Top July arts events in Sarasota-Manatee area

July is often a slow month in the Sarasota area arts scene, but it has turned out to be a busy one this year, with several new stage productions, two theaters giving a test drive to new works with staged readings, art exhibits and a lot of improv comedy with the return of the Sarasota Improv Festival at Florida Studio Theatre. Here is a look at some of what’s happening.

‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’

Ken Ludwig, the author of such hits as “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Crazy for You” and stage versions of “Murder on the Orient Express” and “The Three Musketeers,” finds inspiration closer to home with his new play “Dear Jack, Dear Louise.” Audiences meet stage versions of Ludwig’s own parents, who meet through an exchange of letters during World War II. His father was a military doctor in Oregon and his mother was an aspiring actress and dancer. July 3-Aug. 11, Florida Studio Theatre, Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. $25-$46. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

‘Freedom! The Musical’

FST Improv presents an Independence Day-themed show inspired by the story of the American Revolution that looks into the backstory behind major historic events, which may have some comedic connection to actual history. The cast of improvisers shares those stories in a musical format made up on the spot. 7:30 p.m. July 6, Bowne’s Lab, Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $18. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

Student artist showcase

Arts Advocates will showcase the recipients of its 2024 scholarships with an exhibition that includes visual art and video of performances by the winning students. 2-4 p.m. Saturdays July 6-Aug. 31, Arts Advocates Gallery, Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; artsadvocates.org

‘Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan’

The Ringling opens an exhibition of 41 ceramic sculptures by 36 contemporary female Japanese artists. It includes veterans of the field who remain active today as well as emerging artists, such as Mori Aya and Kawaura Saki. The exhibit comes from the collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz and is curated by Janice Katz, the Roger L. Weston Associate Curator of Japanese Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, which organized the show. July 6-April 6, 2025. The Ringling, Chao Center for Asian Art. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 941-359-5700; ringling.org

‘The Sleeping Beauty’

Tchaikovsky’s familiar music is paired with the choreography of Petipa for this classic ballet performed by the Royal Ballet in this HD at the Opera House presentation. Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov star in the production, with Koen Kessels leading the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. 1:30 p.m. July 7, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $20, $18 for Sarasota Opera subscribers and $12 for students. 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org

Sarasota Players New Play Festival

The Sarasota Players launches its annual new play reading series with five new plays by area authors and featuring local actors and directors. Performances are daily at 7:30 p.m. July 8-12. In order they include Douglas Gearhart’s “Life is Small”; Bill Bozzone’s “Yumee and Jack”; Hannah Mitchell’s “Happy Endings Wedding Chapel, a play in one week”; Jenna Jane’s “Life Corp”; and Mimi Ayers’ “Man 2 Man A HueMan Race Play in Two Acts.” Sarasota Players, Crossings at Siesta Key Shopping Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Suite 1130. $10 per reading, $24 for 3, $35 for all five. 941-365-2494; theplayers.org

2024 Hermitage STARs

Five arts teachers from across Florida have been selected for residencies at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, which leads to a public program of the work they have been developing. It is a family-friendly showcase presented in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto counties and the Englewood YMCA. This year’s teachers represent Polk, Hillsborough, Columbia, Leon and Seminole counties. They include instructors in glass, ceramics and sculpture, theater and music. 2 p.m. July 12, Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. $5 registration. hermitageartistretreat.org

Sarasota Improv Festival

The 14th annual festival brings together more than 16 top improv troupes from across the country and Chile. The two-day festival features multiple performances in various venues on the Florida Studio Theatre campus. This year’s headliner is the Los Angeles-based Impro Theatre. Along with returning favorites like SAK Comedy Lab, Dad’s Garage and Available Cupholders, troupes new to the festival include Jet Eveleth from Los Angeles, Lospleimovil from Chile, and Brotha, Sista from Minneapolis. There also will be improv workshops during the day. July 12-13, Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Most shows are $10. Impro Theatre is $25. Passes are $49 for Friday, $59 for Saturday and $75 for both days. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

Newish Jewish Play Reading Series

Sarasota Jewish Theatre presents staged readings of “newish” works 7 p.m. Mondays July 15-29. The series opens July 15 with Gary Morgenstein’s “Dancing on Glass,” about two broken families drawn into a case of antisemitism. Carole Braverman’s “Original Tenants” on July 22 is described as an “Our Town” set in Brooklyn. The final play is Wendy Kout’s “We are the Levinsons” is about what happens when an adult daughter moves in with her newly widowed father. Sarasota Players, Crossings at Siesta Key Shopping Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Suite 1130. $12 per play or $30 for all three. 941-365-2494; theplayers.org

Florida Highwaymen talk

Arts Advocates presents the discussion “6 of 26: Six of the Original Florida Highwaymen Artists’ Paintings in the Arts Advocates Collection.” It will be led by lead docent Stephenie Frasher, who will talk about work by Alfred Hair, Al Black, Rodney Demps, James Gibson, John Maynor and Sam Newton. She will include video clips of the artists demonstrating their painting style and discussing their personal stories. 4-6 p.m. July 16, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $5 for non-members, free for Arts Advocates members. artsadvocates.org

‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.’

Student performers in a summer theater camp at the Manatee Performing Arts Center present a stage version of the popular Disney animated movie. It’s the story of a mermaid who dreams of living on land and falling in love with a prince, but her efforts are threatened by the power-hungry Ursula, who steals the mermaid’s voice. 7 p.m. July 19, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. $20 for adults. 941-748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com

‘I puritani’

Vincenzo Bellini’s final opera is performed by the De Nederlandse Opera company in this HD at the Opera House screening. Staged with a darkly dramatic flair by Francisco Negrin, the opera is about how Elvira’s love for Arturo overcomes the power games happening in Puritan England. Mariola Contarero stars as Elvira opposite John Osborn as Lord Arturo Talbo. Giuliano Carella directs the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus of De Nederlandse Opera. 1:30 p.m. July 21, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. $20, $18 for Sarasota Opera subscribers and $12 for students. 941-328-1300; sarasotaopera.org

‘The Outsider’

Florida Studio Theatre presents the regional premiere of Paul Slade Smith’s comedy about politics, without the divisive aspects of politics. It’s about a guy who seems to be the worst possible candidate ever to run for office, and he doesn’t want to be governor. But somehow, Ned Newley might be just what voters are looking for. July 24-Aug. 18, Florida Studio Theatre, Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $25-$46. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

‘Interrupted History’

Jeffery Renard Allen, the author of six books of fiction and poetry, including the novel “Song of the Shank,” joins with Iranian artist Yasi Alipour for a Hermitage Artist Retreat program that focuses on how artists deal with expression and history in different mediums. 6:30 p.m. July 25, Hermitage Beach, 6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood. $5 registration. Hermitageartistretreat.org

‘In the Round’

Sarasota Contemporary Dance continues its series of live performances during its Summer Intensive Programs, which gives choreographers a chance to start developing new work on dancers. Audience members get a chance to provide feedback following each performance during a discussion with Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. 7 p.m. July 26, SCD Studio, 1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300, Sarasota. $20-$25, $10 student rush, $10 for virtual streaming. sarasotacontemporarydance.org

‘We Are Still Tornadoes’

Tree Fort Productions presents a stage version of Michael Kun and Susan Mullen’s 2016 novel “We Are Still Tornadoes,” adapted for the theater by Indianapolis-based playwright Lou Harry. It’s about Cath and Scott, who have been friends and neighbors all their lives, and how they cope with the challenges after high school graduation. Liam Ireland is Scott and Ciana-Noelle Bostock is Cath in the staging by artistic director Katherine Michelle Tanner. July 26-28, Tree Fort Productions, Crossings at Siesta Key, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $30. treefortproductions.com

‘The End of the World (with a 15-minute intermission)’

FST Improv creates a fully improvised and original motion picture live on stage. The cast of “We’re Doomed” presents a disaster movie based on whatever title is suggested by the audience. 7:30 p.m. July 27. Bowne’s Lab, Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First St., Sarasota. $15-$18. 941-366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org

Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration

For the first time since the multi-museum collaborative began in 2017, the Sarasota Art Museum joins with the Ringling Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, the Tampa Museum of Art and University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum to highlight the work of artists on all sides of Tampa Bay. Curators from the five museums selected 66 local artists from among 300 who responded to an open call. Sarasota Art Museum will feature 15 artists working in a range of media and at different stages in their careers. July 28-Oct. 27. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org

Modern Masterpiece Uncovered

Sarasota Art Museum puts a spotlight on Victor Lundy’s 1959 Galloway’s Furniture Showroom, a round, glass-enclosed building that showcased what was for sale inside. In the 1980s, a renovation concealed the original structure and windows and it became known as a home to a VisionWorks outlet. A new exhibition takes visitors inside the cultural significance of the building and its relation to the Sarasota School of Architecture, as well as highlighting Lundy’s other work in the area. Among the curators is Marty Hylton, president of Architecture Sarasota. July 28-Oct. 27. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org

Continuing

Art Center Sarasota

“Beyond Comfort” is the theme for this year’s Art Center Sarasota annual juried regional show, which allows artists to define and explore aesthetics while exploring different concepts of beauty and how it factors into art. Art on display is available for purchase. The juror is Virginia Shearer, executive director of the Sarasota Art Museum. Through July 27. 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-365-2032; artsarasota.org

Summer Circus Spectacular

Circus Sarasota and The Ringling join together for this annual summer tradition in the Historic Asolo Theater. This intimate circus production features contortionist Uranbileg Angarag, the Bello Sisters acrobatic hand balancing, a hair hang act by Camille Langlois; slack wire by Antino Pansa and clowning by the returning Renaldo. Jared Walker serves as master of ceremonies. Through Aug. 17, Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. $20, $15 for children ages 12 and younger. 941-360-7399; ringling.org/event/fy25-summer-circus-3

The Ringling

“Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration,” with exhibitions at five museums on both sides of the Skyway Bridge, begins at The Ringling and will include the Sarasota Art Museum for the first time (July 28-Oct. 27). Through Jan. 26. skywaytampabay.com . “On the Road,” a showcase of work by photographers Jill Freedman and Randal Levenson, who captured the lives of carnival and circus performers in the 1970s, continues through Aug. 25 in the Searing Galleries. “Embodied,” highlighting the human figure with pieces from the museum’s collection of modern and contemporary art, continues through Sept. 21, 2025. “Shinique Smith: Parade,” focused on European artistic tradition, continues through Jan. 5, 2025; “Shared Vision: Art and Empathy,” a project with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, is on display through Aug. 8 in the Community Gallery. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 941-359-5700; ringling.org

Ringling College

In 2001, Sarasota artist Jack Dowd unveiled a massive installation he called “Last Call” featuring a 22-foot mahogany bar with 13 life-size characters hanging around it. It was meant to evoke the spirit of the kinds of bars he used to manage earlier in his career. The installation was first seen at the Ringling Museum of Art, but this summer, you can see it in the Stulberg Gallery at Ringling College of Art and Design through Aug. 16. 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-359-7563; ringling.edu/galleries

Sarasota Art Museum

“Impact: Contemporary Artists at the Hermitage Artist Retreat” continues through July 7, highlighting work by 10 artists who have been fellows at the artist retreat on Manasota Key. “The Truth of the Night Sky,” a collaboration between multimedia artist Anne Patterson and composer and sound artist Patrick Harlin, who also have ties to the Hermitage, continues through Sept. 29. Molly Hatch’s “Amalgam,” a display of ceramics that covers walls on two floors, continues through April 26, 2026. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 941-309-4300; sarasotaartmuseum.org

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Top July arts events in Sarasota-Manatee area