The Stage Door

The Stage Door - written by Chris Silk - covers live theater and culture in Collier and Lee counties.

• Chris Silk: May we please close the Artis-Naples debate? Posted 6/8/2013 at 9:16 a.m. 0 comments

  For the final time. Dear "Save the Phil." It's over. You can scream, shout and bang the highball glass against the arm of the chair all you want. That sixth gin and tonic ain't gonna come no faster. Artis-Naples is here to stay.

• Chris Silk: Why the Artis-Naples debate is important for the future of the arts Posted 5/27/2013 at 9:55 a.m. 0 comments

  Artis-Naples, for all their missteps, is fighting to remain relevant this year - and 50 years in the future. The name on the bricks doesn't matter. What matters is how the institution is perceived in the community. Get people on the first rung of the arts ladder, whether it be a tiny tot sawing on a cello or pencil gripped in tiny fist scribbling on paper. Our artists, our musicians, our sculptors, dancers, painters, singers and more can go to street fairs. Or they can go to our community theaters, concert halls, museums and other arts nonprofits and gain knowledge and enrichments. Our future entertainment lies in their tiny hands. What are we going to put there? Remember. At some point in the future, they're going to give it back to us. Will it be a large check to secure the future for another local institution? Or will it go to build another McMansion? The future is now. The choice is ours.

• An open letter to the staff and volunteers of Cultural Park Theatre Posted 5/24/2013 at 9:50 a.m. 0 comments

  I write this open letter to the staff and volunteers at Cultural Park Theater, the theater's leadership, to the residents of Cape Coral and to the city fathers of Southwest Florida's largest metropolitan area.

• PHOTOS: Artis-Naples Community Day Posted 5/24/2013 at 9:45 a.m. 0 comments

  I've never seen The Phil (sorry, Artis-Naples) so vibrant as it was on Sunday. Throngs of young families, children and folks of all ages lined up a half-hour before the doors opened, eager for free T-shirts.
  

• BIG ARTS goes to Jersey; June Koc's "Jersey Girls" take stage in July Posted 5/24/2013 at 8:42 a.m. 0 comments

  The BIG ARTS Community Players will present "Jersey Girls," an original musical written and directed by Sanibel resident June Koc, in mid-July.
  
  "Jersey Girls" tells the story of four girl groups competing in a Seaside Heights battle of the bands. Show runs Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m.. $15 adults, $5 children.

• Six young musicians win $32K in Artis-Naples scholarships Posted 5/24/2013 at 7:50 a.m. 0 comments

  Artis--Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen announced the winners of the 2013 Joyce Anne Vitelli Memorial Scholarships this week. A total of $32,000 in scholarships were awarded to this year's six outstanding young musicians: Wayne Stanton ($2,000), Jose Cordero ($2,000), Nicole Ma ($3,000), Leslie Kweon ($3,000), Kara Goldstone ($6,000), and McClaran Hayes ($16,000); all graduating seniors and members of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

• Do blondes have more fun? Florida Rep Conservatory students perform "Legally Blonde" Posted 5/23/2013 at 9:07 a.m. 0 comments

  "Legally Blonde," presented by students in Florida Rep's Conservatory Program, plays three shows next weekend only. Performances (in the ArtStage Studio Theatre) are 7 p.m. Friday, May 31 and 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Call (239) 332-4488 or floridarep.org.

• Lab Theater announces cast for "The House of Yes" Posted 5/22/2013 at 9:41 a.m. 0 comments

  The Laboratory Theater of Florida announced the cast for "The House of Yes," directed by Nykkie Rizley. Kathleen Taylor, Todd Fleck, Adam Kazmarz, Nancy Antonio and Tera Nicole Miller will act in the Wendy MacLeod show.
  

• Firehouse Community Theatre announces season Posted 5/22/2013 at 9:35 a.m. 0 comments

  The Firehouse Community Theatre announced their season May 9. Josefina Lopez play "Real Women Have Curves" and Jones, Hope, Wooten comedy "Dashing Through the Snow" are early top picks. Open auditions will be held at the theatre August 24. Call (863) 673-6364, info@firehousecommunitytheatre.com or www.firehousecommunitytheatre.com for more information.

• Catch "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at Florida Rep Posted 5/22/2013 at 8:59 a.m. 0 comments

  "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," presented by students in Florida Rep's Conservatory Program, plays three shows this weekend only. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Call (239) 332-4488 or floridarep.org.