Feature: MEET MARY BENSEL at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Meet Mary Bensel, Executive Director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Sarasota is the newest addition to BroadwayWorld coverage. In a few short months it has been an honor to cover so many wonderful shows in this beautiful Gulf Coast region, from Venice to Tampa, with Sarasota as the hub. Now that we are a little more established and I have gotten some articles and interviews under my belt, (which I hope you have enjoyed and shared), I would like to introduce our readers to the amazing performance venues in Sarasota and the key people who manage them. Since our articles are online, we have approximately 5 millions readers worldwide who can view what is happening on Florida's Gulf Coast. I hope to shed some light on a little a city that has a big passion for arts and entertainment. Sarasota can take pride in enchanting sidewalk cafes, the best beaches in the world and friendly natives who graciously support the arts.

First a little history. Although Sarasota is not as densely populated as other entertainment related cities in the Sunshine State, such as Orlando, Tampa or Miami, Sarasota can boast more venues and mediums of art and entertainment than our larger kindred neighbors. We enjoy a "season" when our snowbird friends from the North descend upon us, fleeing the cold weather. During season, not only do our stores, cafes and highways swell to capacity, but so do our entertainment options. One can literarily catch any number of shows every night of the week and twice a day on the weekends, from November through May. Although the summer months slow down a bit after the snowbirds depart, there are still a lot of things to see and do in this sleepy but vibrant bayside town. Sarasota is the home of the Ringling Circus and the Ringling School of Art and Design, known for their interior design, graphic design and film competencies. The number one beach in the US, Siesta Key, is located just a few short miles away. Siesta Key is known for its always-cool, white powdery sand composed of quartz. You can't talk about Siesta Key without mentioning the mesmerizing Sunday night drum circle where crowds gather to participate, dance, and relax as the sun slowly sinks into the depths of the sea. What surprises visitors, and is the reason so many people have made Sarasota their permanent residence, is the draw of so much art and entertainment available year round.

Let's start with the "purple palace" on the Bay, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the woman at the helm, Executive Director, Mary Bensel.

Known as the "crown jewel of Sarasota Bay", the Van Wezel, (pronounced van way zull), offers over 100 events a year, including Broadway musicals, world renowned performers, comics, symphony orchestras and a variety of dance ensembles. The city owned and operated Van Wezel also hosts more than 50 performances and events presented by the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Concert Association and the Ringling Library Town Hall Lecture Series. The beautiful lavender building, seated right on the bay, has 1741 seats, with the back row being just 110 feet away from the stage. The European style seating offers a great view from wherever you sit and a very intimate setting for any show.

Admirably, part of the Van Wezel's mission statement includes an invaluable educational outreach to the community and local schools. Per Miss Bensel, each year more than 30,000 students in surrounding counties are introduced to the performing arts through the Van Wezel Schooltime Performances. Teachers and students benefit from the Van Wezel's partnership in the Sarasota County School Board combined with the arts integration backing provided by the John F. Kennedy Center Partners. The Van Wezel Foundation functions as an independent partner of the Hall, operating as a charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) providing funding in support of the Hall's capital improvements, entertainment programs and educational outreach focusing on children.

As you can imagine, it takes a great deal of time, know-how and determination to run an organization of this stature. Mary Bensel had what it takes to assume a leadership role of this magnitude. She received a BA in Speech, Theatre and English at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and an MA from the University of Pittsburgh in Acting and Directing. Mary served as the Marketing and Press Agent for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Arizona Theatre Company and Stage West and was also a founding member of the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. She served as General Manager of both the Walnut Street Theatre and the Merriam (Shubert) Theatre in Philadelphia and the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers and Director of Touring and Sales for Troika Entertainment, who produces many of the touring Broadway shows. While at MAnn Hall, Mary became a member of Leadership Lee County and their Foundation Board of Directors.

When Miss Bensel came to the Van Wezel in 2007, she grew her staff, tightened fiscal goals and, knowing her audience, booked a diverse range of entertainment that engaged the community. Digging her heels into the art and entertainment scene in Sarasota, she has served as President of the Florida Facilities Managers and received an award from the Cultural Alliance of Sarasota for Arts Management. Miss Bensel is a member of the Broadway League and serves on the Van Wezel Foundation Board of Directors.

Mary's passion for the arts is as vibrant as her stunning auburn hair. Her office reflects that passion, enthroned with show posters and entertainment memorabilia in every corner of her domain. A day in the life of this busy executive includes overseeing marketing campaigns, performance booking, box offices sales, and an array of various business stats. Lots and lots of stats. She is responsible for the safety of the audience, her staff and performers. Mary represents Sarasota to local service and civic groups, and participates in regional and national organizations promoting our community and ensuring continued growth and support of the Van Wezel's programs and objectives. She is quick to credit the success of the Hall to a devoted, hard working and talented staff and crew.

Mary has managed many theaters throughout the country and knows firsthand the drama backstage is often greater than what is played out under the limelight. She has worked with so many famous and gifted performers, noting some of her favorites as Goldie Hawn, Josh Groban, Sophia Loren and Robert Wagner. She remembers country artists Vince Gill and Dolly Parton being down to earth and having a great sense of humor. Some unusual color requests came from two performers. At a show in Philadelphia, Elizabeth Taylor wanted everything painted in violet. Too bad she wasn't performing at the Van Wezel. With its color scheme in shades of violet, Miss Taylor would probably have taken up residence! Dionne Warwick would not get into a white limo. She requested a black limo only to be at her disposal. Harry Connick Jr. once requested a rather rare bottle of champagne that had Mary and her crew on a mission to seek-out and find the vintage libation. Mary fondly remembers a show in Philadelphia when Patti LaBelle had her sisters decorate her dressing room with several personal effects. Patti, who loves to cook, made the best green beans for everyone.

Miss Bensel and her team have outdone themselves for the upcoming 2017-2018 season bringing in a blockbuster Broadway series with, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, CABARET, THE WIZARD OF OZ, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, A CHORUS LINE, PETER PAN and JERSEY BOYS, to name a few. In the line-up for their classical series are exquisite performers, from Renee Fleming, to the THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF CUBA, and Yo-Yo Ma. Diversity reigns with the scheduled dance ensembles of BALLETBOYZ, TANGO FIRE, and the brilliantly unusual MUMMENSCHANZ.

Whether you are planning a casual night out, afternoon matinee, or formal occasion, the Van Wezel is an elegant venue for multi-generational and multi-cultural entertainment. Theatre-goers can stroll along the bay before or after the show, take in the breathtaking view from the beautiful Sunset Terrace and treat themselves to a catered buffet in the Grand Foyer, just before show time. You will find plenty of parking, restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, and elevators. You will also encounter some of the nicest ushers who volunteer to further enhance your visit. For more information about the Van Wezel and upcoming events, visit www.vanwezel.org.

It is important to note the Van Wezel will be a part of Sarasota Bayfront 20:20, a vision for a long term master plan developing the Bayfront. The plan looks to establish an economic and cultural space for the public to enjoy a multitude of broad-based entertainment. For those who wish to follow their progress, visit www.sarasotabayfront2020.com.

Watch for more of my upcoming Sarasota venues series. I've got a few surprises and events coming your way! Please spread the word to like our Facebook page BroadwayWorld Sarasota and follow us on Twitter @BWW_Sarasota.

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