Asolo Rep & Van Wezel Partner for Sensory Friendly Performance

October 18, 2024 | Sarasota

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome a relaxed, sensory friendly version of the Asolo Repertory On Tour’s Much Ado About Nothing on October 27 at 11am and 3pm. The sensory friendly performance will also feature touch tours prior to the show. These are free performances with multiple accommodations available. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged.

Accommodations for the performances include noise cancelling headphones, fidgets, flexible seating, softer volume, and a quiet room available. This is a family show appropriate for all ages but is recommended for students in fifth grade or above.

“We are so excited to present Asolo’s wonderful work and to provide an entertaining, high quality family show for our families with children needing sensory accommodations,” shares Justin Gomlak, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the Van Wezel. “This is our first time collaborating with Asolo Rep in this unique way, and we hope this is just the beginning. Thanks to the support of our partners, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, we can provide this incredible opportunity.”

Much Ado About Nothing is a classic, witty play written by William Shakespeare. As the summer draws to a close, tensions are high amongst the counselors and campers of Camp Messina. The intrepid (and self-appointed) Counselors-in-training, led by Dogberry, are on high alert. As star counselors Benedick, Claudio, and the beloved camp director, Don Pedro, return from roughing it in the woods, they must renegotiate their place back at camp. While junior counselors Hero and Claudio immediately fall in love, quick-witted Benedick and Beatrice need a matchmaker’s push–but their relationship and reintegration into Camp Messina are jeopardized by dastardly Don John and his henchmen’s villainous misinformation schemes. Fall in love with this uproarious, witty, and charming story, designed to connect communities through Shakespeare.

“We’re so grateful to partner with the Van Wezel to bring these special performances to the community. Ensuring that theatre is accessible to everyone is imperative to serving our community and developing the next generation of arts lovers. We hope you will come and enjoy our production of this amazing Shakespeare comedy,” said Asolo Rep’s Managing Director, Ross Egan.

This sensory friendly performance is made possible through the support of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and its generous donors.