Here in Sarasota our hearts and prayers go out to the wonderful people of Manchester today. My daughter is just a few years younger than the youngest of the victims. My heart breaks for these families. This is a photo of us from 2013 in front of the "Doves of Peace" sculpture in Manchester, UK.

“Beatsville” is a hip new musical making its world premiere at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. The Asolo tends to explore new musicals in late spring; and I applaud the theater’s efforts to support something so crucial to musical lovers like me – new productions. The theater world places a heavy emphasis on revivals such as the first production of the Asolo season, perhaps the most perfect Broadway musical, “Guys and Dolls," which are as they say, "s'wonderful," it is also critical to expand…

END OF THE RAINBOW by Peter Quilter. Playing now through June 4, 2017 at the freeFall Theatre Company​

A play with music about the final years in the life of Judy Garland, End of the Rainbow triumphed in London's West End in 2010/2011 and on Broadway in 2012. It's Christmas 1968, and Judy Garland is booked for six weeks of "comeback concerts" at London's Talk of the Town. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts, and the addictions are all behind her. At forty-six and with new flame…