The Hermitage Artist Retreat has been successful in presenting live performances, from music to poetry to talks with theater artists, safely during the Covid era, on its beautiful Manasota Key beachfront site. Now coming up: “Storied Stories of the Creative Process,” a conversation with Michael Riedel and Robert Plunket, at 5:30 p.m. March 31, live on the beach and virtually.

While the two have plenty to talk about regarding the creative process—Riedel is the longtime theater columnist for The New York Post and host of Theatre Talk on PBS, and Plunket is familiar to Sarasota Magazine readers as our humor columnist, Mr. Chatterbox, and for many other stories—their appearance together will have an extra spark due to their longtime friendship. Those in attendance may feel like they’re eavesdropping on a private conversation, as the two trade candid and colorful stories of famed artistic projects in early development.

In addition to his newspaper work, Riedel is the cohost of a morning show on New York’s WOR with Len Berman—the highest rated morning radio program in the New York City area—as well as the author of 2015’s Razzle Dazzle: The Battle for Broadway and his latest book, a follow-up titled Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway. Plunket, besides his Sarasota Magazine work, is known to readers for his comic novels My Search for Warren Harding and Love Junkie, and to film buffs for a pivotal appearance in Martin Scorsese’s After Hours.

Registration for the talk, whether in person or via livestream, is required at hermitageartistretreat.org. Masks must be worn at the live outdoor event, and capacity will be limited. The event is presented in partnership with Sarasota Magazine.