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Visual & Performing Artists and their events in the news October 8-14, 2023

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This is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community this week:

 

1     ACTORS

 

Alexandra Adams is Veronica in TheatreZone-FGCU ‘Heathers’ collaboration

Alexandra Adams plays the part of Veronica in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration of Heathers the Musical. With clear powerful vocals and incredible range, Alex is capable of enthralling any audience in both solos and duets, but she also has an uncanny ability to harmonize with the entire cast in the show’s many lyric-laden production numbers. A senior theatre major from Bradenton, this is Alex’s first opportunity to work with a professional equity theater like TheatreZone. It clearly won’t be her last. Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Haley Adkins is Heather Chandler (The Red Queen) in ‘Heathers’ 

Haley Adkins portrays the Red Queen, Heather Chandler, in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration on Heathers. A senior theater major with a minor in Religious Studies, Haley’s previous credits include  Nicola in Kinky Boots (Weathervane Theatre), Lady Lucile in Once Upon a Mattress (Weathervane Theatre), and Billing in An Enemy of the People (Florida Gulf Coast University).

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Nicole Anderson is Alma Hix in ‘Music Man Musical’

Nicole Anderson plays the part of Alma Hix in The Music Man Musical. Her character sings one of the show’s most memorable lines, “Oh yes, that woman made brazen overtures, with a guilt-edge guarantee / She had a golden glint in her eye and a silver voice with a counterfeit ring / Just melt her down and you’ll reveal / a lump of lead as cold as steel / Here, where a woman’s heart should be.” Nicole’s prior credits include Grimhilde, the Evil Queen, in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical and one of the Ancestors in Addams Family, a role that followed a 25 year hiatus in on-stage appearances.

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Seth Balcer is Willard Hewitt in ‘Footloose’ at Cultural Park

Seth Balcer plays the part of Willard Hewitt in Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre. Seth’s previous stage credits include sadistic dentist Orin in Little Shop of Horrors, the Narrator in Into the Woods, and Dewey Finn, an energetic down-on-his-luck wannabe rock superstar, in School of Rock, all at Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. When he’s not center stage, you will typically find Seth on drums, which is where he was for Rent at Fort Myers Theater.

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Aubrey Barnhouse portrays Regina George for Melody Lane in ‘Mean Girls’

Aubrey Barnhouse plays the part of Regina George in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Past roles include Cosette in Melody Lane Theatre’s production of Les Miserables, Katherine Plumber in Newsies for Belle Theatre, Jasmine in Aladdin Jr., Jack’s Mom in Into The Woods, Morticia in Addams Family Jr. and the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods Jr.

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Gerrie Benzing is Mother Superior in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

A local stage and film actor, director, musical theatre instructor and the founder and creative director of Monologues4kids.com, Gerrie Benzing plays Mother Superior in Drinking Habits for The Belle Theatre. Gerrie’s credits include Gertrude in Save Hamlet (for Lab Theater), Raven in Trouble (at the Vista View Mobile Home Estates) for Florida Rep, Brooke in Other Desert Cities for The Studio Players, Florence Ungar The Odd Couple: Female Version (Belle Theatre, 2022), Madame de Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons (Lab Theeater, 2022) and Lee in Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife for New Phoenix Theatre (2022). Read Gerrie’s extensive theatrical credits here.

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Lemec Bernard plays Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf’

Lemec Bernard plays the part of Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf. He has previously appeared in the roles of attorney Henry Brown in David Mamet’s Race at Lab Theater, multiple roles in Confusions (which consisted of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park), Hedley’s bestie Mister in August Wilson’s King Hedley II,  and Tom in Engagement Rules. Read the rest of Lemec’s theatrical credits here.

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Joey Bostic reprises the role of Frank-N-Furter in ‘Rocky Horror’ for Fort Myers Theatre

Joey Bostic reprises the role of Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror for Fort Myers Theatre. He previously played the part for Fort Myers Theatre in 2022 and for New Phoenix Theatre in 2019. Bostic’s previous credits include Mary Sunshine in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, work in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for Lab Theater, Benny in Rent at Fort Myers Theatre, and virgin-turned-vampire Madeleine Astarte in Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom for the Alliance for the ArtsGo here to read the rest of Bostic’s theatrical credits.

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Margie Legner Bowman is brassy Snow White in ‘Disenchanted’ at Belle Theatre

Margie Legner Bowman unflinchingly plays a brassy, no-nonsense Snow White in Disenchanted the Musical for The Belle Theatre. Margie’s previous credits include the Baker’s wife in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods and foot-spelling William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Sissy in A Piece of My Heart for Cultural Park Theater.

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Amanda Collins plays Martha Dunnstock in TheatreZone’s ‘Heathers’

Amanda Collins is an aspiring young actor. She plays Martha Dunnstock for TheatreZone in Heathers the Musical. Pervious credits include Emilie in Dangerous Liaisons, Bad Idea 1 in Avenue Q, Stephanie in The Tempest and Allie/Lizzie in Let Nothing You Dismay for Lab Theater as well as shows for Florida Repertory Theater, Lehigh Senior High and Fort Myers Theater. She is currently a senior studying theater at Florida Gulf Coast University.

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Maryann Connolly is Reverand Moore’s Wife, Vi, in ‘Footloose’

Maryann Connolly plays Vi Moore in Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre. The singer- songwriter-model-actor’s stage credits include The Full Monty for New Phoenix Theatre, Chicago (Hungarian immigrant Kaitlin Hunyak), Jesus Christ Superstar, Don’t Drink the Water and Sister Act for Cultural Park Theatre as well as The Witch in Into the Woods, Rachel in Glee, Skuttle in Little Mermaid, Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, and a child in Elf at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The rest of Maryann’s extensive credits are available here.

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Ryan Porter Craig is Father Chenille in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Ryan Porter Craig appears as Father Chenille in Drinking Habits at Belle Theatre. Previous credits include the Wolf and Prince Charming Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (at new Phoenix Theatre), the voice of Audrey II for Belle Theatre in Little Shop of Horrors, multiple roles for Gulf Coast Symphony in their holiday revue, Snowbird Follies, the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in New Phoenix Theatre’s production of Jekyll & Hyde the Musical and King Basilius for New Phoenix in Head Over Heels.

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Jorja Evans plays Taylor Wedell for Melody Lane Theatre in ‘Mean Girls’

Jorja Evans appears in the role of Taylor Wedell in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Her previous credits include ensemble of Les Miserables in Melody Lane Theatre’s 2023 encore production of the musical, one of Jesus’ modern-day disciples in Godspell for Fort Myers Theatre, Amy March in Little Women, work in the ensemble of Elf Jr., Miss Honey in Matilda, Jr., Mrs. McKee in The Great Gatsby, Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Ursula in Fort Myers Theatre’s summer show The Little Mermaid Jr. (2020).

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Emily Feichthaler in ensemble of ‘Footloose’ at Cultural Park Theatre

Emily Feichthaler plays Caitlyn Caussin and a French teacher for Melody Lane Theatre in Mean Girls High School Edition. Her stage credits include work in the ensemble of Footloose for Cultural Park Theatre, Heather Duke (Green Heather) in The Belle Theatre’s production of Heathers the Musical Teen Edition (2023), Vicki/Maggie/Judy in A Chorus Line Teen Edition for Melody Lane Theatre (2023), Little Eponine in Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre (2021), and was in Footloose for Fort Myers Theatre in 2021. You will find the rest of Emily’s stage credits here.

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Katherine Freeman is insane in the role of Belle in ‘Disenchanted’

Katherine Jessica Freeman stars in the role of Belle in Belle Theatre’s production of Disenchanted the Musical. Belle’s that smart and witty bookworm from classic French literature who speaks with a perfect American accent, although she has no idea why. Trapped in a lonely relationship with her uncouth beast of a husband who she’s forced to clean up after, her only companions are her tea pots, cookware and her bidet. And it’s driving her insane, as Katie sings in exasperation in number reminiscent of “Beauty School Dropout” from GreaseView Katie’s stage credits here.

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Cassie Grossarth is flirty, boy-crazy Urleen in ‘Footloose’ at Cultural Park

Cassie Grossarth plays the parts of Sophie K and Mrs. Heron for Melody Lane Theatre in Mean Girls High School Edition. Cassie’s prior credits include friendly, flirty, boy-crazy Urleen in Footloose for Cultural Park Theatre, work in the ensemble of Les Miserables for Melody Lane Theatre (2023), Ike in Newsies for The Belle Theatre (2022) and work in the ensemble of Matilda for Melody Lane Theatre.

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Diane Hembling reprises role of Mrs. Paroo in ‘Music Man’ musical

Diane Hembling reprises the role of Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, a character she performed, along with Mrs. Darling, in The Music Man for Cultural Park Theatre. Diane made her Fort Myers Theatre debut in the role of Marmee March in Little Women. She performed professionally as Cinderella’s Stepmother in the Herb Strauss Theater’s production of Into the Woods. Diane’s community theater credits include Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd and Brigadoon, as well as numerous shows at Cultural Park Theatre in Cape Coral.

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David Hernandez is Reverend Moore in ‘Footloose’

David Hernandez appears in the role of Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose the Musical at Cultural Park Theatre. David’s previous stage credits include Paul in A Chorus Line for Melody Lane Theatre (2023), Manolo in Odd Couple: Female Version for The Belle Theatre (2022), Spot Conlon/Nunzio in Newsies for The Belle Theatre (2022) and Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for Melody Lane Theatre (2020).

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Mark King appears as a phantom in ‘Rocky Horror’

Mark King appears for Fort Myers Theatre as one of the phantoms in The Rocky Horror Show. Mark has previously appeared as Guildenstern for Lab Theater in its summer spoof, Save Hamlet, Amos Hart in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse (in which he was anything but cellophane), in the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for Lab Theater, various roles (Sholes, Harry, Bird) in Lab Theater’s 2022 summer spoof of the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock horror film The Birds, as Major Domo in Dangerous Liaisons, as Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q and comedian Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s.

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Terry Lavy in the role of Mayor Shinn in ‘Music Man’ 

Terry Lavy plays the part of Mayor Shinn in The Music Man Musical. He will also reprise the role of the Narrator in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (having previously played the part in 2022). Terry’s recent stage credits include the Ghost and Hamlet’s father in Save Hamlet at Lab Theater (2023), Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre (2023), the detective, Hunyak’s defense attorney and the prosecutor in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse (2023), Mr. Lawrence in Little Women (2023) and the Von Trapp butler, Franz, in The Sound of Music (2023). View Terry’s stage credits here.

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Emma Luke-Said inhabits persona of Magenta in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror’

Emma Luke-Said inhabits the persona of Magenta in Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre. Emma’s prior stage credits include Princess Badroulbadour for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, Mrs. Beauregarde for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre, Go-to-Hell Kitty and work in the ensemble of Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, and work in the ensemble of both Rent and Rocky Horror at Fort Myers Theatre, where she also played the part of Sister Berta in The Sound of Music.

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Allison Lund is Riff Raff in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror’

Allison Lund appears for Fort Myers Theatre in the role of Riff Raff in Rocky Horror. Allison’s previous credits include Bernadette in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive for Lab Theater, June in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse, Magenta for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show, both Stage Manager and Ensemble member in Rent, Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby.

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Maliyah Mattis kissed a frog in Belle Theatre’s ‘Disenchanted’

Maliyah Mattis plays the part of the Princess Who Kissed a Frog in Disenchanted the Musical for The Belle Theatre. Having been left out of the kingdom for decades, this Black princess is here to claim her throne and celebrate inclusivity and diversity in fairy tales. Wonderfully witty, joyous, confident and clever with a turn of phrase, this Princess loves a funny pop culture reference. The role follows that of Yellow Heather (Heather McNamara) in Heathers the Musical Teen Edition for The Belle Theatre.

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Bailey McArthur in Footloose’ at Cultural Park Theatre

Bailey McArthur appears for Cultural Park Theatre in the role of Ariel Moore’s bestie, Rusty, Footloose the Musical, for which she also did all of the show’s choreography. Bailey’s previous stage credits include Tricia in A Chorus Line for Melody Lane Theatre, a Venue-a-Go-Go Girl in Rock of Ages for Melody Lane Theatre and Lucinda in Into the Woods for Belle Theatre.

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Cicero McCarter plays Old Joe Barlow in August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ 

Cicero McCarter appears in August Wilson’s Radio Golf in the role of Elder Joseph (“Old Joe”) Barlow. An August Wilson veteran, he was previously seen in the role of Wining Boy in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Canewell (a/k/a Stool Pigeon) in King Hedley II, Bynum Walker in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Hedley in Seven Guitars and Slow Drag in Ma Rainey’s Black BottomThe rest of Cicero’s stage and film credits are here.

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Megan McDonald is The Little Mermaid in ‘Disenchanted’

Megan McDonald appears in Disenchanted at The Belle Theatre in the role of The Little Mermaid. Channeling her inner Kelsea Ballerini, Megan McDonald chafes at the notion that to gain love, women are expected by society to even sacrifice who they really are deep down inside just to net a man. Oh, she loves her husband, but now she questions the wisdom of sacrificing her true self “for a prince and a pair of these.” See Megan’s credits here.

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Ariana Miliam goes phantom for Fort Myers Theatre in ‘Rocky Horror’

Ariana Milian reprises the role of one of the Phantoms in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which she played in 2022). Ariana’s previous stage credits include Mrs. Gloop for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, Francesca for Lab Theater in the world premiere of Save Hamlet, the ensemble of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Laboratory Theater of Florida, Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music for Fort Myers Theatre and a member of the ensemble of Rent.

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Gavin Ott plays bad boy Chuck Cranston in ‘Footloose’

Gavin Ott appears for Cultural Park Theatre in the role of Ariel Moore’s abusive bad guy boyfriend, Chuck Cranston in Footloose. Gavin’s prior stage credits include Jean-Michel in Cinderella for The Belle Theatre.

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Bradyn Parmelly is Ren McCormack in ‘Footloose’ at Cultural Park Theatre

Bradyn Parmelly appears as Ren McCormack in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Footloose. Bradyn’s recent stage credits include Pippin in Pippin (2023) and Danny Zuko in Grease (2023) at Cultural Park Theatre, as well as Grantaire in Les Miserables (2023) and Greg in A Chorus Line (2023) with Melody Lane Theatre. Other credits include Leon Czolgosz in Assassins (2021) and Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors (2020).

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Lilikoi Porter plays Janet Weiss in Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Rocky Horror Show’

Lilikoi Porter assumes the role of the shy, demure and virginal Janet Weiss for Fort Myers Theatre in The Rocky Horror Show. Fort Myers Theatre patrons will remember Lilikoi as the rabbit in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, a show in which she also function as both swing and Stage Manager. But Janet Weiss is no silly rabbit. She’ll put up no resistance and stay the distance because she has an itch to scratch. “I need assistance. Toucha toucha toucha touch me. I want to be dirty. Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me. Creature of the night.” Lilikoi’s prior stage credits include Sister Margaretta in Sound of Music at Fort Myers Theatre along with Meg in Little Women and the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot back home in North Carolina.

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Georgia Rainero plays Karen Smith in ‘Mean Girls’ at Melody Lane Theatre

Georgia Rainero plays the part of Karen Smith for Melody Lane Theatre in Mean Girls High School Version. Georgia’s prior stage credits include Judy in A Chorus Line (Melody Lane Theatre), work in the ensemble of Les Miserables (Melody Lane Theatre in both 2023 and 2021), Elmer in Newsies (The Belle Theatre) and one of the Venus-A-Go-Go-Girls in Rock of Ages (Melody Lane Theatre).

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Jake Raterman plays Damian Hubbard in ‘Mean Girls’

Jake Raterman plays the part of Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. Prior stage credits include the title role in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Mr. Holgate in Bulletproof Backpack at the Center for Performing Arts Bonita and Hovstad in An Enemy of the People at Florida Gulf Coast University. Read the rest of Raterman’s stage credits here.

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Ashlynn Richardson works in ensemble of ‘Footloose’

Ashlynn Richardson is in the ensemble of Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre, where she is also understudy for the role of Rusty. Ashlynn’s previous stage credits include Bebe Benzenheimer in A Chorus Line Teen Edition for Melody Lane Theatre, Liv in Chicago (The Belle Theatre, 2023), Victoria in Cats Young Actor Edition (The Belle Theatre, 2022), JoJo in Newsies (The Belle Theatre, 2022), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Melody Lane Theatre, 2021), Donna in The Big One Oh (Melody Lane Theatre, 2021) and Lovely Lady and work in the ensemble in Les Miserables (Melody Lane Theatre, 2023, 2021). Go here for the rest of her impressive list of credits.

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Donna Richman is Sister Augusta in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

After acting for many years in New York, Donna Richman mades her Florida debut at New Phoenix Theatre in the role of Norma in Deborah Laufer’s The Last Schwartz. She next appears in the role of Sister Augusta in Drinking Habits at The Belle Theatre. Favorite past roles include Katherine in Welcome Home (Billboard Players), Renee in After-Play (Theatre Box), Karen in Plaza Suite (Herricks Players), Molly in The Front Page (Hofstra/USA), Claudia in Nuts and Felicity in The Shadow Box (Thursday Night Theatre).

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Brittany Ringsdore reprises role of Columbia in ‘Rocky Horror’

Brittany Ringsdore reprises the role of Columbia when Rocky Horror returns to Fort Myers Theatre. Brittany’s prior credits include Queen Belle in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, Matilda in All Shook Up, Ursula in Little Mermaid, Dragon in Shrek and Sour Kangaroo in Seussical. Brittany also spends time on Tik Tok @brittanyringsdore cosplaying popular characters such as Harley Quinn, Christine Daae, Mary Jane Watson and Belle.

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Cassie Sampson is Sleeping Beauty in ‘Disenchanted the Musical’

Cassie Sampson transitions from Witch and Cinderella’s stepmother to Sleeping Beauty in The Belle Theatre’s production of Disenchanted the Musical. Not only is the role perfect for this versatile actor, but the character is a perfect foil for Brandy Miller-Chapman’s Snow White. She’s flippant, irreverent and an unpredictable cut-up who loves to dance, sometimes uncontrollably, as this is part of being perfectly and uniquely herself. Go here to view all of Cassie’s theatrical credits.

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Stephanie Sabelhaus is Rapunzel in ‘Disenchanted’ at Belle Theatre

Stephanie Sabelhaus appears in the role of Rapunzel for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical, and American capitalism won’t turn this campy, Mel Brooksian songstress into a damsel in distress. Brunehildesque, strong and fun-loving, this Rapunzel is bent on getting her fair share from those who make bank off of fairy tale princesses. Stephanie was last seen at Belle Theatre as Olive Madison in Belle Theatre’s production of Odd Couple: Female Version. Go here for more.

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Bridget Scott is librarian Marian Paroo in ‘Music Man Musical’

Bridget Scott plays prim and proper librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo in The Music Man Musical for Fort Myers Theatre. Her character is an astute judge of character, and immediately sees through con man Harold Hill, who arrives in town posing as a boys’ band organizer as a ploy to sell the town band instruments and uniforms he knows absolutely nothing about. But when Harold helps Marian’s younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love with him. You will find Bridget’s previous stage credits here.

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Maya Senecharles is Heather Duke in TheatreZone’s ‘Heathers’ musical

Maya Senecharles plays Heather Duke in the TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration on Heathers the Musical. Maya is currently working toward her B.A. in Theatre, with a minor in Music. Maya’s recent credits include Judy Turner in A Chorus Line and Petra Stockman in An Enemy of the People. Up next, Maya will be Assistant Directing alongside Dan Balcazo for Silent Sky.

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Kira Sonin-Dworkin reprises role of Dr. Scott in ‘Rocky Horror’

Kira Michelle Sonin-Dworkin reprises the role of Dr. Scott in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which she also played in 2022). Kira was last seen as Grandma Georgina in Willy Wonka at Fort Myers Theatre. Other favorite roles include Maurice in Disney’s Descendants, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Rizzo in Grease, Nikki in Sweet Charity, and The X Girlfriend and The Bride in Mario and Mary’s Wacky Italian Wedding live dinner theatre show.

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Stacy Stauffer goes undercover as Sally in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Stacy Stauffer is a talented character actor who lives and performs in Fort Myers. She appears in the role of Sally for The Belle Theatre in Drinking Habits. Her previous stage credits include the President’s press secretary for Lab Theater in POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive and Cinderella’s stepmother in Into the Woods at New Phoenix Theatre. You will find all of Stacy’s credits here.

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Cassy Terwilliger is Cinderella for The Belle Theatre in ‘Disenchanted the Musical’

Cassy Terwilliger is perky, quirky Cinderella in The Belle Theatre’s production of Disenchanted the Musical. This Cinderella is impish and enthusiastic, especially when it comes to being a real life princess, but she’s about to discover that there’s more to being a princess than pretty gowns and glass slippers. Cassy was last seen as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods at New Phoenix. Go here to see all of her stage credits.

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Kagan Vann reprises the role of Rocky in ‘Rocky Horror’

Kagan Vann reprises the role of Rocky when The Rocky Horror Shows returns to Fort Myers Theatre. Besides Rocky in 2022, Kagan’s other credits include the role of Lumiere for Fort Myers Theater in Beauty and the Beast, Ferdinand in Lab Theater’s production of The Tempest (which marked his Lab Theater debut), deranged King Charlemagne in Pippin, Jafar in Aladdin and Shrek in Shrek the Musical.

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Tracy Weaver is Sister Philamena in ‘Drinking Habits’ at Belle Theatre

Originally from Pennsylvania, Tracy Weaver has performed at many community theater venues in Pennsylvania and Florida. Tracy next appears as Sister Philamena in Drinking Habits at The Belle Theatre. The actor/singer’s stage credits include Madame, Ella’s cruel and demeaning stepmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at The Belle Theatre and Rosemonde in Dangerous Liaisons. Go here for the rest of Tracy’s stage credits.

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2      DIRECTORS

 

Dana Alvarez co-directs ‘Mean Girls’ for Melody Lane Theatre

Dana Alvarez has been the Theatre Director of the Melody Lane Theatre Department since 2017. Dana has directed more than 35 major musicals, including three Disney pilot productions. Her most recent directorial projects include Les MiserablesCatsNewsies the Musical, School of RockThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter Pan. She is currently co-directing Mean Girls High School Edition. Dana holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from FGCU as well as certification in Drama, Grades 6-12. Read the rest of Dana’s extensive theatrical credits here.

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Amber Angeloro co-directs ‘Mean Girls’ for Melody Lane Theatre

Amber Angeloro is currently co-directing Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre. On the directing side, Amber has directed dozens of major musical productions, including three Disney pilot productions. Some of her Amber’s favorite roles as a performer include Fagin in Oliver! and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Go here for more about Amber’s theatrical and other accomplishments.

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Sonya McCarter directs August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ for Theatre Conspiracy

Sonya McCarter is an actor, director and instructor. She is directing Radio Golf for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance. Sonya’s other directing credits include Pass Over for Lab Theater, Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the MusicalFairviewThe Color Purple, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s The Piano LessonKing Hedley IISeven Guitars, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye and George C. Wolff’s The Colored Museum. You will find the rest of Sonya’s theatrical credits here.

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3     ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

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4     THEATER PRODUCTIONS

 

‘Disenchanted’ at Belle Theatre closes October 8

Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs ‘em? Not Snow White and her posse of disaffected princesses in the hilarious hit musical that’s anything but Grimm. Forget the princesses you think you know—the original storybook heroines have come back to life years and years after their supposed “happily ever after,” and they’re not too thrilled with how things turned out. In fact, they’re jaded, sassy, enlightened and empowered. And what better way for them to express their disenchantment with the “princess complex” than through song? So if your theatrical tastes run toward the vulgar, get ready to have the time of your life. Tiaras optional. Sadly, the show closes today with a 2:00 p.m. matinee.

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Hear more about ‘Disenchanted the Musical’ on WGCU

Listen on WGCU for the inside scoop about Disenchanted the Musical, which plays at The Belle Theatre September 28th through October 8th. Dennis Giacino’s Disenchanted is an unapologetic rebuke of P.C. – no, not political correctness, but the misogynistic Princess Complex that Disney permeates each of Disney’s princess sagas from Snow White and Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid – or, as Snow White, succinctly puts it: “You know, that age old idea in which you are only desirable – and valid – if you are a beauty-obsessed, ditzy, insecure Bambi-like waif.” Hear more here.

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Tim Smith ‘Drinking Habits’ farce opens at Belle Theatre on October 13

Tim Smith’s farce, Drinking Habits, opens at Belle Theatre on October 13. The story follows two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing who have been secretly making wine to keep the convent’s doors open. But two reporters who are former fiancees are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence, combined with the addition of a new nun, spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are inevitably spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves. Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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2-actor farce ‘Popcorn Falls’ in Off Broadway Palm through November 18

Popcorn Falls is playing in the Off Broadway Palm Theatre now through November 18. Written by James Hindman, Popcorn Falls is a mile-a-minute two-man show that proves art can save the world.

Popcorn Falls is a sleepy American town that is forced into bankruptcy when their only claim to fame, their namesake waterfall, dries up. Their only hope is a grant to open a theater and put on a play!

Just two actors play over twenty roles in this farce that BroadwayWorld called “laugh-out-loud comedic genius.”

Paul Bernier directs a cast that includes Jenny Smith and Michael Weaver.

Smith has appeared at the Off-Broadway Palm in Funny Money, Caught in the Net, Farce of Nature, Doublewide, Texas and Always a Bridesmaid. Other theatres in which Jen has performed include The Schoolhouse Theatre, Theatre Conspiracy, St. Louis Actors’ Studio and Fort Peck Summer Theatre.

Weaver has appeared at the Off Broadway Palm Theatre in Over the River …, Social Security, Farce of Nature, Greater Tuna, Unnecessary Farce, and many others. He toured over 2 years in the International Company of the Wizard of Oz, playing the lower 48, China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. His film work includes the cult classic horror movie, Tiki.

The Off Broadway Palm is an intimate theatre, located off of the main lobby at Broadway Palm. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $55 to $70 with discounts available for groups of 20 or more. 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.

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‘Footloose’ at Cultural Park Theatre closes October 8

Footloose at Cultural Park Theatre closes October 8th with a 3:00 p.m. matinee. Bradyn Parmelly stars in the role of Ren McCormack, who is in for a big adjustment when his mother moves him to a small farming town where dancing is illegal. Jordyn Button plays the part of Ariel Moore, the local preacher’s rebellious daughter who has a vested interest in helping Ren overturn the ban on dancing. Tickets are $12 to $26 and can be purchased by visiting – TicketPortal (boxofficeavenue.com) or by telephoning 239-772-5862.

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Fort Myers Theatre producing ‘Music Man’ in Fort Myers and Marco

Fort Myers Theatre and Arts Center Theatre are collaborating on a production of The Music Man that will bring the musical to Marco Island following a two-week run in Fort Myers from October 5-15. For play dates, times and a full cast list, please read here.

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Hear about Fort Myers Theatre bringing ‘Music Man’ to Arts Center Theatre on WGCU

“The Music Man,” starring Tony award winners Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster closed its Broadway revival earlier this year. Now the show, with Naples’ Charlie Blum in the role of confidence man Harold Hill and Bridget Scott as Marian Paroo comes to Fort Myers Theatre on San Carlos Boulevard October 5 – 15 before traveling to Marco Island for five shows at the Arts Center Theatre October 18 – 21. Listen on WGCU for the details.

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Fort Myers Theatre adds to ‘Rocky Horror’ mystique with four midnight shows

On stage October 20 through the 28th at Fort Myers Theatre is The Rocky Horror Show. Whether you’re a Rocky Horror virgin or a veteran who’s seen the movie 20 or more times, watching a live performance of this cult classic with an audience filled with Rocky Horror zealots, many dressed specifically for the occasion is unmatched. Read the rest of this advance here.

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

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Theatre Conspiracy producing August Wilson’s last play

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts is producing August Wilson’s last play, Radio Golf, October 19-29. Radio Golf is also the last of the ten plays comprising Wilson’s Century Cycle. Wilson died several months after Radio Golf‘s premiere in 2005 from cancer at the age of 60.

Read the rest of this advance here.

Go here for play dates, times and ticket information.

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TheatreZone-FGCU ‘Heathers’ collab gives students chance to work with equity actors

Future stars of the stage collaborate with professional Equity actors in Heathers: The Musical, a joint production of Naples’ Theatre Zone and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bowers School of Music. Considered an iconic black comedy and the greatest teen comedy of all time, Heathers offers a hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal look at the joys and angst of a high school bullied by the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio.

FGCU’s theatre program offers a Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree. For musical theatre study, the school maintains close collaboration with TheatreZone, which is entering its 19th season in Naples in 2023-2024.

Read the rest of this advance here.

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

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FGCU students have ‘Big Fun’ in TheatreZone’s ‘Heathers’

Future stars of the stage collaborate with professional Equity actors in Heathers: The Musical, a joint production of Naples’ TheatreZone and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bowers School of Music. Considered the greatest teen comedy of all time, Heathers offers a hilarious, heartfelt and homicidal look at the joys and angst of a high school bullied by the hottest, cruelest girls in all of Ohio: Heather Chandler, Heather Duke and Heather McNamara. Heathers: The Musical is the perfect choice for a TheatreZone-FGCU collaboration. Read the rest of this spotlight here.

 

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