Sarasota native Maria Wirries in concert at St. Andrew’s Episcopal

BY BOOTS TOLSDORF

The community is in for a huge treat this Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s when Alan Corey, director of Grande Chorus, teams up with a dynamite New York-based star, Maria Wirries, a vocalist, songwriter, actress and dancer.

And the best part? Alan met her in a Sarasota recording studio. Immediately recognizing her as an “extraordinary” talent, he took her under his wing and was her teacher until she left for Penn State majoring in musical theatre. He has been a mentor and friend throughout her meteoric rise, following her in Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends” , “Kinky Boots” and on Broadway and the tour of “Dear Evan Hansen.”

Born in Haiti to a Haitian mother and an American father, she lost her parents early in her life. Her aunt adopted her and brought her to Bradenton. Despite hardships, many friends, mentors, teachers and music enthusiasts helped her and made sure she was on a path for success.

Maria, bored in high school, entered Penn State at age 16, and within weeks she was known throughout the campus, as well as by the president, not only for her music, but also for the work she championed in supporting gender, cultural, race and ethnicity diversities. Her energy, passion and hard work, an integral part of her DNA, have propelled her forward. In 2026 she will be a “star” performer in the Palace Theatre on Broadway in March 2026.

She has recently graduated from the Broadway Music Institute, Lehman Engel Musical Theater Writers Workshop and is continually busy doing all the numerous things she does so well.

Don’t miss this special concert that Alan and Maria are graciously performing for us in Boca Grande.

Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church.