The Sarasota showing of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later was received so well by the LGBT community that the Asolo Repertory Theater is continuing its outreach to the LGBT community. According to David Valdez, marketing assistant for the theater, the theater has introduced a new program called OUT@AsoloRep and is marketing directly to the LGBT community of Sarasota.
“This is a chance to hang out with friends and meet kindred spirits in a comfortable, welcoming environment steeped in culture and great entertainment,” Valdez said in an e-mail. “OUT will be going on throughout the season.”
The first OUT@AsoloRep event is slated for Friday, Nov. 13, which coincides with a presentation of Contact, the theater’s first show of the season.
Contact is a multiple Tony Award-winning show that features the Sarasota Ballet.
“It’s an extraordinary blend of Broadway performers, the gifted Sarasota Ballet dancers and our resident company,” said Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director.
The show was created by directors and choreographers Susan Stroman and John Weidman and tells a trilogy of stories. “Swinging,” “Did You Move?” and “Contact” are all told through a fusion of dance, dialogue and music. The production is directed by Tomé Cousin, who performed in and helped to develop Contact as part of the original Lincoln Center ensemble, both off-Broadway and on, from 1999-2002.
The collaboration between Asolo Rep and the Sarasota Ballet was something Iaian Webb, director of the Sarasota Ballet, could not pass up.
“I am thrilled an honored to be working with Michael and Tomé,” Webb said. “And the dancers are excited to have this great opportunity of dancing Susan Stroman’s incredible choreography.”
Those who enjoy the OUT@AsoloRep event qualify for discounted tickets to shows and may enjoy complimentary food and drinks.
“Asolo Rep fans represent a wide range of social, economic, ethnic and gender groups,” Valdez said, “so we thought having an LGBT-friendly night for each of our shows would be a good start to getting the community involved with live theater.”
For more information on OUT@AsoloRep or for details about Contact, visit Asolo.org or call 941-351-9010.
