Visual and performing artists and events in the news July, 2024

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

1     ACTORS

Louise Cornetta is magician Barry Boudini’s wife and suspected murderer in ‘Illusion of Death’

Louise K. Cornetta appears on the Murder Mystery Murder Train in The Illusion of Death in the role of Lillian Boudini, a “very brash, very no-nonsense woman who invariably gets what she wants.” Although she graduated cum laude with a degree in theater from the University of Southern California, Louise did not initially go into acting, Instead, she began a 27-year career at ESPN that took her to every major sporting event. Fortunately, Louise eventually found her way back to the stage in 2015. Read the rest of the story here.

___________________________________________________________

Emma Luke-Said plays Isabelle Garrison on Murder Mystery Dinner Train

Emma Luke-Said is the magician’s assistant and murder suspect Isabelle Garrison in the Murder Mystery Dinner Train’s production of The Illusion of Murder. Emma’s prior stage credits include Trix the Aviator in The Drowsy Chaperone at Fort Myers Theatre, 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, and work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre. For more, read here.

__________________________________________________

Leah Spurlock plays lead for Broadway Palm in ‘Mary Poppins’

Portraying the role of Mary Poppins is Leah Spurlock, who recently graduated from Belmont University with a BFA in musical theatre.  Her favorite credits include Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast and Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!

________________________

2     THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

‘Mary Poppins’ at Broadway Palm through August 10th

Mary Poppins is playing at Broadway Palm now through August 10, 2024. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Tickets are $60 to $85 with group and children’s prices available. There is a summer special for children 16 and under, tickets are just $30 for the buffet and the show! 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.

The musical is based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film. It enjoyed a run of more than 2,500 performances on Broadway, receiving nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The story follows everyone’s favorite nanny, who uses a combination of magic and common sense to teach a family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft. Along the way, you’ll hear beloved songs such as Chim Chim Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

______________________________________

‘Legally Blonde’ at Fort Myers Theatre July 13-21

Directed by Lisa Clark and choreographed by Robin Dawn Ryan, Legally Blonde plays at Fort Myers Theatre July 13-21, 2024. Based on the novel and the hit-movie of the same name, Legally Blonde: the Musical chronicles the journey of the famously perky Elle Woods, a fashion-savvy, UCLA sorority girl who finds her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner. In an effort to prove to Warner that she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she follows him to Harvard Law, where she struggles to fit in and do well. Ultimately, she defies expectations and manages to stay true to her delightfully pink personality.

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

Listen to a 2-minute preview on WGCU.

_________________________________________________________

Lynn Nottage comedy, ‘Clyde’s,’ shines light on quest for second chances

Beginning July 26th, The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the Southwest Florida premiere of Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s. In this dark comedy, the second chances and redemption are centerstage … along with the quest for the perfect sandwich.

Read the advance here.

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

_______________________________________________________

‘Illusion of Death’ on Murder Mystery Dinner Train through July 28th 

An illusionist, an escape artist and a spiritualist board a train bound for John and Mable Ringling’s Sarasota mansion of the Gulf of Mexico. No, this is not the lead-in for a joke. It’s the predicate for the latest play being performed on board the Murder Mystery Dinner Train now through July 31st.

Written by Wende’ K. Bowman and produced by Hanna Fay in tandem with the Fay Family, The Illusion of Death revolves around escape artist Barry Boudini and his wife and assistant, Lillie, who have accepted an invitation to do a private performance for the Ringlings at their Gulf Coast mansion, known as Ca’ d ‘Zan. Boudini plans to perform the “Death Trap,” his latest death-defying illusion. But there are others who know its secret.

Read the rest of this preview here.

Access play dates, times and the cast list here.

___________________________________

‘Rent’ plays at The Belle Theatre August 2-11

Rent is coming to The Belle Theatre August 2-11, 2024. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. You will find the full advance here.