Read the reviews: "Amadeus" at Lab Theater (2)

Here are reviews from Charles and I of the Lab Theater production of "Amadeus." Congrats on a strong start guys.

News Roundup: Coverage of the Jim Rideoutte retirement at Naples Players

It was a week. Season started with a boom, didn't it?

Jim Rideoutte

Jim Rideoutte, longtime executive director of the Naples Players, announced his retirement (effective Dec. 31, 2013) Monday. Naples Mayor John Sorey plans to take over.

Conflict of interest question remain, as well as whether the busy mayor will have time to do both the job Neapolitans elected him to do AND run the business arm of a major arts organization.

Here's a round-up of the coverage so far: (drop a line if I missed anything)

Commentary: What does the Jim Rideoutte retirement mean for the Naples Players?
Chris Silk (The Stage Door)

Does the mayor of Naples have time to run the business arm of the Naples Players, no matter how financially healthy it is? Sorey told the Naples Daily News in February of 2012 that he worked 125 hours a month while a council member and expected to work 200 hours a month while mayor. http://ndnstagedoor.blogspot.com/2013/09/naples-players-executive-director-retires-john-sorey-jim-rideoutte.html

John Sorey

Naples theater troupe will see changing of guard
Charles Runnells (The News-Press)

Sorey said the new position won’t conflict with his mayor’s job, which he called a part-time position. That leaves plenty of hours to run the business side of the theater. Neither Sorey nor Rideoutte would say how much the position pays, but Rideoutte described it as “peanuts” … http://www.news-press.com/article/20130919/COASTAL_LIFE/309190005/1054/ent/Naples-theater-troupe-will-see-changing-guard

Editorial: Changing of the guard at The Naples Players
(Naples Daily News)

His successor with the Players, Naples Mayor John Sorey, indicates he will have the good sense to be on guard for potential conflicts of interest as the city takes up regulations dealing with downtown activities and parking. Sorey says he will be paid $60,000 a year, about half of the market rate — a precedent set by Rideoutte, which Sorey says came to a $1 million donation over the years. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/20/editorial-changing-of-the-guard-at-the-naples/ ($$)

Naples Players get new manager, and he's the mayor
(Naples Daily News)

Rideoutte felt he was leaving Naples Players “on a high mark” after its subsequent productions of “Les Miserables” with an adult and a teen cast last summer. “I want to go out on top,” he said. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/17/naples-players-get-new-manager-and-hes-mayor/ ($$)

Brent Batten: Sorey's new post evokes plays on words
(Naples Daily News)

Drawing on past and present controversies, the upcoming Naples Players schedule might include some of these soon-to-be hits. Remember when Collier County was starting its public transit service? The city of Naples wasn’t too thrilled about buses spewing diesel fumes tying up traffic on its streets. The essence of the city-county conflict will be explored in the Players’ treatment of a Tennessee Williams classic, renamed for our purposes, “A Streetcar Named Undesirable.” http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/sep/19/brent-batten-soreys-new-post-evokes-plays-on/ ($$)

Florida Rep's Bob Cacioppo appears on "Ask An Expert" Sunday morning

Florida Repertory Theatre's producing artistic director Robert Cacioppo will appear on "Ask An Expert," broadcast at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The program broadcasts on WFWN 1240AM in Fort Myers and WNOG 1270AM in Naples.

FGCU prof Layton to teach acting classes at Naples Players

There's a lot of the usual class offerings here in the Naples Players class offerings, but one missed my attention when it first came out.

FGCU assistant professor Tyler Layton (below, with Greg Abbot Longenhagen) will teach a pair of acting classes - and I can't recommend them enough. Layton starred in the remarkable Florida Rep drama "Time Stands Still" opposite Greg Abbott last spring; she's an amazing actress - and it is a real coup that the Naples Players secured her for a series of Wednesday night classes.

Ghostbird preps for "Woyzeck," opening Oct. 16

Here's the press release for the next Ghostbird show, "Woyzeck."

Performances are on Wednesday - Friday, October 16-18, at 8 p.m; Saturday, October 19, at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, October 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Call 239-333-1933, or www.sbdac.com.

Complete press release below.

Latest from the "Trailer Park" - watch a video from the set!

Here's a new press release (for no discernible reason) for "The Great American Trailer Park Musical."

The show opens October 9. Very few photos of costumes or set have emerged, probably a deliberate plan to keep the sight gags a deliberate surprise. I've seen "Trailer Park" before - and the opportunity for jokes is about four double-wides high. I mean, there's a character named Linoleum.

Do they even still manufacture linoleum? My parents had linoleum - orange and green linoleum, with appliances to match! - in our first kitchen.

In other news, Debi Guthery has been unmasked as the mastermind behind the Journey to the "Great American Trailer Park Musical" Facebook page. This video is absolutely priceless. Please sit down before you view it, especially that moment at the 1:05 mark.

Anyway. "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" runs Oct. 9 - Nov. 2 at the Naples Players. Tickets are $40. Call (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.

"The Great American Trailer Park Musical" runs Oct. 9 - Nov. 2 at the Naples Players.
Tickets are $40. Call (239) 263-7990 or naplesplayers.org.

Complete press release below.

Reading List: What's happening in the arts

Theatre Conspiracy turns 20
Pretty good story from Nancy Stetson about Theatre Conspiracy making it to 20 years in this week's Florida Weekly. Way too many of us take Bill Taylor for granted around these parts, because my first Theatre Conspiracy show was actually "21A," back in the "that place off Evans" days.

Remember. Back in 2008, the future wasn't always so bright for Theatre Conspiracy. I still miss the eclectic seating in that space. Still.