Stand By Me" and 34 more!

The Songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Directed and Choreographed by Brad Wages
Musical Direction by Michelle Kasanofsky
Sponsored by The Gulf Coast Community Foundation

Our production of "Smokey Joe's" ... by the numbers

• Performers who've worked professionally including on Broadway, National Tours, and Cruise Lines: 9
• Advanced Theatre/Music degrees in the group: At least 7
• Performers you know and love: 5
• Performers making their Venice Theatre debut: 4
• R & B / rock 'n' roll hits in the show: 39
• Performances of the original Smokey Joe's Cafe making it the longest-running Broadway review EVER: 2,036
• Number of days 'til our opening night: 4
• Minutes you should wait to buy your tickets: 0

Don't be afraid to take the plunge! Sign up for a class today!

Classes for ages 4 - 104 start again next week!

Just a few of our offerings:

• Telling Tales! Creative Play for K-1
• For Girls Only!/For Boys Only! Intermediate Musical Theatre
• Kings, clocks and dogs! Audition Prep for The Phantom Tollbooth
• Everything you've ever wanted to know about theatre ... but were afraid to ask ... with Murray Chase.
• SPRING BREAK CAMP for grades K-8. March 12 - 16, 2012.

You can help us raise $1,400 for four scholarships for our winter and spring Education Programs.

Give a child the opportunity to build confidence, engage their imaginations and deepen their love of the arts through performance education.

They'll learn about acting, set design & construction, lighting, costuming and back stage operations, putting on a fully-mounted production at the end.

These skills not only prepare them to work in theatre, but also to meet the many challenges in life and deal with them creatively.

The Lord-Higel House was built in 1896. Pictured here circa 1938.

As part of the City of Venice's year-long anniversary celebration, Venice Theatre was commissioned to produce a play about Venice's history.

After months of research and writing, our playwright-in-residence Ronald Krine Myroup is proud to present "The Two Gentlemen of Venice" on Saturday, January 14 at 11:30 a.m. at the Lord-Higel House at 409 Granada Ave.

The Lord-Higel House is named for its first owner/builder (Joseph H. Lord) and first resident/grove manager (George Higel). Myroup's two-man play introduces us to these two founding fathers of Venice. Actors Steven Flaa and Doug Landin will portray Lord and Higel respectively.

Please come out on the 14th to support your community and your theatre.

A Tribute to John Denver
Sunday at 8 p.m.
Monday at 3 & 8 p.m.

Tom Becker, a former member of the New Christy Minstrels, recreates the style and sound of one of America’s immortal musical storytellers. If you saw him last year, you know what we mean!

He'll play all your favorite John Denver songs in an evening that is sure to have you singing along.

"My wife & I were absolutely mesmerized by Tom a few nights ago at one of his concerts in Illinois. Unlike a few others, Tom is not trying to be John Denver...after all who could....but the similarities in music and voice are just remarkable and so very enjoyable ... This was a wonderful and memorable evening indeed." ~ Bob & Dawn

Get your tickets! Click to buy online or call (941) 488-1115.

A Venice Theatre all-time favorite!

Sunday at 8 p.m.
Monday at 3 & 8 p.m.

Best known for their hit "Little Darlin'", the Diamonds offer tight harmonies, humor and lively choreography in a blast-from-the-past celebration featuring such hits as "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?", "The Stroll" and "Silhouettes."

Classic Rock and Roll at its finest!

Sunday and Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Dates: Apr 19-May 6, 2012
A Stage II Classic Comedy
Directed by Murray Chase

You may have read that Venice Theatre is one of several Sarasota County organizations to have received a grant from the Selby Foundation to install state-of-the art technology for our patrons who are hearing impaired.

The "T-coil" system has just been installed in the Pinkerton and is in the process of being installed in the MainStage. There will be a period of time where we will be working with the system to make adjustments and we'll be asking for your help and feedback.

We are delighted to be able to offer this service so that all of our patrons can enjoy our shows to the fullest.

If you have questions about whether your hearing aid is compatible with the T-coil system, it is recommended that you discuss this with your audiologist.

The Web site www.hearingloop.org is also a wonderful resource.