Performing and Visual Artists in the news February, 2024

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

1     ACTORS

TJ Albertson returns to SWFL stage as Jeff in ‘Which Way to the Stage’

TJ Albertson returns the stage in the role of Jeff in Which Way to the Stage for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Prior to his intervening 3-year absence, TJ had turned in outstanding performances in Sarah Ruhl’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage, the priest in The Crucible, Anorexia Nervosa in The Legend of Georgia McBride, The Soldier in Andorra, Tyler Johnes in And the Winner Is … and Timmy in Hand to God. View the rest of Albertson’s theatrical credits here.

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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.

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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.

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Kathleen Barney in The Naples 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).

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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).

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Dea Boozer plays various roles in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Dea Boozer plays Marvel, Nikko and appears in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz at The Belle Theatre. Dea’s credits include Audrey II Pup in Little Shop of Horrors (Belle Theatre), Snow White/Birds in Into the Woods (Belle Theatre), Jesus/Swing in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cultural Park Theatre), Aggie Manvile in Play On! (Cultural Park Theatre) and a TV Tech in Visit to a Small Planet (also at Cultural Park Theatre).

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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.

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Sophia Brook stars as Dorothy in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at The Belle Theatre

Sophia Brook appears in the role of Dorothy for The Belle Theatre in The Wizard of Oz. Sophia has been performing since a very young age. Her prior stage credits include Pocahontas in Disenchanted the Musical for The Belle Theatre, Cady Heron for Gulf Coast Symphony in Mean Girls Jr., the ensemble of Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre, Rapunzel in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, Sandy in Grease, Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Mary in Mary Poppins. Go here to read the rest of Sophia’s credits.

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James Major Burns plays Rev. Brewster in ‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’

James Major Burns plays Rev. Brewster/Jackie Brenston for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Previous roles include Mr. Greenway in Elf the Musical (2023), Jamal in Escape To Margaritaville, Jimmy Thunder Early in Dreamgirls, Scarecrow in The Wiz, The Leading Player in Pippin, Boy/Waitress in The Colored Museum, Donkey in Shrek The Musical and Sebastian in The Little Mermaid.

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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.

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Isabella Cintron plays astronomer Antonia Maury in ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’

Isabella Cintron plays astronomer Antonia Maury in The Women Who Mapped the Stars. Her character is the voice of women’s rights not just in astronomy, but in society at large in the early 1900s. This was a epoch during which few women went to college or worked outside the home. Those who did made less than half of what their male counterparts were paid. That didn’t sit well with Antonia Maury, who says at one point during the play, “it’s barbaric. In 1999, yes, mark my words, in 1999, the women will be paid what men are paid, and everyone will look back at us appalled.” For more, read here.

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Tijuanna Clemons is Mama in Zora Howard’s ‘Stew’ at Lab Theater

Tijuanna Clemons appears in the role of Mama in Lab Theater’s production of Zora Howard’s drama Stew. She last appeared as Mame Wilks in Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts’ production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf – her August Wilson play, with her other roles being Ruby in King Hedley II, Bertha Holly in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and Louise in Seven Guitars, all for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Go here to see the rest of Tijuanna’s theatrical credits.

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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, Mitch Brenner in The Birds: A Parody, the impudent, bitingly witty rake Vicomte de Valmont in Lab Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons, Chris in Killer Joe and Jim Fingal in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre. Go here for more of Steven’s theatrical credits.

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Maryann Connolly is Heather Van Pree in ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’

Maryann Connolly plays Heather Van Pree in Nana’s Naughty Knickers for Cultural Park Theater. The singer- songwriter-model-actor’s stage credits include Vi Moore in Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre, The Full Monty for New Phoenix Theatre, Chicago (Hungarian immigrant Kaitlin Hunyak), Jesus Christ Superstar, Don’t Drink the Water and Sister Act for Cultural Park Theatre as well as The Witch in Into the Woods, Rachel in Glee, Skuttle in Little Mermaid, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, and a child in Elf at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

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Ryan Porter Craig plays Tinman and Hicks in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Ryan Porter Craig appears as the Tinman and Hick in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre. Previous credits include Scottish assassin Todd in Unnecessary Farce (Belle Theatre), Father Chenille in Drinking Habits (Belle Theatre), the Wolf and Prince Charming Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (New Phoenix Theatre), the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors (Belle Theatre), multiple roles for Gulf Coast Symphony in their holiday revue, Snowbird Follies and the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical.

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Rosie DeLeon is dutiful granddaughter Bridget Charles in ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’

Rosie DeLeon has appeared often on the boards at various Lee County venues. She plays Bridget Charles in Nana’s Naughty Knickers at Cultural Park Theater. Rosie’s credits include TWA flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing for Cultural Park Theatre, Lilly for The Studio Players in Jonathan Caron’s Need to Know (for which she also served as its Assistant Director), Corrie Bratter for The Studio Players in Barefoot in the Park, P.B. in One Slight Hitch, and Lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation for The Studio Players. There’s more. Go here to see what else Rosie’s been in.

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William Draper reprises the role of The King in ‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’

William Draper portrays The King, Elvis Pressley, in Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, a role he played for Prather Entertainment at its Dutch Apple venue in Pennsylvania. Memphis born and raised, William was immersed in the music of Elvis Pressley compliments of his grandparents, who played Elvis’ albums on a giant record player all the time. Draper debuted at Broadway Palm earlier in 2023 as Palm after his debut this summer as Prince Eric in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. His recent stage credits include Emmett in Legally Blonde, Billy Cane in Bright Star, and Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and aside from Elvis, his favorite role to date has been Cinderella’s Prince and The Wolf in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. For more, read here.

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Lauren Drexler plays astronomer Williamina Fleming in ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’

Lauren Drexler portrays Scottish astronomer Williamina (Mina) Paton Stevens Fleming in The Women Who Mapped the Stars. Lauren has enjoyed the both the pleasure and honor of creating original characters in Theatre Conspiracy’s world premiere productions of Repossessed, Becoming Eleanor, The Dunes, Here Lie the Demons, Virgin Tears on Wyoming Avenue and Romantic Fools. Among her other favorite productions are Tweetsie in Clown Bar (twice), Sharon in Jen Silverman’s The Roommate. Mrs. Stewart in The Role of Della, and Yetta in Lives of The Great Waitresses. You will find the rest of Lauren’s theatrical credits here.

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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.

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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.

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Alex Fullerton featured in ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ at Southwest Florida Theatre

Alex Fullerton is featured in Southwest Florida Theatre’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing. A regional actor based in New York City, Alex’s stage credits include Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain (for both Prather Entertainment and Alhambra Theater and Dining in Jacksonville), Crazy for You, Peter Pan (also directed by Amy McCleary) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Alex also spent a year performing at sea with Disney Cruise Line.

Alex has a BFA from the Boston Conservatory.

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Keith Gahagan is John D’Agata in ‘Lifespan of a Fact’

Keith Gahagan appears for The Studio Players in the role of John D’Agata in The Lifespan of a Fact. Among his numerous stage credits are Mr. Green in Clue: On Stage for the Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs,Harper for The Studio Players in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, postman Charlie Martin in On Golden Pond, Senator Charles Whitmore in the Studio Players’ production of Jason Odell Williams’ dramedy Church & State and Curt in Don’t Talk to the Actors. Go here to see the rest of Keith’s stage and other credits.

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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.

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Kate Glennon is Priscilla Pressley in ‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’

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Kate Glennon plays the part of Priscilla Pressley for Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Glennon’s previous credits include Frozen (The Palace Theatre), Carrie (Theresa Lang Theatre), Case Closed (New York Theatre Festival) and Social Studies (The Park Theater). Follow her at IG: @kateeglennon.

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Catherine Jeanty is Glinda in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Catherine Jeanty plays the good witch Glinda in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre. Previous credits include 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.

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Steven Michael Kennedy plays Mark in ‘Which Way to the Stage’

Cape Coral actor, director and theater instructor Steven Michael Kennedy plays Mark in Which Way to the Stage. Steven’s acting credits include Adolfo Pirelli in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Lab Theater), Melanie Daniels in Lab Theater’s parody of The Birds, Princeton in Avenue Q,  Leonardo da Vinci in Botticelli in the Fire and the role of Dan Anderson in the first U.S. licensed production of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man. Read the rest of Steven’s credits here.

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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), Tina from Trilla in Ghostbird Theatre Company’s production of Barry Cavin’s Boxes Are for What We Keep, and three shows under Stuart Brown’s direction at Florida SouthWestern State College, Paragon Springs, Sonnets for an Old Century and She Kills Monsters. You will find the rest of Gabrielle’s acting credits here.

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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.

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Emma Luke-Said is Trix the Aviator in ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Emma Luke-Said is Trix the Aviator in The Drowsy Chaperone at Fort Myers Theatre. Emma’s prior stage credits include Mrs. Claus and Matthews in Elf the Musical, Magenta in Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre, Princess Badroulbadour for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, Mrs. Beauregarde for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre, Go-to-Hell Kitty and work in the ensemble of Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, and work in the ensemble of both Rent and Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre, where she also played the part of Sister Berta in The Sound of Music.

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Noah Lynch is best man, George, in ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Noah Lynch appears in the role of the Best Man, George, in The Drowsy Chaperone.  Previous roles include Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast,  Tom Collins in Rent, Lurch in The Addams Family Musical, Adam in Theory of Relativity, Al Deluca in A Chorus Line and Zeke in High School Musical. He also recently directed Fort Myers Theatre’s production of tick, tick … Boom!

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Maliyah Mattis makes Broadway Palm debut in ‘Elvis’ ensemble

Maliyah Mattis makes her Broadway Palm Dinner Theater debut in the ensemble (and as swing) of Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Previous stage credits include Miss Esther Sherman in Fame for Cultural Park Theatre (2023), the Princess Who Kissed a Frog in Disenchanted the Musical for The Belle Theatre (2023), Yellow Heather (Heather McNamara) in Heathers the Musical Teen Edition for The Belle Theatre (2023) and Anything Goes for North Fort Myers High School (for which she was runner-up for Outstanding Performance in a Female-Identifying Role at the 2023 High School Musical Theatre Awards).

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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, Ed/Father for Players Circle Theatre in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Prospero in The Tempest (Lab Theater) and Bill in Mamma Mia! See more of John’s stage credits here.

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AJ Mendini featured in ‘Grand Night for Singing’ at Southwest Florida Theatre

AJ Mendini is featured in Southwest Florida Theatre’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing. AJ made his debut with Southwest Florida Theatre this past December with Snowbird Follies. Recent credits include Eddie in Dogfight, Claude in Hair, Jesus in Godspell at Fort Myers Theatre, Princeton in Avenue Q and Enjolras in Les Miserables. A recent Southwest Florida transplant, the New Jersey native is an accomplished performer and arts educator who has worked professionally throughout the Northeast. Go here to read more about AJ.

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Ariana Milian in ensemble of ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Ariana Milian works in the ensemble of The Drowsy Chaperone at Fort Myers Theatre. Ariana’s previous stage credits include one of the phantoms in The Rocky Horror Show (twice), Mrs. Gloop for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, Francesca for Lab Theater in the world premiere of Save Hamlet, the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Laboratory Theater of Florida, Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music for Fort Myers Theatre, a member of the ensemble of Rent, one of the cut dancers in A Chorus Line and Alice in Alice in Wonderland.

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Jim Moyer plays part of Colonel Parker in ‘Elvis A Musical Revolution’

After playing Santa in Elf The Musical, Jim Moyer returns to Broadway Palm in the role of Colonel Parker in Elvis: A Musical Revolution. A regular at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, Jim has been part of Buddy Holly, White Christmas, Will Rogers Follies, Holiday Inn, Happy Days and Elf the Musical.

Jim is retired from a long career in the business world and is enjoying his time now doing what he loves.

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Lauren Plank in ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ ensemble

Lauren Plank appears in the ensemble of The Drowsy Chaperone. Elf the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre. She recently appeared in the ensemble of Elf the Musical, played the museum guard in Descendants the Musical and will play the part of Chutney in Legally Blonde Jr. at Fort Myers Theatre. Lauren also traveled to Atlanta and England as a member of Fort Myers Theatre’s Junior Theatre Festival team.

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Sebastian Plymette is Jon in ‘tick, tick … Boom!’

Sebastian Plymette plays the part of Jon in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of tick, tick … Boom! Prior credits include Marcellus in The Music Man (Fort Myers Theatre, 2023) and Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show (Fort Myers Theatre, 2023).

Go here for more.

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Valerie Prottsman is Kitty in ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Valerie Prottsman appears in the role of Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone for Fort Myers Theatre. She was previously seen at Fort Myers Theatre in as Jovie in Elf the Musical and in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast. Both represented Valerie’s first foray into community theater. However, she’s no stranger to performing in front of crowds, having been in both show choir and marching band. Find out more about Valerie here.

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Kaia Rae plays astronomer Cecilia Payne in ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’

Kaia Rae appears in the role of Cecilia Payne in The Women Who Mapped the Stars in the Planetarium at Calusa Nature Center. Kaia’s stage credits include Suze for Lab Theater in Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Fairview, various roles in Five Times in One Night, Pip in the Florida premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage for The Lab, The Crucible (which marked her Lab Theater debut), Go to Hell Kitty and one of the merry murderesses in Chicago for Cultural Park Theatre and Will Scarlett in Marian, or the True Story of Robin Hood for Theatre Conspiracy.

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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.

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Stephanie Sabelhaus is Mrs. Gultch and the Wicked Witch in ‘Wizard of Oz’

Stephanie Sabelhaus appears in the dual roles of Mrs. Gultch and the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre. Stephanie’s stage credits include Rapunzel for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, Olive Madison in Belle Theatre’s production of Odd Couple: Female Version, Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Steele in A Piece of My Heart, the Emcee in And the Nominees Are, Orin Scrivello, DDS in Little Shop of Horrors, Mrs. Pickles in Onstage, Places Please! and Soupy Sue in Urinetown, all for Cultural Park Theater (and directed by Tyler Young with the exception of Piece of My Heart).

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Cassie Sampson plays superfan Judy in ‘Which Way to the Stage’

Cassie Sampson plays Judy for Theatre Conspiracy in Which Way to the Stage. She previously appeared as Sleeping Beauty in Disenchanted the Musical (The Belle Theatre, 2023), the Witch in Into the Woods for New Phoenix Theatre, Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella’s stepmother in Into the Woods for Belle Theatre, and was a member of the ensemble of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical and Queen Gynecia in Heed over Heels the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre. Read the rest of Cassie’s stage credits here.

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Shelley Sanders is Henrietta Leavitt in ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’

Shelley Sanders appears in the role of Henrietta Leavitt in The Women Who Mapped the Stars, which is being performed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Shelley’s acting credits include both dramatic, comedic and musical theater roles, including the role of Petunia in Clown Bar (twice), John Wesley Powell in Men in Boats, a variety of roles in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig, and Columbia in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show (New Phoenix Theatre). You will find the rest of Sanders’ theatrical credits here.

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Lexi Rae Smith plays Ann Margaret in ‘Elvis A Musical Revolution’ at Broadway Palm

Lexi Rae Smith is a Chicago-based actor who appears through February 17 as Ann Margaret (and Dixie) in Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. She was seen previously by Off Broadway Palm audiences as Jovie in Elf the Musical (2023), Sue Larson in Not Now, Darling and as a principal in 2022’s Ha! Ha! Ho! The Holiday Show. Lexi’s regional credits include Anna King in Dear Soldier Boy, Little Red in Into the Woods, Rusty in Footloose and Emma in Just Desserts: A Musical Bake-Off (Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse). You will find the rest of Lexi’s stage credits here.

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Jesse Stauffer is Uncle Henry in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Jesse Stauffer plays Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre. Previous roles include Mayor Meekly in Unnecessary Farce (Belle Theatre), Inspector Kemp in Young Frankenstein (New Phoenix Theatre), Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank (Fort Myers Theatre) and Charlie in Toast on 10, Douglas Winings’ short film in the Laboratory Theater of Florida’s 2021 24-H0ur Screenwriting Challenge.

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Stacy Stauffer is Annie Jump Cannon in ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’

Talented character actor Stacy Stauffer appears as Annie Jump Cannon in The Women Who Mapped the Stars, which is being performed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Her previous stage credits include Sally in Drinking Habits (Belle Theatre), the President’s press secretary for Lab Theater in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive and Cinderella’s stepmother in Into the Woods at New Phoenix Theatre. Read more of Stacy’s theatrical credits here.

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John Strealy is Officer O’Grady in ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’

John D. Strealy appears for Cultural Park Theatre in the role of Officer Tom O’Grady in Nana’s Naughty Knickers. John’s credits include Robert in Boeing Boeing, Steven in Jonathan Caroln’s Need to Know for The Studio Players, Yasmina Reza’s Art, Paul Bratter for The Studio Players in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, and Ryan in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch. There’s more. Go here for the rest of John’s credits.

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Kimberly Suskind featured in ‘Grand Night for Singing’ at Southwest Florida Theatre

From Greater Philadelphia, Kimberly Suskind is an actor, singer, dancer and the Artistic Director of Robin Dawn Academy’s Gypsy Playhouse. She is currently featured in Southwest Florida Theatre’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing. Kimberly has worked at many professional regional theatres across the country, including Walnut Street Theatre (PA), Cape May Stage (NJ), Delaware Theatre Company (DE), The Theatre Barn (NY), Eagle Theatre (NJ), Bucks County Playhouse (PA), Nightcap Cabaret (PA), Metro Stage Company (MA) and Village Theatre & Civic Light Opera (WA). You will find Kimberly’s extensive and impressive credits here.

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Chris Treece is the wizard in ‘Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Chris Treece plays the part of the wizard in The Wizard of Oz for Belle Theatre.  Among Chris’ previous stage credits are police detective Eric Sheldon in Unnecessary Farce, Paul in Drinking Habits, multiple roles (Big Bud Dean, Coach Ripper, Veronica’s Dad and Kurt’s Dad) in Heathers the Musical and Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors.

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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.

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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 last performed with The Studio Players as Paul in Saving Kitty. Aseem was most recently seen as Lyman Sanderson in Harvey at The Naples Players. Other notable credits include Charles Bingley in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Simon in The Game’s Afoot, Max and Peter in By the Way Meet Vera Stark, all for The Naples Players.

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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.

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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. Her film credits include Milly in Final Approach (video, 2005) and Mom in Cowboys and Indians (short film, 2007). Go here for the rest of Angela’s performance credits.

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Tracy Weaver is Aunt Em in ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Belle Theatre

Tracy Weaver appears as Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz for The Belle Theatre. The actor/singer’s stage credits include Sister Philamena in Drinking Habits (The Belle Theatre), Ella’s cruel and demeaning stepmother, Madame, in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (The Belle Theatre), Rosemonde in Dangerous Liaisons (Lab Theater), Mrs. T in Avenue Q (Lab Theater debut), Lady Basildon in An Ideal Husband (The Naples Players), various comedic roles in Mamma Won’t Fly (Cultural Park Theater)

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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.

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2     DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS

Carmen Crussard directs ‘Which Way to the Stage’ for Theatre Conspiracy

A uniquely insightful, stage savvy and immensely talented actor, director and instructor, Carmen Crussard directs Which Way to the Stage for Theatre Conspiracy. She previously directed Lauren Yee’s The Hatmaker’s Wife for Theatre Conspiracy. For Lab Theater, Carmen has previously directed Mitch Albom’s And the Winner Is …., The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s, The Smell of the Kill, Play On!, Scrooge TV: A Modern Christmas Carol and The Second Book of Ruth, all for Laboratory Theater of Florida. (She was also Assistant Director for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.) Other directorial credits include Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., Wizard of Oz and The Addams Family.

As the Youth Theatre Director for the Alliance for the Arts since 2012, she has directed such wondrously ambitious, wonderfully-staged and densely-packed musical productions as The Addams Family, Pippin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Calvin Berger, Monty Python’s Spamalot the Musical, Heathers the Musical, Almost, Maine, Peter Pan, Jr. and Xanadu, Jr.

Carmen also works full-time as the Theatre Director at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, where she most recently directed Holiday Inn.

For more on Carmen’s theatrical credits, please read here.

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Sonya McCarter directs Zora Howard’s ‘Stew’ at Lab Theater

Sonya McCarter is an actor, director and instructor. She is directing Zora Howard’s Stew for Lab Theater. Sonya’s other directing credits include Radio Golf for Theater Conspiracy, Pass Over for Lab Theater, Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the Musical, Fairview, The Color Purple, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, King Hedley II, Seven Guitars, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye and George C. Wolff’s The Colored Museum.

Read the rest of Sonya’s theatrical credits here.

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Amy Marie McCleary directs/choreographs ‘Elvis A Musical Revolution’ & ‘Grand Night’

If you want to get something done, goes the old adage, ask a busy person. Especially a busy woman. Like Amy McCleary. She just directed and choreographed Elf the Musical for Broadway Palm, Snowbird Follies for Southwest Florida Theatre and Madagascar Jr. All while moving into a new house and preparing for the holidays! Now she’s directed and choreographed Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Broadway Palm and Rodgers & Hammerstein: A Grand Night for Singing for Southwest Florida Theatre.

McCleary is a multi-faceted musical theater artist who works as an actor, director and choreographer in local and regional theater. Most Southwest Florida theater lovers know McCleary through her work as Prather Entertainment Group’s resident director/choreographer. In that capacity, she has staged more than 50 productions, including 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).

· Among McCleary’s favorite director/choreographer credits are Grease (Broadway Palm 2021), Beehive: The 60s Musical (Broadway Palm 2021), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Broadway Palm), Yeston & Kopit’s Phantom (Broadway Palm), the 2015 national tour of Memphis the Musical, the international tour of The Wizard of Oz (Choreographer), Footloose, Sister Act, I Love a Piano, Hairspray, 9 to 5 (Little Theatre on the Square), CATS, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (for the Herb Strauss Theatre), Spamalot (Herb Strauss Theatre), Hairspray (UNCG), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical and Some Enchanted Evening.

Next up for Ms. McCleary is Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, with Swing! and Addams Family to follow that.

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Lauren Miller stage manages ‘Stew’ for Lab Theater

Lauren Miller is stage manager for Lab Theater’s Stew. She was also Director Anne Dodd’s stage manager for Sirens and directed Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some), I and You, and a one-act play as part of the 24-Hour Playwriting Project a few years ago. See the rest of Lauren’s theatrical credits here.

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3     THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Follow the yellow brick road to Belle Theatre for ‘Wizard of Oz’

Join Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto over the rainbow when The Wizard of Oz comes to The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. This TCM classic brings together an iconic score and timeless story as we journey from Kansas to Oz and all the way back. The show runs February 2-18. Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution at Broadway Palm through February 17

Elvis a Musical Revolution plays on the main stage at Broadway Palm through February 17th. This official Elvis Presley bio-musical takes a closer look at the rock star and cultural icon whose impact shaped the history of music. Spanning from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his triumphant 1968 “Comeback Special” and his ascent to be “The King.” You’ll hear iconic hits including All Shook Up, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel, Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes and more!

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‘Elvis: A Musical Revolution’ chronicles the King’s many triumphs and travails

Elvis: A Musical Revolution continues its run at Broadway Palm through February 17. The bio-musical features some forty numbers from Presley’s storied catalog. More importantly, it chronicles Presley’s pervasive influence on American music – and the bands emerging in the late ‘50s and ‘60s across the proverbial pond. Read the full review here.

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‘Run for Your Wife’ in Off Broadway Palm through February 25

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre presents Run for Your Wife through February 25th. Written by the “master of farce” Ray Cooney, this comedy is said to be one of the funniest and most popular of all his plays.

Run For Your Wife is the story of London cab driver John Smith who has two separate lives, complete with two wives, Mary and Barbara. He has successfully kept his two lives separate by spending mornings with Barbara and evenings with Mary. Hilarity ensues when he is injured during a mugging and the police return him to the wrong home at the wrong time. To complicate things further, John’s picture appears in the local paper and the police show up to investigate how two men named John Smith with two different addresses were both mugged on the same day.

Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $55 to $70 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.

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Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium hosts ‘Women Who Mapped the Stars

The Women Who Mapped the Stars is coming to Southwest Florida in February.  But it is not being performed in the Foulds Theatre. Instead, it will be staged as a fundraiser for and is being performed at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Read the advance here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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‘Women Who Mapped the Stars’ credits discoveries made by Harvard’s female computers

The story of NASA human computer Katherine Goble Johnson is well-known today thanks to Theodore Melfi’s Academy Award-winning film, Hidden Figures. A new play seeks to do the same for a coterie of female astronomy computers who toiled in a sparse workroom a floor below the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s.

The figures featured in The Women Who Mapped the Stars worked for Edward Pickering. He served as Director of the Harvard Observatory from 1877 until the year before his death in 1919. During this time, he pioneered the use of astrophotography to capture the night sky. It fell upon Pickering’s female computers to analyze and catalog the stars that he and his male astronomers captured on glass plates.

“They would distill all that information,” amplifies Planetarium Educator and the play’s director, Todd Sherman. “So really the ladies were doing the real work.”

The work was tedious, routine, unglamorous. They put in six-day workweeks, then went home to take care of their husbands, children and homes. And Pickering’s Harem – as they were derisively known by the Director’s patriarchal contemporaries – never even got to see the stars through the Observatory’s telescopes. Worse, Pickering and his male astronomers took credit for the discoveries made by his female computers.

Listen/read the story on WGCU.

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‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’ on stage at Cultural Park February 9-18

Katherine DiSavino’s Nana’s Naughty Knickers’ is at Cultural Park Theatre February. The action starts off innocently enough when a girl named Bridget moves in with her grandmother for the summer so that she can spend the summer in New York City. But things take a sudden turn when she discovers that her sweet Nana is running an illegal boutique from her apartment – selling hand-made naughty knickers to every senior citizen in the five borough area! Will Bridget be able to handle all the excitement? Will her Nana get arrested? Or worse! – evicted? Go here for play dates, times and tickets: Box Office – Cultural Park Theatre (culturalparktheater.com)

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

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FGCU TheatreLab produces Lauren Gunderson’s ‘Silent Sky’ February 16-25

FGCU TheatreLab brings Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky to the stage February 16-25. Silent Sky tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, the astronomer ahead of her time. This historically-based drama is a poignant tale of one woman’s dedication to the stars … and the human touch that makes life under the vast sky beautiful and timeless.

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

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Dramaturg Robin O’Connell sounds off on Lauren Gunderson’s ‘Silent Sky’

The FGCU TheatreLab is producing Lauren Gunderson’s Silent Sky February 16-25. For this show, they have relied on Dramaturg Robin O’Connell for technical advice and guidance. A dramaturg is a literary adviser who provides vital research and information for theater productions and opera companies. In theater, the dramaturg’s primary task is to provide the actors and production team with textual analysis of the play’s story and theme, as well as information on production history, the author of the play and any previous adaptations. Their research gives context to the production and ensures its quality and accuracy. From the audience’s perspective, they help breathe life into the words on the page.

Go here to read the note O’Connell wrote for Silent Sky’s Playbill.

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‘Silent Sky’ highlights contributions of overlooked female astronomer

The play Silent Sky describes how Henrietta Swan Leavitt’s passion for discovery enabled astronomy to map the sky and, in the process, determine our exact place in the universe. Silent Sky is on stage at the FGCU TheatreLab through February 25, 2024. Listen to a preview of the historical fiction on WGCU.

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Join Fort Myers Theatre for intimate Jonathan Larson musical ‘tick, tick … Boom!’

Fort Myers Theatre is producing Jonathan Larson’s loving ode to Broadway musicals and the artists who create them, tick, tick … Boom! February 9-11. This is the intimate, autobiographical pop/rock show that led to the Lin-Manuel Miranda-directed 2021 film adaptation for Netflix.

Read the full advance here.

Go here for play dates and times.

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‘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.

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Zora Howard’s ‘Stew’ wraps up run at Lab Theater Feb 3

Lab Theater wraps up its run of Zora Howard’s drama Stew on February 3. This fast-paced family dramedy bubbles and simmers like the titular meal that Mama, her daughter, and grandchildren work to make one important Saturday morning. Unease and tension grow with the heat of the kitchen with a twist at the end so clever you’ll want to watch the show twice. Read a preview here.

Go here for remaining play dates and times.

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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.

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David Auburn’s {proof} plays at Players Circle February 6-March 3

{proof} comes to Players Circle Theater February 6 through March 3, 2024. David Auburn’s contemporary classic American drama will mark 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.

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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.

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‘Grand Night for Singing’ a fresh take on Rodgers & Hammerstein canon

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s A Grand Night for Singing plays at the Music & Arts Community Center through February 10. Directed and choreographed by Amy Marie McCleary, this first-rate musical revue features Whitney Grace, Kimberly Suskind, Alex Fullerton, AJ Mendini and Alexandra Tarsinov. Over three decades after The Sound of Music took Broadway by storm, this fresh take on the R&H canon opened the 1994 Broadway season with flair and distinction, garnering wildly enthusiastic notices and earning two Tony nominations, including Best Musical.

Read a preview of the revue here.

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‘Which Way to the Stage’ wraps up run on February 3

Theatre Conspiracy’s production of Which Way to the Stage wraps up with 7:30 p.m. performances on February 1, 2 and 3. The dramedy tells the story of Broadway superfans Jeff and Judy, who eagerly await their idol, Idina Menzel, after her performance in If/Then at the stage door every night. But when a sexy stranger enters the scene and upends their decades-long friendship, the musical theater aficionados have to go off-book to rewrite their own finale. Read the rest of this advance here.

Go here for times and cast info.

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Studio Players’ ‘Lifespan of a Fact’ wraps with shows on February 2, 3 & 4

The Studio Players’ production of Lifespan of a Fact wraps up with 7:30 performances on February 2 & 3 and a closing 3:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 4 in the Joan Jenks Auditorium at Golden Gate Community Center. Based on the true story of D’Agata’s essay “What Happens There,” The Lifespan of a Fact is centered on a fact-checker by the name of Jim Fingal, a recent Harvard grad who majored in English. He works for one of the best magazines in the country, but whose readership is declining. Fingal’s boss has given him a big assignment: to apply his skill to a groundbreaking essay written by legendary author John D’Agata. But Fingal quickly discovers that D’Agata made up a lot of the “facts” contained in his article. Lifespan of a Fact is a thought-provoking exploration of truth, ethics, and the nature of writing itself. Read here for more.

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Studio Players brings ‘Bus Stop’ to Golden Gate Community Center February 23-March 24

The Studio Players brings the American classic Bus Stop to the Golden Gate Community Center February 23rd 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.

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‘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.

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4     ART IN THE NEWS

Fort Myers Mural Society unveils SWFL’s first augmented reality mural

Imagine gazing at the Mona Lisa, and having her wink back. Or adding sound to Edvard Munch’s Scream. Welcome to the world of Augmented Reality Art! During Art Walk on January 5th, Fort Myers joined the growing list of Florida cities that engage viewers through the newest street art genre, augmented reality murals.

Located inside Grand Illusion Creative Resources on First Street, the mural depicts a 3D sculpture of a 1969 Volkswagen Bug emerging from a wall containing a pop art mural as backdrop. But when a viewer downloads either a filter available through Instagram or a specially-crafted app on their smartphone, tablet or other device, the Bug takes flight and launches them on a journey during which they see some of the most iconic masterpieces in art history.

Read the full spotlight here.

Or listen to the 4:05 minute story on WGCU.

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New study makes case for stronger support of local arts organizations

Every five years the Americans for the Arts takes the pulse of the arts and culture sector of the national and local economies. Although many Lee County arts organizations were unable to participate in the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study because of staffing and funding limitations attributable to the pandemic and Hurricane Ian, the 19 that did generated $135.3 million in economic impact in 2022, proving that the heartbeat of the arts in Lee County is Olympic-level strong.

Read the full story on WGCU.org.

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A closer look at the Arts & Economic Prosperity results for Fort Myers

In October of 2023, the Americans for the Arts released its Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 survey results. AEP6 makes clear that when a county or municipality funds the arts, it is investing in an industry that stimulates the economy, supports local jobs and contributes to building a healthy and vibrant community. And in Fort Myers, arts and culture is more than food for the soul. It also puts food on the table for scores of people who live and work in the City. Go here for the specifics.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.