Note to Hurricane Ian: The show must go, at least on at Naples, Bonita Springs theaters
After a week of Hurricane Ian and its aftermath, everyone is probably ready for a "Beer for Breakfast." And they'd love to have a "Blithe Spirit" to enjoy it with.
That's good news because the theaters producing the comedies by those names returned to the stage Oct. 6.
The Naples Players' "Blithe Spirit" would cast a gimlet eye on what has happened in Southwest Florida. But she has little time outside anything but reminding her husband she's still here, even after her burial. Can that "Death do us part" idea. (For performance details, see the accompanying information box.)
"Blithe Spirit" is a Noel Coward classic that derives its droll laughs from the predicament of a husband who has gone through the grieving period for his wife and is ready to move on. But when a seance summons her up, she's ready to resume their relationship from The Beyond.
Director Emma Canalese had directed the play through a first dress rehearsal, but the play didn't make it to a second before Ian shut the production down. Canalese had another responsibility in New York this week, when the play is rescheduled to open. But she's watching its new final dress rehearsal tonight via Zoom.
More: Hurricane Ian sends Naples a memo: Rethink those special events
AND: 100-plus things to do in October: Many events still on, see what's canceled so far
"The fact we had that first dress rehearsal enabled us to get a lot of things in place that we might not have otherwise," she said. Canalese recalled the cast and crew "looking out for each other. We had a (social media ) thread going."
With power outages and phone dropoffs, it was dicey sometimes, she added: "But we managed to keep the conversation going!"
Across town, The Studio Players were approaching comedy in a more visceral way: Hurricane Ian halted its production of the comedy, "Beer for Breakfast," after the first weekend. But tickets for any shows cancelled performances were rebooked for last weekend, and Scott Lilly, its producing artistic director is mopping his brow over the delicate dance he had to do to move all the tickets around.
Gulfshore Playhouse, however, has already canceled its upcoming production, which had been set to open Oct. 13. The organization had to halt rehearsals and send actors and crew home because of the hurricane, which dealt them a double blow: its construction on the new playhouse complex close to the intersection of U.S. 41 and Goodlette Road, was damaged in the storm.
"It is with heavy heart ... that I must inform you that we will need to cancel the first production of our season, 26 Miles, by Quiara Alegria Hudes, due to infrastructure challenges and city-wide damage," said Kristen Coury, CEO and producing artistic director, in a statement to patrons.
"Furthermore, the apartment complex where we house most of our actors was inundated with sea water and is no longer usable."
At the same time, one of the mainstage walls in its new building under construction collapsed and part of the foundation washed away during Hurricane Ian. That would likely delay the opening of the new building, her letter said. The playhouse is pushing ahead, however, with its next production, an appropriate mix of humor and poignance: "Steel Magnolias." It opens Nov. 12.
Bonita Springs Center for the Arts is open both for classes and events, according to theater coordinator Frank Blocker.
In the meantime, here are several more local institutions that have released information about their status since Hurrican Ian:
Artis—Naples and The Baker Museum: Both are open. artisnaples.org
The Blair Audubon Center and Corkscrew Swamp Nature Sanctuary: Open. At 375 Sanctuary Road in Naples, Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary boardwalk and Blair Nature Center sustained only minor damage. The Sanctuary reopened to visitors Oct. 8. Admission: $17, $14 for military/veterans and National Audubon Members, $6 for ages 6-14, and free ages kids 5 and younger and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary members. Online tickets available at Corkscrew.Audubon.org/Visit.
Marco Island Center for the Arts/Arts Center Theatre: Open. The center at 1010 Winterberry drive is operating normal hours and had a new exhibition being installed to open Oct. 10, "Abstraction: Moods — Interactive Exhibition."
Its Arts Center Theatre, the former Marco Players theater, at 1089 N. Collier Blvd., No. 432, Marco Island, stayed dry. Its programming will begin as scheduled, with comedian Al Ernst, former professional wrestling announcer and host of the show "A View from the Cheap Seats," 7 p.m. Oct. 15. For a complete list of its events, see the art center website under theater.
"We're open — and we're blessed," said Executive Director Hyla Crane. While the center took in some water, it was cleaned up and sanitized. "We're moving forward."
Naples Art: The organization came through Hurricane Ian so well it opened Monday. It continues its exhibition of "The Artist’s Hand: Selections from The William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation" 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and art classes began Oct. 10.
Naples Botanical Garden: Closed until further notice. While officials said the garden had put in new practices thanks to lessons learned from Hurricane Irma, its chief need now was to be able to stabilize the needs of staff who had been displaced. Employees will be assessing cleanup at that time and getting the garden ready for visitors. It suggests people check its website for updates at naplesgarden.org
Wonder Gardens: The Bonita Springs nature attraction reported it is closed until further notice while it assesses safety and cleanup. Updates can be found on its website at wondergardens.org
Harriet Howard Heithaus covers arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News/naplesnews.com. Reach her at 239-253-8936.
'Blithe Spirit'
What: The Naples Players recreate the witty Noel Coward comedy of a man who is visited by his dead wife's ghost with no one else able to see or hear her.
When: Through Oct. 23. 7:30 p.m. weekdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Sugden Theatre, 701 Fifth Ave. S., Naples
Admission and purchasing: $47.at naplesplayers.org or 239-263-7990
Something else: The opening for Sept. 28 was postponed until Thursday, Sept. 29, because of Hurricane Ian. Those with tickets for Wednesday can contact the box office for rebooking. naplesplayers.org or 239-263-7990
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: What Naples, Bonita Springs arts venues are open after Hurricane Ian?
