Sarasota's Arts and Culture Scene Faces Setbacks After Hurricane Milton

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Selby Botanical Gardens have both suffered significant damage from Hurricane Milton, forcing the cancellation of numerous events and performances. Meanwhile, other arts and culture organizations in the Sarasota area have reported minimal impacts, with some weekend shows being canceled as a precaution.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Sarasota's Arts Community Perseveres Through the Storm

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall: A Devastating Blow

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a beloved institution in Sarasota, has been hit hard by the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Executive Director Mary Bensel reported that the building sustained major water damage, including the complete flooding of the orchestra pit. The kitchen was destroyed, and the dressing rooms and production offices were also impacted. The damage has forced the cancellation of all performances at the hall through at least January 1st.Bensel expressed her heartbreak over the situation, stating that the theater is her life's work. The cancelation or rescheduling of dozens of performances, including popular shows like "Dear Evan Hansen," "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical," and concerts by artists such as Billy Ocean, Leslie Jones, and The Commodores, will have a significant impact on the local arts community.The Sarasota Orchestra will also have to move or reschedule several concerts, including the first concert led by music director designate Giancarlo Guerrero in November. The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe had planned its 25th anniversary celebration at the Van Wezel, which will now need to be reworked.Despite the setback, Bensel remains optimistic, stating that the theater's motto is "the show will go on" and that they are determined to move forward with the second half of the season once the necessary repairs are completed.

Selby Botanical Gardens: Weathering the Storm

Selby Botanical Gardens, another iconic Sarasota institution, has also been affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Both the main downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point location in Osprey have been closed due to various issues.At the Sarasota campus, President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki reported that there was no power and some downed power lines. Approximately 20% of the newly installed solar panels were also damaged. The conservatory and greenhouses suffered broken glass, and there was damage to the boardwalk in the Ann Goldstein Children's Rainforest Garden. Additionally, several shipwrecked boats ran aground on the campus.The situation at the Historic Spanish Point location was even more severe, with about 20 major trees down and blocking access and paths. A chimney on the White Cottage collapsed, and there was significant damage to the Cock's Footbridge. The entire run of the Lights at Spooky Point event, scheduled for October 12-31, has been canceled.Despite the challenges, Rominiecki remains optimistic about the future, stating that the new main campus buildings and historic structures appear to be in good condition, and the organization is committed to restoring the gardens to their former glory.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe: Weathering the Storm

The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, located near downtown Sarasota, also experienced some impacts from Hurricane Milton. The theater lost an awning that crashed into the parking lot, taking down some electrical equipment. The theater was without power on Friday afternoon and expected to cancel all weekend performances of "Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition," which was scheduled to open on Saturday night.Executive Director Julie Leach noted that the damage could have been much worse, with the original awning costing around 0,000 to replace. The interior of the building was not significantly impacted, and the theater is determined to bounce back and continue its mission of showcasing the talents of the local Black community.

Sarasota Opera: Weathering the Storm

The historic Sarasota Opera House in downtown Sarasota suffered minimal damage from Hurricane Milton. While the roof came off the pavilion building adjacent to the opera house on Pineapple Avenue, and the Peterson Great Room experienced some water damage, General Director Richard Russell stated that the damage should not impact the fall season, which features a concert program instead of a fully staged opera.Russell expressed confidence that the necessary repairs will be completed in time for the winter season rehearsals to begin in January, ensuring that the Sarasota Opera can continue to captivate audiences with its world-class performances.

Circus Arts Conservatory: Adapting and Overcoming

The Circus Arts Conservatory, which has dealt with flooding issues multiple times this year, was better prepared for Hurricane Milton. Executive Vice President and COO Jennifer Mitchell reported that the organization had implemented flood mitigation measures, and while there was some flooding in the administrative offices and other buildings on the campus, the arena itself "fared very well."The Conservatory plans to move its administrative offices to a second-floor location to avoid future flooding issues and is also preparing to erect its circus tent at Benderson Park for the upcoming holiday season production of "Wonderland." Mitchell expressed confidence in the Conservatory's ability to adapt and overcome the challenges posed by the storm.

Florida Studio Theatre: Resilience and Determination

The Florida Studio Theatre in downtown Sarasota suffered minimal damage and was able to resume performances on Friday night. Managing Director Rebecca Hopkins said the theater had to move some of its artists out of apartments that didn't have power, but the overall impact was relatively minor.Hopkins expressed relief that the theater's preparations, including moving tables, chairs, and equipment out of the way, paid off. She emphasized the importance of the theater being able to reopen quickly, providing a space for the community to gather, enjoy air conditioning, and experience live performances.

Urbanite Theatre: Embracing the Challenge

The Urbanite Theatre, which is set to open its production of "Jennifer Who Is Leaving" on Friday, weathered the storm with minimal impact. Producing Artistic Director Summer Wallace said the theater suffered no significant damage and had power restored.In a gesture of community support, Urbanite is offering free tickets for early performances around the opening, providing a "Milton ticket option" for those in need of a laugh and a sense of community. Wallace expressed the theater's commitment to being a beacon of hope and resilience during these challenging times.

Venice Theatre: Continuing the Rebuilding Effort

The Venice Theatre, which is still recovering from the millions of dollars in damage it sustained during Hurricane Ian two years ago, canceled Friday night performances of "Agnes of God" and "The Torch Bearers" due to the impact of Hurricane Milton. However, a spokeswoman stated that she was not aware of any major damage from the winds and rain that hit the Venice area.The Venice Theatre is in the midst of a multi-million-dollar repair and restoration project for its mainstage Jervey Theatre and is working to raise more than million to help complete the project. Despite the setback, the theater remains determined to rebuild and continue serving the community.Sarasota's arts and culture community has faced a significant challenge in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, but the resilience and determination of these organizations are shining through. As they work to restore their facilities and reschedule events, the community can take solace in the fact that the show will indeed go on, and Sarasota's vibrant arts scene will emerge stronger than ever.