ENTERTAINMENT

Theater season in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, SWFL: Your guide to all the 2018 plays and musicals

Charles Runnells
The News-Press

 

The curtain has risen on theater season in Southwest Florida, and local theaters have plenty of comedies, musicals, dramas and more happening onstage.

The 2018 lineup includes the Peter Pan musical "Finding Neverland," the dance-filled extravaganza "An American in Paris" and the improv musical comedy “Your Love, Our Musical.” Plus the 20th anniversary season of Florida Repertory Theatre and the 25th anniversary seasons of Firehouse Community Theatre and Broadway Palm.

Here's a guide to what's happening in 2017-2018:

 

Broadway Palm's "Chicago"

ARTIS—NAPLES (NAPLES)

“An American in Paris” (Jan. 16-21) The Tony Award-winning 2015 musical based on the classic Gene Kelly movie. Acclaimed director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon packs the show with athletic ballet dancing and the rapturous music of George and Ira Gershwin, including “Rhapsody in Blue” and “‘S Wonderful.”

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I” (Feb. 7-11) Popular musical about the quirky, funny and poignant friendship between an English tutor and her students’ father, the king of Siam. This is the Lincoln Center Theater production.

“Jersey Boys” (April 3-8) The Tony- and Grammy-winning musical about Franki Valli and the Four Seasons returns to Southwest Florida with hit song after hit song, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.“

Info: 800-597-1900 or artisnaples.org

 

John Davidson as Captain Hook in “Finding Neverland.”

BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL (FORT MYERS)

“Finding Neverland” (Jan. 9-14) Based on the Academy Award-winning movie, “Finding Neverland” tells the story behind the creation of the beloved character Peter Pan.

“An American in Paris” (Jan. 23-28) After appearing at Artis-Naples, the 2015 Tony Award winner moves north to Mann Hall.

"Motown The Musical" (March 13-18) This popular musical just played Artis-Naples in 2016. Now it’s back again to tell the story of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson.

MORE: Mann Hall announces Broadway season: 'The Bodyguard,' 'Phantom' sequel, etc.

“The Bodyguard” (March 27-April 1) Canadian R&B star Deborah Cox takes on the Whitney Houston role in the musical based on the smash 1992 movie. A popular singer hires a former Secret Service agent to protect her from a dangerous stalker, but then romantic sparks start to fly.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” (April 3-8) The Tony Award winner tells the inspiring true story of the singer-songwriter behind '70s hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “It’s Too Late.” 

Info: 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

 

Canadian R&B star Deborah Cox plays the Whitney Houston role in the musical version of "The Bodyguard."

BIG ARTS STRAUSS THEATER (SANIBEL ISLAND)

 “Noises Off” (Jan. 12-Feb. 17) The classic farce shows all the chaos, intrigue and zaniness happening onstage and behind the scenes while actors try to perform a stage comedy.

“Late Nite Catechism” (March 2) In this popular one-woman comedy, a nun named Sister teaches the audience about Latin mass, meatless Fridays and the pain of an old-fashioned ruler across the knuckles.

 “Dames at Sea” (March 8-April 7) A parody of those sprawling, flashy Busby Berkeley-style movie musicals from the 1930s.

“Grounded” (April 11-21) Katie Pankow stars in this collaboration with Fort Myers troupe Theatre Conspiracy. It’s a one-woman show about a pregnant fighter pilot who gets sent to fly military drones from a windowless trailer in the Las Vegas desert. The show plays Theatre Conspiracy from March 22-25 before moving to Sanibel Island.

Info: 472-6862 or bigarts.org

 

BROADWAY PALM AND THE OFF BROADWAY PALM (FORT MYERS)

“Chicago” (Dec. 30-Feb. 10) The sexy, steamy musical about crime, criminals and corruption in Prohibition-era Chicago.

“The Hallelujah Girls” (Jan. 11-Feb. 24 in The Off Broadway Palm) An all-new comedy from the writers of “The Dixie Swim Club” and “The Savannah Sipping Society.” “The Hallelujah Girls” is set in SPA-DEE-DAH!, an abandoned church turned into a day spa, where a group of friends gathers every Friday to laugh, cry and overcome life’s many hurdles together.

"Mamma Mia!" (Feb. 15–April 7) This musical involves a bride-to-be, her search for her birth father on a beautiful Greek island, and a jukebox’s worth of ABBA songs such as “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “SOS” and the title song.

MORE: Broadway Palm's 25th season: 'Pippin,' 'Chicago' and 'Sipping Society'

“Church Basement Ladies: Rise Up, O Men” (March 1-April 29 in The Off Broadway Palm) The sixth installment in the ever-popular “Church Basement Ladies” series about the women who cook meals in the basement of a Lutheran church.

“My Fair Lady” (April 12-May 19) Lerner & Loewe’s classic musical about a linguistics professor who bets he can transform an unrefined flower girl into a high-society lady. 

“Ring of Fire” (May 24-June 23) This musical tells the story of country icon Johnny Cash with 30 classics from The Man in Black, including “I Walk the Line,” “I’ve Been Everywhere,” “A Boy Named Sue” and the title song.

“The Savannah Sipping Society” (June 14-July 22 in The Off Broadway Palm) The popular comedy returns after a sold-out run last season. Four Southern women, drawn together by fate, turn their weekly happy hours into a mission to renew their lost enthusiasm for life.

“Annie” (June 28-Aug. 11) Leapin’ Lizards! The classic musical returns to Broadway Palm with red-headed orphan Annie, her dog Sandy, evil Miss Hannigan and billionaire Daddy Warbucks.

Info: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com

 

CULTURAL PARK THEATRE (CAPE CORAL)

“The Pajama Game” (Jan. 12-21) Sparks fly between a union leader and the new superintendent at a pajama factory in this musical featuring the songs “Steam Heat,” “Hernando’s Hideaway” and more.

“The 39 Steps” (Feb. 9-18) A campy, funny recreation of the Alfred Hitchcock suspense classic about a bored man who meets a mysterious female spy. After the spy ends up dead in his apartment, the man becomes the sole suspect in her murder and goes on a madcap adventure.

“Sister Act” (March 9-18) A disco diva witnesses a crime and hides by disguising herself as a nun in a convent. Based on the hit Whoopi Goldberg movie.

“Arsenic and Old Lace” (April 6-15) Classic dark comedy about an insane family and two kindly spinsters with a thing for mercy killings.

“The Odd Couple” (April 27-May 6) Popular Neil Simon comedy about mismatched roommates Oscar and Felix.

“The Cemetery Club” (May 11-20) A comedy about three Jewish widows who meet once a month for tea before visiting their husbands’ graves. Then widower Sam the butcher and romance sparks with one of the club members.

Info: 772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com

 

FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY THEATRE (LABELLE)

“Continental Divide” (Jan 18-28) Oliver Hailey’s comedy about a wealthy New York City couple meeting their new, poor in-laws from Arkansas.  

“Always a Bridesmaid” (Feb 22-March 4) Comedy about four friends who made a vow to be bridesmaids at each other’s weddings.

 “Looking Back and Forward” (April 6-15) Musical director Nick Fidanza leads a musical revue featuring songs from throughout the theater’s history. Plus some new songs, too!

“Almost, Maine” (May 4-13) John Cariani’s romantic comedy set in the deep winter. The residents of a tiny fictional town are falling in and out of love in charming, unexpected and hilarious ways.

Info: (863)-675-3066 or firehousecommunitytheatre.com

 

Florida Rep's home is the historic Arcade Theatre, a former vaudeville house and movie theater in downtown Fort Myers.

FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE AND THE ARTSTAGE STUDIO THEATRE (FORT MYERS)

“How the Other Half Loves” (Jan. 9-31) This early Alan Ayckbourn farce involves “one secret affair, two disastrous dinner parties, and three couples heading for marital mayhem," according to Florida Rep.

“The Miracle Worker” (Feb. 13-March 7) This American classic tells the true story of teacher Anne Sullivan and her famous blind and mute student, Helen Keller.

MORE: Florida Rep announces 2017-2018 season, return of 'Sylvia'

“Cabaret” (March 20-April 11) Florida Rep takes on a rare musical in this dark classic about a Berlin nightclub and the rise of Nazis in Germany.

“George Washington’s Teeth” (April 3-May 6) The world premiere of the new play from Mark St. Germain, the playwright behind previous Florida Rep hits “Best of Enemies” and “Camping with Henry and Tom.” The farce follows the women of the New Bunion Historical Society as they struggle to keep the society doors open and battle the all-male city council.

Info: 332-4488 or floridarep.org

 

GHOSTBIRD THEATRE COMPANY (VARIOUS VENUES IN LEE COUNTY)

"Orbs!” (Feb. 9-17) Ghostbird returns to the Koreshan State Historic Site and recreates the skits and a procession that the religious group Koreshan Unity used to perform there in the 1890s.

24 Hour Festival (March 4 at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers) In this 11th annual festival, visual artists, filmmakers, theater artists, dancers, musicians and poets have just 24 hours to create unique works. Then the public gets to see the results.

“Catastrophe” (May 4). Samuel Beckett’s 12-minute comedy written in honor of dissident Czech playwright Vaclav Havel. Location to be announced

Info: ghostbirdtheatrecompany.org

 

GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE (NAPLES)

"The Price" (Jan. 13-Feb. 4) Arthur Miller's classic drama about sacrifice, with two estranged brothers reuniting after their father's death.

"Scapin" (Feb. 17-March 18) In this Moliere farce, a crafty servant schemes to help two men avoid arranged marriages and instead marry their true loves.

"Miss Keller Has No Second Book"(March 31-April 15) Another play from the 2016 New Works Festival. A reclusive author is under enormous pressure to write a follow-up to her long-ago blockbuster. Written by playwright Deb Hiett.

"The Mystery of Irma Vep" (April 28-May 20) Two actors tackle eight characters in this gothic spoof that satirizes the melodramatic likes of "Dracula," "Rebecca," "Wuthering Heights," "The Wolfman," "The Mummy's Curse" and more.

Info: 261-7529 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org

 

Lab Theater's "Crimes of the Heart" stars (left to right) Danielle Channell, Lucy Sundby and Holly Wilson.

THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA (FORT MYERS)

“Crimes of the Heart” (Jan. 5-20) The heartwarming, Tony Award-nominated comedy-drama involves three sisters reuniting in Mississippi after one of them shoots her abusive husband. 

“The Way We Get By” (Feb. 2-18) Doug and Beth wake up the morning after a wedding reception and a drunken hookup in Neil LaBute’s drama about the awkwardness of the one-night stand.

MORE: Lab Theater's new season: Three SWFL premieres, 'Misery' and more

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” (March 9-31) The creators of a Broadway flop — which closed after three chorus girls were murdered by the Stage Door Slasher — gather at the estate of a potential backer for their new project. When the killer strikes again, mayhem and comedy ensue.

“Visiting Mr. Green” (April 13-28) Jeff Baron’s award-winning comedy-drama about a young corporate executive who almost runs down an 86-year-old man with his car. After being found guilty of reckless driving, the young man gets ordered to visit Mr. Green every week for six months.

Info: 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com

 

THE STUDIO PLAYERS (NAPLES)

"A Streetcar Named Desire" (Jan. 12-28) The classic Tennessee Williams drama.

“Perfect Wedding” (March 30-April 15) A romantic comedy set in the honeymoon suite of a country-house hotel, where a groom wakes up on his wedding morning with a strange, attractive woman in bed with him. Complicating things: His bride is due to arrive at any minute.

“Women In Jeopardy” (June 29-July 15) Wendy MacLeod’s fun, flirtatious comedy about three divorced women who “trade in wine glasses for spy glasses.” Their imaginations run wild as they try to solve a murder mystery involving a serial-killer dentist.

Info: 398-9192 or thestudioplayers.com

 

A promotional image for The Naples Players' "Ripchord."

THE NAPLES PLAYERS (NAPLES)

"Charles Ives, Take Me Home" (Jan. 17-Feb. 11) A young woman's passion for basketball pits her against her music-loving dad. Thankfully, composer Charles Ives is there to referee.

"Rapture, Blister, Burn" (Feb. 7-March 4) A witty comedy about feminism and gender politics, where two former best friends yearn for the other’s life. 

"The Taming of the Shrew" (Feb. 17-March 18) Shakespeare’scontroversial comedy about a headstrong woman and the man who attempts to “tame” her.

"The Music Man" (March 7-April 8) The classic musical about a con man who talks a small town into starting a youth band and then falls for the town librarian.

"Kalamazoo" (March 28-April 22) A touching comedy about two 70 somethings who go on a date, drink too much and wake up in bed together.

"Ripcord" (April 25-May 20) A battle royale starts between two roommates in an assisted-living facility, as they try to one-up each other and force the other woman to move out.

Info: 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org

 

THEATRE CONSPIRACY (FORT MYERS)

“Your Love, Our Musical” (Jan. 11-14) The popular New York show travels to Fort Myers for four nights of improvised musical comedy. Every night, the performers interview a couple in the audience about their relationship, and then they improvise a funny musical about the couple's love story.

“Gidion’s Knot” (Feb. 8-18) In this suspenseful drama, a distraught mother demands answers about her son’s suspension from school and what happened afterward. Slowly, the truth is revealed in a tense, volatile parent/teacher meeting.

“A Doll’s House” (March 1-11) Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama about a submissive wife who learns to leave her sheltered existence and be her own woman.

MORE: Theatre Conspiracy's new season: The return of August Wilson, one-man 'Christmas Carol,' etc.

“Grounded” (March 22-25) A one-woman show about a pregnant fighter pilot who gets sent to fly military drones from a windowless trailer in the Las Vegas desert.

“A Raisin in the Sun” (May 3-13) The groundbreaking Lorraine Hansberry drama about racism, betrayal and the dreams and aspirations of three generations of the Younger family in Chicago’s South Side..

Info: 939-2787 or artinlee.org​​​​​​​

 

THEATRELAB (FGCU IN ESTERO)

“Black Comedy” (Feb. 16-25) Peter Shaffer’s one-act farce set in 1965 London, where a young sculptor and his fiancée plot to impress a millionaire art collector and the fiancee’s dad with some stolen antiques from a neighbor’s flat.

“Your Florida Fantasy” (April 13-22) The world-premiere of this new comedy from Zachary Michael Jack set at Rusty’s Castaway Cabins of Captiva Island.

Info: 590-7268 or theatrelab.fgcu.edu

 

THEATREZONE (NAPLES)

“Me and My Girl” (Jan. 11-21) This 1938 musical follows an unrefined man who learns he’s the legitimate heir to Lambeth area of London and must choose between high society and his Cockney roots.

“The Secret Garden” (Feb. 8-18) The stage version of the literary classic about a child sent to live on her uncle’s gloomy estate after her parents die. She soon discovers a strange hidden garden that’s been locked up for years and starts working to bring it back to life.

“Copacabana” (March 8-18) In this Barry Manilow musical, Tony the bartender falls in love with showgirl Lola. When she’s kidnapped and taken to Havana, the whole Copacabana crew sets off to rescue her.

“Baby” (April 26-May 6) Three couples deal with the sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious consequences of pregnancy in this musical about impending parenthood.

Info: 888-966-3352 or theatrezone-florida.com

Naples Daily News reporter Harriet Heithaus contributed to this story.

Connect with this reporter:Charles Runnells (News-Press) (Facebook),@charlesrunnells (Twitter),@crunnells1 (Instagram)