Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news December 15-21, 2021

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

1      ACTORS (alphabetically)

Robert Armstrong to play neurotic waiter Stephen for Studio Players in ‘Slow Food’

Robert Armstrong stars in January as Stephen, an absurdly neurotic waiter in Wendy MacLeod’s newest comedy, Slow Food. Prior stage credits include George in the Tim Sniffen parody Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf, Mary Sunshine in Chicago, Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Leo (and Maxine) in Leading Ladies and Freddy in Noises Off.

___________________________________________________

Gerrie Benzing playing Jinx in TNP’s ‘Savannah Sipping Society’

Gerrie Benzing is Jinx in The Naples Players’ January/February production of The Savannah Sipping Society. The manager of a beauty supply company, Jinx volunteers to play life coach for newfound friends Dot Haigler, Marlafaye Mosley and Randa Covington. Determined to help each woman break out of her rut, regain her swagger and reclaim her life, she hatches a series of challenges that have the girls participating in a Medieval Fair, finding dates for Valentine’s Day and doing other activities that are way out of their comfort zone … and sampling a mixture of adult beverages from good old fashioned Kentucky bourbon to fine wines.

Gerrie was last seen on the TNP stage as Ruth in Calendar Girls. She has extensive stage and film credits, which you can access here.

_____________________________________________________________________

After Westside Story, see Cantrella Canady in ‘Colored Museum’ and ‘Curious Incident’

At present, Cantella Canady is appearing in West Side Story for Florida Repertory Theatre. But there’s no break in ‘Trella’s busy theatrical schedule. She’ll also be reprising the role of Lala Lamazing Grace in George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum (which she performed at the conclusion of the inaugural CHANGE class) for the Alliance of the Arts and appearing for Players Circle Theatre in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. If you’d like to survey Cantrella’s extensive stage credits, you’ll find them here.

_____________________________________________________________

Tijuanna Clemons to appear for Alliance in George Wolfe’s ‘Colored Museum’

Fresh from her performance for Lab Theater in The Color Purple, Tijuanna Clemons will appear for Director Sonya McCarter and the Alliance for the Arts in George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum. She will play Lady in “Last Mama on Couch” and LaWanda in “The Hairpiece.” Tijuanna has also appeared as Diana Dahner in Steven Dietz’s Rancho Mirage, Ruby in August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Bertha Holly in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and Louise in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, all for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts.

________________________________________________________

Steven Coe plays drug dealer named Chris in ‘Killer Joe’ at Lab Theater

Steven Coe returns to the Lab Theater boards in January to play the role of a drug dealer named Chris in Killer Joe. One of Southwest Florida’s most intelligent and engaging actors, Coe’s evolving body of work includes starring roles as Jim Fingal in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre, Joe Gillis in Lab’s summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Sandro Botticelli in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Thomas Novachek in David Ives’ Venus in Fur for The Studio Players, Andri in Andorra,  and The Boy in Veronica’s Room. But that’s not all. Go here for Steven’s full profile.

_____________________________________________________________________

F. Scott Davis part of ensemble cast of ‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ for TNP

F. Scott Davis is part of the ensemble cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which performs at The Naples Players through December 19. Davis is a local actor who was active in theater in Michigan before locating to Southwest Florida. His area stage credits include Ed in The Studio Players’ production of Torch Song, Vicomte de Nanjac/Phipps in An Ideal Husband for The Naples Players, Girolamo Savonarola in Botticelli in the Fire and Michael in the Florida premiere of How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (directed by Steven Ditmyer). For more on Scott, please go here.

________________________________________________________

Lauren Drexler is anxious, uptight empty-nester Sharon in ‘Roommate’

Lauren Drexler plays tightly-wound empty nester Sharon in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of The Roommate. Her trepidation about having a roommate turns into full-blown alarm when she discovers that her new housemate, Robyn, is a pot-smoking vegetarian lesbian from the Bronx who arrives with a box full of clay voodoo dolls. Who better to play such a meaty role than the woman known for performances as Mrs. Chumley in Harvey, melancholy teacher Heather Clark in Johnna Adams’ Gidion’s Knot and terminally-ill Dr. Katherine Brandt in Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations? Go here for Lauren’s full theatrical profile.

___________________________________________________________________

Kat Ebaugh part of ensemble cast of ‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at TNP

Kat Ebaugh is part of the ensemble cast of The Naples Players’ production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which runs through December 19 in Blackburn Hall. In addition to performing with Stage 2 Improv troupe, she has appeared in numerous stage productions at The Naples Players, including TNP’s virtual production of Comedy Night on August 22, 2020 as well as Kay O’Connell’s outdoor horror Projekt Grotesquerie. You may have also seen Kat as The Little Mermaid in Lab Theater’s filmed production of Dennis Giacino’s Off-Broadway smash Disenchanted: A New Musical Comedy [Stay-At-Home Version] and a woman trapped between parallel universes in Laura Lorusso’s short film Multiverse Anomaly for the 2021 Lab Theater 24-Hour Screenwriting Project. Go here for Kat’s full profile.

___________________________________________________________________

Harvey Evans to reprise role of Christopher Boone in ‘Curious Incident’ in February

After completing weeks of rehearsal and weathering the rigors of tech week, Harvey Evans was deprived of playing the part of Christopher Boone for Players Circle in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by the shut-down that accompanied the COVID19 pandemic in March of 2020. He’ll finally get the opportunity to portray Christopher when Players Circle brings Curious Incident to the stage in February of 2022. To see what else Harvey has been in, please go here.

____________________________________________________________________

She was Celie in ‘Purple,’ next Ruthgena Faraco plays Topsy in ‘The Colored Museum’

She brought the house down at Lab Theater for her portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple. Next Ruthgena Faraco will play Topsy in “The Party,” which is the culminating exhibition in George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, coming next month to the Alliance for the Arts. Some of Ruthgena’s other stage credits include Mary Warren in Lab Theater’s production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Molly Cunningham in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), Lorraine in All Shook Up (Cultural Park Theatre), Kala in Tarzan (Cultural Park) and Brenda in The Pajama Game (Cultural Park). But go here to see everything Ms. Faraco has done.

_______________________________________________________

Renee Freeman plays Hairpiece’s Janine in Wolfe’s ‘Colored Museum’

She was just Gonzala in Lab Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s Tempest. Next up, she’ll play Janine in “The Hairpiece,” one of the exhibitions in George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, coming to the Alliance for the Arts January 8-30. A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Renée Freeman made her Southwest Florida theatrical debut in the role of Madre Maria in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire. You can view Renee’s full theatrical profile here.

____________________________________________________

Karen Goldberg to play Rosemary Muldoon in ‘Outside Mullingar’

Karen Goldberg will play the lead, Rosemary Muldoon, when Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts brings Outside Mullingar to the Foulds Theatre stage. Among Karen’s Among her favorite roles are Kristine Linde in A Doll’s House, Anna Berniers in Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic, Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane (for which she won Florida Weekly‘s Best Actress Award) and Jean in Good People. She has also enjoyed roles in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, Women in Jeopardy, Little Shop of Horrors, Marat/Sade, The Bad Seed, Invasion of Privacy and See How They Run. Go here for more on Karen.

_______________________________________________________________________

Paul Graffy to play Ed for Players Circle in ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’

Players Circle Artistic Director Bob Cacioppo cast Paul Graffy in the role of Christopher Boone’s father, Ed, back in 2020, but he only got to perform the role in a pre-opening preview on the night that theaters across the nation shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He gets another chance, though, in February of 2022 when Players Circle Theatre brings The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to its theater-in-the-round. Since 2001, Paul has appeared in more than 30 productions and directed over a dozen others at such theaters as The Naples Players, Artis Naples, TheatreZone, The Studio Players, The Naples Dinner Theater, the Laboratory Theater of Florida and The Players Circle. You can view his extensive theatrical profile here.

________________________________________________________

Betsy Greenblatt in hangry in Studio Players’ production of ‘Slow Food’

Betsy Greenblatt made her Southwest Florida premiere as Judge Murdoch in Nuts for The Studio Players. She appears next in the role of Irene in The Studio Players upcoming performance of Slow Food. Betsy is a New Jersey community theater transplant. Prior to moving to Southwest Florida at the end of 2019, Betsy performed in community theatre in New Jersey for almost 40 years, where some of her favorite roles included Mama in A Shayna Maidel, Charlotte Hay inMoon Over Buffalo, Florence inFemale Odd Couple, and Miss Prism inThe Importance of Being Earnest.

___________________________________________________

Joann Haley in cast of Players Circle Theatre’s ‘Curious Incident’

Joann Haley is part of a star-studded cast assembled by Players Circle Artistic Director Bob Cacioppo for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Joann Haley is an actor known for interesting character roles over the course of her 20-plus year career in local community theater. Her credits include the role of Martha in Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: a Parody for Lab Theater, Beverly in The Shadow Box for New Phoenix Theatre, seductive Lady Shirley in Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood, and Mrs. Kendal in The Elephant Man. You can see what else Joann’s been in here.

______________________________________________________

Joanna Harmon will reprise the role of Teacher in ‘Curious Incident’

will reprise the role of the Teacher for Players Circle Theatre in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The word reprise refers to the fact that Joanna was part of the production in 2020 which closed after a single preview performance as a consequence of the shut-down necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. She was phenomenal in 2020 and promises to be even better when the show returns to the Players Circle stage in February of 2022. But there’s more! Go here to see what else Joanna’s been in.

______________________________________________________

Sharon Isern plays ‘Roommate’ with a secret for Theatre Conspiracy

Sharon Isern will appear in the role of Robyn in The Roommate for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Her recent stage credits include Dagmara in The Chechens for Theatre Conspiracy, bride-to-be Courtney in One Slight Hitch for The Studio Players, Judith Baxter Short in The Bare Truth and Wendy in On the Farce Day of Christmas for The Marco Players, a server in Saved by the Bell and the woman in Where is Man? (both shows being part of The Studio Players’ 3 Plays), and Rocker in Rockaby (one of four plays run concurrently in Ghostbird Theatre Company’s Langford-Kingston Home production of Samuel Beckett’s October House). But there’s more. Go here to see Sharon’s full theatrical profile.

___________________________________________________________

Heather Johnson plays Sharla in Southwest Florida premiere of ‘Killer Joe’

Heather McLemore Johnson plays the part of Sharla in the Southwest Florida premiere of Tracy Letts’ Killer Joe. a recent theatrical transplant from Starkville, Mississippi, Heather’s stage credits include Jane in the Florida premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage, Rebecca Nurse in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, an aggrieved soccer mom (and the only adult cast member) in The Wolves, Andre’s mother in Max Frisch’s Andorra, multiple roles in Every Christmas Story Ever Told and the dip-spittin’ sheriff in Hush Up Sweet Charlotte. Go here for Heather’s full theatrical credits.

______________________________________________________________

Justin Larsche plays detective who moonshines as killer for hire in ‘Killer Joe’

Justin Larsche goes from Caliban the monster in Shakespeare’s The Tempest to a detective who moonshines as an assassin for hire in Killer Joe. The Southern Gothic dark comedy comes to Lab Theater beginning January 12 with two half-price previews prior to the opening on January 14. Some of Justin’s other credits include Mark in The Shadow Box for New Phoenix Theatre, Sheriff of Nottingham in Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance’s production of Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood and lovestruck lawyer Burnette Lloyd in another Southern Gothic, Beth Henley’s tragi-comedy Crimes of the Heart. Go here for all of Justin’s stage and film credits.

___________________________________________________________________

Currently in ‘Christmas Carol,’ Anna Joy Lehman to play Shelbie in ‘Steel Magnolias’

Anna Joe Lehman is currently appearing in multiple roles (including Emily and Martha Cratchit) in A Christmas Carol, and will play the part of Shelbie in Steel Magnolias followed by Myrtle in The Great Gatsby, all for Fort Myers Theatre. an actress, dancer, and singer/songwriter. She graduated in 2020 from the Institute for American Musical Theatre in New York City, where she trained with Broadway professionals as a triple threat for the stage and screen. Anna’s local credits also include Greta Bell in Fame and Miep Gies in The Diary of Anne Frank for Fort Myers Theatre. You will find Anna’s full profile here.

____________________________________________________________

Derek Lively is Miss Roj in Colored Museum’s ‘Gospel According to Miss Roj’

Derek Lively will portray Miss Roj in “Gospel According ot Miss Roj,” one of the “exhibitions” included in George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, which will be staged by the Alliance for the Arts in January. Since relocating to Fort Myers from New York City in 2015, Lively has starred as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Katori Hall’s Mountaintop, Frederick Douglass in The Agitators, Walter Lee Younger in Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance’s production of Lorraine Hanberry’s A Raisin in the Sun and Canewell in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. A member in good standing in both the Actor’s Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, Lively will next play the part of King in August Wilson’s King Hedley II for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Go here for Derek’s full profile.

__________________________________________________________

Thomas Marsh joins cast of ‘Curious Incident’ for Players Circle Theatre

Thomas Marsh has joined the cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time for Players Circle Theatre. A local thespian who is building an impressive resume, he is best remembered for his portrayal of Joseph Carey Merrick in Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man. If you are curious to see what else he’s been in, please go here.

________________________________________

Elvis Mortley in ‘The Colored Museum’ in January

Elvis Mortley will appear in the role of the son in “Last Mama on Couch” in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum. Mortley has been performing since the age 19. In the ensuing 40 years, he has performed in Trinidad, St. Lucia and New York before relocating to Fort Myers. Although he did not garner a role on Broadway or 47th Street, he did land a part as an extra on an episode of Law & Order. Go here if you’d like to access his local stage credits.

________________________________________________________________

Howard Nutt plays Joseph (and others) in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play’

Howard Nutt is a Queens, N.Y. native. Howard decided to try acting only a few years ago after moving to Southwest Florida. He is playing Joseph and others in Cultural Park Theater’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

____________________________________________________________

Anne Reed stars in ‘Complete History of America Abridged’ for Lab Theater

Perhaps a bit waterlogged, but no worse for wear, Anne Reed has survived Men on Boats to star in another hysterical historical, The Complete History of America Abridged for Lab Theater. It runs through December 19. Go here to see what else Anne’s been in and up to.

_____________________________________________________________

Sue Schaffel stars in ‘Complete History of America Abridged’ for Lab Theater

We were so worried …. Last we saw Sue, she was sprawled out on the Lab Theater stage at the end of White Rabbit Red Rabbit and no one knew whether she’d drank poison or not. But either she’s okay or has risen from the dead! Because she is starring along with Anne Reed and Kaci Davis in The Complete Story of America (Abridged) for Lab Theater, running through December 19. Whew! Go here to see Sue’s stage and film credits.

______________________________________________________________

Angela Watson joins cast of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Last on stage at Players Circle Theatre playing multiple roles in The Dining Room, actor Angela Watson will take on the role of Christopher Boone’s mother in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time this February. Most know Watson through her work over season seasons as Karen Foster, Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy’s very vain and seemingly shallow, though good-hearted, teenage daughter in the sitcom Step by Step. But Angela is also a talented singer, as she’s proved in the delightful country Christmas video We Love Santa Claus. For more on Angela, please read here.

_______________________________________________________________

Greg Wojciechowski goes from monster to Potter in ‘Wonderful Life’ radio play

Greg Wojciechowski is a retired lawyer from Chicago who moved to Fort Myers in 2011. That’s when he also exchanged the courtroom for the stage. He has been in numerous productions in various venues in Southwest Florida. He is playing Mr. Potter for Cultural Park Theater in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

Read here about the other characters Greg has played.

___________________________________________________

Jim Yarnes to play Tony Reilly for Alliance in ‘Outside Mullingar’

Actor Jim Yarnes will play Tony Reilly for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts in Outside Mullingar. Yarnes has built a reputation for playing off-kilter and larger-than-life characters. Yarnes is enjoying his 42nd year on stage. He started with Gulf Coast Opera Company before going on to perform at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Cultural Park Theater, Lab Theater and Theatre Conspiracy. For the latter, he has appeared in the roles of Etienne in Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Phil in Rich Orloff’s Engagement Rules (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ludwig van Beethoven in Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations and two characters in The Book of Liz. You can access Jim’s full profile here.

__________________________________

2     ARTISTS

Kyra Belan receives prestigious ARTYA Emerald Award

On November 12, Cape Coral artist, author and educator Kyra Belan has received the prestigious Art Tour International Magazine 2021 ARTYA Emerald Award.  Belan is also the subject of a feature article by Yadira Roman and her colored pencil drawing of Frida Kahlo appears on the back cover of the Fall issue of Art Tour International Magazine. The magazine’s Fall issue, which celebrates the artists who received Artya awards, is available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Belan also currently has work included in a feminist art exhibition at the Newhouse Center of Contemporary Art at Snug Harbor, New York. Go here for the full story.

_____________________________________________

Pop artist David Acevedo enjoys success as restauranteer

Since it opened in May, Arts & Eats Café has enjoyed tremendous success as a weekend-only restaurant. Located at the Union Artist Studios on the Alliance for the Arts campus, award -winning visual artist and entrepreneur David Acevedo and partner Jamie Burnette have been the guiding forces behind the venue. Counting on new staff and supported by growing demand, the café is now open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday during the month of December.

“We are slowly growing and getting better every day,” says Acevedo, who created and founded the Union Artist Studios in 2012 as an effort to have an organized studio space for local artists.

“We are trying to provide a great breakfast, brunch or lunch alternative for everyone that loves to be surrounded by creativity in action,” adds David, who also owns and administers DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts in the Butterfly Estates campus.

“There is no other place like this in southwest Florida, or anywhere else that I know of,” David touts.

“Our goal is to leave a great impression and see customers return for more,” chimes in co-0wner Jaime Burnette.

In a nutshell, Arts & Eats Café is a coffee shop located inside the only organized artist studios in Fort Myers. Guests have the exciting opportunity to see visual artists in action, at their studios, while enjoying delicious locally roasted coffee, sandwiches and desserts. At the same time, patrons can also shop the items and artworks produced by the “Union” artists.

Arts & Eats Café offers a great alternative for workers and residents in the area surrounding the McGregor Blvd and Colonial Blvd intersection in Fort Myers. There is inside and outside seating and online ordering options. Eventually, the venue will announce evening hours and events using their social media platforms in Facebook and Instagram @artsandeatscafe.

The artists and staff of Arts & Eats Café hope that all Southwest Florida foodies and art lovers, continue supporting this unique venue. The café is located at 10051 McGregor Blvd, STE 101 in the Alliance for the Arts campus in Fort Myers. More information is available at facebook.com/artsandeatscafe.

___________________________________________________________________

Back from Art Basel, Marcus Jansen prepares for ‘Victims and Victors’ London show

Local icon, Marcus Jansen, has just returned from Art Basel in Miami Beach, where he exhibited work in two separate booths and fairs this year. Since joining world-renowned Almine Rech Gallery in 2020, Jansen’s work has since been included in ten international shows. All have sold out. Included in this number are three solo exhibitions – Almine Rech Paris, Power Structures at Art Paris and Futute Fair with Richard Beavers Gallery in Brooklyn, New York – as well as Jansen’s retrospective, Two Decades of Relevance, at the Baker Museum of Art in Naples, Florida. Jansen’s next show, titled Victims and Victors, is January 13-February 19, 2022 in London at Almine Rech’s UK location.

_______________________________________________

3   DIRECTORS

Kevin Hendricks directs ‘Slow Food’ for Studio Players

Kevin Hendricks makes his directorial debut with Wendy MacLeod’s Slow Food. His stage credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, You Can’t Take It With You, Things Being What They Are, Clever Little Lies, A Streetcar Named Desire (he played Stanley Kowalski), Burn This and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. He also played Dasher for Lab Theater in their filmed production of The Eight: The Reindeer Monologues. When he’s not acting or directing, Kevin produces Studio Players shows, builds sets and sits on The Studio Players’ board.

___________________________________________

Sonya McCarter directs ‘Colored Museum’ for Alliance

Sonya McCarter is directing George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum for the Alliance for the Arts. This is not her first go with The Colored Museum. She also directed the play at the end of the Alliance’s inaugural CHANGE class a few years ago. Besides The Colored Museum, McCarters directorial credits include David Mamet’s Race for Lab Theater, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Seven Guitars and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye all for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. “Theatre,” Sonya observes, “equals transformative power – the power to enlighten, challenge and inspire; the power to connect us to our own humanity while encouraging us to recognize the humanity of others; the power to dispense laughter like medicine for the heart; to provoke consideration of ideas and concepts that are contrary to our own; to unify and speak truth to power.” Go here for all of Sonya’s theatrical and related credits.

___________________________________________________________________

Heather McLemore Johnson directs ‘Complete History of America Abridged’ for Lab

Heather McLemore Johnson is a recent theatrical transplant from Starkville, Mississippi. Although she is best known as a local stage actor, Heather has been working assiduously to expand her theatrical repertoire to include stage management and directing as well. Johnson makes her official directorial debut with The Complete History of America Abridged after directing Candice Sanzari’s Critics’ Choice winner Thanksgiving is for Nutters in Lab Theater’s 24-Hour Playwriting Project in 2018.

Go here to access Heather’s full theatrical profile.

___________________________________________

Betty Nordstrom directing ‘Savannah Sipping Society’

Betty Nordstrom is directing The Savannah Sipping Society for The Naples Players. She previously directed Agnes of God, Over the River and Through the Woods and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife. Nordstrom is a Southwest Florida based actor/director. She has been performing for forty years and has been a member of The Naples Players since 1980. Betty studied acting in Chicago, has a musical/dance background and has performed professionally both in Chicago and Florida, including some commercial and independent film projects.

______________________________________

Nykkie Rizley directs ‘Killer Joe’ for Lab Theater

Nykkie Rizley directs the Southwest Florida premiere of Killer Joe. Rizley is a founding member and Vice President of the Laboratory Theater of Florida. She has previously directed Hand to God, Veronica’s Room, Lab’s cumfuddled Shakespearean classic Twelfth Night, The House of Yes, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest and BUG.

____________________________________________

4    FILM AND FILMMAKERS

TGIM returns to Davis Art Center on January 3

T.G.I.M. returns to the Davis Art Center on Monday, December 6. As in years past, T.G.I.M. gives area cineastes a look at how the Fort Myers Film Festival views submissions and a voice in the selection process.

“This is one of the highlights of our season,” says Melissa Tschari DeHaven, producer and co-host of T.G.I.M. and the Fort Myers Film Festival. “It’s so much fun! Everyone loves coming out on Monday nights. There’s always something happening that you wouldn’t expect on a weeknight.”

_________________________________________

5   PUBLIC ART

Fort Myers launches ambitious art hub plan

The City of Fort Myers took a major step over the weekend towards implementing its plan to create art hubs throughout the city. Toward this end, it relocated sculptures created by Columbian artist Edgardo Carmona to Billy Bowlegs and Roberto Clemente Parks in Ward 1, the Urban Community Farm in Ward 2, the S.T.A.R.S. Complex and IMAG History and Science Center in Ward 3 and the Collaboratory in Ward 4. The City’s 9-member Public Art Committee had previously identified each of these sites as locations that already are or which are expected to become cultural, business or residential gathering spots.

The rest of this announcement can be found here.

______________________________________

Finalists chosen for MLK-VSSB gateway artwork

The City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee has announced that Michael Don Clapper, Douglas Kornfeld and Cecila Lueza are the finalists for the gateway artwork that is to be installed at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevards. Each will receive a $500 honorarium to design an iconic site-specific work that will incorporate the themes of Dreams, Hope and Civil Rights.

The rest of this story is here.

___________________________________________

6    THEATER

Drexler and Isern are ‘Roommates’ with lots of secrets

Jen Silverman’s poignant, hilarious one-act play The Roommate opens in the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts on December 9. Starring Lauren Drexler and Sharon Isern, The Roommate is a powerful story about life transitions, personal transformation, love, friendship and identity.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates and times.

______________________________________________________________________

‘Colored Museum’ being staged as traveling exhibition thru Alliance gallery and campus

Sonya McCarter and the Alliance for the Arts produced Emmy-winning George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum at the end of their inaugural 9-week CHANGE (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) course that challenged eleven adults from minority communities to explore the fundamentals of acting, character development and scene work. In January, the Alliance brings back the vignette-based play that has electrified, discomforted and delighted audiences of all colors since 1986, undermining black stereotypes, old and new, and redefining our ideas of what it means to be black in contemporary America.

You can read the full advance here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

____________________________________________________________

‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ on Broadway Palm main stage through December 25

Holly Jolly Christmas is on the main stage at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through Christmas Day. The show features Broadway-style dancing, stunning costumes and traditional holiday favorites such as Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and, of course, Holly Jolly Christmas.

During the show’s run, Broadway Palm is collecting new and gently-used books for BelieveNBooks. This Southwest Florida organization was founded by a local 8th grader whose mission is to provide underprivileged children throughout Southwest Florida with books to expand their horizons and enhance their understanding of the world. You can find more information at BelieveNBooks.org.

Choose from matinee, twilight and evening performances. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees (there are two on Christmas). Tickets are $50 to $75 with children and group prices available. 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.

__________________________________________________________

‘No Claus for Alarm’ in the Off Broadway Palm through Christmas Day

The Off Broadway Palm Theatre is celebrating the holiday season with the British farce No Claus for Alarm playing now through December 25, 2021. Written by Southwest Florida resident and Broadway Palm favorite Victor Legarreta, the production is making its premier in The Off Broadway Palm.

Fitz-Lloyd Crowley and Abraham Bacrumby of the law office Abe Bacrumby and Fitz are in a bit of a pickle when Abe unknowingly brings in the head of the Russian Mafia as a client. It’s Christmas and they must try to keep two girlfriends, a bossy barrister, and a clueless receptionist from finding out about each other or there will be more than chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

The cast features all Broadway Palm alumni including Rachael Endrizzi as Beatrix, Caitlin Moss as Amanda, Megan Orlowski as Ms. Thalia, Ken Quiricone as Abraham Bacrumby, Christopher Russell as Fitz-Lloyd Crowley, Rob Summers as Nicoli, and Michael Weaver. Directing No Claus For Alarm is Victor Legarreta.

The Off Broadway Palm is an intimate theatre, located in the main lobby of Broadway Palm. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $45 to $65 with discounts available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

_____________________________________________________

Cultural Park play recreates classic movie as 1940s radio broadcast

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is on stage at Cultural Park Theater through December 19. The play recreates the classic holiday movie as a 1940s radio broadcast.

Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lional Barrymore, It’s a Wonderful Life is #20 on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Greatest American Films of All Times and #1 on 100 Years … 100 Cheers, with George Bailey listed as #9 on AFI’s 100 Heroes list and James Stewart #3 on AFI’s list of the greatest stars in cinematic history.

Read the full advance here.

And go here for cast, play dates, times and ticket information.

________________________________________________________________________

Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Christmas Carol’ breathes fantastic new life into Dickens’ classic tale

On stage at Fort Myers Theatre through December 19 is the Broadway version of A Christmas Carol, in which Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island) breathe fantastic new life into Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket info.

________________________________________________________________

Lab’s ‘Complete History of America’ filled with zany slapstick and juvenile antics 

The southwest Florida premiere of the comedy The Complete History of America (Abridged) by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor is on stage at The Laboratory Theater of Florida through December 19. This fast-paced comedy is American History on speed, offering a 90-minute roller coaster ride to remind us that it’s not the length of your history that matters – it’s what you’ve done with it! The rest of this advance can be found here.

____________________________________________________

SWFL premiere of ‘Killer Joe’ opens at Lab Theater on January 14

The Southwest Florida premiere of Killer Joe by Tracy Letts opens at The Laboratory Theater of Florida on January 14. There’s no denying that every family has its secrets. But some family secrets are darker than others. With a plot that’s pure Pulp Fiction, this dark comedy follows a dysfunctional family that hires a hitman to kill a relative with a sizable life insurance policy.

Read the rest of this advance here.

‘Killer Joe’ play dates, times and ticket information.

____________________________________________________________________

Players Circle’s ‘Curious Incident’s long-awaited opening slated for February 16, 2022

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was set to open on March 20, 2020 (with discounted previews on March 17-19). But after months of rehearsals and untold hours spent logging the hundreds of complex lighting cues required for the production, Players Circle was forced to shutter its doors and illuminate its ghost light on an empty stage by the COVID-19 pandemic after a single preview performance. As Players Circle founder and Artistic Director Bob Cacioppo has proven on numerous occasions and under myriad circumstances, he’s resilient and determined when targeted by the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. And so it is that Players Circle will finally bring The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to the stage February 16-27, 2022.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

___________________________________________________________________

‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ denoted by catchy music, hilarious comedy

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder plays in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players through December 19. Nominated for ten Tony Awards, this comedic romp is filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs. The show follows Monty Navarro (Luke Jaconis) who finds out he is ninth in line to inherit an earldom and a large family fortune.  He decides he must eliminate the other eight heirs standing in his way. But the plot thickens as Monty tries to win the heart of Sibella Hallward (JamieLynn Bucci) until he finds himself drawn to Phoebe D’Ysquiths (Elizabeth Feins).

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

_________________________________________________

Female friendships focus of TNP’s ‘Savannah Sipping Society’

The Savannah Sipping Society opens January 12 at The Naples Players. It’s a delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy featuring four unique Southern women in need of escaping their boring daily routines. At an unplanned happy hour, they resolve to turn their newfound sipping society into a weekly platform from which to break out of their ruts and renew the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. Their raucous humor and collective strength see them through a string of unexpected challenges. But over the ensuing six months, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment. In the best tradition of female friendship films like The Women (Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell), A League of Their Own (Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Madonna), Steel Magnolias (Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton) and Sex and the City (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon), they also realize it’s never too late to make new old friends.

Go here for the full advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

_____________________________________________

‘Slow Food’ a comedy for anyone who’s ever been hangry

Slow Food comes to the Joan Jenks Auditorium at Golden Gate Community Center January 14-30. Wendy MacLeod’s latest, Slow Food is a comedy for anyone who’s ever been hangry.

Ever notice how when your tummy is rumbling, you’re more likely to lash out at unsuspecting family, friends, co-workers and even innocent bystanders? This sudden, irrational rage is often referred to as “hanger” (a combo of hunger and anger). It’s a thing. Just ask Peter and Irene.

Peter and Irene are out for a nice meal on their big anniversary in Palm Springs. But not only won’t their highly neurotic waiter bring them their food, Stephen has them examining everything from their menu choices to their very future together! The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket info.