Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news October 15-21, 2022

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

1     ACTORS

Giusseppe Anthony makes Lab Theater debut in ‘Play That Goes Wrong’

Giusseppe Anthony makes his Lab Theater debut in The Play That Goes Wrong. A play within a play, Anthony plays the part of Dennis Tyde who, in turn, portrays a butler named Perkins in The Murder at Haversham Manor. Originally from Michigan, Giusseppe trained in acting in both New York and Los Angeles.

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Kathleen Barney conjures her inner spiritualist as Madame Arcani in TNP’s ‘Blithe Spirit’

Southwest Florida theater veteran Kathleen Barney makes her Naples Players debut in the role of local spiritualist and medium Madame Arcati in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. The seer conjures novelist Charles Condomine’s late wife, Elvira, from the other side but then can’t quite figure out how to send her back when Elvira decides she wants to hang around – permanently. Among Kathleen’s stage credits are Patty in Walter Cronkite Is Dead, Aida in Over The River and Through The Woods and Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, all for The Studio Players. But there’s more here.

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Joey Bostic reprises role of Frank N Furter for Fort Myers Theatre

Joey Bostic is a Fort Myers based actor and aspiring director. After making his Fort Myers Theatre debut in Rent in the role of Benny, Bostic reprises the role of Frank N Furter in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. In addition to Frank N Furter in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show at New Phoenix Theatre, Joey’s other stage credits include virgin-turned-vampire Madeleine Astarte in Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom and the butler Jacob in La Cage Aux Folles. 

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Danielle Channell plays Sandra/Florence Collymoore in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

Naples-based actor Danielle Channell resumes her reign as comedic royalty in the roles of Sandra and Florence Collymoore in Lab Theater’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong. The Queen of Farce’s previous stage credits include vodka-guzzling middle sister Melanie in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, and Mae Flynn Pollitt in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for The Studio Players. You will find Danielle’s theatrical profile here.

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Paola Cifuentes plays Janet for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘Rocky Horror’

Paola Andrea Cifuentes stars as Janet for Fort Myers Theatre in its production of The Rocky Horror Show. She previously starred as Morticia in The Addams Family Musical, a role that played to all of Cifuentes strengths. Paola relocated to Florida from California in June of 2021 and quickly landed roles at Fort Myers Theatre as the Ghost of Christmas Future in A Christmas Carol and ChaCha DiGregorio in Grease. For more on Paola, please go here.

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Miguel Cintron plays dual roles in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ for Lab Theater

Miguel Cintron plays the dual roles of Robert and Thomas Colleymoore in Lewis, Sayer and Shields’ farce The Play That Goes Wrong at Lab Theater. Miguel’s theater career is denoted by many highlights, but perhaps none as lofty as playing a sarcastically irascible Almighty in Lab Theater’s An Act of God. Other stage credits include Usman in The Chechens for the Alliance for the Arts, Palomo in Anna in the Tropics and Yvan in Yasmina Reza’s Art. Please go here to view Miguel’s other theatrical credits.

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Parrish Danesh plays Brad Majors for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘Rocky Horror’

Parrish Danesh is local actor. He plays Brad Majors (“asshole”) for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show. His previous credits include director/choreographer Zack in A Chorus Line, 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). Go here to see all of Parrish’s theatrical credits.

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James Duggan is Charles Condomine in ‘Blithe Spirit’ at The Naples Players

James Duggan plays Charles for The Naples Players in Blithe Spirit.  James previously directed Boeing Boeing this past January and appeared in Don’t Dress for Dinner, Making God Laugh and Maple and Vine, to name a few. James serves as the Director of Patron Services for The Naples Players.

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Shelley Gothard plays Mrs. Bradman for TNP in ‘Blithe Spirit’

Shelley Gothard portrays Mrs. Bradman in The Naples Players’ production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. She has been involved in many productions at The Naples Players and other local theaters. Shelley was last seen as Hannah in Sarah Treem’s When We Were Young and Unafraid. Other stage credits include Mrs. Marchmont in TNP’s production of An Ideal Husband and work in the ensemble of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

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Nikki Hagel plays prostitute Nellie in ‘Jekyll & Hyde the Musical’

Nikki Hagel appears in the role of a prostitute by the name of Nelly in Jekyll & Hyde the Musical, which opens October 13 at New Phoenix Theatre. Previous roles included Pamela in Head over Heels, Frederick Frankenstein fiancee Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein, Georgie Buckatinsky in The Full Monty, and the memorable role of sax-playing Magenta in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, all for New Phoenix Theatre.

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Heather Johnson plays Annie in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ at Lab

Heather McLemore Johnson appears in Lab Theater’s Henry Lewis-Jonathan Sayer-Henry Shields comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, where she’ll play Annie. Heather’s stage credits include various roles in Lab Theater’s summer spoof of The Birds, Sharla in the Southwest Florida premiere of Killer Joe, Jane in the Florida premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage, Rebecca Nurse in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and an aggrieved soccer mom (and the only adult cast member) in The Wolves. Go here to view the rest of Heather’s theatrical credits.

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Erica Jones plays dead in ‘Blithe Spirit’

Erica Jones plays Elvira Condomine in Blithe Spirit.  In life, Elvira was spirited, outgoing, wild and carefree. In death, she’s no different, regularly having cocktails with Genghis Khan, among others. It’s a terrific role for Jones, who is highly spirited in real life as well. “Her comedic chops and energy are worth the ticket price alone,” comments cast mate and Assistant TNP Artistic Director Jessica Walck. Erica She was last seen as Gabriella in Boeing Boeing. 

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Trace Meier plays Sir Danvers Carew in ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ for New Phoenix

Trace Meier appears in the role of Sir Danvers Carew for New Phoenix Theatre in their October production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical. Trace’s stage credits include Quartet, multiple roles in Young Frankenstein and Dr. Scott in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show for New Phoenix Theatre; and the priest in Andorra and roles in A Clockwork Orange and Chekhov’s The Bear for Lab Theater. He previously appeared in the role of Simon Stride in Jekyll & Hyde for Cultural Park Theater.

Go here for all of Trace’s theatrical credits.

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Danica Murray plays multiple roles in touring production of ‘Lion, Witch and Wardrobe’

From September 27, 2022 through May 31, 2023, Danica and Cameron Rogers will play multiple roles in the Naples Performing Art Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences production of CS Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. She has already amassed an impressive resume, thanks in large measure to her participation in Florida Repertory Theatre’s Conservancy program. Her acting credits include CFABS Youth Theatre’s bold reimagining of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, Caitlin O’Hare in Over the River and Through the Woods at Off Broadway Palm, The Woman in Woman in Black and Cloe in Bulletproof Backpack. Go here for all of Danica’s stage credits.

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Daniel Sabiston plays Jonathan and Charles Haversham in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

Daniel Sabiston appears in the roles of Jonathan and Charles Haversham in The Play That Goes Wrong. Daniel’s previous credits include various roles for Lab Theater in its summer spoof, The Birds: A Parody, Azalon in Dangerous Liaisons, Trinculo in The Tempest, Alan in Torch Song for The Studio Players, various roles in the summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, and Poggio di Chullu in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire. Go here to see the rest of Daniel’s stage credits.

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Cassie Sampson in ensemble of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Once New Phoenix royalty, Cassie Sampson will now appear as one of London’s street people as a member of the ensemble of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre, where she was last seen in the role of Queen Gynecia in Head Over Heels. She also played Melissa in Lives of the Great Waitresses for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts, as well as Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense 2: The Second Coming and Leann in A Piece of My Heart for Cultural Park Theater. Go here to view her full and formidable profile.

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Cassy Terwilliger plays Jekyll fiancee for New Phoenix in ‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Cassy Terwilliger plays the role of Emma Carew in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical. Her character in the show is Dr. Jekyll’s increasingly troubled fiancee who, in one of the show’s many highlights, sings a beautiful, soulful duet titled “In His Eyes” with a prostitute by the name of Lucy Harris, who becomes involved with both Jekyll and Hyde. Terwilliger was last seen in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Head Over Heels, which marked her New Phoenix debut. Go here for all of Cassy’s theatrical credits.

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Jessica Walck plays part of Ruth Condomine in TNP’s ‘Blithe Spirit’

Jessica Walck appears in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit for TNP in the role of Charles Condomine’s second wife, Ruth. Witty and sophisticated, stuffy and predictable, Ruth is quite the society matron. Understandably, she is concerned, then convinced that her husband has lost his mind when Charles tells her that the medium, Madame Arcati, has not only made contact his deceased first wife, Elvira, but has brought her over from the other side. It is precisely the type of role that plays to Walck’s comedic talent and dramatic flair.

Go here to view all of Jessica’s theatrical credits.

2      DIRECTORS

Scott Carpenter directs ‘Jekyll & Hyde the Musical’ for New Phoenix Theatre

Scott Carpenter directs a star-studded cast in Jekyll & Hyde the Musical for New Phoenix Theatre.

Scott’s previous directing credits include last Spring’s production of Head over Heels for New Phoenix Theatre, as well as the Florida premiere of the spoof Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody,  Rumors for Lab Theater, Same Time, Next Year, Jekyll & Hyde the Musical, South Pacific, Mame, and Steel Magnolias.

Go here to view all of Scott’s theatrical credits.

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Director Danica Murray confident cast can handle ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ content and score

Danica Murray is branching out. She’s directing a production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs in October that features students ages 13 to 21.

“It’s a great pop rock gothic musical,” says Danica. “For people who haven’t seen it, it’s a really fun horror kind of retelling of Jekyll & Hyde.”

The musical is loosely based on Robert Louise Stevenson’s 1886 gothic horror novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

“While the cast is 13 to 21, it’s going to appeal to adults as well as kids,” Murray continues. “Everyone will get their kicks in this horror show. It’s going to be fun.”

You will find the rest of this story here.

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Artistic Director Kimberly Suskind directs ’13 the Musical’ for Gypsy Playhouse

A recent transplant from Greater Philadelphia, Kimberly Suskind is an actor, singer, dancer and the Artistic Director of Robin Dawn Academy’s Gypsy Playhouse. In that capacity, she is directing 13 the Musical, which runs at the Playhouse September 30-October 2. Kimberly has worked at many professional regional theatres across the country, including Walnut Street Theatre (PA), Cape May Stage (NJ), Delaware Theatre Company (DE), The Theatre Barn (NY), Eagle Theatre (NJ), Bucks County Playhouse (PA), Nightcap Cabaret (PA), Metro Stage Company (MA) and Village Theatre & Civic Light Opera (WA). Go here to view her impressive (and extensive) theatrical credits.

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Carling Witt provides choreography for New Phoenix musical ‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Carling Witt provides the choreography for New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical. Witt distinguished herself with her portrayal of Mopsa in Head Over Heels. Other acting credits include Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Penny in Hairspray and Vivienne in Legally Blonde. Carling is employed as a musician and vocalist and has performed for Disney, Warner Bros, and Universal Studios.

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3     PUBLIC ART

Art Committee launches mural project that will turn river basin into outdoor museum

A 54-panel mural project is coming to the downtown Fort Myers river basin. Depicting portraits and scenes that recount Fort Myers’ historic relationship to the Caloosahatchee River, the murals will be installed beginning this November on the concrete stanchions that anchor the decorative railing which encircles the detention basis that is overlooked by the Luminary Hotel.

When they drew up the plans for the detention basin in 2011, the architects who designed Phase 1 of the Riverfront Redevelopment Plan intended to include art on the face of each stanchion. That’s why each stanchion includes a one-inch deep illuminated inset.

Go here for the rest of this story.

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Audio for IMAG’s ‘Man Playing Flute’ now live on Otocast

The audio for the Edgardo Carmona sculpture Duo Sinfonica or Man Playing Flute is now live on Otocast. Man Playing Flute is one of two Carmona sculptures that have been moved to IMAG History & Science Center in the City’s third ward. Man Playing Flute leans against a stone pillar that anchors the wrought iron fence running along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

With Man Playing Flute, sculptor Edgardo Carmona captures a moment in time during which a flutist and his beautiful tunes attracts a chirping bird to sing in tandem with him. This artwork was positioned to look across the street towards McCollum Hall on purpose. Go here for more.

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5     THEATER PRODUCTIONS

‘Play That Goes Wrong’ part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, all mayhem

To kick off its 14th season, The Laboratory Theater of Florida pays homage to the theatrical arts with a play within a play – where everything that can go wrong does, with hilarious results. It’s The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Hendry Shields, and the production marks the comedy’s Southwest Florida premiere. Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, and all mayhem, this Olivier Award-winning show is disastrously delightful. Go here for more on this production.

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

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Naples Performing Arts taking Narnia to area elementary and middle schools

Danica Murray and Cameron Rogers are two of Southwest Florida’s most promising young stage actors. You may have seen Murray as Caitlin O’Hare in Over the River and Through the Woods at Off Broadway Palm or Cloe in Bulletproof Backpack at Florida Repertory Theatre. Rogers burst onto the local theater scene in the role of Brad in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show at New Phoenix Theatre and dazzled Laboratory Theater of Florida audiences with his deft and daring swordplay in Dangerous Liaisons.

Interestingly, Murray’s first exposure to theater was at a touring show about Thomas Edison that visited her elementary school. Rogers’s mom took him to a Broadway Palm Children’s Theatre production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a short time after they’d seen the movie. Now Murray and Rogers are returning the favor by performing multiple roles in the Naples Performing Arts Center’s (NPAC) Theatre for Young Audiences production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Naples Performing Art Center Associate Artistic Director Kody Jones said that while Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) has been around for about four decades, it is new to many people, even avid theater-goers. But TYA has an important role in introducing elementary and middle school students to the performing arts.

Go here for the full story on WGCU.

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More on Naples Performing Arts Center’s TYA production of ‘Lion, Witch and Wardrobe’

Naples Performing Arts Center has officially announced its first Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) touring production, C.S. Lewis’ iconic The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  This new and innovative program delivers a fully-realized professional touring production to area schools.  Each production will be tailored to not only provide engaging and educational entertainment, but tie in with the host school’s curriculum and Florida’s Education Benchmarks and Standards. The highly-imaginative production runs 50 minutes and comes with an optional fifteen-minute Q and A with the actors following the performance.

“The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is a tour de force adventure that enables the audience to join our journey as we utilize imaginations and creativity to depict the stories of Narnia,” notes NPAC in its press release announcing the production, which stars Danica Murray and Cameron Rogers, who play storytellers as well as a dozen other characters within Narnia that careen in and out of the story with a simple costume change and complete physical and vocal transformation.

The production is directed by veteran TYA Director, Kody C Jones with support by NPAC Production Manager, Jenn Murray.

“There is nothing more special than TYA Theatre for Young Audiences,” says Jones. “It’s a program with the sole purpose of introducing the performing arts to as many kids as possible while introducing life skills and inspiring creativity and imagination.”

Recommended for 1st through 6th grades, the show is designed and directed to be performed any space, large or small whether it be a classroom or large theatre or gym.

For pricing questions or to book your tour today, please email Associate Artistic Kody C Jones at kodycjones3@gmail.com.

And to listen to more on TYA and the production on WGCU, please click here.

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New Phoenix Theatre going steampunk in season-opening production of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ 

New Phoenix Theatre opens its 2022-2023 season with Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildthorn’s recreation of Robert Louise Stevenson’s 1886 gothic horror-thriller Jekyll & Hyde. The gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry, New Phoenix’s production of this disturbingly dark musical comes with a decidedly steampunk slant. Assuming the role of Costume Designer, Brenda Kensler will be outfitting the characters in steampunk. Drawing its inspiration from 19th century Victorian clothing and industrial machinery, the accessories are as distinctive as the clothing. Southwest Florida theater-goers will be holding their collective breath as we wait to see what Kensler has in store for this production. Go here for the full advance.

Play dates, times and a cast list can be found here.

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Carpenter, Craig, Terwilliger and Hennessy talk up Jekyll & Hyde on WGCU

Director Scott Carpenter and leads Ryan Craig, Cassy Terwilliger and Tricia Hennessy talk up New Phoenix Theatre’s steampunk production of Jekyll & Hyde on WGCU Radio. Go here to hear what they have to say, as well as clips from some of the show’s powerful Act Two musical numbers like “In His Eyes,” “A New Life” and “The Way Back.” New Phoenix Theatre’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” promises to be a tour de force. The cast is superlative. The leads have tremendous voices and the ensemble is comprised of phenomenal singers. Carpenter’s set is a study in steampunk architecture, and Kensler’s costumes are something to behold. Actor Ryan Craig points out this is also the perfect show for the Halloween season. Go here to listen to the segment.

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Love and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem in TNP’s ‘Blithe Spirit’

Noël Coward’s smash comedy hit Blithe Spirit plays in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players September 28 through October 23. Don’t miss the production where love and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem – and ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ no longer applies. Here’s the set-up: Charles Condomine (James Dugan) is a fussy, cantankerous skeptic. But his spiritual skepticism vanishes when the ghost of his deceased first wife, Elvira (Erica Jones), accidentally materializes—but only to him. Elvira’s still in love and wants Charles back, and she’s not about to let a little thing like death stand in her way!

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket info.

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Noel Coward comedy ‘Blithe Spirit’ puts new spin on vow ‘Till Death Do Us Part’

Noel Coward’s smash comedy hit Blithe Spirit plays in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players September 28th through October 23rd. First produced in Britain in 1941, this timeless farce puts a new spin on “Till Death Do Us Part” when a local medium conjures a writer’s first wife from the beyond and she decides she’s not leaving. Listen on WGCU as Director Emma Canalese and actor Jessica Walck provide the details.