Naples Players announce cast for BLACK TIE

"Black Tie" runs Jan. 15-Feb. 8, 2014. Call (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.

The Naples Players have announced the cast for "Black Tie." This came out a while ago - I just didn't get to post it.

Curtis: Jim Heffernan
Father: Val Kuffel
Mimi: Ellen Coper
Elsie: Jenna Canfield
Teddy: Klinton Blair

"Black Tie," about one father's struggle to produce the perfect wedding toast, takes a torch to a lot old High WASP traditions like oyster stuffing and cuff links. Florida Rep produced the show in April 2012. Of the many works in the Gurney canon, "Black Tie" isn't a superb show, but it does offer an interesting culture clash. Read my review of the "Florida Rep" show here.

"Black Tie" runs Jan. 15-Feb. 8, 2014. Call (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.

PR: Eddy Lester producing "A Night in Tuscany" on Nov. 30

Here's a press release from Eddy Lester on "A Night in Tuscany," a show he's producing at the new Amador's on the Green restaurant at the Lakewood Golf and Country Club.

Romantic music, good food, atmosphere...

Complete press release below.

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How to get free popcorn at performances of Firehouse's "Dashing Through the Snow"

I am totally in love with Jones-Hope-Wooten shows. And there's a Christmas one!

Firehouse Community Theatre presents "Dashing Through the Snow," about the adventures at the Snowflake Inn in Tinsel, Texas. The show runs Dec. 13-22, with showtimes 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. Call (863) 675-3066 or www.firehousecommunitytheatre.com. The theatre will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items at each performance of "Dashing Through the Snow."  Bring a canned good or other non-perishable item and receive FREE POPCORN for the show!

The Firehouse Community Theatre is located at 241 North Bridge Street in historic downtown LaBelle; three blocks north from the intersection of SR80 and SR29 and just 28 minutes from exit 141 on I-75.

Complete press release below.

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GOOD PEOPLE at Naples Players announces cast

The Naples Players announced the cast for "Good People."

Margie: Bonnie Knapp
Jean: Victoria Diebler
Dottie: Janina Birtolo
Mike: Paul Graffy
Kate: Sonya McCarter
Steve: Matthew Striegel

"Good People" will be directed by Christopher Goutman. Goutman, a New Yorker known primarily for his work on daytime soap operas, directed "Barefoot in the Park" in January 2013.

"Good People" runs Feb. 5 - March 1 in the Tobye Studio. For tickets ($25), call (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.

Complete press release below.

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PR: "West Side Story" leaps into Artis–Naples on Dec. 26

"West Side Story" plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 27 & 28 with 2 p.m. matinées on Dec. 28 & 29 and a 7 p.m. twilight show on Dec. 29. For tickets ($75 - $110), call 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org.

The latest tour of "West Side Story" flies into Artis–Naples the day after Christmas.

The original Jerome Robbins choreography for the Jets and Sharks is reproduced for the tour by Tony Award-nominee Joey McKneely. I interviewed McKneely in February 2011 when the tour came to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. Read what he has to say about making the show more masculine by trimming just a few of the more ballet-like moves. He also reveals his numbers to look for.

Bonus: Read my review of the 2011 touring production.

"West Side Story" plays at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 27 & 28 with 2 p.m. matinées on Dec. 28 & 29 and a 7 p.m. twilight show on Dec. 29. For tickets ($75 - $110), call 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org.

Complete press release below.

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Holiday Theater in the 239: From angels to zydeco, we've got it all!

Greed, glowing lips and goose-induced fatalities
are three sure signs that Compton & Bennett
are home for the holidays.

Compton & Bennett in "GRANDMA’S CHRISTMAS GOOSE" at Fred’s Diner

Greed, glowing lips and goose-induced fatalities are three sure signs that Compton & Bennett are home for the holidays.

The first three Thursdays in December (Dec. 5, 12 & 19; dinner at 6, show at 7:30) find them at Fred’s Diner for a Christmas dinner show.

"Grandma’s Christmas Goose" is a tribute to the excess, duress and unfulfilled desires that simmer within us all at this time of year. Rick and Betsy even suggest donated organs as stocking stuffers!

Dinner and show is $39.95 plus drinks, tax and tips. Limited show-only tickets for each performance ($15 each). For reservations, leave a message at 239-431-7928, or email ComptonAndBennett@aol.com. Confirmation will follow.

WHERE: Fred’s Diner, 2700 Immokalee Road in the Jason’s Deli Shopping Center
HOW MUCH: $39.95 plus tax, tip and drinks for a three-course dinner and the show.

"MY THREE ANGELS"
Florida Repertory Theatre

In "My Three Angels" it is Christmas Eve in the tropics — where it's 105 degrees in the shade — and things are not going well for Felix Ducotel and his family.

Worse, the roof is leaking! Three hardened criminals descend from above (where they were working on the leaky roof) and take matters into their own hands. Using their brilliant criminal minds, these three unlikely angels patch up more than the roof!

"My Three Angels" runs Dec. 6-22. Regular performances are Tues. – Sat. at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wed., Sun., and selected Saturdays.

For tickets ($40 & $45), call 239-332-4488 and floridarep.org.

Photos: Cody Nickell in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" at Gulfshore Playhouse

Cody Nickell in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol."

Here's the promo email for "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" at Gulfshore Playhouse.

http://www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org/13blast/112513.htm

I also have photos. Maura Lohan calls the series "The Many Faces of Cody Nickell."

"Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" runs Dec. 6-22. Tickets are $33-$45; student tickets $15. Call 866-811-4111 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Cody Nickell in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol."

Cody Nickell in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol."