Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news July 22-31, 2022

Robert Barner plays Dayton in ‘Fairview’ for Lab Theater

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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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 cast of 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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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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Daniel Cancio in Studio Players’ production of ‘Art’

Daniel Cancio appears in The Studio Players’ production of Art. His other credits include attorney Aaron Levinsky in Nuts, The Waverly Gallery, Jerry in The Zoo Story, the bartender in Speed Dating, the owl in Where is Man?, Senator Charles Whitmore’s campaign aide in Church & State, and Jerry in Don’t Talk to the Actors – all for The Studio Players in Naples, Bear in Ghostbird Theatre Company’s production of Orbs! and Laboratory Theater of Florida’s 2016 production of Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews. Go here for Daniel’s full acting profile.

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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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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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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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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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Danica Murray in ‘Our Town’ at CFABS Youth Theatre

Danica Murray is a local actor and stage manager. Murray characterizes herself as a comedic actor, but she fully embraces dramatic parts, such as Barblin in Lab Theater’s production of Max Frisch’s Andorra and Marie in FSW’s production of Brendan Pelsue’s futuristic dystopian drama Wellesley Girl. She appears next with CFABS Youth Theatre in a bold reimagining of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town. Go here to see all of Danica’s stage and other 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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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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Cameron Rogers in CFABS Youth Theatre cast of ‘Our Town’

Cameron Rogers appears in the cast of Our Town for the CFABS Youth Theatre. Among his previous stage credits are Chevalier Raphael Danceny in Laboratory Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods at Florida Rep, the groom in The Wedding Story (one of three single-act plays comprising the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Auditions, Diners and Weddings), and Brad in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show for New Phoenix Theatre. Go here for Cameron’s full profile.

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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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John Strealy in the cast of Studio Players’ production of ‘Art’

John Strealy is in the cast of The Studio Players’ production of Yasmina Reza’s Art. John’s credits include Paul Bratter for The Studio Players in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, Ryan in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, Wayne Wellcare in Inspecting Carol for New Phoenix Theatre and klepto-director Sir Frank Finger in It’s Only a Play, Jason Shelburne in Body & Sold and Malvolio in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Go here for more on John’s theatrical credits.

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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).

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‘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 hosts black-and-white show in July

During the month of July, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is exhibiting Black and White, an open call show consisting of work in multiple mediums by Southwest Florida artists.

The magic of the exhibition inheres in its cohesiveness. Regardless of the themes or subjects, mediums and dimensions, the pieces’ monochromatic scheme collectively transform the gallery into a unified space. The exhibition has been curated by member artist and DAAS co-owner Xavier Brignoni, who is also participating in the exhibition.

“When the artwork is well finished and balanced, it is easy to display,” Brignoni observes. “When there are multiple strong pieces together, from various artists, it is important to find a connection and display them in a way that it makes sense for the viewer – even if these pieces were never meant to be next to each other.”

The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, July 1, 2022, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk event. The exhibition will be on display through July 31, 2022.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s business hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More information about the venue and/or how to become a member can be found at daascoop.com or by calling 239-590-8645.

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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 and 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 also has an avid interest in reading and 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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‘Reflections’ member show on view at Alliance for the Arts through July 31

On view at the Alliance for the Arts is its annual members exhibition. This year, the theme is Reflections, and the month-long show is on display in the main gallery through July 31.

Reflection can mean many things. It can be defined as the throwing back of light, an image in a mirror or reflecting surface, or a careful thought about something. The last few years have been a tumultuous time and have prompted many to reflect on their lives and experiences. This year, the artists participating in the Member Exhibition reflect upon and showcase their artistic style, literally interpreting this year’s theme through depictions of mirrors, windows, reflections on water, and metaphorically as well.

The Alliance strives to support and foster all styles and mediums ranging from traditional 2 and 3-dimensional mediums like painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, fiber and mixed media to emerging and contemporary trends such as digital, installation, performance and experiential based works.  So there is a variety of styles, genre and mediums in this year’s Member Exhibition.

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‘Colonial Contours’ opens at Alliance for the Arts’ on August 5

Colonial Contours opens at the Alliance for the Arts on August 5 with a reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 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.

The exhibit will be on display through August 28, 2022. Receptions and gallery tours are open to the public and do not require tickets or reservations. 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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‘Age of the Titans’ in Davis Center grand atrium through July 29

The Age of the Titans owned on July 1 in the Grand Atrium and Conservatory of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. This exhibition has been centuries in the making, and is sure to be one of the epic highlights of the SBDAC’s Season of Giants.

The Titans were the twelve children of the primordial deities Uranus (heaven) and Gaea (earth) who preceded the Olympians – six gods and six goddesses – Cronus, Oceanus, Coeus, Hyperion, Crius, Apetus, Thea, Phoebe, Mnemosyne, Themis, Rhea and Tethys. For this group show, twelve local artists each selected a Titan as inspiration for Titanic, 8-by-9-foot canvases.

Hailing from disciplines that range from architecture to designer, tattoo artist, and more and working in varied mediums such as oils, spray paint, acrylic, and found objects, Mariapia Malerba, Reynier Llanes, Danielle Branchaud, Brian Weaver, Dharma Lefevre, Mully, Savannah Leslie, Cesar Aguilera, Samantha Taylor, Israel Alpizar, Dawn Webb and JC Franchevich have created unique and impressive large-scale works of art.

The Age of the Titans is on view now through July 29.

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‘Pythonesque’ in Davis Center Capital Gallery through July 29

Pythonesque opened on July 1 in the Capitol Gallery of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. As the name implies, this group show explores works inspired by Monty Python.

For Pythonesque, artists were invited to produce works directly inspired by the very (very, very, very) many quips and punches from Monty Python’s comedies including Flying Circus, The Holy Grail, The Life of Brian, The Meaning of Life, and more. From dead parrots and rubber chickens to the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow, the potential influences are indeed endless – and not the least limited to that of birds.

This most iconic and influential comedy series debuted over 50 years ago, and continues to inspire the arts, music, and film media to this day. Monty Python represents not just the finest in British comedy, but a symbol for the genius in the “anything goes” style of production.

Surrealism, stream-of-consciousness, and absolute absurdity are continually celebrated in this exhibition.

Artists and guests may ‘silly walk’ their way through the gallery. Fine art featuring man-eating rabbits, the blessed cheesemakers, Knights who say NI, and men dressed as women dressed as men may adorn the walls.

Above all, Pythonesque offers the community an opportunity to celebrate the true meaning of life (which is nothing very special really)!

Pythonesque is on view through July 29. Gallery Hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. most Wednesdays and Fridays. Please call the box office for more information 239.333.1933 or visit www.sbdac.com.

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‘Awkward Family Photos’ at Centers for Performing Arts Bonita through July 25

On exhibit at the Centers for Performing Arts Bonita Springs through July 25 is Awkward Family Photos, a traveling exhibition that features more than 200 awkward photos and some of their associated stories. This show celebrates all those deliciously awkward moments that come with the price of family membership.

Family—they’re the people we love, trust and confide in, but they can also be inelegant and clumsy. When a group of people with the same name and different personalities are forced to spend most of their lives together, plenty of uncomfortable moments are sure to follow. And when a camera is there to capture one of those moments, the awkward family photo is born.

Childhood friends Mike Bender and Doug Chernack started awkwardfamilyphotos.com in 2009 after they saw their own goofy vacation photos hung in their parent’s home. Realizing there were likely other people out there with their own awkward family images, they decided to create a website where everyone could come together and share their uncomfortable family moments. They started by posting a few of their own childhood photos, and those of friends—then the site quickly took off and became an internet sensation—and an exhibition seemed like a natural progression—it opened in Wisconsin in 2012 and has been traveling ever since!

The Centers’ Art Galleries are free and open to the public Monday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Center for Performing Arts, Hinman Auditorium—Gallery in the Round is located at 10150 Bonita Beach Road. The Centers is home to the 400-seat Hinman Auditorium and the 200-seat Moe Auditorium & Film Center. At this diverse center, patrons can enjoy an ongoing array of live concerts, theatre, comedy, film, youth & adult classes and more.

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‘Recent Acquisitions’ entices art lovers to visit newly renovated Baker Museum

Now that The Baker Museum is once again open, staff plans to entice folks off the couch and through its doors with two truly fantastic exhibitions staged back to front on the museum’s third floor. The first spotlights never-before-seen works that the museum acquired while it was shut down for renovations and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The works that you see [in this exhibit] have been acquired from 2019 to the present day. A lot of this was during the COVID era when we didn’t have a chance to put things out on view right away. So most of these items are out on view for the first time to the public, which we’re really excited about,” said McNeil. Go here to either listen or read about this show on WGCU.

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Baker Museum’s ‘True Likeness’ exhibition is a real face off 

True Likeness invites viewers to re-examine why we are so mesmerized by the faces we encounter as we re-emerge from our homes in the wake of the pandemic. “Because of so many mask mandates I think all of us have had the experience of knowing somebody – a colleague or a neighbor or somebody you’ve known for many months – and then realize later oh, I haven’t seen their full face ‘till a week or so ago. So I think we’re looking at each other’s faces with different eyes now and we’re appreciating the type of information that can be communicated by the human face in whatever the artistic mode may be, whether it’s a photograph or a video or a painting,” says Baker Museum Director and Chief Curator Courtney McNeil. Every artist included in True Likeness has something important to contribute to this conversation. Go here to find out what.

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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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CFABS Youth Theatre presents bold reimagining of Wilder’s ‘Our Town’

The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs Youth Theatre will present a bold reimagining of one of the most popular American plays in history—Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1938 masterpiece Our Town. It’s a metatheatrical 3-act play that tells the story of the fictional American town  of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire between 1900 and 1913 through the everyday lives of the townsfolk. Go here for the full advance.

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

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‘Our Town’ on WGCU

The Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs is taking on a youth theater production of Thorton Wilder’s enduring drama, “Our Town,” at the end of July.

Theater scholars and reviewers alike regard “Our Town” as an American classic and many even believe it to be the greatest American play ever written. The story’s timeless character is one reason that Director Kody C. Jones is eager to bring the drama to the stage.

Go here to listen to what Jones, Danica Murray, Tatum Bates and Kenan Allen have to say about the production.

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Rock opera ‘Rent’ comes to Fort Myers Theatre

Rent is coming to Fort Myers Theatre. 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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Lab Theater producing Southwest Florida premiere of ‘Fairview’

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the Southwest Florida premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Fairview from August 3-20. 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.