Visual and performing artists and events in the news in October, 2024

This is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community during the month of August, 2024:

1     ACTORS

Emory Ambrioso is Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in ‘A Few Good Men’

Emory Ambrioso turns in a riveting performance as Lt. Jonathan James Kendrick in 7Mary34’s production of Aaron Sorken’s epic play A Few Good Men. Emory’s stage credits include Enrique Salvatore in Legally Blonde, Rudolfo for both the Naughty and Miracle casts of Matilda the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical, Adolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone and work in the ensemble of 7Mary34’s production of White Christmas.

____________________________________________________

Emma Bambrey is Jane Seymour in ‘Six’ at North Fort Myers High

Emma Bambrey plays Jane Seymour in Six: The Musical at North Fort Myers High School. Her solo is the power ballad “Heart of Stone,” a song that Six co-creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss modelled after the musical stylings of Adele, Sia and Celine Dion. A passionate performer, Emma’s previous stage credits include Elsa in Frozen, Mrs. George in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Performing Arts Center (2023), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, the ensemble in Les Miserables School Edition – The Encore as well as Les Miserables during the Covid pandemic, both for Melody Lane Performing Arts Center (2023 and 2021, respectively), and Bowery Beauty, Nun and Scab 2 in Newsies for The Belle Theatre (2022).

____________________________________________

Alex Brown is Zeke and Cowardly Lion in ‘Wizard of Oz’

Alex Brown appears in the roles of Zeke and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Alexander’s stage credits include Professor Plum in Clue on Stage for Fort Myers Theatre, Jafar in Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, The Addams Family Musical (Mal Beineke), Diary of Anne Frank, Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell and Sound of Music. 

_______________________________________________

Rilyn Dick is Anne Boleyn in ‘Six’ at North Fort Myers High

Rilyn Dick plays Anne Boleyn in Six: The Musical at North Fort Myers High School. In the role, Rilyn demonstrates a wry sense of humor and the refined ability to deliver a snarky aside or two in “Don’t Lose Ur Head,” a song modelled after the musical stylings of Avril Lavigne and Lily Allen. Rilyn’s previous credits include Anna in Spring Awakening at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts and Nemo in Finding Nemo Jr. at North High.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

‘Book of Clarence’ actor Chase Dillon forming strategic partnerships with FGCU and local filmmaker Curtis Collins

Chase Dillion made his acting debut in 2019 in the role of Ollie in First Wives Club. Since then, the 14-year-old has gone on to star as Cabbage in The Book of Clarence, Travis in Haunted Mansion and Homer in the critically-acclaimed TV mini-series The Underground Railroad. Dillon was in discussions last week with local filmmaker Curtis Collins regarding the latter’s latest project, Loyal to the Game. He’s also considering relocating his Youth Humanitarian Awards to FGCU. Learn why in this story. Read or listen to the full story here.

__________________________________________________

Grace Duncan is Anna of Cleves in North Fort Myers High’s ‘Six’

Grace Duncan plays Anna of Cleves in Six: The Musical for North Fort Myers High School. In her hot, jazzy number “Get Down,” Anna demonstrates that having a prenup just might be a queen’s best friend, which Six co-creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss modelled after the musical stylings of Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. Grace has been in previous shows at NFMHS such as Anything Goes (ensemble), All Shook Up (ensemble), Lion King Jr. (Shenzi), and the upcoming children’s show ELF Jr. (Emily Hobbs).

_______________________________________________________

Jay Encalada is Catherine of Aragon in ‘Six’ at North Fort Myers High

Jay Encalada plays Catherine of Aragon in Six The Musical at North Fort Myers High School. Jay evinces Catherine of Aragon’s fierce determination (and her own killer pipes) in the power-pop number “No Way,” a song that is modelled after the musical stylings of Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson.

Jay’s stage credits include Alice in Alice By Heart and Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors.

______________________________________________

Jessie Getlik is gorgeous Wicked Witch of the West in ‘Oz’

Jessie Getlik has played many intriguing characters over the course of the last few years, but she turns in a break-out performance in the role of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Director Robin Dawn Ryan bucked tradition by casting Getlik as strikingly beautiful and sultry. In fact, this was how Producer Mervyn LeRoy originally conceived the character in the MGM movie. Finish reading here.

_________________________________________

Terry Lavy is Lt. Sam Weinberg in ‘A Few Good Men’

Terry Lavy plays the part of Lt. Sam Weinberg in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Terry’s previous credits include the Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone, Santa for Fort Myers Theatre in Elf the Musical, the Narrator in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Rocky Horror Show (which he also played in 2022) and Mayor Shinn in The Music Man for Fort Myers Theatre (2023). View more of Terry’s stage credits here.

__________________________________________________

Allison Lund is Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in ‘A Few Good Men’

Allison Lund appears for 7Mary34 Productions as Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men. Allison’s previous credits include Riff Raff in Rocky Horror for Fort Myers Theatre, 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 and both Stage Manager and Ensemble member in Rent. Go here for the rest of Allison’s credits.

_________________________________________________

Noah Lynch is Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson in ‘A Few Good Men’

Noah Lynch appears in as Lance Cpl. Harold W. Dawson in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Previous roles include multiple roles (the Escapologist, the doctor, a Hungarian Mafioso and Dad 3) in Matilda the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, the Best Man, George, in The Drowsy Chaperone, Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. View the rest of Noah’s stage credits here.

_____________________________________

Lilikoi Porter is Dorothy Gale in ‘Wizard of Oz’

Lilikoi Porter plays the part of Dorothy Gale in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Lilikoi’s stage credits include multiple roles in Matilda the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, Gertrude in Seussical, Judy Haynes in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Show, the rabbit in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (a show in which she also functioned as both swing and Stage Manager) and Sister Margaretta in Sound of Music, all for Fort Myers Theatre. Back home in North Carolina, she played Meg in Little Women and the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot back home in North Carolina.

_____________________________________________________________

Samantha Pudlin is Glinda the Good Witch of the South in ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Samantha Pudlin plays the part of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, in The Wizard of Oz. With her enchanting presence and magical abilities, Glinda has captivated the hearts and imaginations of readers and moviegoers for decades. Known for her radiant smile, shimmering gown, and sparkling crown, Glinda is the epitome of goodness and kindness … which makes Samantha Pudlin perfect for the part. Go here to see Samantha’s stage credits.

_______________________________________________

Jake Raterman is Pfc. Louden Downey in ‘A Few Good Men’

Jake Raterman appears as Pfc Louden Downey in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Prior stage credits include Chadwick and the manager at Macy’s in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of Elf the Musical, Damian Hubbard in Mean Girls High School Edition for Melody Lane Theatre, 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, Hovstad in An Enemy of the People at Florida Gulf Coast University, Max in Cabaret at the Alliance for the Arts, and Fred Casely in Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse. Go here to see the rest of Jake’s stage credits.

_______________________________________________________________

Jesse Stauffer brilliant in the role of Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep in ‘A Few Good Men’

Jesse Stauffer is brilliant in the role of Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep in 7Mary34’s production of A Few Good Men. Previous roles include Lars in the staged reading of Mixed Messages at Lab Theater (2024), Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz at Belle Theatre (2024), Mayor Meekly in Unnecessary Farce at Belle Theatre (2024), multiple characters in the staged reading of Sand Man at Laboratory Theater (2023), and Inspector Kemp (and miscellaneous extras) in Young Frankenstein at New Phoenix Theatre (2021). The rest of Jesse’s credits are here.

__________________________________________________

Ava Stoeberl is Catherine Parr in ‘Six’ at North Fort Myers High

Ava Stoeberl plays Catherine Parr in Six: The Musical at North Fort Myers High School (where she is currently a senior and AICE Student, president and student choreographer of the Red Knight Theatre Department). Parr is the only wife to outlive the mercurial Tudor monarch, which she underscores in “I Don’t Need Your Love,” a song that Six co-creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss modeled after the musical stylings of Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande. Previous stage credits include Val Clarke in Melody Lane Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line, Eponine in Les Miserables (Melody Lane Theatre), Reno in Anything Goes, Jane Banks in Mary Poppins the Broadway Musical (Broadway Palm), Annie in Annie Jr. (Oasis), Gingy in Shrek Jr., the narrator in Aladdin Jr., Wickersham Brother in Seussical Jr. as well as Dory and Pan.

___________________________

Jessica Turner is Auntie Em in ‘Oz’

Jessica Turner appears in the role of Auntie Em (and Production Manager) in Fort Myers Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Previous stage credits include the ensemble of Rent at The Belle Theatre, the dual roles of Elle’s mom and D.A. Joyce Riley in Legally Blonde the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre, the title role in The Drowsy Chaperone at Fort Myers Theatre, Deb in Elf the Musical, Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man for Fort Myers Theatre, and the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast.

___________________________________________________

Russell Watson plays the Tin Man (and Hickory) in ‘Wizard of Oz’

Russell Watson plays the parts of Hickory and the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. Russell’s previous stage credits include Mr. Greenway for Fort Myers Theatre in Elf the Musical, Mr. Bucket in Willy Wonka (which represented his Fort Myers Theatre debut), Huey Calhoun in Memphis at the Antheneum in Indianapolis and Dan Goodman in Next to Normal with the Carmel Community Players.

___________________________________________________________________________

Fresh from ‘Hadestown,’ Mia Zottolo plays Katherine Howard in ‘Six’ at North Fort Myers High

Mia Zottolo plays Katherine Howard in Six: The Musical for North Fort Myers High School. Her queen delivers the most somber message in the show, a light and sexy “All You Wanna Do” that ultimately devolves into an expose about the dark side of desire. Six co-creators Toby Marlow and Luch Moss patterned this song on the musical stylings of Britney Spears and Ariana Grande. Mia has previously appeared in Red Knight Theatre Company productions at North such as All Shook Up (Miss Sandra, for which she received Best Supporting Actor in a Female-Identifying Role at the 2024 High School Musical Theatre Awards) and Mise En Scene (Camille). You will find more of her stage credits here.

________________________

2     ART NEWS AND EXHIBITIONS

‘Journey of Hope’ now lighted

Journey of Hope is now lighted. The 16-foot-tall aluminum sculpture depicts an African American woman looking up with yearning and determination contrasted against a golden sunburst that symbolizes the arrival of a new day where justice, equality and freedom prevail. Journey of Hope gives voice to the Dunbar community’s desire for an artwork that expressed the themes of hope, dreams and civil rights. While the site for the Martin Luther King & Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard Gateway Artwork has no electrical service, Lueza installed a 200-watt self-sustained solar lighting system with LED fixtures to illuminate Journey of Hope after dark. Read more here.

_______________________________________________

Punta Gorda’s murals available now on mobile app ‘Otocast’

Years ago, the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society used QR Codes to enable folks to read about the murals the Society was installing around town. “It would take you to the local page on our website, but you’d have to read it in the sun, which is a little hard to do,” notes Mural Society President Kelly Gaylord. So she convinced the Charlotte County Tourist Development Council to subscribe for a mobile app called Otocast because it contains an audio feature that obviates the need to read text in the sun. But there’s another benefit that Gaylord likes just as much. Find out on WGCU what that benefit is.

____________________________________________________________

Punta Gorda earns nickname of ‘Mural Town’ thanks to local mural society

Punta Gorda has given itself the nickname of “Mural Town.” Kelly Gaylord says the reputation is not only well-deserved, it’s intentional.

“Whether you walk, bike or drive around the town of Punta Gorda, Florida, you’ll notice large murals at every turn,” Gaylord proclaimed. “They are the product of the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society, a nonprofit started 30 years ago.”

The Society’s mission is to paint the town with history.

“Each mural captures a slice of local history, and we’re very particular about that,” Gaylord said. “It has to be history that happened here in Punta Gorda in the local area.” Listen on WGCU for the rest of this story.

______________________________________________________________________

Sarasota Art one of five museums hosting ‘Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration’

The Sarasota Art Museum has just opened Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration in concert with the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Art St. Petersburg and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The works on display at SAM are as compelling as they are diverse. Read the story on WGCU.org.

___________________________________________________

Three floors of contemporary art greet Sarasota museum guests

Sarasota Art Museum has no permanent collection. Instead, it stages rotating exhibitions of transformative, relevant and pioneering artists in an ongoing effort to facilitate the appreciation and understanding of the art of our times. While the art on display changes, the museum’s point of entry remains constant, and that’s where visitors discover the intriguing “28 Colors of Sarasota” mural. Read or listen to the full story on WGCU.

_________________________________________________________________________

‘Intersections’ displays many of the works created by Naples Art Institute over past 25 years

The Naples Art Institute is a museum with a permanent collection of more than 350 works that it has amassed over the last 25 years. A sampling of these artworks are on display through October 27 in an exhibition titled “Intersections: The 25-Year Journey of Our Collection.” Read or listen to the full story on WGCU.

______________________________________________________________________________

Former Naples Art Director Barbara Hill played role in Jim Rosenquist’s gift of 7 important works

The Naples Art Institute’s current exhibition includes a number of important works from its permanent collection. At the pinnacle of this long list are seven James Rosenquist serigraphs. This is the inside story on how Naples Art obtained these important works of art. Read or listen to the story on WGCU.

________________________________________________________

Tomaso Albertini creating dynamic art in studio at Naples Art Institute

Tomaso Albertini is creating dynamic three-dimensional art at Naples Art Institute. In the realm of art, Albertini’s process, medium and compositions are unique. They had to be in order to stand out among the competition in New York City, where he launched his career in 2015. Read the story on WGCU.

_________________________________________________________

Fort Myers Beach Mound House a step closer to museum accreditation

Mound House Museum Manager Adam Knight has lofty ambitions. He and his staff have set their sights on museum accreditation. But they’re well aware that accreditation is a rare achievement.

“Only about 1 percent of museums in the United States are accredited,” said Knight. “There are only two museums in Southwest Florida that are currently accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.”

The benefits are enormous, starting with national recognition and positive public image.

Read the full story on WGCU.

__________________________

3     THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Forget Broadway, ‘Hadestown’ at Arts Bonita

“Hadestown” has now been running on Broadway for 5½ years. But the teen edition is coming to Arts Bonita’s Hinman Auditorium for six shows. “This is a very rare case where we are able to get a license before a lot of other theaters, and also a rare case where we’re able to do a show that’s still on Broadway,” said Jones. “That almost never happens. So we’re taking it very seriously and the kids are, too.” Read the full article on WGCU.

_______________________________________________________

Local producer Trace Talley brings ‘A Few Good Men’ to Marco 

When 7Mary34 Director Trace Talley was in ninth grade, he saw A Few Good Men at the Kennedy Center. Now he’s producing the Aaron Sorkin play, which opens at Arts Center Theatre in Marco Town Center on October 4th. Listen to Trace talk up the show on WGCU.

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

____________________________________________________

This production of ‘A Few Good Men’ all spit, polish and precision

Prepare to be thrust into the vortex of military life when you enter Arts Center Theatre in Marco Town Center for a performance of A Few Good Men. From the crisply pressed military uniforms to Spartan set, this production is all spit, polish and precision. The scenes, the dialogue, the drama are the same as in the movie. But seeing “A Few Good” men live and on stage is an entirely and eerily different experience. The show runs October 4-13. Listen to the story on WGCU.

_____________________________________________

Belle Theatre enduring tribute to founder’s grandmother

For founder Tyler Young, the Belle Theatre in Cape Coral is not just a dream come true. It’s an enduring tribute to his grandmother.

“My nana, Belle Young, passed away in 2017, and that really got me thinking, got me running with an idea, and my family and partner really pushed to open the Belle and make it a dream come reality,” said Young.

Read the full story on WGCU.

____________________________________________________

The Belle Theatre becomes SWFL’s first Penguin Project chapter

Once a year, groups of children and young adults with developmental disabilities take to stages across the country to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. These magical performances are orchestrated by The Penguin Project, a national program that seeks to demonstrate that the special challenges of disability should not handicap a child’s ability to participate in life experiences. The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral has recently joined in this effort. Hear the story on WGCU.

__________________________________________________________________________

Fort Myers Theatre’s ‘Oz’ surprises audiences with gorgeous wicked witch and Winkies dance

In 2018, a team of Italian researchers analyzed 47,000 films across 26 genres in an effort to discover which were referenced most in subsequent movies. Topping such iconic films as “Citizen Kane,” “The Godfather” and “Star Wars” was “The Wizard of Oz,” the fantasy blockbuster starring Judy Garland. The play is on stage now at Fort Myers Theatre, and Director Robin Dawn Ryan says the story’s enduring appeal lies in its reassuring metaphorical message. Read the full story on WGCU.

____________________________________________________

The Naples Players’ ‘Rumors’ rife with intrigue, drama and laughs

Neil Simon’s “Rumors” opens October 2nd in The Naples Players’ newly-renovated Kizzie Theater. In classical farce tradition, the production is full of slamming doors, misdirection, subterfuge, rampant rumors, jumping to outlandishly erroneous conclusions – and a premise rife with intrigue, drama and a boatload of laughs. Hear the story on WGCU.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Urbanite’s dark comedy, ‘Jennifer, Who Is Leaving’ captures demands unfairly placed on women caretakers

Opening October 18 at Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota is the regional premiere of Morgan Gould’s dark comedy “Jennifer, Who Is Leaving.” Set in a lonely Dunkin Donuts on highway outside Boston, the play captures the demands placed on women, who are often thrust into the role of caregiver – like it or not. Hear the full story on WGCU.