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2 days ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Florida Sports Virtual Academy offers a supportive environment for student athletes in grades 5-12 to complete coursework and collaborate with top-tier trainers in one location. Recognizing that Southwest Florida is home to many young artists who might similarly benefit from the academy’s unique approach, founder Andrew Locantora is now adding a performing arts program that will provide students with the technical skills it takes to succeed.
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3 days ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
This week, nine shows close, 12 continue their runs and there are two limited-run young actors' productions at equity and community theaters from Sarasota to Marco Island. As an added bonus, there are three performances of Frank Blocker’s “Good Jew” at the Norris Center in Naples.
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1 week ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Joe Simonelli’s comedy “Half Baked” opens at the Off Broadway Palm on April 18 for 40 performances. The show follows two retired brothers who open a little café in Central Florida with their wives. But, as is the case in all Simonelli plays, there’s a bit of a problem. Simonelli explains. “One guy’s got a gambling habit. He’s behind and he owes money to the bookies. The restaurant is failing, so he decides to bake cannabis into the appetizers to stimulate business.
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1 week ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
On Wednesday, April 16, Gulfshore Opera will delight Bay Club at the Colony diners with arias, duets and scenes from opera and classic musical theater. This “Taste of Opera” performance features Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanne Burgess, tenor Derrek Stark and baritone Javier Arrey.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Jerry Herman is known for Broadway classics such as “Mame,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage Aux Folles.” He had five Tony nominations and wins for “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage Aux Folles,” as well as a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 2009 and a Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. Southwest Florida Theatre at Gulf Coast Symphony is performing a dynamic revue of his most popular show tunes April 9-25 at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
The Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet presents “La Primavera” in its Cattlemen Road auditorium April 11th through the 13th. “La Primavera” features contemporary and classical works that celebrate Spring, including the “Kingdom of the Shades” from “La Bayadere.” Opera Naples screens the last of four Spring Film Festival movies at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 13th. This year’s festival focuses on the Strauss Family.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Art Festival season draws to a close this month with five final shows. Naples Artcrafters Fine Art & Craft Show is April 12 in Cambier Park. Hot Works’ Naples Fine Art Show is April 12 and 13 at the Naples Italian-American Foundation on Airport Pulling Show. The Art League of Marco Island Craft Show takes place at 1010 Winterberry Drive on April 12 and 13.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Of Ken Ludwig’s 34 plays and single musical, “Lend Me A Tenor” remains his most popular. The reason is simple. In a word, it’s Max. Max is the poster child of that unappreciated, undervalued corporate employee who always makes his employer and co-workers look better than they are. Max works at an opera house. He sings, but no one knows just how good he is. When a visiting opera singer falls ill, he offers to perform in his place. Max’s blustering, officious boss, Saunders, scoffs at the prospect.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
This week, 10 shows open, six shows close and 15 others continue their runs at equity and community theaters from Marco Island to Sarasota. “Alice in Wonderland” [Venice Theatre]: Alice’s rabbit-hole adventures into a fantasy world of unusual creatures and riddles come to life in this family-friendly production featuring young performers. “Alice in Wonderland” is based on the novel by Lewis Carroll and adapted for the stage by Alice Gerstenberg.
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2 weeks ago | 
news.wgcu.org | Tom Hall
Sophia Brook has been performing on stage from a young age. The Canterbury School senior has already appeared in 33 shows, including Anne Boleyn in “Six the Musical” and leads in “Mary Poppins,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Grease,” “Mean Girls” and “Beauty & the Beast,” as well as in the award-winning independent film “The Remedy.” So it didn’t surprise her guidance counselor when Sophia said she wanted to apply to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
