PHOTOS: "The Mystery of Irma Vep" at the Naples Players

Mike Santos and Mark Vanagas play 7 different roles
in the Naples Players production of horror story
spoof "The Mystery of Irma Vep."
"Irma Vep" runs Oct. 30 - Nov. 23.

Here's your first look at the Naples Players production of "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Mike Santos and Mark Vanagas play 7 different roles in the horror story spoof.

"Irma Vep" runs Oct. 30 - Nov. 23 in the black box Tobye Studio. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 18 and under. Call 239-263-7990 or online at naplesplayers.org/tickets.

Read my review of the Florida Rep production from May 2012 (spoilers) for another look at the show.

Mental Floss gets an interview with "Calvin & Hobbes" creator Bill Watterston

Really, the only thing you need is this one beautiful quote from Bill Watterson: "Repetition is the death of magic."

But here's the deal. Mental Floss magazine got an interview with the reclusive cartoonist, the beloved creator of "Calvin & Hobbes." Yes, the cover is exactly what you think it is.

• Read excerpts of the Q&A on the mentalfloss.com website here.

From the Guardian: (story has lots of links)

The American magazine Mental Floss warmed the hearts of comics fans on Thursday when it announced that it had succeeded where so many others have failed: securing an interview with Bill Watterson, the reclusive creator of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes.

From Poynter

The reporter "somehow got Watterston's email address..."

From Cleveland.com

Bill Watterston gave an interview in 2010.

And one of my favorite things on the internet, a loving tribute/spinoff comic strip, called "Hobbes & Bacon"

• "Hobbes & Bacon" #1
• "Hobbes & Bacon" #2
• "Hobbes & Bacon" #3
• "Hobbes & Bacon" #4

Reviews: "Miss Witherspoon" at Lab Theater (2)

Here's the reviews for "Miss Witherspoon," now playing at the Lab Theater.

Stephanie Davis in "Miss Witherspoon."

Christopher Durang play "Miss Witherspoon" features the adventures of Veronica in her afterlife. She was depressed in life and now she's depressed in death. Why can't she just take some time off? And why is her spirit guide making her go BACK to earth?

Stephanie Davis plays Veronica. Supporting cast includes: Rob Green, Kathleen Moye, Gerrie Benzing and Yvonne Shadrach. Annette Trossbach directs.

"Miss Witherspoon" runs Oct. 11-26. The Laboratory Theater of Florida is located at 1634 Woodford Avenue in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets are $12-$22 and available online at laboratorytheaterflorida.com or at the door.

Tickets are also available online here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/391346. (use code BARDO to save $5)

Review: Lab Theater, Davis mine laughs in Durang's 'Miss Witherspoon' ($$)

Chris Silk / Naples Daily News
Oh Veronica. Dead. Depressed. Desperate for Jewish heaven, even if Jewish heaven is just a sort of permanent general anesthesia. You know, because the descendants of Abraham don't believe in that whole afterlife thing. Me? I'd prefer … well, I'm not sure what I'd prefer.

Review: Afterlife a funny but wearisome place in Lab Theater's 'Miss Witherspoon'
Charles Runnells / The News Press
Miss Witherspoon has had enough. Enough of love. Enough of people. Enough of Skylab and smallpox and terrorists. Enough of life. That’s why she keeps killing herself, over and over again. Problem is, she always ends up in the same place — the heaven-like The Bardo — and chirpy, Indian-accented “angel” Maryamma keeps sending her back to Earth to live yet another sad, depressed life.

I'm equal opportunity when it comes to coverage of the arts. The Examiner network of websites has a place in the big tent. At the same time, I think it is important to educate readers where content comes from. You can read more about the examiner.com network.

Thomas Hall, the Arts & Exhibits Examiner for Fort Myers, wrote a piece about "Miss Witherspoon."

Lab Theater's 'Miss Witherspoon' big on laughs and strong performances
Thomas Hall / Examiner.comIt's a good thing Christopher Durang is so accomplished, because if he'd been a first-time playwrite looking for a Manhattan literary agent, his script would have been rejected out of hand for violating today's literary mantra of "show, don't tell." Veronica's opening scene is one long, snarky, sardonic siloquay which Davis uses to perfection to win the sympathies of the audience - which is saying a lot given that Veronica is a self-absorbed, self-indulgent, sniping bitch.

Noël Coward play "Private Lives" to show in movie theaters Dec. 11

In addition to "Merrily We Roll Along," Cinema Live announced today that Noël Coward play "Private Lives" will run for one night only in select movie theaters.

"Private Lives," featuring Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor, will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. Tickets go on sale Nov. 8. The presentation will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience with cast and crew, combined with a special celebrity featurette exploring the continuing allure of Noël Coward.

Theaters and ticket prices for "Private Lives" have not been announced; watch www.fathomevents.com.

"Merrily We Roll Along" will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Hollywood 20 in Naples, Bell Tower in Fort Myers and Coconut Point in Estero. Tickets are $15 at Bell Tower and Coconut Point. If you want to slum it at Hollywood 20, you can save $2.50 and pay $12.50.

One Liners: Theater news briefs & photos for Friday, October 18

From the News-Press:

• Charles writes a great story about Theatre Conspiracy. "All My Raisins in the Sun," the winner of Theatre Conspiracy's annual New Play Contest, opens Friday.
• And here's what's going on with the Broadway Palm West, or as it is now monikered, The Palms Theatre.
• And an interview with Fake Problems. True story, I knew Chris Farren back when. I doubt he remembers.

Post by Theatre Conspiracy.

• One more email from the Island Theater Company. Meet the rest of the cast of "Blame It On Beckett." "Blame it On Beckett" will run for nine shows at the Rose History Auditorium, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, from November 1-16. Tickets, $20, are available at Centennial Bank, the Marco Island Historical Society Gift Shop, theateronmarco.com, 239-394-0080 and at the door. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; curtain for Sunday matinées is 2:30 p.m.

Five Questions With: Debi Guthery, Betty in "The Great American Trailer Park Musical"

Corey Perrine / Copyright Naples Daily News

Debi Guthery and Randy Jones in Debi Guthery in the Naples
Players production of "The Great American Trailer Park Musical."

Put on your hard hats folks. And take note. Debi Guthery allows us a peek inside the mind of a musical theatre sorceress. The actress was the first to share her questionnaire with me, but I liked her answers so much that I wanted to save it for the final part of the "Trailer Park" series.

Find out Debi's favorite role, the one part she dreams of playing (keep your eyes out) and find out why she refuses to dish about her most embarrassing moment. And maybe even book the songstress for a party.

Meanwhile, check out Debi's YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/user/DebiGuthery

Read our previous Q&A with "Trailer Park" director Dawn Fornara.
Read our previous Q&A with "Trailer Park" actor Randy Jones.
Reviews: Chris Silk ($$) | Bill O'Neill

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical" runs through Nov. 2, 2013 at the Naples Players. Tickets are $40 for adults and $10 for children 18 and under. Call 239-263-7990 or naplesplayers.org/tickets.

PHOTOS: First look at "Something Intangible" from Gulfshore Playhouse"

Ian Merrill Peakes and Shawn Fagan in Gulfshore Playhouse's
production of "Something Intangible" by Bruce Graham.

Here's the latest press release for the Gulfshore Playhouse production of "Something Intangible."

• Preview (Pay-what-you-can) Tuesday, Oct. 29 (ya'll should go to this!)
• Preview ($25) Wednesday, Oct. 30
• Opening Night: Friday, Nov. 1

Set among the glitz and glamour of 1940's Hollywood, the drama goes inside the movie studio and inside the lives of two brothers. One is the creative genius responsible for bringing the first animated feature film to the screen and the other is his loyal brother, who struggles to keep the money coming in to fund the next big dream which will ultimately change the film industry forever: a feature length animated film set to classical music.

Cast: Shawn Fagan, Ian Merrill Peakes, Charlotte Booker, Josh Tobin & Peter Reznikoff. Gulfshore's Artistic Associate Cody Nickell will direct.

"Something Intangible" runs Nov. 1-24. Single tickets start at $33. Half-price tickets are available for all matinee performances one-half hour before the show. Call 1-866-811-4111 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Ian Merrill Peakes and Shawn Fagan in Gulfshore Playhouse's
production of "Something Intangible" by Bruce Graham.