In 1992, Florida joined the Fringe movement. Everything started with the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, which is both the oldest uncensored Fringe festival in the United States and still going strong. Orlando Fringe remains true to its roots: 100% of the ticket sales go back to the artists, and there’s no jury to gatekeep. The “anyone can play, anything goes” approach inspired communities throughout the state to create their own spaces for alternative theater.

Other Florida spots have joined in the Fringe fun. Key West’s Fringe Theater (launched in 2009) and Sarasota’s Florida Studio Theatre (which actually goes back to 1973, originally as a touring group) both shaped the state’s alternative theater culture. They focus on community, bring in audiences who often get ignored by mainstream venues, and prioritize risk.

Just over an hour’s drive to the south of Englewood, Fort Myers is celebrating The 4th Annual Fort Myers Fringe Festival on May 28-31. The schedule includes musical storytelling, international cabaret, original student work, and a gorilla in a rocking chair.

Among the featured shows: 

“Beers About Songs,” a comic musical about the ups and downs of love and loss, where singer-songwriter Ryan Adam Wells mixes true stories with original songs. 

There’s “Anatomica: A Comedy About Meat, Bones & The Skin You’re In,” which is a mix of clowning, stand-up, and a thorough exploration of what it means to have a body, all performed by the delightfully quirky Amica Hunter. 

Australian storyteller Jon Bennett brings “Fire in the Meth Lab,” a wild and honest account of his brother’s misadventures involving, yes, a meth lab explosion. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also the Fringe-cult classic, “A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking in a Rocking Chair for 56 Minutes and Then Leaves,” which is a cult hit from the original Edinburgh Festival that’s as much about watching the crowd as the gorilla in question.

Don’t skip the youth entries: Cypress Lake Center for the Arts students tackle “Why Won’t Zee Quack?” (about an autistic duck who saves his family) and “Elektra,” a modern retelling of the Greek myth. Carmen Crussard directs them both.

Everything kicks off Thursday, May 28, at Off Broadway Palm Theatre with a party and teaser session. Every act gets three minutes to convince you they’re worth your ticket. “Fire in the Meth Lab” opens the festival proper later that night. Over the weekend, you can catch multiple performances every day. 

By Sunday, May 31, “Josephine: A Burlesque Cabaret Dream” wraps it all up for one night only. Tymisha Harris tells Josephine Baker’s story with all the energy, heartbreak, and courage Baker herself brought to the stage (and the streets). Critics can’t get enough of this show, calling Harris “a tour de force” and the entire production “a triumphant homage.”

Fringe tickets are affordable, and you can easily catch a few shows in an afternoon.

You want fearless theater? This is where you find it. Whether you’re seeking a laugh, a gut punch, or just something you’ve never seen before, the Fort Myers Fringe Festival delivers. It’s culture without a filter, just like Fringe was meant to be.

Click here to go to their website for more information.

Dates: May 28 – 31, 2026
Location: Off Broadway Palm Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
Tickets: Highly accessible, with standard show tickets priced at just $15 each with preview teaser at $5. 

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Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, and directed by Jenni Elliot, this play dives into the lives of five Southern women who’ve stuck together since their college swim team days. Every August, they drop everything—husbands, kids, jobs—and escape to the same beach cottage, the Sweet Delilah, tucked away on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It’s their annual tradition: reconnect, swap stories, laugh till they cry, and yes, meddle in each other’s business. The show zooms in on four of those weekends, spanning thirty-three years.

Over time, these women lean on each other more and more, tossing around advice and trading wild banter as they tackle everything from marriage and motherhood to divorce and getting older. When one of them faces a big shake-up in the second act, the rest don’t hesitate—they show up with all the loyalty and love you’d expect from old teammates. 

“The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” is a funny, heartfelt look at friendship, showing how it can weather just about anything. These five women will stick with you long after the curtain falls.
The production runs from January 14 to February 8, 2026, and tickets are just $30. Swing by our Box Office on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or grab your seats anytime online at Lemonbayplayhouse.com. You’ll find us at 96 W Dearborn St in Englewood.

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Get ready for laughter and mischief as “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” takes the stage at Lemon Bay Playhouse beginning Wednesday, September 3 from 7:30 to 10pm. In this spirited comedy, famed actress Myra Marlowe escapes the spotlight by retreating to a quiet New England town to pen her autobiography. But peace proves elusive thanks to her meddlesome neighbors. To scare them off, Myra invents a deranged sister named “Sadie”—a ploy that spirals hilariously out of control when “Sadie” starts attracting romantic attention and rumors of foul play swirl. Don’t miss this clever romp full of disguises, small-town antics, and theatrical surprises! A Bad Year for Tomatoes runs through Sunday, September 21, offering both evening and matinee performances. For tickets and details, visit LemonBayPlayhouse.com or call 941•475•6756. Pictured standing L to R are Kathleen Gallagher as Willa Mae Wilcox, Mike Gilbert as Piney, Tom Athens as Sheriff, Mary Ellen Reser as Cora Gump, Nancy Huffaker as Reba Harper. Pictured on sofa L to R are Michael Onori as Tom Lamont (Shared role), Jill Schroader as Myra Marlowe/Sadie, Jim Manns as Tom Lamont (Shared role).

Charlotte Players presents “Looking”, a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the unexpected twists of middle-aged romance. When Val and Andy arrange to meet on a blind date, they bring along friends Nina and Matt for support, sparking a chain of events filled with high romance and contagious laughter. Performances run September 11–21 at the Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte, with evening shows on Thursday and Friday at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees. Tickets are $31 and can be reserved by calling 941•255•1022 or visiting CharlottePlayers.org. Don’t miss this witty, warm production that proves it’s never too late to find love. Pictured L to R are Schott Holcomb (Andy), Dallas Rivers (Matt), Wendi Scianna (Nina), and Jennifer Miles (Val). Photo by Stephen Lineberry.

From September 1 through September 30, Sea Grape Gallery will showcase the artwork of Sue Krasny, a talented oil, acrylic, and mixed media artist. Krasny’s paintings capture a strong sense of place through bold uses of color and light, drawing inspiration from her travels across the United States and abroad. Her works range from richly textured oil paintings created with a palette knife to playful acrylics with luminous paint and collages incorporating handmade papers, shells, and found objects. Krasny pursued her art in depth after retiring to Florida, studying in local workshops and traveling extensively, experiences that continue to shape her subjects and style. Many of her vibrant pieces will be on display at Sea Grape Gallery, with additional works from her and other gallery artists available at www.seagrapegallery.com. Sea Grape Gallery is located at 113 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. For more information, call 941•575•1718. Pictured is “Day is Done” by artist Sue Krasny.

Englewood Performing Arts Series Announces 2025–2026 Season Lineup
The Englewood Performing Arts Series, presented at Englewood Methodist Church, has unveiled its 2025–2026 season featuring six concerts spanning classical, jazz, rock, Broadway, and more, all beginning at 7pm. The season opens Friday, December 5 with The String Queens bringing holiday favorites in genre-blending style, followed by Chicago Transit’s high-energy tribute to Chicago on Friday, January 23. On Friday, February 6, MANIA: The ABBA Tribute revives disco classics, with a Big Band Celebration of Henry Mancini’s Music on Friday, February 20. Bach to the Future reimagines classical repertoire on Friday, March 13, and the season concludes Friday, March 27 with Voctave, the acclaimed a cappella group known for lush harmonies and Broadway favorites. Tickets range from $30 to $40 and are available at englewoodmethodist.com/epas and Purple Pass. Early reservations are encouraged as performances may sell out.

Don’t Touch That Dial
Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Avenue West, Venice, brings back the high-energy musical comedy “Don’t Touch That Dial” from Friday, August 29 to Sunday, September 14 in the Pinkerton Theatre. This nostalgic production, filled with classic television theme songs, runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets range from $18 to $40 and can be purchased at VeniceTheatre.org or by calling 941•488•1115.

FST Improv: Out of Bounds
Get ready for laughs at Bowne’s Lab with an improvisation competition on Saturdays, September 6, 13, 20, & 27, 7:30pm, at 1265 First Street, Sarasota. Two teams of experienced improvisers go head-to-head in a no-holds-barred showdown of fast-paced games, spontaneous scenes, and off-the-cuff songs, battling for the audience’s applause to claim victory. The high-energy evening runs 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are $15 to $18 and can be purchased at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or by calling 941•366•9000.

Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings back its hit musical tribute Big Sexy: The Fats Waller Revue from now to Sunday, September 7 at The Donelly Theatre, 1012 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota. Created, adapted, and directed by WBTT founder Nate Jacobs, this crowd-pleasing revue celebrates the life and music of jazz icon Thomas “Fats” Waller. Audiences can expect joyful renditions of Waller’s greatest hits including “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” and “The Joint is Jumpin’,” all brought to life with energetic choreography and sparkling period costumes. Praised for its charm and energy during its 2023 debut, the show runs evenings at 7:30pm and matinees at 2pm. Tickets are $52 for adults and $22 for students (25 and under) and active military. Free parking is available in the WBTT lot and nearby street and lot locations. For tickets, visit westcoastblacktheatre.org or call 941•366•1505.

Online Photography Exhibition
Selby Gardens’ 45th Annual Juried Photographic Exhibition will be displayed online from now through September 30. Presented in partnership with Observer Media Group, this exhibition invites artists to creatively capture the beauty of nature at Selby Gardens. For more information, visit selby.org.

A Band Called Honalee
Relive the timeless magic of Peter, Paul & Mary with the captivating sounds of A Band Called Honalee. This modern-day folk trio brings to life beloved classics like Leaving on a Jet Plane, Blowing in the Wind, and Puff the Magic Dragon. With stirring vocal harmonies and skilled musicianship, the show also pays tribute to folk legends including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and The Mamas & The Papas. Performances run from now to October 26 at the Goldstein Cabaret, 1241 North Palm Avenue, Sarasota. Each show runs 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets start at $37 and details are available at FloridaStudioTheatre.org. For more information, call the box office at 941•366•9000 or email info@floridastudiotheatre.org.

Classic Movies at the Opera House: “The Apartment”
Don’t miss a timeless blend of comedy, romance, and heartbreak as “The Apartment” lights up the screen at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, on Friday, August 29 at 7pm. This 1960 Oscar-winning film, directed by Billy Wilder, stars Jack Lemmon as C.C. Baxter, a mild-mannered insurance clerk who lends his apartment to company executives for their secret affairs in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder. Complications arise when he discovers that his manager’s mistress is none other than Fran Kubelik (played by Shirley MacLaine), the elevator operator he secretly loves. Featuring a sharp script by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond and a supporting cast including Fred MacMurray, “The Apartment” masterfully mixes wit and poignancy in one of Hollywood’s finest romantic dramedies. Run time is 2 hours 5 minutes. Tickets are $12, available at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling 941•328•1300.

Ballet Film: “Starstruck”
Experience the elegance and innovation of “Starstruck” – Gene Kelly’s Love Letter to Ballet, a mesmerizing ballet film screening on Sunday, August 31 at 1:30pm at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Winner of the 2022 Best Dance Film Award at the National Dance Awards, Starstruck revives Gene Kelly’s 1960 Paris Opera Ballet creation Pas de Dieux with a dazzling new twist by Scottish Ballet’s Christopher Hampson and designer Lez Brotherston. Featuring Sophie Martin as Aphrodite and Christopher Harrison as Zeus, this one-hour theatrical journey fuses classic ballet with Hollywood jazz in a stylized 1960s Paris. Tickets are $20. For details, visit SarasotaOpera.org or call 941•328•1300.

Gentlemen of Motown
Experience the timeless sounds of Motown as “Gentlemen of Motown”, takes the stage on Saturday, September 6 at 7pm at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. This high-energy performance features the greatest hits of The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, The Spinners, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Isley Brothers, The Contours, The Dells, and The O’Jays. Tickets start at $19.57 and can be purchased at sarasotaopera.org. For more information, call 941•328•1300.

Fall Classical Concert Series: Low & Behold
Enjoy an evening of music with the Fall Classical Concert Series at the William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library, 300 Nokomis Avenue South, on Monday, September 8, from 6 to 7pm. The program will feature Duo NONA, with Nadine Trudel on cello and Gil Katz on double bass, presenting Low & Behold. Check back soon for program details. No registration is required, but seating is limited and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, call 941•861•1110 or visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com.

Modern Works Festival
Urbanite Theatre presents the 2025 Modern Works Festival from Wednesday, September 10 to Thursday, September 25 at 1487 2nd Street, Sarasota, during a two-week celebration of women in theatre and new play development. The festival opens with “Too Fat for China” (Sept. 11–14), a one-woman show by Phoebe Potts that offers a comic and heartfelt look at the adoption journey. Three finalist playwrights—Stacey Isom Campbell (1999), Jenny Stafford (Ahoy-Hoy), and Sarah Cho (Screen Time)—will each present two staged readings of their new works, supported by directors, dramaturges, and audience feedback. Additional events include a panel with Nan Barnett (National New Play Network), a roundtable with Producing Artistic Director Summer Wallace, and a closing audience vote for favorite play. Festival Passes provide the best value and access, though single tickets are available for select events. For tickets, passes, and full schedule, visit urbanitetheatre.com or contact 941•321•1397 or info@urbanitetheatre.com.

Mark Klein: The Corp Jester
Get ready to laugh with comedian Mark Klein, “The Corp Jester,” performing evening shows Wednesday, September 10 through Saturday, September 13, at Visani, 2400 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte. Known for his fast, funny, and clean act, Klein has entertained audiences for over thirty years at corporate events, cruise ships, country clubs, and comedy venues nationwide. Comedy shows are for ages 18+ with a parent/guardian or 23+ without, and guests must meet a $15 per person food and drink minimum. Tickets are $12 and available at Visani.net or by calling 941•629•9191.

Nunsense, A Musical Comedy
Get ready for laughter and lively entertainment as “Nunsense” takes the stage at Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Avenue West, Venice, from Friday, September 12 through Sunday, October 5. This madcap musical follows a group of nuns who stage a zany variety show to raise funds for funerals after a cooking mishap. Packed with laughs, dance, and song, Nunsense has become a global comedy favorite that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits. Tickets are $40 for adults and seniors, $28 for college students and educators, and $18 for youth. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit VeniceTheatre.org or call 941•488•1115.

Classic Movies at the Opera House: The Last Picture Show
Take a journey into small-town America with “The Last Picture Show”, screening at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, on Friday, September 12 at 7pm. Set in a fading Texas town in the early 1950s, this 1971 coming-of-age drama follows high school seniors Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (Jeff Bridges) as they navigate love, loss, and the uncertainty of life after graduation. With standout performances by Cybill Shepherd and Cloris Leachman, this evocative black-and-white film captures the heartbreak and hope of youth in a changing world. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, “The Last Picture Show” is widely regarded as one of the greatest American films of the 20th century—introspective, nostalgic, and hauntingly real. Run time is 1 hour 58 minutes. Tickets are $12, available at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling 941•328•1300.

Tribute to Hall & Oates, featuring Private Eyes
Relive the music of the best-selling duo of all time with “Private Eyes: The Premier Tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates” on Saturday, September 13 at 7pm at the Sarasota Opera House, 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota. Since forming in 2018, this Los Angeles-based band has delivered sonically accurate renditions of Hall & Oates’ greatest hits and fan favorites, with pristine vocal harmonies, dynamic rhythms, and soulful saxophone solos. Frontmen Chris Hudson and Nate Beausoleil authentically capture the signature Hall & Oates sound, making every performance feel like a step back into the classic era. Tickets start at $19.57 and can be purchased at sarasotaopera.org. For more information, call 941•328•1300.

Opera Film: Ariadne auf Naxos
Experience Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” on the big screen in a captivating opera film presented at the Sarasota Opera House, at 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, Sunday, September 14 at 1:30pm. This acclaimed production, staged at the Maggio Musicale Festival in June 2022 and directed by Matthias Hartmann, is conducted by the award-winning Daniele Gatti. The stellar cast includes Markus Werba, Sophie Koch, AJ Glueckert, Jessica Pratt, and Krassimira Stoyanova. With Strauss’ lush score and a run time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, this opera promises an unforgettable afternoon of music and drama. Tickets are $20 and are available at sarasotaopera.org. For more information, call 941•328•1300.

Songs of the Season
Experience an evening of musical magic as Venice Theatre’s 76th season comes to life in “Songs of the Season” on Monday, September 15 at 6:30pm at Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Boulevard, Venice. This special concert in the Solis Hall Summer Series will feature the talents of Kristofer Geddie and Michelle Kasanofsky, performing songs from Venice Theatre’s upcoming season. Tickets are $25 for general admission. To learn more visit VeniceTheatre.org or call 941•488•1115.

Journey Tribute: Majesty of Rock
Experience the music of Journey and Styx with “Majesty of Rock” on Tuesday, September 16 at Visani, 2400 Kings Highway, Port Charlotte. Doors open at 5pm with a complete dinner and show package, including house salad, entrée choice, non-alcoholic drink, and dessert, with premium upgrades available. Fronted by the powerful vocals of John D’Agostino, this talented group faithfully re-creates the iconic sounds of Steve Perry’s Journey and the voices of Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw of Styx in one incredible show. Tickets are $55, and a $15 per person food and drink minimum applies. Reserve your spot at Visani.net or call 941•629•9191.

Concert in the Park
Music returns to the City Center Front Green this fall as North Port Parks & Recreation hosts its free Concert in the Park series, offering two evenings of live entertainment in a family-friendly setting. Bring your chairs, blankets, or dancing shoes and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors on Friday, September 19, at 7pm with FM Station FLA (seating opens at 6pm), and Friday, October 17, at 6:30pm with Dukes of Brinkley (seating opens at 5:30pm). Outside alcohol is not permitted. For details, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Concert-In-The-Park.

The Dohnányi Chamber Players
Celebrate 125 years of music at Florida State University with a captivating performance by the Dohnányi Chamber Players on Thursday, September 25 at 7:30pm at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. This elite faculty ensemble from FSU’s College of Music brings their world-class artistry, regularly featured at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, to Sarasota for the first time. Founded in 2019 by pianist Ian Hobson, the group honors the legacy of Hungarian composer Ernst Dohnányi, a former FSU professor. The evening’s program includes Mozart’s Trio in E-flat Major, K. 498 “Kegelstatt”, Dohnányi’s Serenade in C Major, Op. 10, and Brahms’ Trio in A Minor, Op. 114. Performers include Jonathan Holden (clarinet), Shannon Thomas (violin), Adelya Shagidullina (viola), and Read Gainsford (piano). Tickets are $10 general admission or $5 for members and FSU alumni. For more details, visit Ringling.org.

The Wedding Singer
Get ready for big laughs and even bigger heart as “The Wedding Singer” takes the stage in Sarasota for the very first time! Running Wednesday, September 24 through October 5, this high-energy musical kicks off the season with a joyful celebration of love, second chances, and the power of following your dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem. Presented at 1130 In the Round at The Players’ 1130 Theatre, 3501 South Tamiami Trail, Unit 1130, Sarasota, this Sarasota premiere brings audiences a feel-good story packed with vibrant music and dazzling performances. Tickets start at $35. For reservations, visit thePlayers.org or call the Box Office at 941•365•2494.

Contemporary Photography and the Birds
Soar into summer with “The High Life: Contemporary Photography and the Birds” at Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota. This international exhibition features seventy striking works by over fifty artists, curated by William Ewing and Danaé Panchaud and organized by the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography. On view indoors and throughout the gardens from now to Sunday, September 14, the show invites guests to explore the beauty, mystery, and symbolism of birds through a global lens. To learn more visit Selby.org or call 941•366•5731.

“Through the Veil”
Step into a luminous world of memory, identity, and reflection with “Through the Veil”, the first solo museum exhibition by artist Lillian Blades at the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. This immersive, site-specific installation invites visitors to wander through a suspended labyrinth of mixed-media veils crafted from acrylic, fabric, found materials, and shimmering surfaces, bathed in light from the museum’s central skylight tower. Inspired by her Bahamian heritage and her late mother’s legacy as a seamstress, Blades’ radiant color palette and intricate assemblages reflect themes of connection, transformation, and cultural discovery. The exhibition’s centerpiece is surrounded by wall-mounted works that further expand the viewer’s journey through layers of light, texture, and personal meaning. Curated by Lacie Barbour, “Through the Veil” runs now through October 26. To learn more visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org or call 941•309•7662.

Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence
From now through March 29, 2026, Sarasota Art Museum presents Selina Román: Abstract Corpulence, a striking new exhibition that reimagines the human form through abstraction and self-portraiture. Featuring bold, tightly cropped photographs of the artist’s own body, this series uses pastel bodysuits and tights to transform flesh into undulating, modernist landscapes. At once intimate and expansive, Román’s compositions challenge traditional notions of feminine beauty by shifting focus to line, color, and shape. The result is a gallery transformed into a space of quiet resistance—where softness, scale, and abstraction redefine the politics of body image. Curated by Rangsook Yoon, senior curator at Sarasota Art Museum, this never-before-seen installation continues the museum’s tradition of showcasing contemporary voices that provoke thought and inspire conversation. Sarasota Art Museum is located at 1001 South Tamiami Trail. For more information, visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org or call 941•309•4300.

Note: Event listings are published as accurately as possible. We recommend contacting the numbers provided to confirm details or request further information. To submit an event for consideration in “Arts & Entertainment,” please send details and/or a photo to The Englewood REVIEW, 370 W Dearborn St, Suite B, Englewood, FL 34223, or email us at info@englewoodreview.com.

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