Lab Theater opens "Amadeus" on Sept. 13

Connor Zerilla as Mozart.

Here's the cast for the Lab Theater's "Amadeus."

Note that the verbiage comes from the press release. Points for the alliteration of "success as Satan." You don't see that particular combination of words too often...

On the heels of his success as Satan in last season’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, the role of Salieri will be played by James Recca. Connor Zerilla will be playing the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Constanze Weber, wife of Mozart, will be played by Eden Shelton.

The play also stars Patrick Day as Emperor Joseph II, Dale Hoover as Count Franz Orsini-Rosenberg, Ken Johnson as Baron Gottfried Van Swieten, Todd Fleck as Count Johann Killian Von Strack, Wil Harbison as Venticello I and Jon Best as Venticello II.

The discount code for the Lab Theater's production of "Amadeus" is "SALIERI."

"Amadeus" runs at 8 p.m. Sept. 13-28, with one 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, Sept. 22. Tickets are $12 for students and $20 for adults. Call (239) 218-0481 or purchase online here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/391342.

Complete press release below.

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Lab Theater presents: Amadeus

Connor Zerilla as Mozart.

Amadeus by Peter Shaffer, opening on September 13th, will be the first show for the Lab Theater's 2013/2014 season. History and fiction intertwine in this account of the rivalry between two genius composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri.

As Salieri watches the young Mozart’s brilliance ascend to surpass his own, he grows resentful and vows to shatter the career of his nemesis at any cost. Amadeus asks the question many have asked throughout history: what if Mozart's death was not so natural after all?

The New York Post calls it “A total iridescent triumph ... of complexity of thought, emotion and dramatic power." The play premiered on Broadway in 1980 with Ian McKellen as Salieri, Tim Curry as Mozart, and Jane Seymour as Constanze.

It ran for more than a thousand performances and was nominated for seven Tony Awards. In 1984 the play was adapted as a motion picture that went on to win eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

Connor Zerilla as Mozart.

On the heels of his success as Satan in last season’s The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, the role of Salieri will be played by James Recca. Connor Zerilla will be playing the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

\Constanze Weber, wife of Mozart, will be played by Eden Shelton. The play also stars Patrick Day as Emperor Joseph II, Dale Hoover as Count Franz Orsini-Rosenberg, Ken Johnson as Baron Gottfried Van Swieten, Todd Fleck as Count Johann Killian Von Strack, Wil Harbison as Venticello I and Jon Best as Venticello II.

The play is directed by Ken Bryant, who was also the director of last season’s hit show, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Before relocating to Lee County, Ken ran the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center in Key West, was stage manager with Miami City Ballet, and even staged an opera in Poland.

Amadeus premiers at 8 p.m. on September 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28. Tickets are between $12 and $22. Tickets are available for purchase at the door or online at laboratorytheaterflorida.com (Season tickets are also available on the website.) The opening of the fifth season will be celebrated at the opening. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. on Sep. 13.

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation and the development of ensemble work.

The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks and features and challenges local performers of various skill levels. Stay up to date with its news and events on Facebook and Twitter @LabTheaterFL.  For more information, call 239-218-0481. The theater is located at 1634 Woodford Ave. Fort Myers, 33901.