From Producing Executive Director, Murray Chase

Our community’s response has been rapid, heartwarming, and invigorating. Local arts organizations, human services groups, foundations, businesses, and city officials have reached out, offering immediate help: classroom and office space, operating support, storage, and more. Our friends from around the nation—and the world—have reached out, asking how they can help and sending heartfelt wishes.

To all who have offered condolences and support, we send a huge “thank you.” We will need many things in the next several months to make a full comeback. Your encouragement is vital. And we will need funds, we know; even with good insurance, we will need several million dollars. If you can send help, please do so. We will be forever grateful.

Together, sooner rather than later, and stronger than ever, “we will find a way.”

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How to make a contribution from your IRA

One of the best ways you can help is by coming to a show!

  • Our MainStage Jervey Theatre was severely damaged by Hurricane Ian. It is being rebuilt and will reopen in 2024.
  • The Raymond Center, located directly behind the main building at the north end of the parking lot, is being used as a temporary performance space.
  • Our black box Pinkerton Theatre in the main building is now open!
  • Concerts are being held at the Venice Community Center, the Venice Performing Arts Center (VPAC) and Pine View School.

The Brothers Doobie

Concert

APR 18 at 7:30 pm

There’s no one in the industry today that can recreate the sound and style of the world-famous Doobie Brothers like “The Brothers Doobie.” Inspired by the Brothers' superior song writing, The Brothers Doobie delivers powerful harmonies and a fun-filled high-energy performance covering a catalog of hits spanning both the Johnston and McDonald eras.

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The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]
by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. New revisions by Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield

Comedy

May 5 – 21

Elizabethan Theatre like you’ve never seen! Three female charismatic comics play all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in just over ninety whirlwind minutes of hilarious condensation. Physical, witty, and shamelessly outrageous, it’s a cascade of joyful hijinks for those who love Shakespeare and those who don’t. Be warned - you might laugh so hard, it’ll hurt.

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We appreciate the news media continuing to cover our story of recovery from Hurricane Ian.

Some Highlights

venice theatre hurricane damage
venice theatre hurricane damage

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The west side of the main building, the lobby, the offices, and rehearsal rooms have some water damage, but are intact. We also have two other buildings on campus – The Technical Arts Center (formerly ABC Liquors) and the Raymond Center (old temporary library).

In the Raymond Center where we are building a temporary 124-seat stage, The Pinkerton Theatre, and other venues in town for concerts.

Behind the main building at the north end of the theatre parking lot, next to the bridge. There will be lots of signs and people to show the way.

Donor Carole Raymond has donated a significant amount to renovate the building into an Arts Education Center. We’ll still be doing that, but the project is delayed because of the hurricane.

Several different organizations in the community have been generously donating space. We also have a classroom in the Raymond Center. Summer classes and camps will be posted soon!

The box office has been contacting subscribers and ticket holders as quickly as possible to arrange for ticket exchanges. Be sure to check your emails!

At www.venicetheatre.org/events or by calling 941-488-1115. All of the 2022-23 shows are on sale now!

  • Donate online by clicking here. Choose “theatre restoration” as the category. You may also mail checks to Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice, FL. 34285. Our mail is being held at the post office and being picked up daily.
  • See as many shows as you can!
  • Take a class.
  • Tell our story. Spread the word about how we are still here and coming back strong!

We have excellent wind and storm insurance, but it doesn’t cover anywhere near all of the devastation. Plus, water damage was extensive, due to 12 continuous hours of torrential rain into the collapsed section. Our flood insurance covers storm surge, not “water from above.” And our business interruption insurance will cover a fraction of the operating expenses during the restoration, which may take a full year.