Artists, actors, directors, filmmakers and events in the news August 8-14, 2022

Amber Anderson in ensemble of Rent at Fort Myers Theatre

Amber Anderson is a member of the ensemble of Rent. She is an avid theatre fan and has previously been in the youth production of A Christmas Carol at Fort Myers Theatre. Her sons have performed in several shows in their youth program and are her inspiration for getting back into theater after a 20 year hiatus.

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Robert Barner appears in the role of Dayton in Fairview. His previous stage credits include the roles of Gary Coleman in Avenue Q, Adrian/Boatswain for Lab Theater in Shakespeare’s magical play, The Tempest, and Mister in the Southwest Florida premiere of Marsha Norman’s The Color Purple (which was a tough part for even a veteran actor because not only is Mister physically and emotionally abusive, he undergoes a dramatic character arc which can be difficult to properly portray).

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Spencer Barney is photographer Mark Cohen in ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

In Fort Myers Theatre’s Aaron Jackson-directed production of the rock opera Rent, Spencer Barney plays the part of Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker, Roger’s roommate, the guy Maureen jilted for another woman and the show’s narrator. In the latter capacity, he periodically breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the audience.

Go here to view Spencer’s stage and other theatrical credits.

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Gerrie Benzing is Florence Ungar in ‘Odd Couple: Female Version’ at Belle Theatre

Gerrie Benzing appears in the role of Florence Ungar in Belle Theatre’s production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple: Female Version. Gerrie has graced numerous stages throughout Southwest Florida. She last appeared in the role of Madame de Volanges for Lab Theater in Dangerous Liaisons (2022). Benzing’s other recent stage credits include Lee in Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife for New Phoenix Theatre (2022), Jinx in The Naples Players’ production of The Savannah Sipping Society and Ruth in TNP’s production of Calendar Girls (2021). You will find Benzing’s full profile here.

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Joey Bostic in the cast of ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Joey Bostic is a Fort Myers based actor and aspiring director. He appears in the role of Benny in the rock opera Rent for Fort Myers Theatre. His recent stage credits include virgin-turned-vampire Madeleine Astarte in Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom for the Alliance for the Arts, Frank N Furter in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show and the butler Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles. Go here to see all of Bostic’s theatrical credits.

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Zaria Brown remarkable in role of Keisha in ‘Fairview’

Zaria Brown plays the part of Keisha in Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning play Fairview. A performer from the Dunbar Community in Fort Myers, Zaria has been in local productions of Footloose and The Wiz.

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Sarah Cammarata spectacular as Dorothy in Broadway Palm’s ‘Wizard of Oz’

Sarah Cammarata stars as Dorothy in Broadway Pam Dinner Theater’s production of The Wizard of Oz. This is not her first time playing the part. If you count before she started acting professionally following her graduation from college, she has been performing the role for more than half of her life, including six years ago at Broadway Palm and three years later in China in the show’s international tour. Go here to see Sarah’s other credits.

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Lisa Clark is Joanne in the rock opera ‘Rent’

An actor and musical/vocal director, Lisa Clark plays the part of Joanne for Fort Myers Theatre in the rock opera Rent. In the musical, Joanne is an Ivy League-educated public interest lawyer who is involved with the sexy, vivacious and highly flirtatious Maureen, which creates a great deal of tension in their relationship. Lisa’s character is based on the character of  Alcindoro in La Bohéme as well as Marcello, whose characteristics are divided between Joanne and Mark. Go here for all of Lisa’s theatrical credits.

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Tijuanna Clemons stars as Beverly for Lab Theater in ‘Fairview’

Tijuanna Clemons stars as Beverly for Lab Theater in the Southwest Florida premiere of Fairview. Clemons’ previous stage credits include Doris (and the ensemble) in The Color Purple at Lab Theater, and George Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, Ruby in August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Diana Dahner in Steven Dietz’s Rancho Mirage, Bertha Holly in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and Louise in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts.

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Steven Coe is gumshoe Happy in ‘Clown Bar’

Steven Coe portrays gumshoe detective Happy Mahoney in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Clown Bar. Coe’s evolving body of work includes Mitch Brenner in Lab Theater’s summer parody of The Birds,  the impudent, bitingly witty rake Vicomte de Valmont in Lab Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons, Chris in Killer Joe, Jim Fingal in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre, Joe Gillis in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Sandro Botticelli in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, John Proctor in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Thomas Novachek in David Ives’ Venus in Fur for The Studio Players and Andri in Andorra. You can view Steven’s full profile here.

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Grant Cothren is Shotgun in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Grant Cothren is Shotgun in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Clown Bar. Grant’s previous community theater credits include Hujar/Zack in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Joe in The Shadow Box for New Phoenix Theatre, Little John in Marian: The True Tale of Robin Hood for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts, George in Don’t Dress for Dinner at Cultural Park Theatre and the husband in a SoCo play produced by Theatre Conspiracy.

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Lauren Drexler is Tweetsie in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Lauren Drexler plays the unscripted part of Tweetsie in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Clown Bar. A gifted Fort Myers actor, Drexler is known for stellar performances as Mrs. Chumley in Harvey, melancholy teacher Heather Clark in Johnna Adams’ Gidion’s Knot, terminally-ill Dr. Katherine Brandt in Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations and Annie Iversen in Jordan Hall’s Kayak. You can see Lauren’s full theatrical profile here.

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Simone Farrell is assertive, outspoken Jasmine in ‘Fairview’

Simone Farrell commands the Lab Theater stage in the role of Beverly Frasier’s assertive and outspoken sister, Jasmine, in Jackie Sibblies Drury’s play Fairview. Simone discovered acting after taking a class in Orlando at The Maile School and became instantly drawn to the craft. After relocating to Tampa, she honed her skills at The Performers Studio Workshop, Andi Matheny Acting Studios, and The Identity School of Acting. Go here for the rest of Simone’s profile.

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Bry Grant portrays Maureen Johnson in ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Bry Grant plays Maureen Johnson in Rent. Based on the character Musetta in La Bohème, She once roomed with Benny, Collins, Roger and Mark. In fact, she was the latter’s girlfriend until she dumped him for Joanne (which is based on playwright Jonathan Larson’s personal life, in which one of his girlfriends dumped him for a woman). Her embrace of bohemian values and lifestyle prompts her to comment on the world through performance art. Go here for the rest of this spotlight.

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Rob Green is Bobo in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Rob Green is Bobo in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Clown Bar. Among Rob’s credits are roles in Confusions (which consisted of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park), emcee Randy Bowen in Lab Theater’s filmed theatrical production of The Realish Housewives of Fort Myers, Sherlock Holmes in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery for the Alliance for the Arts, Dr. Sanderson in Harvey, Nick Dahner in Rancho Mirage, The Teacher, Cam, in Max Frisch’s Andorra and Gerald Halverson in Jeffrey Hatcher’s Murderers. Go here for the rest of Rob’s theatrical credits.

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Anna Grilli plays vera for Belle Theatre in ‘Odd Couple Female Version’

Anna Grilli is a talented local actor who next appears in the role of Vera for Belle Theatre in Odd Couple: Female Version. Anna’s stage credits include Dunn in Men on Boats, Emma in The Role of Della in the Alliance’s production of Auditions, Diners and Weddings, Ginny in 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, Much the Miller’s Son in Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood and Bianca in The Taming, all for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Anna’s full profile is here.

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Wedler Lordeus in ensemble of ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Wedler Lordeus is a beatboxer, singer, actor , and dancer from the University of Houston majoring in BFA Acting. He is part of the ensemble in Rent at Fort Myers Theatre, where he previously portrayed Richie Walters in A Chorus Line, a terrific dancer from a small town in Missouri with a quick smile and a great deal of enthusiasm who’s opted to pursue a career as a professional dancer for life in a kindergarten classroom. The rest of this Spotlight is here.

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Allison Lund stage manager and ensemble member in ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Allison Lund pulls double duty as both Stage Manager and Ensemble member in Rent, which is her third show at Fort Myers Theatre.  Previous stage credits include Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.  Allison has also been involved with directing, choreographing, and writing numerous children’s performances for both FMT and her own program, Camp HSR!

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Joanne Marrone is Mimi Marquez in ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Joanne Saggieta Marrone plays the part of Mimi Marquez in Rent. Not only is it the lead, but an extremely complex role. An HIV-positive heroin addict, Mimi works as exotic dancer at a kinky strip club called the Cat Scratch to support her habit. She lives downstairs from roommates Mark and Roger, and crushes on the latter, but she and Roger are on-again off-again throughout the story, which exacerbates her drug addiction. It’s a purrfect character for Marrone who, like Mimi, proclaims that yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today is a gift … which is why it’s called the present. Go here for the balance of this Spotlight.

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Thomas Marsh is Twinkles in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Thomas Marsh appears in the role of Twinkles for the Alliance in Clown Bar. His previous credits include various roles  for Players Circle Theatre in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, multiple roles in the Alliance’s production of Confusions (which consists of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park) and multiple roles in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery directed by Rachael Endrizzi. Go here for all of Marsh’s stage credits.

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Cicero McCarter is Giggles in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Cicero McCarter is Giggles in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Clown Bar. McCarter has appeared in a number of productions since 2015, including all four August Wilson American Century Cycle plays produced by Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts: King Hedley II (Canewell, otherwise known as Stool Pigeon), Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Bynum Walker), Seven Guitars (Hedley) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Slow Drag). He also played the role of Trevor Neese in Rancho Mirage. He made his Southwest Florida theater debut in Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic (Henry Simpson). Go here to access McCarter’s full profile.

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Ariana Milian in ensemble of ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Ariana Milian returns to the Fort Myers Theatre stage in the ensemble of Rent. She previously appeared as one of the cut dancers in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. A Florida Gulf Coast University alum, Ariana has loved theatre and being onstage since she was very young.

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Lauren Miller plays Joanne Jefferson for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘Rent’

Lauren Miller plays Joanne Jefferson for Fort Myers Theatre in the rock opera Rent. In the musical, Joanne is an Ivy League-educated public interest lawyer who is involved with the sexy, vivacious and highly flirtatious Maureen. The latter creates a great deal of tension in their relationship, but Joanne is a forgiving soul. Lauren’s character is based on the character of  Alcindoro in La Bohéme as well as Marcello, whose characteristics are divided between Joanne and Mark. [This part is double cast, with Lisa Clark playing Joanne in designated shows and Lauren playing the role in the others.]

You will find the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Tera Nicole Miller plays Popo for Alliance in ‘Clown Bar’

Tera Nicole Miller returns to Fort Myers to play Popo in Clown Bar for the Alliance for the Arts. Prior to relocating, Tera’s local stage credits included Debra in The Smell of the Kill at Lab Theater, Squeamish in William Wycherley’s Victorian-era farce The Country Wife for Theatre Conspiracy, seven different characters in Jessica Dickey’s one woman show The Amish Project (also for Theatre Conspiracy) and a middle-aged wife in Happy at Lab Theater.  Go here to see what else Tera’s been in.

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Todd Miller plays Jimbo in ‘Fairview’ for Lab Theater

Todd Miller plays Jimbo in Fairview, a character who embodies white-male narcissism and whose every question (“if you could be any race, which one would you be?”) and comment is laced with unfiltered and unabashed hubris, condescension and overt racism. Miller is particularly horrifying in his Act Two monologue as he proudly proclaims that he sees himself as the villain in his own movie, chillingly adding “that’s fine, because you’re in my fucking movie, motherfucker.” Go here to see Todd’s film and television credits.

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Aimee Naughton plays Mickey in ‘Odd Couple Female Version’

Aimee Naughton appears next in the role of Mickey in Odd Couple: Female Version for Belle Theatre. Her previous stage credits include work in the ensemble of Head over Heels the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre, Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Sister Mary Amnesia in both Nunsense and Nunsense II for Cultural Park Theater. Aimee holds a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from Florida State University. She also plays saxophone, both alto and tenor.

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Misha Ritter Polomsky plays Bets in Lab’s ‘Fairview’

Misha Ritter Polomsky is a local actor whose theater credits include Bets in Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Fairview, Bill Slank in Peter and the Starcatcher, Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Lilith in She Kills Monsters, Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show and Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde. Go here for more on Misha’s stage and related credits.

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Nova Rae plays Suze in ‘Fairview’ at Lab Theater

Nova Rae plays the part of Suze in Fairview at Lab Theater. She was seen most recently in the role of Pip in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage. Other productions include Chicago at Cultural Park Theater, Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood and Greg Lam’s Repossessed for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts and The Crucible at Lab Theater. But the part of Suze in Fairview calls upon Nova to display both nuance and subtlety as a progressive who thinks she’s liberal-minded, but is actually guilty of both systemic racism and racial condescension. She’s up to the task! Go here to view of Nova’s theatrical credits.

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Jake Raterman performs in ensemble of ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre

Jake Raterman is in the ensemble of Rent at Fort Myers Theatre. Jake was last seen in the role of Paul San Marco in A Chorus Line (a character that was based on the life story of Nicholas Dante). As Paul, Raterman had one of the longer monologues in the musical and the good fortune to workshop both the role and the show with Broadway veteran Michael Blevins, who portrayed Marc Anthony in the 1985 Richard Attenborough film that starred Michael Douglas.

You will find the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Samantha Richardson makes Southwest Florida Theatre debut in ‘Odd Couple’

Samantha Richardson plays Sylvie in Belle Theatre’s production of Odd Couple: Female Version. The role represents Samantha’s first time on stage since high school, although she has emceed numerous local events, including Disney Karaoke with Melody Lane Junior Theater events, golf tournaments with The Oasis Foundation and other local charity events. Samantha and her husband have also worked on props and sets for many local productions.

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Dave Rode makes Fort Myers Theatre debut in role of Roger in ‘Rent’

Dave Rode makes his Fort Myers Theatre debut in the role of struggling musician Roger in Rent. A recovering addict who is HIV-positive, Dave is consumed with writing a meaningful, successful song by which he’ll be remembered after he dies. Among the many scars he bears is the suicide of his ex-girlfriend, April, who killed herself after being diagnosed with HIV. Now he must confront that loss and concomitant grief in relation to the girl downstairs, Mimi, who is crushing on Roger. Also HIV-positive and likely to die, does Roger dare getting close and risking yet another jarring emotional loss or does he come to the realization that there’s “no day but today.” The rest of this Spotlight is here.

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Stephanie Sabelhaus is Olive Madison in Belle Theatre’s ‘Odd Couple: Female Version’

Stephanie Sabelhaus stars as Olive Madison in Belle Theatre’s production of Odd Couple: Female Version. Her previous stage credits include 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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Megan Salerno in the ensemble of ‘Wizard of Oz’

Megan Salerno is in the ensemble at Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in The Wizard of Oz. She has been involved in theater from the age of 4 years old and has appeared on the stages of the Alliance Youth Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Cultural Park Theater, Florida Repertory Theatre and North Fort Myers High School. You will find her stage credits here.

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Shelley Sanders is bubbly Girl Friday clown Petunia in ‘Clown Bar’

Shelley Sanders is bubbly Petunia in Clown Bar, a full-service clown defined by sexual innuendo and a girl Friday sensibility. Some of Sanders’ previous roles include John Wesley Powell in Men in Boats, Amy Lee in the Alliance for the Arts’ outdoor production of Laundry and Bourbon, Brooke in the filmed theatrical production of Realish Housewives of Fort Myers for Lab Theater (during COVID pandemic), a variety of roles in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig, Columbia in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show (New Phoenix Theatre), and the lead in Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance). But wait! There’s more. Go here to see all of Shelley’s theatrical credits.

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Bradley Santos plays Mack in ‘Fairview’ for The Lab

Bradley Santos plays the part of Mack in Fairview. A senior at FGCU, Santos is majoring in Business Management, but in his free time, he is an avid fan of improv and a part of FGCU’s Improv Club. His stage credits include roles in The Great Gatsby, Rock of Ages, and a staged reading of Save Hamlet.

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Stacy Stauffer is Renee in Belle Theatre’s ‘Odd Couple Female Version’

Stacy Stauffer next appears in the role of Renee in Odd Couple: Female Version for Belle Theatre. Her previous stage credits include the role of Marjorie Taub in Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife for New Phoenix Theatre (2022), Hall in Men on Boats for the Alliance for the Arts and Sarah Goodwin in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Time Stands Still. Go here to see what else Stacy has been in.

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Scott Thomson is Dusty in Alliance’s ‘Clown Bar’

Scott Thomson has long-standing relationships with Artistic Directors Bill Taylor and Robert Cacioppo. He worked with Robert and Carrie Cacioppo in one of their first theatres on Captiva Island in I’m Not Rappaport, and has been collaborating with Bill Taylor for 30 or so years – from Vampire Lesbians of Sodom to Little Shop of Horrors, School for Wives and Relatively Speaking. He appears in the role of Dusty for Taylor in the Alliance’s production of Clown Bar. Go here for more on Thomson’s stage credits.

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Melissa Whitworth is Wicked Witch of West in ‘Wizard of Oz’

Melissa Whitworth is an Olando-based actor, singer and director. In the former capacity, Whitworth most often performs with Mad Cow Theatre in Orlando, Broadway Palm Theatre in Fort Myers, and at the Universal Studios Orlando Resort. She currently appears as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 2022). Go here to access her impressive and prodigious stage and related credits.

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Whitney Jo Wilke returns to theater in ensemble of ‘Rent’

Whitney Jo Wilke appears in the ensemble in Rent at Fort Myers Theatre, where she’s also understudy for the parts of Maureen and Mimi (both leads in the show). The role represents not only Whitney’s Fort Myers Theatre debut, but marks her return to the theater after a 15 year hiatus. Previous credits include Volta in Starlight Express, the ensemble of Phantom of the Opera and MTV Made (in which she was “made” into a Gold Medalist figure skater).

2      DIRECTORS

‘Wizard of Oz’ directed and choreographed by the incomparable Amy Marie McCleary

Most Southwest Florida theater lovers know McCleary more through her work as Prather Entertainment Group’s resident director/choreographer. In that capacity, she has staged more than 50 productions. The Wizard of Oz is her most recent project. Other shows that she’s directed and choreographed include Escape to Margaritaville (2022), Singin’ in the Rain (2022), Beehive the 60s Musical (Dutch Apple Theatre), Holly Jolly Christmas (which she created (see below)), 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. Go here for McCleary’s full profile.

On Wednesday, the Alliance for the Arts and dozens of local arts organizations launched the Arts & Economic Prosperity survey. It’s part of a nationwide study by Americans for the Arts of the contribution made by arts organizations to their local economies. This is the sixth such study and involves 387 participating communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In Lee County, the Alliance for the Arts is spearheading the effort to collect the data needed for the study. Within the Alliance, Jennifer Falk functions as the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) Project Coordinator. Go here to hear why you should participate in the study if you are asked to complete a survey.

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DAAS showcases textile artist Kasara Castell Whelan in August

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery is showcasing work by textile artist Kasara Castell Whelan during the month of August.

Whelan is self-taught. Most of her work results from hours of trial-and-error experimentation. “I’ve been fortunate to take lessons from great teachers throughout my life that have truly impacted my learning in a positive way and helped guide my development when life took sudden turns,” says Whelan, who has an avid interest learning about old civilizations and their mystics ways. “Learning how [old civilizations] viewed life hundreds of years ago, the circumstances they faced and the knowledge they passed on to generations to come are topics that constantly inspire me to create new art that is normally concealed in my work.”

Whelan discovered her passion for tapestries after organizing Peru and India exhibitions back in her birth country of Argentina. From weaving to felting and recently paper, she prodded herself to find ways to express her emotions and love through this style of art. Her life wasn’t exactly a path of roses, as she explains; finding ways to learn new techniques wasn’t an easy task.

Kasara is a member of the NEFG (Northeast Feltmaker Guild) and has a background in art and sales. She has a degree in Etching (Aguafuerte) and Textile Design. She has been living and working in the United States for 22 years, finally settling in Southwest Florida.

On opening reception will be held from 6:00-9:30 p.m. on Friday, August 5 concurrently with Art Walk. DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery is located at 1815 Fowler Street in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers. Business hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. More information about the venue can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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‘Colonial Contours’ at Alliance for the Arts

Colonial Contours is on view at the Alliance for the Arts through August 28th. The exhibition is a collection of works produced by two under-30 artists, Dimithry Victor and Martha De la Cruz. Victor’s paintings and De la Cruz’s installation and video pieces showcase the complicated relationship surrounding the Dominican Republic and Haiti, neighboring countries that share a single island in the Caribbean. The exhibition explores the long lingering symptoms of colonialism and coloniality/neocolonialism present in both countries to this day.

Dimithry Victor is a Haitian born and Miami-based visual artist. His work juxtaposes elements of portraiture, cartoons, and abstract to visually narrate non-physical emotional states. In collaging these elements with careful attention to detail, texture, and color, he intends to create a sense of visual empathy between viewers and painted figures. Victor has exhibited his work globally, including London, New York City, Los Angeles and more.

Martha De la Cruz is a Dominican-American artist who, through video, installations and sculpture, investigates issues of decolonization, identity, race, and power. Her practice is guided by her experiences as a U.S. transplant, her memories of the past, and her inherited colonialist wounds. She received her BFA in Sculpture from the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, and is currently an MFA candidate at the University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. Her work has been part of many exhibitions in spaces across the U.S., including the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, BigArts Sanibel, and more. In 2021, she was awarded the City of Fort Myers Arts & Culture Grant in Fort Myers, FL in recognition of her work in the progression of the arts and culture of the city.

While the gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps the Alliance programming affordable and accessible. While visiting the exhibit, please be sure to also partake in the Arts & Economic Prosperity survey. All answers are anonymous and help to measure the economic and social impact of arts and culture in our community. More information can be found at americansforthearts.org. , on Art Southwest Florida and at WGCU.

For more information about this exhibit, visit artinlee.org/colonialcontours or call 239-939-2787.

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Broadway Palm’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ injects number of surprising elements

Most reviews of The Wizard of Oz focus on its enchanting storyline. A Kansas tornado whisks a teenage girl and her little dog to a strange land, where she makes new friends, learns from mentors, overcomes threshold guardians and battles a powerful enemy in order to find her way home again. While Broadway Palm honors this timeless story and its iconic characters, its production is special for a number of other reasons.

The first is an exceptional cast, which includes Melissa Whitworth, who Broadway Palm audiences adored as Mary Poppins.

“Some of the performers … have played their roles before, some of them over 400 times,” notes Whitworth.

Read the rest of this story here.

Or listen to the story on the radio on WGCU.

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Melissa Whitworth’s insights into Wicked Witch of the West

In a show characterized by extraordinary sets, colorful custom costumes, and the kind of dance sequences that are synonymous with McCleary’s signature choreography, what Broadway Palm audiences may remember most about this production of The Wizard of Oz are the show’s visuals – including Kate Stenzel’s Glinda the Good flying across the stage in her transparent bubble and Melissa Whitworth taking flight as the Wicked Witch of the West on her well-worn broom. Whitworth is the beneficiary of the show’s other stand-out techno-moments –the smoke and flashes that announce her entrances, the fireball she tosses at the Scarecrow, and her nifty disappearing act as she melts …. Go here to read the rest of this post.

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‘Wizard of Oz’ cast and audiences wild about Leah and Fergus

The Wizard of Oz has many memorable characters. Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion. Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The all and powerful Oz. But animal lovers worldwide fall in love with Dorothy’s flower-bed-digging-doggie, Toto, who is played for Broadway Palm Dinner Theater by two cudley canines, Leah Weaver and Fergus Bigelow.

You’ll find the rest of this spotlight here.

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Broadway Palm initiates paper paws to benefit Gulf Coast Humane Society

There’s no place like home, so Broadway Palm (and Toto, too!) are partnering this summer to raise funds for Gulf Coast Humane Society. During the course of its production of The Wizard of Oz, which plays through August 13, Broadway Palm is selling paper paw prints for $1 each. The paws can be decorated and will be displayed throughout the theater. All proceeds from the paw print sales will go directly to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, whose mission is to rescue, provide safe refuge and compassionate care and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in the area.

The Wizard of Oz has many memorable characters. There’s Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion. And Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. There’s the all-and- powerful Oz. But the animal lovers in the audience all fall in love with Dorothy’s flower-bed-digging-doggie, Toto, who is played alternately at Broadway Palm by two cute and cuddly canines, Leah Weaver and Fergus Bigelow.

The rest of this story is here.

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Rock opera ‘Rent’ at Fort Myers Theatre through August 21

Rent is on stage at Fort Myers Theatre through August 21st. 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.

Read the full advance here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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WGCU tells story of how ‘Rent’ inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to write ‘In the Heights’

It’s 1997. An angsty, morbid 17-year-old Latino sits with his high school girlfriend in the back row of an old theater on West 41^st in New York City. They’d come to see a rock opera by the name of Rent not because the musical was set in New York’s lower East Side or had an incredibly diverse cast.

What had drawn Lin-Manuel Miranda to the Nederlander that day was the fact that the musical’s brilliant composer, Jonathan Larson, had died tragically at the age of 35 on the very morning that Rent made its off-Broadway debut.

“It was the show that made me want to write a musical,” Miranda would later recall.

Just two years later, Miranda penned the first draft of In the Heights.

Lisa Clark plays public interest lawyer Joanne Jefferson in the musical for Fort Myers Theatre. In her estimation, Jonathan Larson’s influence on Lin-Manuel Miranda is unmistakable.

Go here to listen to the rest of this story and hear clips of the show’s iconic music.

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Southwest Florida premiere of ‘Fairview’ at Lab Theater through August 20

The Laboratory Theater of Florida is presenting the Southwest Florida premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Fairview through August 20th. Radical, conceptually bold, edgy and impactful, Fairview is not what it first appears to be. Fairview features a sitcom-style family preparing for a birthday party. An unwelcome group of observers co-opts the story, disrupting the action in this sometimes surreal, often humorous and profoundly thought-provoking play that takes a hard look at societal constructs regarding race. You will find the full advance here.

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

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Lab Theater’s production of ‘Fairview’ featured on WGCU

The Laboratory Theater of Florida has a reputation for producing edgy plays on timely topics, so it should come as no surprise that it is producing the Southwest Florida premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer-Prize-winning play Fairview through August 20th. Radical, conceptually bold and impactful, Fairview is not what it first appears. Listen here to WGCU’s Tom Hall for his slant on this important play about race.