Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news April 15-21, 2022

Grouped under headings that include art openings, film, outdoor art fairs and festivals and theater are advances, announcements and articles about the actors, artists, filmmakers and events making news in Southwest Florida this week:

1      ACTORS (alphabetically)

Emilie Baartman part of the ‘Head over Heel’s ensemble at New Phoenix

Emilie Baartman appears in the ensemble of Head over Heels the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre. The actor/singer/dancer’s stage credits include flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing for The Naples Players, Macbeth: The Murder Mystery for the CFABS Players, Pam Lukowski in The Full Monty (New Phoenix Theatre, 2020) and Heather in Getting Sarah Married (Mighty Corson Art Players, Brandon, South Carolina 2019). Go here to view here extensive stage and other credits.

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Gerrie Benzing plays Madame de Volanges in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Gerrie Benzing plays the part of Madame de Volanges in Lab Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons. She recently starred in the role of Lee for New Phoenix Theatre in The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Other recent credits includeJinx in The Naples Players’ production of The Savannah Sipping Society after making her TNP debut in 2021 in the role of Rule in Calendar Girls. Go here to see all of Gerrie’s stage and extensive other theatrical credits.

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Kiana Cintron performs in ensemble of ‘In the Heights’ at Broadway Palm

Kiana Cintron performs in the ensemble of In the Heights at Broadway Palm. Her other credits include Wanda in Escape to Margaritaville (Prather Entertainment), Sonia in Godspell, Dance Captain in Newsies! (Florida Repertory Theatre), Nina Zarechnaya in Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull (FSW Theatre Program), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, (in which she portrayed seven different characters (FSW Theatre Program)), Tilly in She Kills Monsters (FSW Theatre Program), the Assistant Choreographer Lara in A Chorus Line (Florida Rep Conservancy) and Claire in This Random World (FSW Theatre Program). Go here for the rest of her theatrical credits.

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Steven Coe plays the rakish Vicomte de Valmont in Lab’s ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Steven Coe next appears as the impudent, bitingly witty rake Vicomte de Valmont in Lab Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons. His evolving body of work includes Chris in Killer Joe, Jim Fingal in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre, Joe Gillis in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Sandro Botticelli in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Thomas Novachek in David Ives’ Venus in Fur for The Studio Players, Andri in Andorra, The Boy in Veronica’s Room, and Doug in Neil LaBute’s The Way We Get By. But there’s so much more. Go here to view Coe’s extensive theatrical credits.

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Amanda Collins plays Emilie in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Amanda Collins is an aspiring young actor. She plays Emilie in Dangerous Liaisons. Pervious credits include Bad Idea 1 in Avenue Q, Stephanie in The Tempest and Allie/Lizzie in Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater as well as shows for Florida Repertory Theater, Lehigh Senior High and Fort Myers Theater. She is currently studying theater at Florida Gulf Coast University.

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Giszelle Girton appears as Penny in ‘When We Were Young and Unafraid’

Giszelle Kirton appears in the role of Penny in The Naples Players’ production of Sarah Treem’s When We Were Young and Unafraid. Her character is a defiant 16-year-old who, like many teenage girls, finds herself at odds with her socially-obtuse mother. As card-carrying member of the nerd clique bound for Yale, she has no purported interest in boys until a physically-abused woman by the name of Mary Anne takes refuge at the B&B Penny’s mom runs. Kirton plays the part with convincing edginess, and her transformation into a boy-crazed teen intent on snaring the high school football star is a wonder to behold.

Go here for the rest of Girton’s theatrical credits.

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Shelley Gothard plays Hannah in ‘When We Were Young and Unafraid‘

Shelley Gothard lays Hannah in When We Were Young and Unafraid, on stage in the Tobye Studio Theater at The Naples Players through April 24th. Shelley Gothard has been involved in many productions at The Naples Players and other local theaters. She was last seen as Mrs. Marchmont in TNP’s production of An Ideal Husband and in the Ensemble of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

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Nikki Hagel stars as Pamela for New Phoenix in ‘Head Over Heels’

Nikki Hagel appears in the role of Pamela in Head over Heels, the jukebox musical which utilizes the Go-Gos’ songbook that plays at New Phoenix Theatre during the month of April. Previous roles include Frederick Frankenstein fiancee Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein, Georgie Buckatinsky in The Full Monty and the memorable role of sax-playing Magenta in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, all for New Phoenix Theatre.

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Amy Hughes plays Mary Anne in ‘When We Were Young and Unafraid

Amy Hughes appears in the role of Mary Anne in The Naples Players’ production of Sarah Treem’s When We Were Young and Unafraid, which plays in the Tobye Studio Theatre at The Naples Players through April 26. Previous credits at TNP include Chicago, Legally Blonde and Music Man. However, this is her first show back after becoming a mother.

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Mark King plays Major Domo in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Mark King appears in the role of Major Domo for Lab Theater in Dangerous Liaisons. Mark has previously appeared for The Lab as Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q and comedian Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s. Other stage credits include FSW Black Box Theatre’s production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, Urinetown and Tarzan at Florida Rep, Les Misérables and All Shook Up at Cultural Park, Young Frankenstein and Shakespeare’s Scottish Play at North Fort Myers High School and The Addams Family and The Miracle Worker at The Alliance for The Arts.

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FGCU soph Bella Marshall plays Princess Philoclea in ‘Head over Heels’

Isabella Marshall plays the part of Princess Philoclea in Head over Heels for New Phoenix Theatre. She has performed in various roles throughout her life, but her favorites date back to high school, where she appeared in Nunsense, Little Shop of Horrors, Curtains, Once on This Island, Into the Woods and In the Heights.

For more on Ms. Marshall go here.

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Sonya McCarter plays Marquise de Merteuil for Lab in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Sonya McCarter will appear in the role of master manipulator Marquise de Merteuil for Lab Theater in Dangerous Liaisons. McCarter’s acting credits include Confusions (which consisted of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park), Camae in Katori Hall’s Mountaintop, Louise Parker Neese in Steven Dietz’s Rancho Mirage, Corryn Fell in Gideon’s Knot, Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, and as a grieving mother in the virtual presentation of For Black Women Who Experienced Genocide When The Police Murders of Their Sons Was Too Much by Keith A. Wallace for The Best Seats in Your House. Please go here to see all of McCarter’s theatrical credits.

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Aimee Naughton part of ‘Head Over Heels’ ensemble

Aimee Naughton appears for New Phoenix Theatre in the ensemble of Head over Heels the Musical. Her previous stage credits include the roles of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Sister Mary Amnesia in both Nunsense and Nunsense II for Cultural Park Theater. Aimee holds a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Florida State University.

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Paulette Oliva plays the part of Agnes in ‘When We Were Young and Unafraid’

Paulette Oliva plays the part of Agnes for The Naples Players in Sarah Treem’s When We Were Young and Unafraid. Oliva has performed Off-Broadway and at numerous regional theaters. Some of her favorite shows and roles include Gypsy/Mama Rose, Sister Act/Mother Superior, Master Class/Maria Callas, Carrie/Mother, The King and I/Anna, Sweeney Todd/Mrs. Lovett, and the East Coast regional premiere of Next to Normal/Diana. The rest of her bio is here.

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Samantha Pudlin in ‘Head Over Heels’ ensemble

Samantha Pudlin  is a resident Southwest Florida thespian. She is appearing in the ensemble of Head Over Heels for New Phoenix Theatre. Pudlin’s recent stage credits include the roles of the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, all for Cultural Park Theatre. Her other credits include playing a social worker and mom in Body and Sold at Laboratory Theater, Nurse Kelly in Harvey, Protean in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a dancer and member of the ensemble in Sweet Charity and Boylan Sister and a member of the ensemble in Annie, all for CPT. Samantha also appeared in the ensemble at Florida Repertory Theatre in 13: A New Musical.

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Cameron Rogers plays Chevalier Raphael Danceny in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Cameron Rogers plays the part of Chevalier Raphael Danceny in Laboratory Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons. Previous roles include the groom in The Wedding Story (one of three single-act plays comprising the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Auditions, Diners and Weddings),Brad in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show for New Phoenix Theatre and Gus P. Head in Lab Theater’s production of Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play.

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Daniel Sabiston is Azalon in ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Daniel Sabiston appears in the role of Azalon for Lab Theater in Dangerous Liaisons. His previous stage credits include Trinculo in The Tempest, Alan in Torch Song for The Studio Players, various roles in the summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Poggio di Chullu in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, an oh-so-mean bully (not bunny) rabbit by the name of Serling Hunter in Kayleigh O’Connell’s Projekt Grotesquerie, Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible and the Journeyman in Andorra, all for the Laboratory Theater of Florida.

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Cassie Sampson plays Queen Gynecia in ‘Head over Heels The Musical’

Cassie Sampson appears in the role of Queen Gynecia for New Phoenix Theatre in Heed over Heels the Musical. Sampson has been involved in over 20 productions at Cultural Park Theater, both on and off stage, since making her CPT debut in Godspell in 1996. Her credits include Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, Leann in A Piece of My Heart, Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Chelsea in On Golden Pond, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Red in Into the Woods and Chiffon in CPT’s 2004 production of Little Shop of Horrors. Go here to view the rest of Cassie’s stage and other credits.

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Bernardo Santana plays Paul in TNP’s ‘When We Were Young and Unafraid’

Bernardo Santana appears in the role of Paul in Sarah Treem’s When We Were Young and Unafraid, which runs from March 30 through April 24 in the Tobye Studio. A Naples-based SAG-AFTRA actor, Bernardo’s local stage credits include Bernard in Boeing Boeing, Principal Harry Clark in Footloose, Eddie Brock in Born Yesterday, Peter Shaw in Silent Sky, George Wilson in The Great Gatsby, Eddie Kurnitz in Lost in Yonkers, Don Harper in Rapture Blister Burn and Phil in Dead Account, all for The Naples Players. Go here to see the rest of his stage and film credits.

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Emarie Spiller is Lady’s Maid in Lab Theater’s ‘Dangerous Liaisons’

Emarie Spiller is an emerging young talent. She plays a Lady’s Maid in Dangerous Liaisons for Lab Theater. Her  prior credits God in Bible HerStory for the Alliance Youth Theatre, The Crucible, the captain (#25) of the Wolves indoor soccer team in the summer intern production of Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves, and Cheryl in Lab’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical last summer.

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Cassy Terwilliger in ‘Head Over Heels’ ensemble

Cassy Terwilliger is in the Head Over Heels ensemble. The role marks her New Phoenix Theatre debut. Terwilliger has been active at Cultural Park Theater as both a performer and musical director for the last four years. Some of her most recent notable roles include Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Diana in Lend Me a Tenor, Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown, Sister Mary Regina in Nunsense and Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, and Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

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2     DIRECTORS

Scott Carpenter directs ‘Head over Heels the Musical’ for New Phoenix

Scott Carpenter directs Head over Hees, the jukebox musical based on the Go-Gos’ songbook, that’s coming to New Phoenix Theatre April 7th through May 1. Scott has directed numerous productions, including the Florida premiere of the spoof Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody,  Rumors, Same Time, Next Year, Jekyll & Hyde, the Musical, South Pacific, Mame, and Steel Magnolias. He is also a consummate actor. Go here to view all of Scott’s theatrical and other credits.

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Paul Graffy directs ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ for Lab Theater

Since 2001, Paul Graffy has appeared in more than 30 productions and directed over a dozen others at such theaters as The Naples Players, Artis Naples, TheatreZone, The Studio Players, The Naples Dinner Theater, the Laboratory Theater of Florida and The Players Circle. But he also has a passion for directing. Paul has directed 14 productions, including Hedwig and the Angry Inch for Lab Theater in 2018, Beth Henley’s Southern Gothic tragi-comedy Crimes of the Heart for Lab Theater in 2018, Les Liaisons Dangereuses for The Naples Players in 2014 and Steel Magnolias for The Naples Players in 2013. He is now directing Les Liaisons Dangereuses for Lab Theater.

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Eliseo Roman directs Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’

In the Heights plays on the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre main stage through May 14. Eliseo Roman directs. He certainly has the theatrical chops to direct the show, having been in the original Broadway production, where he worked first-hand not only with Lin-Manuel Miranda, but that show’s director, Tommy Kail, choreographer, Andy Blankenbuehler and Alex Lacamore. Roman returns to Prather Productions after last year’s directorial debut of On Your Feet!, the musical about the lives and careers of singers Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Roman portrayed Gloria Estefan’s father, Jose Fajardo, on Broadway from 2015 to 2017, a role for which he earned a Drama Desk Award. Go here to see the rest of Roman’s theatrical credits.

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‘In the Heights’ choreographer Rebecca Kritzer in the spotlight

In the Heights plays on the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre main stage through May 14. Rebecca Kritzer provided the choreography (and is Assistant Director) for the show.

Kritzer has a long history with In the Heights. As a cast member in the show’s first national tour, Rebecca had the privilege of not only working with the musical’s original creative team, but performing with the show’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. She subsequently performed in the show regionally at The Actor’s Playhouse, Theatre Under the Stars and Olney Theatre Centre. At the latter venue, Rebecca also served as Associate Choreographer and Dance Captain.

Her part in the national tour was actually the first professional job Kritzer ever booked. But her classical training in dance, along with hip hop and all forms of Latin dance, prepared her for the audition.

The balance of this spotlight is here.

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3    ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

DAAS’ April show features the art of Whitney Hackett

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is showcasing the art of visual artist and local business owner Whitney Hackett during the month of April.

Hackett’s paintings are full of vibrancy, with a vintage feel. She explores memory and nostalgia through her body of dreamy and celebratory paintings. Her innocent appreciation for everyday life encourages a childlike playfulness in her work. Through the enshrinement of simple things, she elevates the ordinary to extraordinary. The juxtaposition of her imagery speaks to the interconnectedness of all life, the way we assign meaning to the material world, and the honoring of our existence.

Whitney grew up in Fort Myers, where she currently lives and works as an artist. She is currently the owner of Quartz and Clover, an eclectic store in the heart of downtown.

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2022, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. in conjunction with Fort Myers Art Walk. The artist will be in attendance and is eager to engage viewers about her art and their own memories.

The exhibition will be on display through Sunday, May 1, 2022.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street, in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s business hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. More information about the venue can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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4    THEATER

‘Greater Tuna’ plays in the Off Broadway Palm through April 30

Greater Tuna began as a simple party skit based on a cartoon in Austin, Texas. By 1985, it became the most produced play in the United States, finding an instant audience coast to coast.  A successful New York run led to an HBO special produced by Norman Lear.  And through the end of April, the Off Broadway Palm brings the laugh-a-minute comedy to Southwest Florida.

Greater Tuna is a comic satire that the Washington Post calls “a [hilarious] tribute to the art of acting.” Just two actors portray 20 men and women (and a dog) in a tour de farce of quick-change artistry during which they treat audiences to all the glorious quirks, foibles, and downright insanities of the citizens of the fictional South Texas town Tuna.

Directing Greater Tuna is Off Broadway Palm’s artistic producer, Paul Bernier. Portraying the over 20 roles will be Michael Santora and Michael Weaver, who will have many quick costume changes, use inventive voice work, and pull off some very creative timing.

Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $65, with discounts available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

So, if you’re looking for Texas-size laughs, join the Off Broadway Palm for Greater Tuna.

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‘In the Heights’ at Broadway Palm through May 14

In the Heights plays at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre now through May 14. With music and lyrics written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the groundbreaking Tony-Award-winning musical tells the story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.

You will find the rest of this advance here.

Here’s another slant on the show.

And go here for play dates, times and other information.

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Pedigreed direction and choreography make ‘In the Heights’ unique bi-cultural experience

No matter who you are or where you live, you have undoubtedly heard the name Lin-Manuel Miranda. Children, their parents and, yes, their grandparents too, know Miranda through the Disney film Encanto, which won best animated feature at this year’s Academy Awards. Speaking of which … Miranda’s runaway hit from Encanto, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” opened this year’s Academy Awards and another song from the film received a best song Oscar nomination.

Most folks know Lin-Manuel Miranda as the creator of the 2015 Broadway smash Hamilton, which won 11 Tony Awards. When the show came to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center for a two-week run in 2020, the demand for tickets was so great that the producer held a digital lottery two days prior to each performance to allow lucky theater-goers win two tickets for the rock-bottom price of just $10 each. The lotto only served to ramp up the excitement that swirled around the show.

But before Encanto and Hamilton there was In the Heights – a groundbreaking Tony-Award-winning musical that tells the story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. And like Hamilton, this show deserves to play to sold-out audiences too.

You can listen to the full spotlight on WGCU.

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‘Dangerous Liaisons’ opens at Lab Theater April 15

Dangerous Liaisons opens at Lab Theater on April 15. The play tells a tale of seduction in which sex is used as a weapon. Set among aristocrats before the French Revolution, the classic drama (adapted from the 18th-century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos) explores decadent sexuality, morals, and manipulation as the ultimate game played – with tragic results. This play is sensual, with a biting wit and a healthy dose of lust, intrigue, and sexual gamesmanship that will keep you on your toes until the final scene.

Go here to read the rest of this advance.

Please read here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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‘Head over Heels’ cast and crew not just saying gay, they’re singing it out loud

Head over Heels opens at New Phoenix Theatre on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers on April 7^th. The musical production is a resounding rejection of the divisiveness of the Don’t Say Gay Bill that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law on March 28. “When we picked this show the political climate was not quite this rancid regarding the LBGTQ community and transgender,” observes Director Scott Carpenter. “Right now, with the Governor signing the bill into law, the Don’t Say Gay Bill, I think it’s extremely important that we’re doing this show right now. Not only are we saying gay, we’re singing it out loud to everybody with the music of the Go-Gos.”

Listen to the full story on WGCU here.

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5     FILM

12th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival to open with ‘Calendar Girls’ documentary

The Fort Myers Film Festival will open its 12th annual festival on May 18 with Calendar Girls, a 2022 film about a group of Southwest Florida senior volunteer dancers who are determined to prove that age is just a number. The Calendar Girls give it all they’ve got, and they have a lot to give — impressive makeup, handmade costumes, elaborate dance routines, and, most notably, their unparalleled enthusiasm and sparkling personalities. Through revealing conversations and choreographed dance scenes, the film captures the challenges of being a woman over 60 and the delicate balance of family, home and dance. With laughter and tears, relationships and identities change as new dreams are discovered. The rest of this advance is here.

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Edison Ford Winter Estates holding evening of films on April 22

In the lead up to this year’s Fort Myers Film Festival, the Edison Ford Winter Estates will hold an evening of films under the stars on Friday, April 22. Three films will be featured:

• Nursery Favorites;
• The Koreshans: Legends and Legacies of Estero’s Urban Pioneers; and
• a retrospective that showcases the 12-year history of the Fort Myers Film Festival and includes a preview of Calendar Girls, the documentary that will open this year’s film festival on Mary 18.

The rest of this announcement is here.

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Kinetophone film ‘Nursery Favorites’ an early Ediosn ‘talkie’

The 1913 Edison kinetophone film Nursery Favorites will be one of three films shown on April 22 on the lawn of Henry Ford’s winter residence on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. One of more than 200 sound films released in 1913 and 1914, Nursery Favorites brings everyone’s favorite Mother Goose characters to life. Go here for more.