Sounds of Broadway Come to the Ringling Museum's Historic Asolo Theater Stage
Sarasota, FL- Dec. 17, 2008-The melodies, memories, lyrics, and lore of the legendary musical-comedy giants are explored as The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Arts presents June LeBell’s Sounds of Broadway. The six-part series begins February 10 and continues through April 21 on the stage of the Historic Asolo Theater.
“June’s great affection for the American musical theater is contagious,” says Dwight Currie, the Ringling’s Curator of Theater Programming. “We are very lucky to have her here in Sarasota to recreate for us this same popular series that is currently selling out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.”
The six, one-hour programs, all hosted by LeBell, feature on-stage performances and conversations with special guest artists and also include rare film clips and recordings. “You not only leave the theater singing,” observes Currie, “June encourages the audience to sing along during the show!” Each program focuses on a Broadway composer or composer-lyricist team, opening with Irving Berlin on Tuesday, February 10. Cole Porter follows on February 24, with Rodgers and Hart on March 10, and Rodgers and Hammerstein on March 24. In April the series concludes with Lerner and Lowe on April 7 and George Gershwin on April 21.
All programs are presented at 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons in the Historic Asolo Theater. Admission is $15 for each program ($12 for Ringling Museum Members) or $75 for the series of all six programs ($60 for Ringling Museum Members). Tickets are available at the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office at the Ringling Museum of Art, 941.360.7399 or online: www.ringling.org.
General Admission includes the Ringling Museum of Art, special exhibitions, Cà d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museum, Mable’s historic Rose Garden and Florida’s only rose test gardens, all on 66 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Adults are $19; senior citizens (65 and over) are $16; children ages 6-17 are $6. Free Admission for children 5 and under accompanied by an adult, museum members. Advance tickets are available by calling 941.358.3180. Visit for more information.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Florida State University, is one of the largest museum/university complex in the nation. It preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling, educating and enabling a large and diverse audience to experience and take delight in a world-renowned collection of fine art; Cà d’Zan, the Ringling historic mansion; the Circus Museums; the Original Asolo Theater; and historic architecture, courtyard, gardens and grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.
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