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.”
Or mail your donation to:
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice, FL 34285
A tapestry of songs that will make the earth move under your feet! If you’re down and troubled, inject your soul with some sweet rock 'n' roll and brighten up even your darkest night. Join us for Up On the Roof where a group of strangers retreat to be alone with their thoughts, only to discover solace, celebration and friendship with each other.
A funny, sweet-tempered, moving romantic comedy about three Jewish widows who meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands’ graves. The Broadway production was so popular that it was made into a film starring Ellen Burstyn, Dianne Ladd, and Olympia Dukakis.
This event is being postponed until late 2023 or 2024. In the months since Hurricane Ian damaged our main stage Jervey Theatre our staff has been working with the booking agent and several area venues to reschedule this event. We have not been able to secure any dates before June 30, 2023. New dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. If you have tickets, they will be honored for the new dates. If you have questions, please call 941-488-1115 or email info@venicetheatre.net.
A tribute to Chicago® – one the longest running and most successful pop/rock groups in history with record sales topping 100,000,000 including 21 top 10 singles, 5 consecutive number one albums, 11 number one singles, and 5 gold singles.
The story of one woman’s efforts to get her daughters into show business. Featuring musical theatre standards like “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and the show-stopping “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” GYPSY helped launch Stephen Sondheim’s career and earned Rose a place in the theatrical canon as the quintessential Stage Mother.
Through a mixture of song, dance, puppetry, and illusion, these magical folk stories of the Islamic Golden Age deliver a message of acceptance, freedom, and forgiveness.
Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, Norm Lewis, was seen as ‘Caiaphas’ in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. Mr. Lewis returned to Broadway in the Fall of 2021, starring in "Chicken and Biscuits" at the Circle In The Square Theatre. He previously appeared in the Broadway revival of "Once on This Island" and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In 2014, he made history as "The Phantom of the Opera’s" first African American Phantom on Broadway.
A lively afternoon of song and dance with 100% of the proceeds going to help rebuild Venice Theatre. Singers from Players Centre and Venice Theatre, along with the Showtime Dancers and Silver Foxes Dancers, will delight and entertain. Get your tickets early as this show will sell out!
Capturing The Four Seasons' trademark vocal virtuosity, tight harmonies, and crisp choreography, this full-blown stage show includes many mega hits of the '60s.
Tom Becker, a former member of the New Christy Minstrels, recreates the style and sound of one of America's immortal musical storytellers. Hear all your favorite John Denver songs in an evening that is sure to have you singing along.
What's a nice Greek Muse from heaven doing in 1980's Venice (California)? Romantic roller-skating! Yes, it's the cult hit musical Xanadu. This hilarious spoof of the Olivia Newton-John movie goes nostalgic on big hair, shoulder pads, leg warmers, ruthless business, and music from the Electric Light Orchestra.
This professionally-directed volunteer troupe has been bringing entertainment to the area for over 25 years. Each Spring they bring a full-scale production to our audiences, led by their beloved director, Brad Wages.
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.
A Double Bill from Playwright Ellen Byron. One ticket, two short plays! The place is the front entrance of Graceland, the late Elvis Presley's Memphis mansion, three days before the estate is to be opened to the public.
Featuring South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists Uncle Zeek. With music by Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and more!
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.
The theme of this year's show is Memories of the Lawrence Welk Show.
Venice Gondolier-Sun By Laurie Colton, Venice Theatre When Venice Theatre’s main stage and fly loft were severely damaged by the winds and rain of Hurricane Ian, the cast of the hit musical “Kinky Boots” was in the middle of rehearsals, getting ready to open the show on Oct. 21. Director/Choreographer Brad Wages had made it … Continued
Jay Handelman Sarasota Herald-Tribune Oct 21, 2022 Three weeks after Hurricane Ian ripped apart its main theater and fly loft and caused massive damage to electrical systems, costumes, stage and theater seats, Venice Theatre revealed ambitious plans to have the building ready to reopen in a little more than a year. The theater said it would open … Continued
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Four Million Dollar Question
Update from Eric Watters – $500,000 Match
Oct. 21 Update from Murray Chase
