1. Theater

Real-life marrieds Kris Danford and Sam Osheroff play a couple whose relationship hits the rocks in Jason Brown’s Drama Desk-winning musical The Last Five Years, onstage at the Asolo Rep Jan. 21 through Feb. 28. What makes it special? She tells their story going backwards in time; he tells it going forward, and they meet in the middle. 351-8000.

2. Tours

It’s time to take a peek inside two very different Longboat Key homes designed to the hilt by local professionals, Jan. 24 through Feb. 21 at the Boys & Girls Clubs “Jewels on the Bay” Showhouse (see page 113). You’re bound to get great ideas for your own home. Call 926-7794 or go to designershowhousesarasota.com.

3. Music

It doesn’t get any better than this: an evening spent at the Van Wezel listening to the legendary Tony Bennett, who does wonderful, unforgettable things to songs both old and new. He helps to celebrate the hall’s 40th anniversary with a concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 5; call 953-3368.

4. More Music

We love the Moon Over Myakka concert series, which starts this month (7 p.m. Jan. 29) with blues singer Roy Book Binder. There’s just something about being in the Florida wild with a full moon and a man playing a guitar. Bring marshmallows and/or a bottle of wine and bliss out.

361-6511 or 373-7839.

5. Talks

Current affairs junkies won’t want to miss Fareed Zakaria’s lecture Jan. 11 in the Ringling College Town Hall series at the Van Wezel; the Newsweek International editor is an expert on just about every economic and political issue there is and can spell it all out in layman’s terms, too. BTW, speech writer Peggy Noonan also graces Town Hall this month, Jan. 25. To see if tickets are available, call 925-1343.