Performing and Visual Artists in the news in March, 2024

SetThis is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community during the month of February, 2024:

1     ACTORS

Amber Anderson plays multiple roles in ‘Freaky Friday’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Amber Anderson appears in multiple roles in Freaky Friday, including Wedding Magazine correspondent Danielle, Ms. Meyers, Officer Sitz and Savannah’s Mom. She is an avid theatre fan and was previously seen as Coach in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, in the ensemble of Rent and the youth production of A Christmas Carol at Fort Myers Theatre.

______________________________________

Isabella Andrews plays Carole King in ‘Beautiful’ 

Isabella Andrews is overjoyed to make her Broadway Palm debut in her #1 dream role, Carole King in Beautiful. Isabella originates from Chicago, where her regional credits include Inga in Young Frankenstein and Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act at the Mercury Theatre Chicago and Alice Murphy in Bright Star at Timber Lake Playhouse. Go here to see the rest of her credits.

______________________________________________

Emilie Baartman is Cherie in ‘Bus Stop’ for Studio Players

Naples actor, singer, dancer, costume and set designer Emilie Baartman . She makes her Studio Players debut in the role of Cherie in William Inge’s Bus Stop. Emilie’s recent stage credits include Myrtle Mae in Harvey for The Naples Players, Brooke in Noises Off (Lab Theater), Lucinda in Into the Woods (New Phoenix Theatre), Kia in The Last Schwartz (New Phoenix Theatre), work in the ensemble of Head Over Heels (New Phoenix Theatre) and flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing (The Naples Players). There’s more. Go here for the rest of Emilie’s stage credits.

_________________________________________

Seth Balcer is Mischa Bachinski in ‘Ride the Cyclone’

Seth Balcer plays the part of Mischa Bachinski in Ride the Cyclone. Seth’s previous stage credits include Willard Hewitt in Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre, sadistic dentist Orin in Little Shop of Horrors, the Narrator in Into the Woods, and Dewey Finn, an energetic down-on-his-luck wannabe rock superstar, in School of Rock, all at Belle Theatre in Cape Coral.

__________________________________________________

Kathleen Barney in The Studio Players’ production of ‘Bus Stop’

Southwest Florida theater veteran Kathleen Barney appears in the role of Grace for The Studio Players in William Inge’s Bus Stop. Among Kathleen’s stage credits are Madame Arcati in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit for The Naples Players, Patty in Walter Cronkite Is Dead, Aida in Over The River and Through The Woods and Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, all for The Studio Players, along with Caroline in Take Five, Carol in The Last Romance, various roles in Love Loss and What I Wore, Ginger in Becky’s New Car, Carmen in Cookin with Gus and Truvy in Steel Magnolias for The Marco Players (where she had performed for seven years).

_____________________________________

.

Nick Beyor is Noel Gruber in ‘Ride the Cyclone’

Nick Beyor plays Noel Gruber for Lab Theater in Ride the Cyclone. Beyor previously played Lord Pinkleton for Belle Theatre in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Seymour for Belle Theatre in Little Shop of Horrors, Musidorus in Head Over Heels at New Phoenix Theatre and Billy Jr. in On Golden Pond at Cultural Park Theater, where he was reunited with his theater instructor, Gerrie Benzing (who played Ethel Thayer).

____________________________________________________

.

Jania Boucher is Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in ‘Ride the Cyclone’

Jania Boucher plays the part of Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in Ride the Cyclone at Lab Theater. She previously appeared as Poppy in Noises Off, Marcella in Save Hamlet. Boucher was introduced in the short film Until Then produced by Three Block Radius in 2018. Born with a passion to perform, Jania has more than 20 years of experience in multi-styled dance and is also skilled as a singer-songwriter, making her a genuine triple threat.

______________________________________________________________________

.

Allison Ceralde is Janet Van de Graaf in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ for Fort Myers Theatre

Allison Ceralde is Janet Van de Graaf in The Drowsy Chaperone. Among Allison’s prior stage credits are one of the phantoms at Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show, work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast at Fort Myers Theatre, Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Shulie in Schoolhouse Rock Live and Sally Perks in Puffs.

__________________________________________________

.

Steven Coe is Hal in David Auburn’s {proof} at Players Theatre

Steven Coe plays the part of Hal in the David Auburn drama {proof} at Players Circle Theatre. Steven’s credits include Happy Mahoney in Clown Bar for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts (twice), Freddy in Noises Off (Lab Theater), Murder at the Howard Johnson’s (Players Circle Theater), Hamlet in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Save Hamlet, David in The Foreigner for Players Circle Theatre, and Mitch Brenner in The Birds: A Parody. Go here for more of Steven’s theatrical credits.

______________________________________________

Chloe Elliott-Chan is Catherine in {proof} at Players Circle

Chloe Elliott-Chan appears in the role of Catherine for Players Circle Theater in David Auburn’s drama {proof}. Among Elliott-Chan’s most recent credits are Jim Brock’s poem-play No Single Body for Me to Follow (for Ghostbird Theatre Company), Bernadette in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Save Hamlet and Madam de Tourvel in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (also for Lab Theater). Read the rest of Chloe’s stage credits here.

_________________________________________________

.

Mitch Frank is Dr. Lyman in ‘Bus Stop’ for The Studio Players

Mitch Frank appears in the role of Dr. Lyman for The Studio Players. Studio Players patrons will recall Mitch’s performances as Sam, the butcher, The Cemetery Club, Sean Grennan in Beer for Breakfast, Peter in Slow Food and Art Kirk in Nuts. Read more of Mitch’s stage credits here.

________________________________________

Sarah Gamblin is Elma in William Inge’s ‘Bus Stop’

Sarah Gamblin appears in the role of Elma in William Inge’s Bus Stop. The part represents her Studio Players debut. Her previous credits include work in the ensemble (and as a dresser) in The Sound of Music at The Naples Players. At TNP, she also was Stage Manager for The Fantasticks, an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) and Costume Stage Manager for Into the Woods JR, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast JR, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame TEEN.

___________________________________________________

David Hernandez is the Mayor of Sweet Apple in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

David Hernandez appears in the role of the Mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio in Bye Bye Birdie at Cultural Park Theatre.  David’s previous stage credits include Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose the Musical at Cultural Park Theatre (2023), Paul in A Chorus Line for Melody Lane Theatre (2023), Manolo in Odd Couple: Female Version for The Belle Theatre (2022), Spot Conlon/Nunzio in Newsies for The Belle Theatre (2022) and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for Melody Lane Theatre (2020).

____________________________________________

Catherine Jeanty plays multiple roles in ‘Freaky Friday’

Catherine Jeanty plays multiple roles in Freaky Friday at Fort Myers Theatre, including Pastor Bruno, Dr. Ehrin and Officer Kowalski. Previous credits include good witch Glinda in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre, multiple roles (cook/scientist/ensemble) in Willy Wonka (Fort Myers Theatre) and the ensemble of Rent (Fort Myers Theatre). Cat grew up watching some of her favorite shows on Broadway as a child and loves performing. In addition to this, she also works in finance, is in a band and is teaching private violin lessons at Mr. Music in Fort Myers.

________________________________________

.

Gabrielle Lansden is Jane Doe in ‘Ride the Cyclone’

Gabrielle Lansden appears for Lab Theater in the role of Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone. Lansden’s acting credits include Dusty in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him, Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the part of Lucy in Avenue Q (2022), Janet Weiss in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show (2018), and Tina from Trilla in Ghostbird Theatre Company’s production of Barry Cavin’s Boxes Are for What We Keep. You will find the rest of Gabrielle’s acting credits here.

_______________________________________

Paul LoPresti in ‘Bus Stop’ for The Studio Players

Paul LoPresti appears as Will Masters for The Studio Players in William Inge’s comedy Bus Stop. Paul was last seen for The Studio Players as money-obsessed used car salesman Paul in Murder at the Howard Johnson’s. Paul’s other stage credits include Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol and Herr Von Hussler in Mary Poppins for The Naples Players. He has performed at TNP over the years in the productions of Calendar Girls, as Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, as Lt. Brannigan in Guys and Dolls and as D.A. Mara in Miracle on 34th Street, as well as in Music Man, My Fair Lady, Hello Dolly, Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, Secret Garden, and Cabaret.

_______________________________________________________________

Bailey McArthur is Gloria Rasputin in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ at Cultural Park Theatre

Bailey McArthur appears in the role of Gloria Rasputin in Bye Bye Birdie at Cultural Park Theatre. Bailey’s previous stage credits include Ariel Moore’s bestie, Rusty, in Footloose the Musical (for which she also did all the choreography), Tricia in A Chorus Line for Melody Lane Theatre, a Venue-a-Go-Go Girl in Rock of Ages for Melody Lane Theatre and Lucinda in Into the Woods for The Belle Theatre.

__________________________________________

John McKerrow is Robert in {proof} at Players Circle

John McKerrow is a Naples-based stage, film and television actor, director and acting coach. He appears in the role of Robert in David Auburn’s drama {proof} at Players Circle. John’s local stage credits include Jonas Fogg and the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for Lab Theater, and Ed/Father for Players Circle Theatre in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. See more of John’s stage credits here.

_________________________________________

Bradyn Parmelly is Conrad Birdie in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Bradyn Parmelly is Conrad Birdie in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Bye Bye Birdie. Bradyn’s recent stage credits include Ren McCormack in Footloose (2024), Pippin in Pippin (2023) and Danny Zuko in Grease (2023) at Cultural Park Theatre, as well as Grantaire in Les Miserables (2023) and Greg in A Chorus Line (2023) with Melody Lane Theatre. Other credits include Leon Czolgosz in Assassins (2021) and Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors (2020).

_____________________________________________

Giana Randall is school bully Savannah in ‘Freaky Friday’

Giana Randall appears in the role of school bully Savannah in Freaky Friday at Fort Myers Theatre. Giana has loved and been involved in theater since the age of five. She has been in over 30 productions. She was previously seen as a dancer in the ensemble in both Elf the Musical and Music Man (both produced by Fort Myers Theater), Charlie Bucket’s mother in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of Willy Wonka, Audrey in Descendants, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray Jr, Mrs. Pugh in Annie, Goldilocks in Goldilocks with a Twist, and Taylor in the upcoming short film, The Remedy. Upcoming roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

________________________________________

Donna Richman is Mrs. MacAfee in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Donna Richman appears in the role of Mrs. MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie at Cultural Park Theatre. Donna’ prior stage credits include Sister Augusta in Drinking Habits at The Belle Theatre, Norma in Deborah Laufer’s The Last Schwartz at New Phoenix Theatre, Katherine inWelcome Home(Billboard Players), Renee in After-Play(Theatre Box), Karen in Plaza Suite(Herricks Players), Molly in The Front Page(Hofstra/USA), Claudia in Nutsand Felicity in The Shadow Box(Thursday Night Theatre). Prior to relocating to Florida, Donna acted for many years in New York.

______________________________________________________

Brittany Ringsdore plays Constance Blackwood in ‘Ride the Cyclone’

Brittany Ringsdore plays the part of Constance Blackwood in Ride the Cyclone. Brittany’s prior credits include Columbia in Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre (twice), Queen Belle in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Matilda in All Shook Up, Ursula in Little Mermaid, Dragon in Shrek and Sour Kangaroo in Seussical. Brittany also spends time on Tik Tok @brittanyringsdore cosplaying popular characters such as Harley Quinn, Christine Daae, Mary Jane Watson and Belle.

_____________________________________________________

Elizabeth Robb is Hannah in ‘Freaky Friday’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Elizabeth Robb is Hannah in Freaky Friday at Fort Myers Theatre. Previous stage credits include Yvette in Clue on Stage at Fort Myers Theatre, work in the ensemble of Elf the Musical (Fort Myers Theatre, 2023), the Genie in Aladdin (Fort Myers Theatre, 2023), Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Fort Myers Theatre, 2023), Evie in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical (2023), Babette in Beauty and the Beast (2023), a member of the ensemble in Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre (2021), and one of the Venus A-Go-Go Girls in Rock of Ages High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre (2021).

_______________________________________

Marie Talley is Katherine Blake in ‘Freaky Friday’

Marie Talley plays the part of Katherine Blake in Freaky Friday at Fort Myers Theatre. Other credits include Betty Haynes in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Maleficent in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, work in the ensemble of Rent, Marie in Sound of Music, West Side Story and Most Happy Fella. Marie studied vocal performance and music at the University of Florida and is part of Gulfshore Opera’s ensemble, the GO Divas.

______________________________________________________

Winter Talley is Ellie Blake in ‘Freaky Friday’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Winter Talley appears in the role of Ellie Blake in Freaky Friday at Fort Myers Theatre. Prior stage credits include work in the ensemble of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Mal in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Belle in Beauty and the Beast Jr., Katherine in Newsies Jr., Elsa in Frozen Jr. and Wednesday in Addams Family Jr.

___________________________________________________

Jessica Turner is The Drowsy Chaperone for Fort Myers Theatre

Jessica Turner appears in the title role in The Drowsy Chaperone at Fort Myers Theatre. Jessica last played Deb in Elf the Musical and Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man for Fort Myers Theatre. She was also seen in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast. Jessica has been tap dancing since she was 5, so you’ll be sure to see her in even more upcoming shows.

_________________________________________

Aseem Upadhyay in ‘Bus Stop’ at The Studio Players

Aseem Upadhyay appears in the role of cowboy Bo Decker for The Studio Players in William Inge’s Bus Stop. He appeared previously in the role of Phoebus in The Naples Players’ production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Prior to that, Aseem’s last musical was more than a decade ago in India in a play titled Shakuntala, in which he played Kanva, a great ascetic sage. He was seen most recently for The Studio Players as Paul in Saving Kitty. 

_____________________________________________

.

Kagan Vann is Robert Martin in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’

Kagan Vann appears as Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone. Kagan’s other credits include the role of Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show for Fort Myers Theatre (twice), the role of Lumiere for Fort Myers Theater in Beauty and the Beast, Ferdinand in Lab Theater’s production of The Tempest (which marked his Lab Theater debut), deranged King Charlemagne in Pippin, Jafar in Aladdin and Shrek in Shrek the Musical.

_________________________________________

Angela Watson is Claire in {proof} at Players Circle

Angela Watson plays the role of Claire in {proof} at Players Circle Theatre. Angela’s local stage credits include The Dining Room, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s for The Players Circle. Go here for the rest of Angela’s performance credits.

_______________________________________________

Jack Weld appears as Virgil in ‘Bus Stop’ for Studio Players

Jack Weld appears in the role of Virgil in The Studio Players’ production of Bus Stop. Jack has performed in plays and musicals in Fort Myers and Naples since 2003. Weld was last seen playing multiple roles in The Naples Players’ production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Jack also appeared at TNP in Something Rotten, Les Miserables, The Producers, Guys and Dolls, She Loves Me, The Music Man, Footloose, Young Frankenstein and The Producers. You will find the rest of Jack’s impressive stage credits here.

___________________________________

2     DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

Amy Marie McCleary directs/choreographs ‘Beautiful’

Amy Marie McCleary directs and choreographs the Carole King story, Beautiful, for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre with with Swing! and Addams Family to follow that.

McCleary just directed and choregographed Snowbird Follies and Rodgers & Hammerstein: A Grand Night for Singing for Southwest Florida Theatre. But  most Southwest Florida theater lovers know McCleary through her work as Prather Entertainment Group’s resident director and choreographer. In that capacity, she has staged more than 50 productions, including Elvis: A Musical Revolution, Elf the Musical, Footloose, The Wizard of Oz (2022), Escape to Margaritaville (2022), Singin’ in the Rain (2022), Beehive the 60s Musical (Dutch Apple Theatre), Holly Jolly Christmas (which she created), The Sound of Music, Happy Days, Holiday Inn, Kinky Boots (choreography by Chris Kane), Beauty and the Beast, Momma Mia, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Little Shop of Horrors, Memphis, Hairspray, Grease, CATS, Swing, Sister Act and Peter Pan, among others. As choreographer, Amy has staged dances for Evita, Cabaret, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, All Shook Up, The King and I, Les Miserables, Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and the 2009/2010 national tour of The Wedding Singer. She also did the choreography for Prather’s 2018 production of Chicago, for which she won a Broadway World Award for Best Choreography (Professional).

___________________________

3     THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Galore, Winters set to sizzle in ‘Nude Nocturn!’

The sensational duo and the stars of the stage, Freckles Galore and Pixel Winters will celebrate the human body in all shapes and sizes at the Alliance for the Arts on March 30th in a mesmerizing Nude Nocturne! 🎭 burlesque performance.

Freckles Galore (made of freckles and everything nice) and Pixel Winters (the suspiciously adorable Countess of Quirk) burned up the Foulds Theatre stage during the inaugural Fringe Fort Myers Festival last year with their highly entertaining and educational Carousel of Burlesque. [Teaser: Carousel of Burlesque is slated to return for the second annual Fringe Fort Myers taking place May 30th through June 2nd.]

Although the ladies are more than enough, Nude Nocturne! 🎭 will amp up the pulsating rhythm of the night with live DJs setting the mood and silk aerialists performing overhead. There’s something for attendees senses of taste and smell, with Nice Guys Pizza crafting tantalizing cocktails and mocktails, Duke & Dame Whiskey igniting attendees’ palettes with samples of their exquisite flavored whiskey and mouthwatering tacos from Taco Works.

But there’s more!

The main gallery will be adorned with larger-than-life nude artwork by Francesco Gillia, and ticket holders can unleash their creativity in a quick-draw human form course or be captivated by live body painting sessions with sultry models.

That’s not all!

The members gallery will be transformed into a Red-Light District, where small works of nude art from Behind the Buddha will be available for purchase.

Each ticket purchased will grant access to one performance either  at 6, 7, or 8 p.m.

Tickets are priced at $45 in advance, $55 at the door (subject to availability), each granting access to one unforgettable Burlesque performance. Alternatively, a $25 ticket option allows entry after 8:00, excluding the burlesque show.

For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP table seating for six awaits at $500, complete with a bottle of bubbly and exclusive access to a tantalizing burlesque performance.

Alliance members are treated to one complimentary beverage per ticket.

This evening is for those 21+ only.

______________________________________________________________

‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ is more than just another jukebox musical

Beautiful is frequently labeled a jukebox musical because the show features more than a dozen songs from Carole King’s songwriting catalog.

Writer Douglas McGrath chose the songs he did not just because of their popularity.

Each serves as a milestone in King’s progression from a young girl who wrote for the Drifters, Shirelles, Righteous Brothers and Neil Sedaka to one of the most transformative pop-rock singer-songwriters of our times.

“The show itself really encapsulates her growth as a young girl who writes for others and she grows up and she begins to write for herself,” observes Amy Marie McCleary, who directed and choreographed the show for Broadway Palm.

Listen to the rest of this review on WGCU.

_______________________________________________

‘Bye Bye Birdie’ one of most captivating musicals of all time

Cultural Park Theater brings an updated version of the 1963 classic Bye Bye Birdie to the stage beginning February 29th. Described as “one of the most captivating musical shows of our time,” Bye Bye Birdie is filled with memorable songs, including “How Lovely to Be a Woman,” “Honestly Sincere,” Kids,” and “Put on a Happy Face.” Cultural Park’s production features strong vocals, wonderful choreography and a host of eager young faces. Read more here.

Go here for play dates, times and a cast list.

___________________________________________

‘Freaky Friday’ features real-life mother and daughter

On stage at Fort Myers Theatre through March 17th is the moving musical comedy Freaky Friday.

An adaptation of the classic novel and beloved films, Freaky Friday follows teenager Ellie Blake and her mother, Katherine, on the weirdest, strangest, craziest, freakiest day of their whole lives. The day before Katherine’s highly-publicized marriage, she and her daughter are magically transported into each other’s bodies. Now they literally have to spend a day walking in each other’s shoes as they try to figure out how to reverse the swap. In the process, they gain understanding and forge a new mother-daughter relationship.

Find the rest of this review here.

Go here for play dates, times and a cast list.

_________________________________________

‘Drowsy Chaperone’ a magical piece of meta-theatre

The Drowsy Chaperone is a magical piece of meta-theatre. An ode to melodrama, this playful, heartfelt parody of the 1920s musical comedy is the lighthearted antidote to the angst and malaise of the election cycle. It features a chirpy jazz age score by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a lively, clever book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar (both were Tony winners in 2006). The score boasts such tunes as the scenery-chomping “Show Off,” the sizzling and silly “I Am Aldolpho,” the double-entendre laden “Toledo Surprise” and “As We Stumble Along,” a rousing anthem to optimistic alcoholism. It plays at Fort Myers Theatre

Read the full advance here.

Find play dates, times and a cast list here.

______________________________________________________________________

Modern cult classic and viral hit, ‘Ride the Cyclone’ makes SWFL premiere at Lab Theater

The cult classic Ride the Cyclone makes its Southwest Florida premiere at The Laboratory Theater of Florida February 23-March 23. With book, lyrics, and music by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, the story follows the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir that are cut short in a freak accident aboard a rollercoaster. They awake in a surreal, carnival limbo in which they compete to win a prize like no other: the chance to return to life. The modern cult classic and viral hit Ride the Cyclone will have you asking the big questions while having amusement park fun.

Read the full advance here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

______________________________________________________________

Opera Naples’ 4th Annual Festival Under the Stars features Nicoletta Pavarotti

The 4th Annual Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars runs through March 10th in Cambier Park. Upcoming performances encompass opera, orchestra concerts, piano recitals, flamenco, ballet, films, family-oriented activities, and master classes. Several of these performances pay tribute the late, great Luciano Pavarotti, and the tenor’s widow, Nicoletta Pavarotti, is in town for those events and lay the foundation for construction of a museum and theater in Naples that is dedicated to opera. Hear the full story on WGCU.

______________________________________________________________

Gulfshore Ballet’s ‘Carmen’ a loving tribute to choreographer Jimmy Gamonet 

Gulfshore Ballet Company is performing Carmen on Thursday, March 7^th in Cambier Park as part of Opera Naples’ Fourth Annual Festival Under the Stars. This year’s festival will pay tribute to the artistry and humanity of Luciano Pavarotti. In a similar vein, Carmen is an homage to the late, great ballet choreographer Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros. Gamonet died from COVID in 2021 at the age of 63. But he left his mark on the world of ballet and the dancers who performed his work, such as Gulfshore Ballet co-founder and Artistic Director Iliana Lopez. Hear the rest of the story on WGCU.

__________________________________________

David Auburn’s {proof} winds down at Players Circle 

{proof} ends its run at Players Circle Theater with shows on March 1, 2 and  3. David Auburn’s contemporary classic American drama marks the fourth production at Players Circle’s new home in the heart of the McGregor Corridor (13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919).

Read the full advance here.

Find play dates, times and ticket information here.

_______________________

.

Hear about {proof} on WGCU

In David Auburn’s proof, sisterly bonds and romantic relationships are put to the test when a female college drop-out authors a groundbreaking mathematical discovery that everyone ascribes to her recently-deceased father.

Hear more on WGCU.

___________________________________________________________________

Studio Players’ ‘Bus Stop’ runs at Golden Gate Community Center through March 24

The Studio Players’ production of Bus Stop continues its run at Golden Gate Community Center February through March 24th. “Get ready for a journey into the human heart and the complexities of relationships as we present this timeless American classic,” promises Director Paula Keenan. “Our talented ensemble will take you on a powerful and emotionally charged journey through the snowbound confines of Grace’s Diner. Bus Stop explores the themes of love, vulnerability, and the human desire to connect.” Go here for play dates, times and a cast list.

_______________________________________

‘Bus Stop’ a must-see slice of Midwest Americana

Coming to the Joan Jenks stage in February is The Studio Players’ production of William Inge’s Bus Stop. The play juxtaposes three parallel stories of sexual attraction which independently explore the dichotomy between lust and love, longing and gratification.

Each “couple” is fraught with contradictions and complexities that Inge explores and resolves over the course of his comedy. The first is a cowpoke named Bo and the object of his obsession, a sweet but talentless saloon singer who calls herself Cherie. Bo suffers not only from inexperience, but caveman mentality.

Read the rest of this advance here.

_______________________________________________

4     THE ARTS

The arts generate $135.3 million in economic impact in Lee County

The Americans for the Arts’ AEP6 (Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6) finds that Lee County’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated more than $135 million in economic activity in 2022 and supported more than 2,500 full time jobs. We explore results of the study, and the case they make for more public support for the arts, in a conversation with Alliance for the Arts Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart, Florida Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, and local arts reporter and advocate Tom Hall. Listen to the broadcast here.

5     HISTORICAL POINTS OF INTEREST IN THE NEWS

Fort Myers adds historic points of interest to Otocast mobile phone app

Since 2017, the City of Fort Myers has subscribed to a free mobile app called Otocast so that residents and visitors can access information about the artistic landmarks that dot our cityscape and residential neighborhoods. At present, descriptions, artist bios, current and historic photographs and audios are live on the app for 49 of the 53 murals that circumscribe the river basin adjacent to Luminary Hotel as well as 30 of the sculptures and monuments that comprise the City’s permanent public art collection.

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

_________________________________________

.

Text, photos and audio for Casa Rio now on Otocast

Casa Rio is the latest historic structure to be added to the Fort Myers Guide on Otocast, the free mobile phone app that the City of Fort Myers has installed to acquaint the public with its artistic and historic points of interest. Located at 2424 McGregor Boulevard, Casa Rio is a two-story masonry Mission Spanish Colonial Revival-style home that’s a tribute to an earlier era. You will find more on this historic point of interest here.

___________________________________________

.

Text, photos and audio for Dean Hotel now on Otocast

The Dean Hotel, also known as the Morgan Hotel, is the latest historic structure to be added to the Fort Myers Guide on Otocast, the free mobile phone app that the City of Fort Myers has installed to acquaint the public with its artistic and historic points of interest. Today, the ground floor is occupied by Ford’s Garage, home to famous burgers and craft beers, with the second and third stories containing office suites.

Originally named The Morgan, the Dean Hotel was built by John Morgan Dean, a wildly successful furniture manufacturer from Providence, Rhode Island. Dean had first come to Fort Myers in 1898 on a hunting trip with a friend. He liked the town so much that he came every winter after that.

You will find more about this historic point of interest here.

_____________________________________________________

Text, photos and audio for First National Bank building on Otocast

Art Southwest Florida previously reported that text, photos and audios have been added to the Fort Myers Guide on Otocast for thirteen historic points of interest. Included in that number is the First National Bank building located on the southeast corner of First and Hendry Streets.

In the Otocast audio, you’ll discover how archrivals Harvie Heitman and Walter Langford competed with each other by building opulent banks, how Walter Langford put Heitman’s drama society out on the street and how Tampa contractor G.A. Miller’s construction crew had to roll the gargantuan entry stone down Monroe, around the corner and down First Street like an army of ancient Egyptians on the morning of January 5, 1914. The audio will also tell you about the architect who designed the building, what it shares in common with Carnegie Hall, the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and the New York Public Library, and the pride the community took in the building even before it was completed that August.

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

_______________________________________________________

.

Text, photos and audio for Heitman-Evans Hardware Store on Otocast

Art Southwest Florida previously reported that text, photos and audios have been added to the Fort Myers Guide on Otocast for thirteen historic points of interest. Included in that number is the Heitman-Evans Hardware Building located on the northwest corner of First and Hendry Streets.

When you listen to the Otocast audio, you’ll hear about how Harvie Heitman and Ed Evans included a freight elevator in the building so that they could display large and bulky farm equipment and implements on the second floor of their state-of-the-art hardware store; what the inside of the store looked like and what other merchandise Heitman and Evans carried; and how and why Harvie Heitman insisted that the store be equipped with the town’s very first fire sprinkler system.

Continue reading here.

_______________________________________________

Text, photos and audio for Kress Building added to Otocast

Art Southwest Florida previously reported that text, photos and audios have been added to the Fort Myers Guide on Otocast for thirteen historic points of interest. A 14th location has now been added to Otocast, the Kress Building on Broadway across the street from the Franklin Shops on First. Most people today associate the nearly 100-year-old building with his anchor tenant, Starbucks.

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

___________________________________________________

.

Discover the history of the Murphy-Burroughs Home on Otocast

One of Fort Myers’ most elegant historic landmarks is the Murphy-Burroughs Home on the northeast corner of First and Fowler Streets. You can now discover the history of this scenic property on Otocast, the free mobile phone app that the City of Fort Myers has installed to acquaint the public with its artistic and historic points of interest.

Read more about this historic point of interest here.

______________________________________________________

.

Discover the history of the houses now home to Veranda Restaurant

The Veranda’s historical setting, romantic ambiance, Southern Regional Cuisine and first-class wait staff make this award-winning restaurant one of Southwest Florida’s top eateries. You can now discover the history of the two turn-of-the-20th-century Victorian houses that are home to Veranda on Otocast, the free mobile phone app that the City of Fort Myers has installed to acquaint the public with its artistic and historic points of interest. Go here for more on this historic point of interest.