In a small theater north of downtown, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (WBTT) raised the roof in a rousing production of It Ain’t Nothin But the Blues, which runs through May 12. Tickets to the season’s remaining shows are scarce, and it’s no wonder.

Bonnie Silvestri writes that she is more convinced than ever that arts organizations must collaborate in order to continue to enthrall 21st century audiences. The Sarasota Ballet’s production of La Fille mal Gardée was a beautiful integration of theatricality, lavish scenery and costumes, and most importantly, live music performed by the Sarasota Orchestra.

The Florida Studio Theatre’s production of In the Book Of has an important and politically relevant message about tolerance of those who seek refuge on our shores.

Arts contributor Bonnie Greenball Silvestri writes that if you want a sophisticated, adults-only evening that is tumultuous and surprising, you must get tickets for this tantalizing production.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of The Game’s Afoot demonstrates that actors working “in rep” become as close as family when they work together on stage regularly. You can feel the familiarity among the cast as you begin to see the Asolo shows on a regular basis, and that just adds to the experience.

TWIS Contributor Bonnie Greenball Silvestri recently checked out FST’s production of By Gershwin: A Tribute to George and Ira, which features four seasoned performers covering many of the Gershwin brothers’ countless hits during the roughly two-hour production.