Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news June 8-14, 2022

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Erin Coleman plays Cassie Ferguson for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘A Chorus Line’

Erin Coleman reprises the role of Carrie Ferguson in A Chorus Line. A particularly poignant and endearing character, she’s the star who just needs “the music and the mirror and the chance to dance.” Coleman made her Southwest Florida theater debut as one of the ancestors in The Addams Family musical at Fort Myers Theatre. Go here for her full theatrical credits.

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Parrish Danesh is director/choreographer Zach in ‘A Chorus Line’

Parrish Danesh is local actor. He is playing the part of director/choreographer Zack in A Chorus Line. His previous stage credits at Fort Myers Theatre include the roles of Gomez Addams in The Addams Family musical, Teen Angel & Johnny Casino in Grease (March 2022), Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol the Musical (December 2021) and Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose the Musical (September 2021). You can view the rest of Danesh’s theater credits here.

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Harvey Evans is Jack Kelly in ‘Newsies’

Harvey Evans plays Jack Kelly in Newsies, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city but who answers the call to unionize the Newsies and lead them in a strike of powerful publisher Joseph Pulitzer and his New York World newspaper. Evans’ stage credits include Ned Schneebly in School of Rock for Belle Theatre, Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time for Players Circle Theatre and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre. Go here for more.

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Mark King plays multiple roles for Lab in ‘The Birds’

Mark King appears in various roles (Sholes, Harry, Bird) in Lab Theater’s summer spoof of the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock horror film The Birds. Mark has previously appeared as Major Domo in Dangerous Liaisons, as Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q and comedian Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s. Go here for the rest of Mark’s stage credits.

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Guin Kiniry plays Maggie Winslow in ‘A Chorus Line’

Guinevere Bortnicker Kiniry plays the part of San Mateo auditioner Maggie Winslow in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line, who the audience meets “At the Ballet.” Her parents supposedly had her to fix their strained marriage, but it didn’t work, leaving her to be raised by her mother and grandmother. She would dance around her living room with her arms raised as if dancing with her father, who she imagined as “an Indian chief.” Please go here to see Guin’s theatrical credits.

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Jake Raterman is Paul San Marco in ‘A Chorus Line’

Jake Raterman plays Paul San Marco in A Chorus Line. He panics when director/choreographer Zack asks him about his life. The musical is set in 1975, and coming out was considerably more difficult and risky than it is today (not that it’s exactly easy now).  As Paul, Raterman has one of the longer monologues in the musical. Please go here for Jake’s stage and other credits.

Anna Reed is Kristine Urich in ‘A Chorus Line’

Anna Reed plays the part of Kristine Urich in A Chorus Line. Reed’s character is actually married to another of the auditioners, Al DeLuca (played by Noah Lynch). But whereas Al is confident and outgoing, Kristine is hesitant, tense and almost introverted. She stands by her husband for constant support and is so flustered that he often has to complete her sentences. You will find the rest of Anna’s profile here.

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Jo Reed is Kathy Brenner in Lab’s parody of ‘The Birds’

Jo Reed plays Kathy Brenner (and a bird) in the Laboratory Theater of Florida’s spoof of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 iconic horror film The Birds. This is Jo’s first production at the Lab, but expect to see her in more shows going forward. Reed is a student at Bonita Middle.

Alicia Schwartz plays Estella in ‘Clark Gable Slept Here’

If you like Rosie Perez’s comedic work (It Could Happen to You, HBO’s The Flight Attendant: Where Else You’ve Seen the Cast), then you’ll love Alicia Schwartz’s performance for The Studio Players in Clark Gable Slept Here. Through the character of Estella, playwright Michael McKeever satirizes the stereotypical Latina hotel maid, and, in that guise, Schwartz delivers in rapid-fire bursts of staccato Spanish an absolutely hilarious explanation of just what she saw when she entered Patrick Zane’s hotel room and found the naked body of a dead male hooker, not once, but twice, before it’s revealed that she’s also fluent in English and running her own little scam. Schwartz is making her Studio Players’ debut with the role. She previously played Kate Dillon in Good People for The Marco Players. A retired nurse, Alicia shares that she’s come late in life to the world of theater, but this role portends that she’s capable of more and even better roles.

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Perry Ventro plays Jarrod ‘Hilly’ Hilliard in ‘Clark Gable Slept Here’

Perry Ventro plays Hilly in Clark Gable Slept Here. As action film star Patrick Zane’s manager, Ventro’s character, Jarrod “Hilly” Hilliard is the one who draws attention to and excoriates the Hollywood mindset in which the means – any means – justify the end of protecting the image of superstar actors because they are, after all  “multinational enterprise … a billion-dollar industry that impacts the lives of thousands of people … a billion dollar industry that has been carefully and methodically cultivated over the past two decades until it was honed into the well-run, well-respected, possibly award-winning brand ….” You will find the rest of this profile here.

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Holly Zammerilla plays Mrs. MacGruder and Bundy for Lab in ‘The Birds: A Parody’

Holly Bogert Zammerilla plays multiple roles (Mrs. MacGruder, Mrs. Bundy and, of course, a bird) for Lab Theater in its 2022 summer spoof of The Birds. She made her stage debut in Lab Theater’s 2019 Christmas Show Let Nothing You Dismay, where she played Noreen, Charlotte and Bubbie.

Go here to view the rest of Holly’s stage credits.

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2     DIRECTORS

Dana Alvarez directing ‘Newsies’ for The Belle Theatre

Dana Alvarez is the Director of Theatre Education at The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. She has directed more than 25 major musicals, including three Disney pilot productions. Her most recent directorial projects include School of Rock, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter Pan. She is currently directing Newsies the Musical.

You can view all of Dana’s theatrical credits here.

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Sami Doherty choreographing ‘Newsies’ for new Belle Theatre

Sami Doherty is choreographing Newsies the Musical, which opens on June 10th at the news Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. The show promises to be a blockbuster, and not only reflects Doherty’s energetic and inspirational choreography and uncompromising attention to detail, but the entire cast had the benefit of a one-day workshop with Cape Coral native Michael Fatica, who was in the cast of the original Broadway production. And tap dance fans are especially in for a treat. “King of New York” is worth the price of the ticket on its own. For more on Sami’s impressive and extensive acting, dance and choreography credits: http://www.artswfl.com/actors/doherty-sami/sami-doherty

3     PUBLIC ART

Spotlight on Fort Myers’ Ward 1 art hub at Billy Bowlegs Park

The Fort Myers Public Art Committee has been establishing art hubs in each of the City’s six wards using in the 23 Edgardo Carmona sculptures that the City purchased in August of 2018. One such art hub is Billy Bowlegs Park and Sports Complex in Ward 1. This past November, it became the permanent home of Al Galope or The Horse at the request of Councilperson Teresa Watkins Brown.

The term art hub refers to a location that is already or which is intended to become either a cultural, business or residential destination. Billy Bowlegs Park and Sports Complex is unquestionably a residential destination. Go here for the rest of this story.

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Spotlight on Fort Myers’ Ward 2 art hub at Urban Community Farm

The City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee has been establishing art hubs in each of the City’s six wards using the 23 Edgardo Carmona sculptures that the City purchased in August of 2018. One such art hub is the Urban Community Farm which is located in Ward 2 a block south of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard between Barden and Flint Streets.

It may seem strange at first blush to establish an art hub at a farm, but Urban Community Farm is actually the perfect choice. The term art hub refers to a location that is already or which is intended to become either a cultural, business or residential destination. Urban Community Farm is all three.

Go here for the rest of this report.

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Spotlight on Fort Myers’ Ward 4 art hub at the Collaboratory

The City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee has been establishing art hubs in each of the City’s six wards using the 23 Edgardo Carmona sculptures that the City purchased in August of 2018. One such art hub is the Collaboratory, which is located in Ward 4 at 2031 Jackson Street adjacent to the Fort Myers Fire Department’s main station. At the behest of City Councilman Liston Bochette and the request of the Collaboratory, the PAC relocated Carmona’s Ribbon Routine (Ena En La Plaza) to the plaza facing west toward the Lee Tran/Greyhound Bus Station. Go here to read more.

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Nanci Theoret’s ‘Art for All’ article compares public art programs

Be sure to pick up a copy of Florida Weekly and read, read, read Nanci Theoret’s excellent article “Art for All: How Outdoor Public Art Defines Our Community.” BTW, Art Southwest Florida contributed the “courtesy” photographs included in the feature, but that’s not why you should read this piece. It really makes the argument for why every community, including Fort Myers, the Cape, Bonita and Naples, benefits from having a vibrant public art program.

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‘Rachel at the Well’ in need of a sponsor

The City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee is looking for a sponsor for The Spirit of Fort Myers. Popularly known as Rachel at the Well, she’s the Grecian maiden pouring water from an urn who greets residents and visitors entering Edison Park from McGregor Boulevard. The maiden turned 96 this past April 8th.  While most, if not all other sculptures created a century ago were chiseled from a block of granite, marble or some other stone, Rachel is made of stone substitute applied in layers over a skeleton frame. You will find the rest of this story here.

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4     THEATER PRODUCTIONS

Belle Theatre’s ‘Newsies’ joyful, uplifting song-and-dance extravaganza

Newsies the Musical is coming to Cape Coral’s newest playhouse, the Belle Theater on Santa Barbara Boulevard. Adapted for the stage from the popular Disney film, Newsies features a poignant book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, Kinky Boots: The Musical), lyrics by Jack Feldman (Thumbelina, Pretty in Pink), music by legendary composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Little Shop of Horrors, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and choreography from Melody Lane’s own Sami Doherty. Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is a joyful, uplifting and highly entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together to stand against injustice.

The rest of this advance is here.

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

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Hear about Belle Theatre’s ‘Newsies’ on WGCU

Newsies Director Dana Alvarez knows why audiences of all ages love Newsies. “It’s just full of these high-intensity dance numbers, a lot of energetic harmonies and a storyline they can really wrap their heads around. So you mention Newsies and a lot of people have seen the movie or they saw the show [on Broadway] or they listened to the soundtrack and it really has a score that captures people.” With a book by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy, Kinky Boots: The Musical), the storyline and characters demand a youth-centric cast, and Alvarez has put together the perfect assemblage of area talent. Listen to the rest of this preview on WGCU.

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‘A Chorus Line’ plays at Fort Myers Theatre June 18-26

Fort Myers Theatre brings A Chorus Line to Southwest Florida June 18th through the 26th. A brilliantly complex fusion of song, dance, and compellingly authentic drama, this stunning concept musical captures the spirit and tension of a Broadway chorus audition.

The full advance is here.

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

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Ghostbird’s ‘One Island’ combines performance piece with art exhibit in Wasmer Gallery

In collaboration with the Art Galleries of Florida Gulf Coast University, Ghostbird Theatre Company will present One Island during the month of June in the Wasmer Gallery on the FGCU campus. One Island combines a performance piece with an art exhibition.

“We have brought together a set of international artists and performers, inviting you to join us for an evening of quiet, a little music, a little wonder, where we rise and find our own paths, where we learn to hold all that we love tenderly,” says Ghostbird in its advance for the production.

400 million years in the making, the play follows a boy is at the sea, talking about the sea. And then the sea is in the gallery. And the performers are in it too. And on the sand, stretched out, trying to speak to each other in the wind, feeling all the things that can be felt.

The rest of this advance is here.

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Spotlight on CalArts’ Brittney Brady

Brittney Brady is returning from Southern California to participate in One Island, a collaboration of international artists that combines performance work with a correlative art exhibition. Both will be staged in the Wasmer Gallery at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Brady is remembered in Southwest Florida for founding Ghostbird Theatre Company with James Brock, Katelyn Gravel, Philip Heubeck and FGCU Theatre Professor Barry Cavin.  Ghostbird evolved organically out of Brady’s experiences while studying theater and English at Florida Gulf Coast University. During her time there, the FGCU TheatreLab produced two of her plays, Paler than Grass (2011) and Monty and the Bat Shaman (2012). The rich relationships she formed with Cavin, Brock. Gravel and Heubeck led to them to establish Ghostbird as the resident theater company at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center with the ambitious mission producing original, site-specific works that move audiences toward a poetic sense of the world, thereby engaging, inspiring and educating the Southwest Florida theater community at large. You’ll find the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Lab Theater’s eagerly-anticipated June parody is Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’

The Laboratory Theater of Florida Season 14 summer season opens June 3 with the world premiere of The Birds: A Parody. This laugh-out-loud spoof of the classic Alfred Hitchcock horror-thriller film features the inhabitants of Bodega Bay, California who inexplicably fall prey to violent attack by thousands of rampaging birds.

You can read the rest of this advance here.

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

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Peep thrills are coming to the Laboratory Theater with a ‘parroty’ of ‘The Birds’

The Laboratory Theater of Florida celebrates the coming of summer each year by spoofing a famous Hollywood movie. This year, it’s Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 horror film “The Birds.” Naples actor Sue Schaffel plays Lydia Brenner, who was portrayed in the movie by Jessica Tandy. She had misgivings when artistic director Annette Trossbach told her that Lab’s doing a take off on “The Birds“ in June.

“I remember seeing this movie, “The Birds,” years and years and years ago, and it scared the daylights out of me,” said Schaffel. “And I thought, omigosh, when Annette comes up with this idea of we’re going to do a parody of “The Birds.” I thought, well at least it’s a parody. It’ll be funny … dada dada da.”

Listen to the story on WGCU here. Or go here to read the full story.

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‘Clark Gable Slept Here’ big on laughs, wit and biting sarcasm

The Studio Players bring Clark Gable Slept Here to the Joan Jenks stage at Golden Gate Community Center June 3-19. Directed by Scott Lilly, the play stars Danielle Channell, Perry Ventro, Luke Lauchle, Alicia Schwartz and Ricky Shafer.

It is the night of the Golden Globes, and superstar Patrick Zane is on the red carpet with his wife. He’s nominated for “Best Actor” for a role he played in his latest action film. As Zane charms his way through the awards ceremony, his staff is attempting to put out a red hot dumpster fire. You see, the maid’s found the body of a male prostitute on the bedroom floor in Zane’s suite at Hollywood’s historic Chateau Marmont Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The rest of this advance is here.

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