#AsoloRep

[gaymormonmike]

INHERIT THE WIND

I recently saw the play with music, Inherit The Wind, at the Asolo/ U of South Fl theatre.  It was fantastic. I want to share why I think  it is still relevant. First some background. It is a play written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee that opened on Broadway in 1955.It was based on the Scopes monkey trial in Tennessee in 1925. Tenn. had passed a law preventing the teaching of evolution to high school students. The ACLU wanted to challenge the law in court and arranged for a teacher to confess to teaching evolution.  The trial lawyers were 2 of the most famous attorneys in the nation. William Jennings Bryant, who ran for and lost the Presidency three times and Clarence Darrow. Lawrence and Lee had something more in mind than Biblical creation versus Darwin’s theories of evolution. They were responding to the McCarthy attacks on artists because of their alleged communists’ views. The play attacks the idea of disavowing critical thinking. The authors wanted us to question why children or anyone could not be exposed to many, diverse ideas and then use their own minds and power to think to determine the truth for them. They also wanted us to consider that rural America with its’ rigid views was passing away with the increase of urban living. They expressed that more open views were a healthier way of life.  The play has caught the imagination of so many as it has been made into motion pictures four times and the starring roles have been played by every important actor of the 20th century.

Now, in 2023, it is being staged in Florida. In my opinion, its’ relevance is even more important, especially in FL. Laws passed in Florida prevent the teaching of sexual and other topics to students in state schools. An even more restrictive law is being considered that would limit social media to people over the age of 18. Like the people in Tenn. in 1925, the legislature in Florida does not believe students can think for themselves. They want to prevent them from receiving information about various topics, including LBGTQA related topics in a school. And they also want to keep them from using social media. The censorship is scary. The magnificent play Inherit the Wind shows the stark contrast between forcing people to accept what some group wants them to accept versus allowing children and all people to hear and read various points of view and using critical thinking to come to their own decisions. I applaud Asolo Rep for their production and doing it at a time when Floridians need a reminder of what a fascist state really looks like.

[howboutjoey]

Lulu is basically the #evita of chihuahuas. Thanks, #asolorep@for inspiring my dog. . . . . #chihuahua #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #chihuahuasofinstagram #puppy #chihuahualove #dogs #instadog #chihuahualife #pet #cute #doglover #love #dogoftheday #chihuahualover #chihuahuas #chihuahuafanatics #pets #petstagram #puppies #ilovemydog #chihuahuastagram #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove #instapuppy #chihuahuaworld #instagramdogs

[sweatsandshots]

Opening night! ⭐️ So happy to be working at this amazing company with such a star cast! #blessed #asolorep #gloria #understudylife #happiness (at Asolo Repertory Theatre)

[lisarreeves]

Happy Birthdaypalooza was a success. Two days and three nights of Party, Dinner and Theater to celebrate a half century of Kevin. #birthdaypalooza #halfcentury #happybirthday @asolorep @remedytampa @charleyssteakhouse 🎂 🥳 🎉 #TampaIsAGreatPlaceToLive #ListItAndSoldByLisaReeves #ListingsAreGlobalwithLisaReeves (at Club Reeves) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXXE_Z_M_88/?utm_medium=tumblr

[lauraosnessource]

You’re the top, @sarasotaorchestra! What a thrill to sing with you alongside the brilliant, golden-voiced @thenormlewis, and extra special to be back in Sarasota for the first time since #BonnieandClyde at @asolorep! Many thanks to @catherine__deane for these epic gowns and to the dear friends & fam who came to Sarasota to cheer me on!

[destinniecherrelle]

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Stephen posted a video to Instagram: Tonight is bittersweet. It was TJ’s last performance and tomorrow is RJ’s last performance. It’s been a loooong two months for my entire family; and although I’m so ready to go back to our normal lives, it was such a great experience! Most nights RJ went on stage and did his own thing, but hey! How much can you expect from a tired 3 year old? 🤷🏾‍♀️ TJ however actually says he wants to be an actor now. Whatever the future brings, I’m all for it 🤗 #Ragtime #AsoloRep #AsoloTheater #CoalhouseWalkerIII #TheaterKids #TheaterMom https://ift.tt/2J5sy9U

[bistrowen-blog]

Midsummer <3's Doak! #asolorep #midsummerasolo

[gaymormonmike]

MAN OF LA MANCHA

Musical based on Cervantes Don Quixote has relevance to me today. I saw the Asolo Rep production last night. It is superb. Mauricio Martinez sang The Impossible Dream just the way you want to hear it. I first saw Man of La Mancha at the Eden Theatre in New York City in 1971. It opened in a tent (1965) in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Richard Kiley played the starring role and won a Tony for it. It moved to Broadway in March 1968. It had a brief showing at the Eden where I saw it and then moved back to Broadway. It had 2328 Broadway performances in all. I saw David Atkinson in the title role. He had an operatic tenor voice perfect for the role. Last night, I was moved in several ways by this wonderful story and amazing re-telling. Don Quixote is either a mad man or a God. He sees the world in ways no one else does. He is able to turn the hearts of the criminals he is imprisoned with due to his belief that he is a knight destined to save the world from danger, and wickedness. He sings about all the good and noble values of this life; Tops it with the Quest, the passion and life pursuit of the Impossible Dream. He converts Aldonza from a lowlife to Dulcinea, a woman of virtue. How does this story resonate with me? I felt the hope in my heart that goodness would prevail. I believed   that my attitude and affirming spirit can change myself and others to see their passion and destiny. It makes me believe that I can change because others see in me what I cannot see. As I read of the despair and the hopes of the queer community, I felt that the connection with the goodness of others and the hope we all must be able to be ourselves and to honor ourselves and to love ourselves is our Possible Dream.

[sweatsandshots]

Final preview tonight and... we open tomorrow! This cast is incredible! If you are in the Sarasota area you must come check out this important, relevant production 🎭⭐️ #asolorep #gloria #happiness (at Asolo Repertory Theatre)

[sweatsandshots]

🎭🎭🎭 #happiness #actorslife #understudylife #blessed #asolorep #gloria #brandenjacobsjenkins (at Asolo Repertory Theatre)

[howboutjoey]

Loved working with @sarasotaphotostudio on some cool shots at @asolorep. Repost from @sarasotaphotostudio - ABC-7’s Joey Panek at the Asolo Rep | www.SarasotaPhotoStudio.com • • • • • #actor #tv #television #tvshow #series #acting #actorslife #theatre #actors #tvhost #host #actorlife #show #media #entertainment #radio #handsome #producer #sarasotaphotographer #commercialphotographer #portraitphotographer #floridaphotographer #sarasotaflorida #sarasota #srq #asolorep (at Asolo Repertory Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/By7-w8tHAMf/?igshid=3ewlibv7745v

[howboutjoey]

Seeing the final performance of CAKE at @asolorep! 🍰🎂 (at Asolo Repertory Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwzugFnA5Mb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tmwx9m71yhwm

[howboutjoey]

Opening night of NOISES OFF at @asolorep! (at Asolo Repertory Theatre) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvVHdS_huTb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17rcag9qh8b84

[howboutjoey]

Backstage with Michael Edwards and the fabulous ladies behind @asolorep’s gala! (at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota) https://www.instagram.com/p/Buhz18chZ4h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s2ypy23oem6b

[howboutjoey]

Emceeing the @asolorep gala (at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuhxtrdBSFh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mfuylqin7k1c

[howboutjoey]

“Joey Panek opened the event by telling the audience tonight was about ‘three things I love: food, beer and men.’” Yes, I sure did! Emceeing Men Who Cook and Brew for @asolorep. (📷: Kayleigh Omang, @observergroup) (at Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens)