New Phoenix Theatre’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ no trick, all treat Shaun Cott

Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news October 22-31, 2021

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

1 ACTORS

Bill Shideler is the doctor in New Phoenix Theatre’s ‘Young Frankenstein’

Bill Shideler brilliantly portrays Victor Frankenstein’s grandson Frederick for New Phoenix Theatre in Young Frankenstein. He was last on the New Phoenix stage as trou-dropping Ethan Girard in the COVID-abbreviated production of The Full Monty. Bill has sung and danced his way around the world (as far away as Singapore) and onto the high seas (with Royal Caribbean and Scandinavian World Cruises) playing the title roles in Pippin, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar.

_________________________________________________________

Greg Wojciechowski goes from Max to Monster in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Greg Wojciechowski went from Max von Mayerling in Lab’s summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard to the Monster-about-town in Young Frankenstein for New Phoenix Theatre. Greg’s other stage credits include Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond for Cultural Park Theater, Teddy Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Ken Gorman in Rumors at New Phoenix Theatre, and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest for Cultural Park Theater.

_____________________________________________

Kenneth Bradley Johnson is Igor in ‘Young Frankenstein’

When New Phoenix patrons last saw Kenneth Bradley Johnson, he was reprising the role of Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty. Now he’s on the New Phoenix stage in the role of deliriously happy hunchback Igor in Young Frankenstein, which runs through October 24. His local acting credits include the roles of editor Richard Ehrlich in Time Stands Still, Milford, Ivan and Oscar Saperstein in Topher Payne’s Let Nothing You Dismay, Phaedra (the enigma) in La Cage aux Folles for New Phoenix Theatre, Paster Greg in Hand to God, Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in Sordid Lives for Lab Theater and Noli Timeri (Don’t Be Afraid) for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance. Ken has also appeared at Florida Repertory Theatre, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre and The Cape Playhouse. You can access Ken’s full theater resume here.

_____________________________________________________

Tricia Hennessy is leggy lab assistant Inga in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Tricia Hennessy appears in the role of Inga in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Young Frankenstein, playing through October 24. Hennessy has been in the dance and theatre world for the last 30 years. Over that span, Tricia has performed in numerous community and regional theater productions. In addition to acting, Tricia has choreographed three productions, served as an assistant director in another and performed in a number of operas. Go here to access all of Tricia’s theatrical and related credits.

_________________________________________________________________

Nikki Hagel plays Frankenstein fiancee Elizabeth Benning in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Nikki Hagel appears in the role of Frederick Frankenstein fiancee Elizabeth Benning in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Young Frankenstein. A local business woman (she owns and operates Nerdy Knitz on Etsy), Nikki’s most recent stage credits include The Full Monty for New Phoenix Theatre, the memorable role of Magenta in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show, Columbia and Eddie in the Rocky Horror Shadowcast and a Priscilla girl in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

_____________________________________________________________

Cindi Heimberg plays Frau Blucher for New Phoenix in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Cindi Heimberg plays the part of Frau Blucher for New Phoenix Theatre in Young Frankenstein. She is absolutely fierce in the role! Her other stage credits include the roles of Ruby in Nancy Stetson’s Rest Stops of America, Artistic Director Zorah Bloch in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Daniel Sullivan’s Inspecting Carol, the nursing home administrator in Marvin’s Room, La Cage Aux Folles at New Phoenix, Lavonda Dupree in Del Shores black comedy Sordid Lives, the neighbor in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane: A Parody of the Horror, Play On!, zany psychic Helga ten Dorp in Deathtrap, along with parts in Rumors, Barefoot in the Park, Men are Dogs, Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s, and Last of the Red-Hot Lovers.

____________________________________________

Gerrie Benzing in the ensemble of ‘Young Frankenstein’

After tearing it up eighteen months ago in The Full Monty, Gerrie Benzing returns to the New Phoenix stage as, among other roles, a frightened villager in Young Frankenstein. A local stage and film actor, director, musical theatre instructor and the owner and creative director of Monologues4kids.com, Benzing has appeared in more than 14 productions at Cultural Park Theater, three shows at Lab Theater and shows for a number of other Southwest Florida theater companies. Go here to see all of her stage and other credits.

_____________________________________

Tracy Meier in ‘Young Frankenstein’ ensemble

Tracy Meier is a local actor who is currently performing in the ensemble of Young Frankenstein for New Phoenix Theatre. He previously portrayed Dr. Scott in Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show. Meier has also been featured in the inaugural seasons of Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts and FGCU’s TheatreLab. He was also a founding dancer with Gulfcoast Dance.

__________________________________________________

Jesse Stauffer is Inspector Hans Kemp in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Jesse Stauffer is Inspector Hans Kemp in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Young Frankenstein (and a member of the ensemble, to boot). His other acting credits include The Full Monty for New Phoenix Theatre (which represented his theatrical debut), Dr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank for Fort Myers Theatre and most recently as a guy named Charley who gets paid a visit from his female counterpart from a parallel universe in Douglas Winings’ short film, Toast on 10, for Lab Theater’ 24-Hour Screenwriting Project earlier this month.

_______________________________________________

Bernardo Santana plays Bernard for TNP in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Bernardo Santana plays Bernard for TNP in Boeing Boeing. You know the type. Swarthy, debonair, smooth as a silky cabernet. It would be a mistake to label him a rake. Bernard is the penultimate charmer, possessed of the uncommon and uncanny ability to make women feel prized, cherished and the most important person that he’d ever met. Santana plays the role with the class and panache of Disraeli, bringing to bear his formidable talent and experience in both theater and film. This is Santana’s seventh show for TNP. Surely, it won’t be his last. Go here to see a fuller summary of his extensive resume.

__________________________________________

Luke Lauchle plays Robert for TNP in ‘Boeing Boeing’

In Boeing Boeing, the character of Robert cannot believe his good fortune when he drops by to visit his friend Bernard, who is engaged to three airline beauties and ends up helping Bernard keep them from running into each other after a storms grounds their flights at the same time in gay Paris. Lauchle is a recent graduate of Wells College, where he majored in both theater and film. In addition to Boeing Boeing, Luke’s stage credits include the roles of William Barfee in The 25 Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hans in We Will Not Be Silent, Jimmy in Incendiary Agents and Riff Raff and the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show (which he also co-directed). Go here to see all of Luke’s stage and related credits.

________________________________________________________________

Emilie Baartman plays TWA stewardess Gloria in Naples Players’ ‘Boeing Boeing’

Emilie Baartman appears in the role of TWA airline stewardess (they were still called that back in the 1960s) Gloria in Boeing Boeing for The Naples Players. A Naples actor, singer, dancer and costume designer, Emilie impressed as Pam Lukowski in The Full Monty for New Phoenix Theatre in March of 2020. Go here to see all of her theatrical credits: http://www.artswfl.com/…/baartman-emilie/emilie-baartman.

___________________________________________________

Erica Jones plays the part of Gabriella for TNP in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Erica Jones plays the part of Alitalia flight attendant Gabriella for The Naples Players in Boeing Boeing. She’s terrific in the role of Bernard’s strong, smart, fiery-bordering-on-mercurial Italian fiancee, giving the audience a rooting interest for which of the three ladies are able to tame the flame of the philandering Casanova played by Bernardo Santana. The role marks Erica’s TNP debut. She has recently returned to Naples from Ohio, where she was an active member of Improve Cincinnati.

____________________________________________________

Sarah Deleonibus is blond bombshell Gretchen in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Sarah Deleonibus plays the part of blond bombshell Lufthansa flight attendant Gretchen in TNP’s production of Boeing Boeing. Sarah studied with the Maryland Ensemble Theatre as well as with Charles Johnson and has been recognized at state and national levels for her International Thespian Society performances. Boeing Boeing represents Sarah’s return to the stage after a three year hiatus to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at FGCU.

____________________________________________________

Pamela Austin plays the part of Berthe for TNP in ‘Boeing Boeing’

In Boeing Boeing, Pamela Austin plays the part of Berthe, the longsuffering housekeeper who is tasked with helping her employer, a rich European architect, juggle the schedules of his three fiancees, who work as flight attendants for TWA, Air Alitalia and Lufthansa. A SAG-AFTRA member who trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in New York City, Pamela built her resume working various summer stock theaters throughout New England, adding screen and television credits from Boston to L.A. Pamela was recently seen at TNP as Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky and Monette Gentry in Always a Bridesmaid.

_________________________________________________________

Rachael Endrizzi plays Barbara in Off Broadway Palm’s ‘Social Security’

Rachael Endrizzi is an Off Broadway Palm stalwart. She’s on stage in the role of Barbara now through November 6 in Social Security, a hilarious comedy is about a happily married couple whose idyllic Manhattan art world existence is upended when Barb’s goody-two-shoes sister, uptight brother-in-law and aging mom arrive for a visit. Rachael’s extensive acting resume includes both theater and film, and Broadway Palm patrons will recall her as Bridget in Nana Does Vegas and Anna in ‘Til Death Do Us Part. Go here for the rest of her stage and other credits.

___________________________________________________

Follow Stephanie Davis down the ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ hole

Follow Diva Diaries’ Stephanie Davis down the White Rabbit Red Rabbit hole at Lab Theater at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 22. A consummate actor, Stephanie Davis has appeared on a variety of Southwest Florida stages over the past 30 years. She has worked with Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance, Laboratory Theater of Florida and Florida Repertory Theatre, where she also served as Associate Director when the company was first founded. During her two-decade association with Theatre Conspiracy, she’s played Liz in Women in Jeopardy, L’il Bit in How I Learned to Drive, Lady Lillian Loveworthy in Love Loves a Pornographer, multiple roles in A.R. Gurney’s The Dining Room and Dottie in David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People. Go here for the rest of his advance.

___________________________________________________

Follow Sonya McCarter down the ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ hole

Follow Sonya McCarter down the White Rabbit Red Rabbit hole at Lab Theater at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 23. Sonya is the director of The Color Purple, whose remaining run is completely sold out. Besides The Color Purple, McCarter’s directing credits include Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, Seven Guitars and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye and George C. Wolff’s The Colored Museum. Her acting credits include the part of Camae in Katori Hall’s Mountaintop, Louise Parker Neese in Steven Dietz’s Rancho Mirage, Corryn Fell in Gideon’s Knot and Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. For more on Sonya and White Rabbit Red Rabbit, go here.

__________________________________________________________________

Shelley Sanders is John Wesley Powell in Alliance’s gender-bending ‘Men on Boats’

The incomparable Shelley Sanders plays the part of Captain John Wesley Powell in Men on Boats. Theatre Conspiracy fans are still talking about her performances in a variety of roles in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery by Ken Ludwig, the lead in Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), Minka Lupino in Murderers and Marjorie Pinchwife in The Country Wife. Fans of the cult classic Rocky Horror Show applauded her performance as Columbia for New Phoenix Theatre. For all of Shelley’s stage and other credits, go here.

___________________________________________________

Anna Grilli is Dunn in Alliance’s gender-bending ‘Men on Boats’

Anna Grilli plays the part of Dunn for Director Rachael Endrizzi and the Alliance for the Arts for Men on Boats. She is a Theatre Conspiracy fan favorite, having played Emma in The Role of Della (part 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. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna also appeared in Ken Preuss’ Taking Sum Lumpsin the Alliance for the Arts’ The Best Seats in Your House video production. Please go here to see what else Anna has been in.

__________________________________________________

Holly Zammerilla is Old Shady in gender-bending ‘Men in Boats’ at Alliance

Alliance for the Arts patrons remember Holly as Tammie Sue in The Lives of Great Waitresses, one of three 0ne-act plays in the Alliance for the Arts 2021 production of Auditions, Diners and Weddings. Holly is a relative newcomer to the stage, having only made her stage debut in 2019 in Lab Theater’s Christmas Show Let Nothing You Dismay. Holly previously worked back stage at the Alliance as a quick change dresser for Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. In Men on Boats, she plays the part of Captain John Wesley Powell’s solid and stalwart brother, Old Shady.

________________________________________________

Kay O’Connell plays Bradley in ‘Men on Boats’ at the Alliance

Kay O’Connell performs the role of Bradley for Director Rachael Endrizzi and the Alliance for the Arts for Men on Boats. Kay has been working in theater for twenty years. Over that span, she had done everything from performing, stage management, set design and playwriting. She won the hearts of Alliance patrons as Renee Vein/Tracy in Vampire Lesbians of Sodom in 2020. Go here for more on Kay’s stage and other credits.

__________________________________________________________

Carmen Crussard plays Seneca Howland in ‘Men on Boats’ at the Alliance

Carmen Crussard plays the part of Seneca Howland for Director Rachael Endrizzi and the Alliance for the Arts for Men on Boats. She dazzled audiences as Conchita in Anna in the Tropics and Pocahontas in SoDis TV’s filmed theatrical production of Disenchanted, A New Musical Comedy, but Men on Boats marks her Theatre Conspiracy debut. For more on Ms. Crussard, go here.

_________________________________________________

Kendra Weaver plays Goodman in ‘Men on Boats’ for Alliance

Kendra Weaver plays Goodman for Director Rachael Endrizzi and the Alliance for the Arts for Men on Boats. Kendra’s stage credits include the Vagina Monologues (Lab Theater, Season 10), stage manager Aggie Manville in Play On! (Lab Theater, Season 8), the Captain and a guard in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (Lab Theater, Season 7) and several characters (reporter, a Midwestern mother endorsing a conversion therapy camp (comedic) and a mother telling her daughter that she and her father are sending her to that camp (dramatic)) in the Rauschenberg Play Project (Lab Theater, Season 7). To see what else Kendra’s been in, please go here.

______________________________________________

Stacy Stauffer plays Hall in ‘Men on Boats’ for the Alliance

Stacy Stauffer plays Hall (seriously) for Director Rachael Endrizzi and the Alliance for the Arts in Men on Boats. Stauffer is a talented character actor who lives and performs in Fort Myers. Her credits include Sarah Goodwin in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Time Stands Still, Sheila in Joe Simonelli’s The Ghost in the Meadow (Cultural Park Theatre), Lab Theater’s world premiere production of Zalman Velvel’s DMV (various roles, including the mayor) and Bessie in Marvin’s Room. Please go here to see what else Stacy’s been in.

_______________________________________________

Shaun Cott plays Sumner in ‘Men on Boats’ for the Alliance

Shaun Cott is a SAG-eligible stage and film actor who has recently relocated to Fort Myers. She is currently appearing in the role of Sumner in Men on Boats, which marks her Alliance for the Arts debut. Among her stage credits are multiple roles in the Stage It: New Play Festivals, Nos. 4 & 5 and Bonnie in All the King’s Women for the Center for Performing Arts Bonita Springs. She also played the lead in The Diary of a Mother for Riverside Theatre in New York City, Etta in I Don’t Know Why for St. Luke’s in NYC and the Narrator in Our Town for Connelly Theatre in NYC. Her full profile is here.

_________________________________________________

Tiffany Campbell is O.G. Howland in Alliance’s ‘Men on Boats’

Tiffany Campbell has enjoyed the privilege of being part of Theatre Conspiracy since 2000. She is normally stage managing or running the light and sound board. But she is currently playing the role of O.G. Howland in Men on Boats. Past shows with Theatre Conspiracy include The Colored Museum (where she was part of the Alliance for the Arts’ first CHANGE program class), Mom’s the Word, It’s Your Funeral, Anton in Show Business, The Vagina Monologues and Extremities at Lab Theater.

___________________________________

Anne Reed plays Hawkins in ‘Men on Boats’

Anne Reed plays the part of Hawkins in the Alliance for the Arts’ production of Men on Boats. Anne Reed is a best known for her involvement in the Southwest Florida Storytellers Project and in Fort Myers philanthropic circles as the genius who wrote the script, assembled the cast and wardrobed the actors for “A Roaring ‘20s Heist on Wales Drive,” the sleuth-style dinner party of the century held in 2020 prior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic at Fran Fenning’s home in the fabled Jewett-Thompson House to benefit the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC). She was previously on the GreenMarket stage at the Alliance in the role of Hattie in Laundry & Bourbon and as assorted trees, nurses and nuns in her childhood stage career. Go here for Anne’s full profile.

___________________________________________________

Madelaine Weymouth is ‘Nuts’ over role of Claudia Faith Draper

Madelaine Weymouth portrays Claudia Faith Draper for The Studio Players in Nuts, a divorcee turned high-class call girl who is charged with manslaughter after she kills a violent “john” in self-defense. When her mother and rich stepfather try to have her declared mentally incompetent to avoid a publicly embarrassing trial, Claudia launches a fierce battle to convince the court that she is sane. It’s a part for which Weymouth seems particularly suited in light of her performances as Vandy Jordan in Venus in Fur, Clarice Orsini in Botticelli in the Fire and Jolene in Darlyne Franklin’s short film Florida Couple. To see what else Weymouth has been in, please go here.

________________________________

Tom Rex is Franklin MacMillan in ‘Nuts’

Tom Rex will play Franklin MacMillan for The Studio Players in Nuts. After training extensively with The Studio Players, Tom has gone on to play Schultz in The Studio Players’ production of Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation and Joe Foster in The Naples Players’ virtual performance of Becky’s New Car. Other credits include TNP’s Escanaba in da Moonlight, Don’t Talk to the Actors for The Studio Players and West Side Story for TNP’s Readers Theatre.

________________________________

Daniel Cancio is Aaron Levinsky in ‘Nuts’

Daniel Cancio will play the part of Aaron Levinsky for The Studio Players in Nuts. An FGCU theatre grad, Daniel Cancio is an emerging talent in the local theater scene. A fan favorite among Studio Players patrons, his post-graduate credits include 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. You will find the rest of Daniel’s stage credits here.

________________________________________________________________

Paul Graffy portrays writer John D’Agata in ‘Lifespan of a Fact’ for Players Circle

Paul Graffy portrays writer John D’Agata in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre. D’Agata has penned an essay for a leading U.S. magazine, but it turns out that he made up much of the information contained in the piece. Graffy is at his absolute best when he plays the temperamental, self-righteous, officious type, as he did in The Dining Room, The Crucible (where Lab Theater patrons are still haunted by his narrowed, scathing, impatient eyes in the role of Judge Thomas Danforth) and The Best Man (where he played amoral, power-hungry Senator Joe Cantwell). But he’s equally adept at displaying an unexpected sentimental side. His depth and versatility explain why he is always in high demand. Since 2001, Paul has appeared in more than 30 productions and directed over a dozen others at such theaters as The Naples Players, Artis Naples, TheatreZone, The Studio Players, The Naples Dinner Theater, the Laboratory Theater of Florida and, of course, The Players Circle.

_______________________________________________________________

Steven Coe plays factchecker Jim Fingal for Players Circle in ‘Lifespan of a Fact’

Steven Coe plays factchecker Jim Fingal for Players Circle in Lifespan of a Fact. Coe plays opposite Paul Graffy, who portrays writer John D’Agata. The two faced off in The Crucible, and to a lesser degree in How to Transcend a Happy Marriage. Coe originally cut his theatrical teeth doing comedy, but of recent he has wowed area audiences with such dramatic roles as Sandro Botticelli in Botticelli in the Fire, Thomas Novacheck in Venus in Fur and Andri in Andorra. He’s best at playing the put-upon, under-fire character who refuses to be anyone’s victim, so he seems perfectly suited to the role of Jim Fingal.

__________________________________________________________________

Carrie Lund plays publisher Emily Penrose in ‘Lifespan of a Fact’ for Players Circle

Carrie Lund plays publisher Emily Penrose in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle. Lund’s on-stage career spans more than 35 years. She has performed regionally in theaters in New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. In Southwest Florida, Carrie has starred in more than 100 productions. As a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, she acted 451 weeks over 21 years. In Florida Rep’’ 19th season, she acted in the one-woman show Erma Bombeck, At Wit’s End, and all nine Wall Street Journal reviewed shows. Some of her favorite credits include Private Lives, Talley’s Folly, August Osage County, God of Carnage and Becky’s New Car. She was named Best Actress by Florida Weekly in 2011. She’s a force in any role and every production. She was also one of the women ARTSWFL honored during Women’s History Month in March.

_________________________________________________________

Melissa Whitworth stars as Maria in ‘Sound of Music’ at Broadway Palm

Melissa Whitworth stars as Maria in The Sound of Music, on the main stage at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre now through November 20. Her local stage credits include Winter Wonderettes for Off Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre), Grace Farrell in Annie for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (2018), Vera in Odd Couple: Female Version (Off-Broadway Palm, 2017), Mary Poppins in the Disney musical of the same name (for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 2017), and Karol in Another Night Before Christmas (for Off Broadway Palm, 2016). As the lead in Mary Poppins, Whitworth received rave reviews from Broadway World’s Emily Yorgey, Florida Weekly’s Nancy Stetson and The River Weekly’s Di Saggau. She has received Broadway World Best Actress nominations for her roles in 1776 and Shrek. Go here to see what else Melissa has been in.

_____________________________________

Keith Gahagan is Mr. Green in ‘Clue: On Stage’

Keith Gahagan is Mr. Green in the Center for Performing Arts’ production of Clue: On Stage. Gahagan has performed in community theater productions in Marco Island, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers since 2007. Among his stage credits are Harper for The Studio Players in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, postman Charlie Martin in On Golden Pond, Senator Charles Whitmore in the Studio Players’ production of Jason Odell Williams’ dramedy Church & State, Curt in Don’t Talk to the Actors (The Studio Players), and Eddie the bar owner in The Legend of Georgia McBride (Lab Theater, June 2019).

__________________________________________________________________

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

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

_____________________________________________________________________

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

F. Scott Davis is part of the ensemble cast of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, which performs at The Naples Players in November. Davis a local actor who was active in theater in Michigan before locating to Southwest Florida. His area stage credits include Ed in The Studio Players’ production of Torch Song, Vicomte de Nanjac/Phipps in An Ideal Husband for The Naples Players, Girolamo Savonarola in Botticelli in the Fire, Michael in the Florida premiere of How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (directed by Steven Ditmyer), and the roles of Dennis Gordon, Jerry and Rich in the Florida premiere of Topher Payne’s comedic farce Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater. For more on Scott, please go here.

__________________________________________________________

Isabel Isenhower is Miranda in Lab Theater’s production of ‘The Tempest’

She showed her dramatic chops as Betty Parris in The Crucible. She tweaked them a little as a girl victimized by a homicidal roommate in Stephen Hooper’s Boxed In for Lab’s inaugural 24-Hour Screenwriting Project. Now Isabel Isenhower is taking on The Bard. She’ll play Miranda in The Tempest for Lab Theater in November. Go here for all of Isabel’s stage and other credits.

_____________________________________________

Justin Larsche plays the monster Caliban in The Tempest

Justin Larsche plays the monster, Caliban, in Shakespeare’s The Tempest for Lab Theater. This is not his first time performing Shakespeare. He also played Count Orsino in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night for The Lab. Justin’s other acting credits include Mark in The Shadow Box for New Phoenix Theatre, Sheriff of Nottingham in Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance’s production of Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood, and lovestruck lawyer Burnette Lloyd in Beth Henley’s Southern Gothic tragi-comedy Crimes of the Heart. You can view Justin’s full profile here.

________________________________________

Art Keen plays Alonso for The Lab in ‘The Tempest’

Art Keen plays Alonso for Lab Theater in its production of Shakespeare’s magical play The Tempest. A certified theater arts and social studies teacher with a B.S. in Theater Arts from SUNY Oneonta, Art’s theater resume is wide and varied. His most recent work includes The Crucible, portraying Jimmy Rogers in Lab Theater’s world premiere of Zalman Velvel’s D.M.V. and playing Manolo Costazuela in Del Tura Repertory Company’s production of The Odd Couple: Female Version.

_______________________________________________

Todd Lyman plays Antonio for Lab Theater in ‘The Tempest’

Todd Lyman will play the part of Antonio for Lab Theater in The Tempest. A Lab Theater favorite, Todd’s other roles for The Lab include Assemblyman Paul Gordon, Dr. Tim and Mr. Yarmowich in Topher Payne’s Let Nothing You Dismay, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, multiple roles (Customers 3, 6 and 9) in Lab Theater’s production of Zalman Velvel’s farce D.M.V., Teddy LaPetite in Mitch Albom’s And the Winner Is … and theater critic Ira Drew in Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play (which marked Todd’s Lab Theater debut).

__________________________________________________

Dr. Ken Bryant plays Francisco/Master for Lab in ‘The Tempest’

Dr. Ken Bryant plays Francisco/Master for Lab Theater in The Tempest. This is not Ken’s first time playing Shakespeare. Ken holds a Master’s degree in Shakespeare and a Doctoral degree in Dramatic Criticism, so it should come as no surprise that his acting credits include Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, the Ghost of Hamlet’s father in Hamlet and Brabantio in Othello, all for Lab Theater.

____________________________________________________________

Daniel Sabiston tackles the role of Trinculo for Lab Theater in ‘The Tempest’

Daniel Sabiston tackles the role of Trinculo for Lab Theater in The Tempest. Sabiston is a local actor whose stage credits include Alan in Torch Song for The Studio Players, various roles in the summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard, Poggio di Chullu in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, an oh-so-mean bully (not bunny) rabbit by the name of Serling Hunter in Kayleigh O’Connell’s Projekt Grotesquerie, Ezekiel Cheever in The Crucible and the Journeyman in Andorra, all for the Laboratory Theater of Florida.

__________________________________

Renee Freeman is Gonzala in ‘The Tempest’

Renee Freeman is Gonzala in The Tempest. A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Renée Freeman made her Southwest Florida theatrical debut in the role of Madre Maria in the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire. She studied in the Alliance for the Arts CHANGE program, where she performed a monologue by the character Mame Wilks for Radio Golf written by August Wilson.

_________________________________________

Cassie Sampson plays Leann in ‘A Piece of My Heart’

Cassie appears in the role of Leann in A Piece of My Heart for Cultural Park Theater. A local stage actor, Cassie Sampson has been involved in over 20 productions at Cultural Park Theater, both on and off stage, since making her CPT debut in Godspell in 1996. Her credits include Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors, Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown, Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense, Chelsea in On Golden Pond, Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Red in Into the Woods and Chiffon in CPT’s 2004 production of Little Shop of Horrors. The rest of her profile is here.

_____________________________________________________

Chantelle Bloise-Elmahmoudi plays Martha in ‘A Piece of My Heart’

Chantelle Bloise-Elmahmoudi will be playing the role of Martha in Cultural Park Theater’s production of A Piece of My Heart. Her previous credits include Doris in The Owl & the Pussycat, Ms. Luce in Little Shop of Horrors, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Zombie Prom, Vera in She Kills Monsters and the bird seller in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street– all at Cape Coral High School.

__________________________________

2 DIRECTORS & PLAYWRIGHTS

Rachael Endrizzi directs ‘Men on Boats’ for Theatre Conspiracy

Even though she is appearing in Social Security at the Off Broadway Palm, Rachael Endrizzi has made the time to direct Men on Boats for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts. Rachael has directed numerous shows, including The Imaginators (Spark Theatre Company, Elyria, Ohio, 2020), The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged (The Legacy Theatre), Pinkalicious, the Musical (The Legacy Theatre), Always … Patsy Cline (The Legacy Theatre), Lend Me a Tenor (The Legacy Theatre), Marian: The True Story of Robin Hood (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), Gideon’s Knot (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), 33 Variations (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance), The Nerd (Off Broadway Palm), Moonlight & Magnolias, Camping with Henry & Tom (BIG ARTS Strauss Theater) and Mr. Burns: a Post-Electric Play (Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance). But there’s more. Go here to see what else she’s directed.

_________________________________________________________________

Bianca ‘JustBee’ Russell provides choreography for ‘The Tempest’

An all-around artist, Bianca “JustBee” Russell dances, sings and paints. She is also a pre-eminent choreographer, as her work for Lab Theater in The Color Purple amply demonstrated. Now she is turning her attention to the Bard, providing the choreography for The Tempest. Yes, The Tempest is not just about magic. It includes dance too. Besides Color Purple, her choreography credits already include such noteworthy productions as Subzero, The MAAFA, Ophelia, Thesis, Raw Impulse, Legends Who Rock and Inspire and The Soul Train Experience. Judges Laurieann Gibson, Chriss Judd and Mia Michaels gave her high marks and a performance scholarship for her choreography on So You Can Think You Can Dance, and she was also awarded a performance scholarship from Americas Best Dance Crew. Her work in The Color Purple is another tour de force. For more on Ms. Russell, please go here.

__________________________________

3 THEATER

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance having fun with history in ‘Men on Boats’

Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. Jacklyn Backhaus’ adventure dramedy, Men On Boats, is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. Now you can join them in their erudite expedition. Men on Boats is on stage at the Alliance for the Arts through October 31. The rest of this advance is here.

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

____________________________________________________

‘Men on Boats’ is like a Frederick Remington painting come to life

Just three performances of Theatre Conspiracy’s production of Men on Boats remain. If you’re not familiar with the plotline, the play recounts the federally-sponsored 1869 expedition by John Wesley Powell and a ragtag assemblage of former soldiers, misfits and ne’er-do-wells to explore and map the Green and Colorado Rivers and, ultimately, the Grand Canyon. The twist in playwright Jacklyn Backhaus’ mostly true retelling of the story of these ten white cisgender adventurers is that the cast is entirely female, and so is the show’s director (Rachael Endrizzi), stage manager (June Koc) and costumer (Diana Waldier).

You will find the rest of this review here.

_______________________________________________________

‘Sound of Music’ on Broadway Palm main stage through November 20

On stage through November 20 at Broadway Palm is The Sound Of Music. This endearing musical is based on the book The Story of the Trapp Family Singers and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music has touched the hearts of audiences around the world for decades. Follow Maria, the high-spirited, aspiring nun as she is sent from her convent to be the governess to seven unruly children of a strict father, Captain von Trapp. The children eventually come to like Maria and she finds herself falling in love with the captain. The timeless score includes Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Edelweiss and The Sound of Music.

Andrew Fehrenbacher and Melissa Whitworth star as Capt. von Trapp and Maria.

Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Beginning November 2, performances are Tuesday through Sunday with selected matinees. Tickets are $50 to $75 with children and group prices available. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

______________________________________________________

‘Social Security’ on stage in Off Broadway Palm through November 6

On stage in the Off Broadway Palm Theatre through November 6 is the laugh-out-loud comedy Social Security. The production was originally produced on Broadway by David Geffen and the Schubert Organization at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City on April 17, 1986.

The hilarious comedy is about a happily married couple who live in the art world of New York. Their domestic tranquility is shattered upon the arrival of the wife’s goody-goody sister, her uptight brother-in-law, and her aging mother. The comedic sparks really begin to fly when the mother hits it off with an elderly minimalist artist who is the art dealers’ best client!

The cast features all Broadway Palm alumni including Rachael Endrizzi, Kay Francis, Megan Orlowski, Ken Quiricone, Christopher Russell and Michael Weaver. Directing Social Security is the Off Broadway Palm’s Artistic Director Paul Bernier.

The Off Broadway Palm is an intimate theatre, located in the main lobby of Broadway Palm.

Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees.

Ticket prices range from $45 to $65 with discounts available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

___________________________________________________________

One small stage, nine rooms, ‘Clue’ on stage at Moe Auditorium in October

Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs presents a farcical live theatre production, utilizing an adaptation of a film script, based on a popular board game. Nine rooms and one small stage. If you have yet to deduce the title, it’s CLUE: On Stage October 29-31 at the Performing Arts Center, Moe Auditorium & Film Center.

The play script is adapted from the Paramount Pictures film written by Jonathan Lynn and Sandy Rustin, and based on the board game from Hasbro, Inc., additional material by Hunter Foster, Eric Price and David Abbinanti. The rest of this advance is here.

And go here for cast, play dates and times.

_________________________________________________

‘A Piece of My Heart’ opens on Veteran’s Day at Cultural Park

Cultural Park Theater is bringing Shirley Lauro’s A Piece of My Heart to the stage in November. This striking drama is a salute to the men and women who served our country during a tumultuous, deeply divisive period in American history.

The play tells the powerful true-life story of six women who went to Vietnam – five medical nurses plus a country-western singer booked by an unscrupulous agent to entertain the troops for the USO. Each of these exceptional women is revealed before, during, and after her stressful experiences in the ravaged, war-torn nation. Go here for the rest of this advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information

______________________________________________________________

Ghostbird’s ‘Sitting Ducks’ to be performed at abandoned Buckingham Center

Ghostbird Theatre Company breaks quarantine on November 5 & 6 with its first production in two years, the world premiere of Sitting Ducks on the Sitting Dock, an absurdist comedy written by first-time playwright and recent FGCU grad Dane Futrell. It follows two loading dock workers, Louis and Ricky, who love their daily routine only to find everything uprooted as they eagerly await the owner of the dock. Ghostbird is known nationwide for site-specific experimental productions, and Sitting Ducks on Sitting Dock will be performed on an actual loading dock – located in the rear of the cafeteria at Florida Gulf Coast University Buckingham Center.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go her for play dates, times and ticket info.

____________________________________________________________________

No rehearsals, sealed script, ‘White Rabbit Red Rabbit’ promises to be transformative

In association with Aurora Nova Productions and Boat Rocker Entertainment, the Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the Southwest Florida premiere of White Rabbit Red Rabbit through October 23. With no rehearsal, no director, a different actor each night, and a script waiting in a sealed envelope on stage, this show is a theatrical experience that reminds us of the transformative power of theater.

Go here for the full advance.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

_______________________________________________________

Lab’s production of Shakespeare’s ‘Tempest’ nothing short of magical

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present William Shakespeare’s The Tempest from November 5 to 20, with two half-priced preview nights on November 3rd and 4th. Shakespeare’s classic comedy about betrayal and family will lead you on a magical journey. Trapped on an island by a jealous sibling, and aided by a variety of spirits, Prospero plans to avenge his banishment and provide for his daughter, Miranda. The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

___________________________________________________________

‘Young Frankenstein’ an unforgettably hilarious Transylvanian adventure

On stage at New Phoenix Theatre through October 24 is Young Frankenstein, the musical in which Mel Brooks’ madcap comedy collides with Mary Shelley’s classic monster tale.

The mad scientist of legend, Victor Frankenstein, has died and bequeathed everything to his grandson, but young Frederick wants no part of his family’s notorious legacy. Still, a castle is a castle and Fred travels to Transylvania to settle granddad’s estate.

Go here for the rest of this advance.

Go here for cast members, play dates, times and ticket information.

__________________________________________________________

New Phoenix joins Music Theatre Int’l’s global celebration of local theater

On November 15, New Phoenix Theatre will join thousands of theatrical organizations around the globe by producing its own local production of Music Theatre International’s All Together Now!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre. Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) created this revue for theaters across the globe to use as a local fundraising event performed over the weekend of November 12, 2021.

All Together Now! features songs from MTI’s beloved catalogue of musicals including Annie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Godspell, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, My Fair Lady, Once on This Island and many more. Performers include (alphabetically) Lee Blackston, Cantrella Canady, Jason Drew, Kay Francis, Nikki Hagel, Evie Hennessy, Tricia Hennessy, Kenneth Bradley Johnson, Lauren Redeker Miller and Bill Shideler.

Tickets are $20.00 and are available at NewPhoenixTheatreFortMyers.org.

______________________________________________________________________

With ‘Lifespan of a Fact,’ Players Circle jumps into the fray of the alternative facts debate

In an interview he gave The New Yorker several weeks ago, filmmaker Morgan Neville remarked that that he had blended AI-generated voiceovers with clips from Anthony Bourdain’s television shows, radio and podcast appearances, and audiobooks in his documentary about the late travel-chef titled Roadrunner. The disclosure triggered a debate among documentarians and film critics about the ethics of employing “expansive storytelling techniques” in order to dramatize a seemingly fact-based biopic. Indeed, we are all buffeted with a constant stream of “fake news,” “alternative facts” and manipulative algorithms in the content we view in media outlets ranging from broadcast and cable news to social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And with its upcoming production of Lifespan of a Fact, Players Circle Theatre jumps into the fray with this dramedy based on the true story of John D’Agata and Jim Fingal.

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

___________________________________________________________

‘Boeing Boeing’ lands at The Naples Players through October 24

Get ready to take a trip to the 1960’s, an era when air travel was still a glamorous affair. Sponsored locally by The Inn on Fifth, Boeing Boeing runs through October 24th in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players. This crowd pleasing comedic farce, directed by Jessica Walck, was written by the French playwright Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans.

Playboy Bernard (Bernardo Santana) lives in Paris with his fiancé, TWA airline stewardess Gloria (Emilie Baartman) – and his fiancé Lufthansa stewardess Gretchen (Sarah DeLeonibus) – and his fiancé Alitalia stewardess Gabriella (Erica Jones). You guessed it – none of the women know about the other two.

Bernard’s trusty live-in maid, Berthe (Pamela Austin), is able to keep up the ruse by remembering each woman’s food preferences, clothing, and even changes out their photographs. All is going well until Bernard’s friend, Robert (Luke Lauchle) comes for a visit. Due to a faster Boeing jet, all three women arrive at Bernard’s apartment on the same day! Will he be able to keep up his scheme. Better yet, will he even survive the day?!

“We couldn’t be more excited to give our community an important chance to come together, have a good laugh, and enjoy the amazing artists that SWFL has to offer,” remarks CEO/Artistic Director Bryce Alexander.

“The arts are open – and these community events are more important now than ever. It’s a hilarious show!”

A Red Carpet event open to the public is slated for 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29, and features local vendors, food, drinks, and live music from the band Chariot.

Performances are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays & Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from September 29 through October 24. Both general public and season tickets are on sale at the TNP Box Office. Those interested can visit NaplesPlayers.org anytime or call the TNP Box Office at (239) 263-7990.

______________________________________________________________________

Naples Players’ ‘Boeing Boeing’ provides interesting contrast with James Bond franchise

On stage in the Sugden Theatre through October 24 is The Naples Players’ production of Boeing Boeing. A farce, the show depends upon split-second comedic timing and frenetic pacing, which the production delivers in spade thanks in large measure to the meticulous direction by James Duggan and Jessica Walck and a talented and highly energetic cast that consists of Bernardo Santana, Luke Lauchle, Emilie Baartman, Erica Jones, Sarah DeLeonibus and Pamela Austin. But it also provides a rather droll contrast with the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, which hits theaters today.

At the center of the action in Boeing Boeing is a wealthy American businessman by the name of Bernard (Bernardo Santana) who maintains in residence in a luxurious playpen in the City of Love, oui, gay Paree.

Go here for the rest of this slant.

___________________________________________________________________

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

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder opens in Blackburn Hall at The Naples Players on Wednesday, November 23 with a red carpet gala from 6:30-7:30 that features local vendors, food, drinks and live music by Chariot.

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

The rest of this advance is here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

__________________________________________________________________

Naples Players teams with Naples Therapeutic Riding Center to create new program

The Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) and The Naples Players (TNP) have teamed up to present a unique program to Southwest Florida. It is so unique in fact that it is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Called Expressive Theater Therapy with Horses, it is a free program offered to those who are eager to

reduce and manage stress,
deal with grief and loss,
ease symptoms of trauma, depression, or anxiety,
create healthier relationships, and
improve communications and increase self-awareness and trust.

Go here for the rest of this story.

____________________________________________________________________

‘Nuts’ is so much more than best courtroom drama since ‘Witness for the Prosecution’

For several years now, America has been divided over pop star Britney Spears’ struggles to end the conservatorship that a California court ordered in 2008 at the behest of her father. While there is growing sentiment to “Free Britney,” there are those who point to instances of bad behavior as evidence that the singer/entertainer is “nuts” and needs to have every aspect of her personal, professional and public life managed and controlled. Claudia Faith Draper knows exactly how Britney feels. In The Studio Players’ production of Tom Topor’s Nuts, Claudia too struggles for control of her life when her mother and stepfather seek to have her declared mentally incompetent after Claudia kills a violent “john” in self-defense and is charged with manslaughter in the first degree. The rest of this advance is here.

__________________________________

4 ARTISTS

Lily Hatchett to perform ‘Paper Grotto Live’ at opening of Grant Recipient Show

Performance artist Lily Hatchett will be performing her nationally-renowned Paper Grotto Live at the opening of the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show at the Langford Kingston Home on Friday, November 5. Incorporating principles of Butoh, Hatchett projects video imagery onto tall free-standing white paper sculptures that resemble a hidden cave or grotto as performers dressed in white clothing and dog heads move about this environment to musical accompaniment interacting with each other while performing seemingly random movements and improvisational tasks. If you haven’t seen the performance, “It’s like singing in the shower or hiding in plain sight … you haven’t seen anything like it … bedazzles the brain ….” Go here for more.

____________________________________________________________________

Artist Rosaline Young exhibiting in Grant Recipient Show at Langford Kingston Home

Fiber artist Rosaline Young will be exhibit samples of her work in Fort Myers’ Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show, which is taking place at the historic Langford Kingston Home during the month of November. Young utilizes weaving, quilting, spinning and fabric manipulation to create artworks and installations for both indoor settings and outdoor venues. Her medium includes cotton, wool, linen, mohair and raw, unspun fleece, some of which she obtains from friends who raise sheep and grow their own cotton. Young creates tapestries, installations and community weavings for display in public spaces. Many of these artworks and installations express environmental concerns relating to water quality and climate change. You can find out more about Rose and her art here.

______________________________________________________________________

Lambertus ‘Berry’ van Boekel exhibiting Top 100 List paintings at Grant Recipient Show

Portrait and figurative painter Berry van Boekel will be exhibiting selections from is Top 100 2019 and The Top 100 2021 series in Fort Myers’ Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show opening Friday, November 5 in the historic Langford Kingston Home. The works in the Top 100 series document the musicians and bands that van Boekel listens to each year, dating back to 1991. Recently van Boekel opened The Top 100 Archive and Studio, a space near downtown Fort Myers dedicated to the history of his Top 100 project. Go here to learn about Berry and his art.

________________________________________________________________

Tim Smith bringing mapping projection phenomenon to Langford Kinston Home

Artist and art educator Tim Smith will be bringing the evolving genre of projection mapping to the historic Langford Kinston Home on November 5. He’s part of the Fort Myers Individual Artist Grant Recipient Show that opens at 6:00 p.m. in conjunction with Art Walk. Not only will Tim project a computerized video light show onto the facade of Walter Langford’s 1919 residence, he will also have a digital display in one of the home’s four upstairs bedrooms. At the same time, Lily Hatchett will be projecting her own imagery onto a grotto she’s made out of paper that is populated by Techno Dogs that include not only herself, but local thespian Trace Meier, David Hatchett and even audience members who wish to immerse themselves in the exhibition. For more on Tim Smith and the art of projection mapping, please read here.

_______________________________________________

Winnie Purple exhibiting in ‘Dia de los Muertos’ at Alliance

On view in the main gallery of the Alliance for the Arts through October 30 is Dia de los Muertos: A Juried Exhibition. Among the the artists exhibiting in the show is Winnie Purple.

Winnie’s signature style is a blend of the whimsical and surrealist expressed through mixed media, which has always played a vital role in Purple’s art.

She has her own business, Winnie Purple Designs, where she sells her original paintings, jewelry and clothing.

In addition to art, music has always occupied an important place in Winnie’s life. After arriving in Southwest Florida in 2001, she immediately started to work as a singer and percussionist with maestro Steve Uscher and his Tropical Jazz Group. Winnie has also played at the Ritz Carlton Beach Resort in Naples for the last eleven years, and performances have included jazz society concerts in Naples, Fort Myers and Port Charlotte. She has worked regularly at hotels, including Sanibel Harbor Resort, Naples Grand and La Playa, as well as numerous restaurants and clubs throughout Southwest Florida.

Winnie is also a dance instructor at Enchanted Ballroom in Bonita Springs.

Winnie was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. She studied art at Artes Piasticas University of Guadalajara, music with maestro Eduardo Garciapena and dance at Escuela de Danzas Polinecias. Love of the different art disciplines has long been her inspiration and way of expressing her point of view about life.

_____________________________________________________________________

Marcus Jansens ‘Transitions’ chosen as 2021 Naples International Film Festival poster

Each year, Artis—Naples observes its multidisciplinary mission by featuring the work of a living visual artist on the Naples International Film Festival poster. This year’s poster features the work of internationally-acclaimed expressionist artist Marcus Jansen.

The poster features Jansen’s painting Transitions (2013), one of 18 works included in the spring 2021 exhibition at The Baker Museum titled Marcus Jansen: Two Decades of Relevance. Its expressionistic brushwork highlights the isolation of the anonymous figure at the center, evoking feelings of tension and uncertainty. The dramatic and cinematic quality make it the perfect work for this year’s NIFF.

Jansen grew up in New York and Germany, and now exhibits in museums and galleries throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. He maintains studios in Fort Myers and the Bronx in New York City.

For more information on NIFF 2021 and this year’s poster, visit https://artisnaples.org/naples-international…/2021/poster.

____________________________________________

Naples’ Sheldon Fine Art featuring work of David Noalia

Naples’ Sheldon Fine Art is featuring work by David Noalia, an artist whose name is associated with vision, style and colour. Renowned for his signature abstract equestrian paintings and portraiture, one of Naolia’s reoccurring subjects is the Andalusian horse, which captures the flavor of Spain at its best – its passion, color and drama.

David combines artistic inspiration with timeless beauty to create memorable canvasses that have the power to transform lives. Reflecting the palette and light of Sorolla, brushstrokes of Velazquez and freshness of Gerard Richter, Noalia’s paintings playfully reference the weighty history of painting in a contemporary and vivid light.

Noalia’s continually developing collections of paintings continue to draw admirers and collectors across the UK, Europe, USA and Middle East.

Sheldon Fine Art is located at 460 5th Ave S in Naples. For more information, please visit sheldonfineartnaples.com or telephone 239-649-6255.

_______________________________________________

5 ART SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

‘Dia de los Muertos’ back at Alliance by popular demand

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is back at the Alliance for the Arts by popular demand. The exhibition will be on view in the main gallery through October 30.

Contrary to what the title might suggest, Day of the Dead is a celebration of both life and death – a time to remember and commemorate the lives of family and friends who have passed from this world into the next realm. The holiday springs from the observation that death is a natural and inevitable part of the human experience – the end point on a continuum that begins with birth, progresses through childhood and culminates with the process of becoming a contributing member of the community. On Dia de los Muertos, the dead take their place among the living as part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones. And believing that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased (children on Day 1 and adults on Day 2) with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life.

During Dia de los Muertos, families decorate altars, or ofrendas, with candles, photographs, toys, food, and bright colors to honor their loved ones and lead their visiting spirits home. The most familiar symbols of Dia de los Muertos are calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which appear everywhere during the holiday – in candied sweets, as parade masks and as dolls. But rather than somber or macabre, calacas and calaveras are almost always portrayed in a positive, uplifting manner, frequently dressed in fancy clothes and entertaining situations.

In fact, calaverita de azucar, or sugar skulls, are a prominent symbol in the Dia de los Muertos tradition. These brightly decorated sugar skulls are placed on the altars of the deceased, especially children, as a whimsical reminder of precious life. The monarch butterfly is also commonly associated with Dia de los Muertos as they are thought to bring with them the spirits of deceased loved ones during their migration to Mexico. Another common symbol includes the use of cempasuchil, a brightly colored Mexican marigold, whose smell is believed to attract spirits to visit their families during Dia de los Muertos.

This, then, is the context for the art that exhibitors bring to the Alliance for the Arts to display in its Dia de los Muertos exhibition. As the family and community play integral roles in this cultural celebration, the congregation of local art to honor the deceased maintains the power of community in the Dia de los Muertos tradition. Each artist explores their own interpretation of this rich holiday, and brings to light not only the honor associated with death in Mexican culture, but remind us of the vivacity and significance of the lives of our loved ones who have passed.

______________________________________________

Alliance ‘Arts on Tap’ fundraiser set for November 12 & 13

The annual Alliance for the Arts fundraiser, Arts On Tap, returns November 12 & 13 with an exciting mash-up of Southwest Florida’s burgeoning craft beer and vibrant arts scenes and a performance by two-time Grammy-nominated hip hop group the Nappy Roots.

On Friday, November 12, guests will mingle, play, sip and savor as local craft brewers pour award-winning, rare and brand new artisan brews, play twisted pub games, rub elbows with craft brewers and Grammy-nominated hip hop group the Nappy Roots, bid on silent auction items and enjoy live music. Participating crafters include Bone Hook Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Crazy Dingo Brewing, Eight Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing, Hopsized Brewing, LaBelle Brewing, Millennial Brewing Company, Palm City Brewing, Point Ybel Brewing and Riptide Brewing. Restaurant partners include The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen and The Standard.

The celebration continues on Saturday, November 13 with a night of food trucks, beer, art, VIP lounge experiences and a once-in-a-lifetime performance by the Nappy Roots.

Tickets go on sale in September. Sponsorships and visibility opportunities are available at ArtInLee.org/OnTap or by contacting Jessica Wisdom at Jessica@ArtInLee.org or calling 239-939-2787.

Arts On Tap is a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts, a nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers. Since 1975, the Alliance has been transforming lives and improving community through the arts. Event proceeds support a creative hub that spurs self-expression, imagination and individuality. The event is sponsored by GMA Architects, Nice Guys Pizza, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Priority Business Solutions.

For more information, call 239-939-2787 or visit ArtInLee.org/OnTap.

_____________________________________________________________________

Wegman & Massing ‘Two Clever by Half’ at Rauschenberg Gallery through December 4

Florida Southwestern State College is exhibiting William WEGMAN & Jack MASSING: TWO CLEVER BY HALF – A Call & Response Project at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery from September 2 through December 4, 2021. Described by the artists as “an experimental visual discussion in a studio setting within the Gallery,” this site-specific exhibition will premiere newly-commissioned collaborative works in a frequently evolving installation.

With the artists-in-residence often creating work in “full-view” during regular/public Gallery hours, this exhibition will provide an unprecedented opportunity to experience the “work-in-progress” of internationally-renowned (yet, first-time) collaborators, Jack Massing and William Wegman.

Go here for the rest of this summary.

_________________________________________

Palm’s Gallery exhibiting work by Chari Mooradian

The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre has space between the main stage and their Off Broadway theater that it dedicates to exhibiting visual art. Called the Palm’s Gallery, it will be featuring the works of local artist and longtime Broadway Palm employee Chari (Klackle) Mooradian now through December 25, 2021.

Mooradian’s vibrant pieces showcase a variety of subjects from Fort Myers’ landscapes to flora and fauna. The highlight of the exhibition is the show-stopping, six-foot resin painting of Fort Myers Beach titled Purple Rain, in which Chari stated her “use of color and composition creates a dreamlike effect.”

Chari’s work has been exhibited at Arts for Act, Harborside Events Center, Kelly Greens Country Club, The Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers City Hall, Williams Academy Black History Museum, and more.

Chari has been published in Time of the Islands magazines, Aesthetic Magazine, and in numerous newspapers.

The Palm’s Gallery is inside Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. The art show is open daily and there is no charge for admission. For more information on Broadway Palm call (239) 278-4422 or visit BroadwayPalm.com.

_________________________________________________________

DAAS featuring female figurative paintings of Cecilia Valadez in October

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery will showcase the artwork of Mexican artist Cecilia Valadez during the month of October. Valadez’s art is influenced by her homeland of Mexico, and the Southwest Florida environment. Her paintings provide an extraordinary insight into human nature, especially women, who have been the central theme of hers.

As the main figure, the woman is the centerpiece of Valadez’s works and is expressed in integrated textures and monochromatic tones. In these forms of expression, she evokes extraordinary visions and transitions of life as the main inspiration, influenced and touched by the new life that she chose to live. Her female figurative paintings symbolize the artistic essence of life and explore the spontaneity and drama of the Spanish language. The visual intensity and psychological drama in these magnificent paintings reveal a timeless perspective and capture the passion, emotion and visceral mystique of the female figure. Her passionate creative strokes capture a unique artistic vision.

Valadez’ easel art has been included in important exhibitions such as SWFL History Museum, Naples Depot, Baker Artis Museum Naples, International Art Fair and Biennial in Miami, Gulf Coast University, Hodges University and others in New York and Mexico. In addition, several of her works are part of private European collections.

The opening reception is scheduled for 6:00-9:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2021 in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk event. The exhibition will be on display through October 31, 2021.

_______________________________________________________

DAAS featuring Rodney Acosta’s ‘Theater of the Absurd’ in November

Throughout the month of November, DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery will showcase the artwork of Puerto Rican artist Rodney Acosta. Acosta’s works in mixed media on board and canvas, utilizing found objects, oils, spray paint, and textiles. He has titled this exhibition Theatre of the Absurd.

In this collection, Acosta aims at expressing the strange side of what most call “normal” or maybe the inexplicable – from alien scenarios with strange plants to abandoned sites with melancholic glimpse of better and happier times. Some pieces are inspired in the artist’s experiences while others belong strictly to the unconscious.

“I like to play with the Easter egg concept of hiding social protest or mischievous hints in my work,” says Rodney, whose technique consists in dramatic contrasts of light, adding a tridimensional effect, combined with aggressive surface scratching in a constructive and destructive manner. “To me, this is the cycle of life in itself.”

Acosta is native of Puerto Rico who migrated to Florida shortly after graduating with a degree in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts. He later attended Rollins College, where he pursued additional fine arts credits. Rodney has been working and exhibiting his works in United States and the Caribbean.

The opening reception is scheduled from 6:00-9:30 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, in conjunction with the monthly Fort Myers Art Walk event. Theater of the Absurd will be on display through November 28, 2021.

DAAS CO-OP Art Gallery & Gifts is located at 1815 Fowler Street, in the Butterfly Estates complex in Fort Myers, FL. The gallery’s temporary 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.

_______________________________

6. ART FESTIVALS

Deadlines loom for Boulderbrook art festivals

Boulderbrook Productions hosts a number of boutique art festivals in Southwest Florida each season. It is currently accepting submissions for:

The Art Festival at University Village Shops located by Miromar Lakes Country Club on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway (date in February to be determined); application deadline not given;
Boca Grande Art Festival (March 5 & 6); application deadline October 30, 2021;
Sanibel Captiva Lions Club Art Festival (March 11 & 12); application deadline October 30, 2021;
Peace River National Art Festival in Laishley Park (March 19 & 20, 2022); application deadline October 30, 2021; and
Bonita Springs Masters Art Festival in The Promenade at Bonita Bay (March 26 & 27, 2022); application deadline October 30, 2021.

You must register and apply online at http://www.boulderbrook.net/.

N.B.: The application deadline has closed for the Bonita Springs Fall Art Festival (October 23 & 24, 2021), the Bonita Springs Invitational Art Festival (November 20 & 21, 2021), Sanibel Masters Art Festival (November 26 & 27, 2021), Peace River National Art Festival (December 4 & 5, 2021), Bonita Springs Art Walk at the Promenade at Bonita Bay (January 15 & 16, 2022), Sanibel Invitational Art Fest at Sanibel Community House (January 21 & 22, 2022), Art Festival at Mercato (January 29 & 30, 2022) and Bonita Springs Fine Arts at The Promenade (February 26 & 27, 2022).

_____________________________________________________

Deadline for Hot Works’ 2022 Naples Fine Art Show is November 1

Hot Works LLC is accepting submissions through November 1 for its 6th Naples Fine Art Show scheduled for March 26 & 27, 2022 outdoors at the Naples Italian-American Club at the corner of Airport Pulling and Orange Blossom Roads. The show features original work in a wide array of disciplines, including painting, clay, glass, fiber, sculpture, wood, photography, jewelry and more.

The cost of a 10 x 10′ booth is $425; $635 for a 10 x 15′ space; and $850 for a 10 x 20′ booth. But add $75 for a corner booth location and $50 for electric. Notifications will be sent out by November 5.

There are also opportunities to participate in a number of upcoming Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Shows, vis:

6th Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show, January 15 & 16, 2022, Phillippi Estate Park; app deadline: September 20, 2021
7th Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show, February 12 & 13, 2022, Phillippi Estate Park; app deadline: not provided.
8th Sarasota Open Air Fine Art Show, March 12 & 13, 2022, Phillippi Estate Park; app deadline: October 20, 2021.

Artist applications are accepted electronically at www.zapplication.org or manually at www.hotworks.org. For more information, please contact Executive Director Patty Narozny at patty@hotworks.org or 248-684-2613.

________________________________________________

Naples National Art Show application deadline is October 29

The deadline for artists to apply for admission into Naples Art Association’s 43rd Annual Naples National Art Festival is October 29, 2021. Naples National is consistently voted among the top 100 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine and was ranked #24 in 2019. In addition, Naples National was named one of Art Fair SourceBook Blue Chip 100 Fine Art Events for 2019 and ArtFairCalendar.com’s America’s Best Art Fairs. As one of the oldest festivals in Collier County, Naples National is counted by the local community as among its premiere, must–see events, thanks to the high quality of art, the engaging personalities of the artists and the festive atmosphere. The show is held in scenic Cambier Park and along 8th Street South, one block from downtown Naples’ premier shopping and dining district.

If you are interested in exhibiting in the 41st Naples National Art Festival, here’s what you will need to know:

Dates: Saturday & Sunday, February 19-20, 2022
Festival Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Accepts 190 artists max
Application fee: $35
Booth fee: $650 for 10×10
Cancellation refund policy: Full refund: 01/07/22 (subject to $50 processing fee)
Set up specifics: Friday set up on 2/18/22
Park and street setting
Application deadline: 10/29/21
Jury Process begins: 11/05/21
Status Notification: 11/19/21
Booth Fee Deposit Due: 12/17/21
Artist Info Emailed: 01/28/22
Wait List Acceptance: 12/18/21
No Refund Deadline: 01/29/22
Application available online at http://www.zapplication.org/

To improve the quality of the show and to provide more sales opportunities for our artists, NAA has limited the number of booths to 221, with 190 selected by the jury and 31 who are specially invited to participate in the show. “This will allow artists greater exposure and less competition,” states NAA in its prospectus for the show. “Additionally, the park layout, will consist of one loop making it easier for customers to view all artist’s booths. However, there is a corresponding increase in booth fees.”

This is the only Naples Art Association show that offers cash awards for Best of Show, Best 2D, Best 3D and Awards of Distinction in 2D and 3D. The amounts are:

Best of Show – $2,000
Best 2D – $500
Best 3D – $500
Awards of Distinction 2D – 5 awards at $200 each
Awards of Distinction 3D – 5 awards at $200 each

Awards will be presented at the band shell in Cambier Park at 3:00 pm on Saturday. NAA staff or volunteers will notify an artist if they need to be present at the awards ceremony on Saturday. Awards are given based on the same criteria used for the jury process. The winning artists are invited to participate in the following year’s show and receive jury exempt status but must still pay his/her booth fee.

The mission of the Naples Art Association is to expand cultural opportunities, broaden education and enrich SWF through the visual arts. Proceeds from the Naples National Art Show support educational programming at The Naples Art Association.

____________________________________________

Deadline for Naples Downtown Art Show is December 10

The deadline for artist applications for Naples Art Association’s Naples Downtown Art Show is December 10, 2021. Now in its 34th year, the Naples Downtown Art Show is one of the last major art festivals of the winter season and a favorite festival for artists, art enthusiasts and collectors.

This festival was rated #34 by Sunshine Artist Magazine 2018.

If you would like to exhibit in this show, here’s what you will need to know:

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 19 & 20, 2022
Festival Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 5th Avenue South, Downtown Naples
Accept 250 artists max
Application fee: $35
Booth fee: $540 for 10×10
Cancellation refund policy: TBA
Set up specifics: 4 a.m., early morning set up only;
On street set up in quads: No electrical
Application deadline: December 10, 2021
Jury Process begins: December 17, 2021
Status Notification: December 29, 2021
Booth Fee Due: January 21, 2022
Artist Info Emailed: March 4, 2022
Wait List Acceptance: January 22, 2022
Full Refund Deadline: February 4, 2022 (subject to $50 processing fee)
No Refund Deadline: February 18, 2022

There are openings for 250 artists.

_____________________________________________________

Naples Art accepting submissions for next season’s Art in the Park

Artists wishing to exhibit this season in Naples’ Art in the Park will have two opportunities to gain admission into the show this season. The jury process will begin virtually on:

October 14, 2021 and
January 13, 2022.

You must register for the jury process by 5:00 p.m. one day before the jury date in which you wish to participate. If you want to exhibit multiple mediums, you must be separately juried for each one.

Since 1957, Art in the Park has showcased paintings in oil and acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass art, jewelry and wood-working created by members in good standing of the Naples Art Association. For art lovers, it’s a casual, fun-filled venue for meeting local artists and becoming acquainted with their work. It is believed to be the first outdoor art show held in Naples. And the tradition continues for the 2021-2022 art fair and festival season.

Because of its long tradition, prestige and the interest and number of people who routinely turn out for the show, many NAA members seek admission to the show. Applicants go through a jury process.

“Art in the Park is a membership opportunity, providing artists a venue to sell and market their work while broadening their customer base,” notes the Naples Art Association. “It also provides a setting for artists to interact with other artists sharing ideas, industry changes and the camaraderie of creative people. It is an opportunity for both artists and the public to engage in enlightening conversations about art.”

The one-day fair takes place on Park Street adjacent to The Naples Art Association in the northwest corner of Cambier Park on five dates this season:

November 6, 2021
December 4, 2021
February 5, 2022
March 5, 2022
April 2, 2022

N.B. The January show date has been pre-empted this year by the

. Located just a block and a half from historic Fifth Avenue South, Art in the Park is within walking distance of trendy European boutiques, sidewalk cafes and iconic art galleries such as Sheldon Fine Art, Call of Africa’s Native Visions Gallery and Shaw Gallery of Fine Art. The show is also just three minutes by car from fabled Gallery Row and the Third Street South Gallery District. The January show is also held in conjunction with the Naples New Year’s Art Show, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, January 8 & 9, 2022.

7. PUBLIC ART

Art Committee, CRA seeking artists for $100,000 Dunbar gateway artwork

A new gateway artwork is coming to the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevards. Planned for installation in the Spring of 2022, the installation will commemorate local culture and express the concepts of Hope, Dreams and Civil Rights – ideals vigorously advanced by both luminaries during their storied lives. Artists who are interested in being considered for the project have until Friday, October 28 to submit their qualifications on Café.

The site for the artwork is an open, grassy area located to the south of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, one of the City’s main east-west thoroughfares, and between the north and southbound lanes of Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard. The MLK-Veronica Shoemaker intersection is a critical gateway connecting the historic Dunbar Community (once referred to as Safety Hill) to downtown Fort Myers.

Go here for the rest of this announcement.

Go here for the Press Release announcing the RFQ.

______________________________________________________________________

WGCU draws attention to gateway are piece designed to connect Dunbar and Fort Myers

“The intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard will soon commemorate local culture and express the concepts of dreams, hope and civil rights through the power of public art,” writes Tara Calligan for WGCU in an article posted October 12 under the headline, “A call to artists to connect Dunbar and Fort Myers at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd.” The article goes on to explain how the community-based gateway art project originated and what happens next. To read the story for yourself, simply go here.

____________________________________________________________

Public Art Committee seeking artists for outdoor artwork at new fire station

The Fort Myers Public Art Committee is seeking artists for a representational, three-dimensional outdoor artwork to be installed at a new fire station serving the City of Fort Myers. The sculpture is to be installed at Station 17, a Missile Level E Essential Facility providing fire and EMS services to business locations and residential developments along Six Mile Cypress Parkway that are located south of Colonial Boulevard and north of Daniels Parkway, as well as the southbound lanes of I-75. Located in Ward 6 (represented by Councilperson Darla Bonk), the station is expected to be completed in late Spring or early summer of 2022.

Go here for the rest of this announcement.

____________________________

8. FILM

TGIM returns to Davis Art Center on November 1

T.G.I.M. returns to the Davis Art Center on Monday, November 1. As in years past, T.G.I.M. gives area cineastes a look at how the Fort Myers Film Festival views submissions and a voice in the selection process.

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

Go here for the rest of this advance.

_____________________________________________

Meet November 2021 TGIM celebrity judge Wendy White

Wendy White will be one of November’s celebrity TGIM judges. White co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced the short film Roses Are Blind, which screened at the 10^th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival in October of 2020.

The story revolves around a pre‑med junior at Columbia University by the name of Julie Janson. After Julie rescues a homeless woman’s dog from a train track, her roommate recommends she see famous psychic Addison Spellings for guidance. Their encounter reveals a family secret that changes Julie’s life forever. But when she goes home to confront her parents about it, they make sure their secret stays with her by having her institutionalized.

Go here for the rest of this advance.

____________________________________________

Meet November 2021 TGIM celebrity judge Mike Donlan

Mike Donlan will be one of November’s celebrity TGIM judges. Mike is the graphic designer for WGCU Public Media and Professor of Journalism at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he’s taught since 2010. As Graphics Editor at the Fort Myers News-Press from 2003 through 2016, Mike was responsible for spotting potential for, planning and promotion of visual storytelling. Donlan has a Master of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and a B.A. from California State University-Chico.

“It’s really hard to enjoy a movie if I can’t get beyond its technical aspects,” Mike notes. “If it’s poorly crafted or poorly written, it’s impossible for me to suspend disbelief [and get absorbed in the story and characters.] While the visual stuff is pretty easy to evaluate, for me, it’s mostly the writing and how effectively the director and director of photography can come together to execute the writing.” Go here for more on Mike.

___________________________________________

Meet November 2021 TGIM celebrity judge John Davis

On November 1, T.G.I.M. returns to the grand atrium of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and among the esteemed panel of celebrity judges that will be on hand to help get the post-screening discussions going is WGCU’s John Davis.

John has been a full-time Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2009. He is the local host of NPR’s Morning Edition and producer and host of WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Live!

John came to WGCU as an intern in 2007, and is now reporting on a broad spectrum of topics of interest to Southwest Florida.

Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA covering local government and general assignments.

The rest of this profile is here.

________________________________________

Naples International Film Festival runs through October 24

Naples International Film Festival opens with a red carpet event starting at 7:00 p.m. on October 21 that includes a post-screening VIP party on the third floor rooftop terrace of The Baker Museum addition. Operated by Artis-Naples, the festival features films at Silverspot Cinema as well as outdoor films on Friday and Saturday evening in the Norris Garden between Hayes Hall and The Baker Museum. The festival concludes on October 24 with Back to the Future starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd and a live soundtrack performed by the Naples Philharmonic under the direction of conductor Jack Everly and an awards ceremony in Hayes Hall.

In addition to 67 films in a variety of genres (that were culled from nearly 900 submissions), one of this year’s highlights is a poster created for the festival by internationally-renowned artist Marcus Jansen, whose works were exhibited last spring in a solo show in The Baker Museum. Titled Transitions, the poster serves as a metaphor as the arts, theater and film industries seek to re-emerge from the shut-downs and quarantines that typified the COVID-19 pandemic of the previous 18 months.

Tickets for opening night and the awards ceremony can be purchased from Artis-Naples. Individual and multi-film packages are available through Silverspot Cinema in the Mercato center.

_________________________________________________________

Comments are closed.

About the Author

Tom Hall is both an amateur artist and aspiring novelist who writes art quest thrillers. He is in the final stages of completing his debut novel titled "Art Detective," a story that fictionalizes the discovery of the fabled billion-dollar Impressionist collection of Parisian art dealer Josse Bernheim-Jeune, thought by many to have perished during World War II when the collection's hiding place, Castle de Rastignac in southern France, was destroyed by the Wehrmacht in reprisal for attacks made by members of the Resistance operating in the area. A former tax attorney, Tom holds a bachelor's degree as well as both a juris doctorate and masters of laws in taxation from the University of Florida. Tom lives in Estero, Florida with his fiancee, Connie, and their four cats.

search the site

Actors, artists, directors, filmmakers and events in the news October 22-31, 2021

About the Author