Greater Fort Myers Chamber Of Commerce: Men On Boats Opens This Thursday!

Press release from Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:

2021-10-18

Men on Boats, mostly a comedy by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Rachael Endrizzi

“Off the canyon walls funny” – Variety

“You will surely want to spend time with the hearty title characters of MEN ON BOATS…The tone is comic, but never cute or camp. And ultimately, you feel the play respects its bold if fallible pioneers, in all their natural bravery and foolishness.” -New York Times

October 21 – 31 • This rollicking comedy is history as you’ve never seen it before — without a single man in sight! Men On Boats is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River. The outlandish crew encounters disaster, conflict and harrowing adventure along the way. Keeping with the tradition of Backhaus’ acclaimed play, the cast is composed entirely of women.

Starring Shelley Sanders, Anna Grilli, Anne Reed, Stacey Stouffer, Shaun Cott, Carmen Crussard, Holly Zammerilla, Kayleigh O’Connell, Kendra Price and Tiffany Campbell.

Please note: If you are joining us for onsite programming, we ask that you adhere to signage and procedures posted on our campus. Face masks are required at all times and you are advised to keep 6 feet (2 meters) between you and others. The Alliance has an air purification system that uses ionization and UV light to reduce virus particles, allergens and bacteriophage. We can’t wait to see you back at our theatre!

Rod MacDonald Outdoor Concert

Sunday, October 24 • Rod MacDonald is an American singer-songwriter, novelist, and educator. He was a “big part of the 1980s folk revival in Greenwich Village clubs”, performing at the Speakeasy, The Bottom Line, Folk City, and the “Songwriter’s Exchange” at the Cornelia Street Cafe. Embrace and enjoy a beautiful afternoon of outdoor music.

Bluegrass Outdoor Concert (Bill Metts and Rekindled Grass)

Sunday, November 7 • Join fellow bluegrass music lovers for great live music by bands from southwest Florida and beyond! Our popular Palmgrass bluegrass concerts are always a toe-tapping good time. Line-up includes: Bill Metts and Rekindled Grass.

Arts On Tap Fundraiser

November 12 and 13 • Back and better than ever, Arts on Tap combines all of your happiest hours into one incredible weekend! Now in its 4th year, Arts On Tap is a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts. This year’s event spans two days and features an exciting mash-up of southwest Florida’s burgeoning craft beer and vibrant arts scenes and a performance by two-time Grammy-nominated hip-hop group, Nappy Roots.

See and be seen! Come to one night or come to both nights and mingle with local artists, artisans and craft beer makers at a fundraiser that’s anything but buttoned up. Arts on Tap is all about feeling good while doing good!

Coming Up This Theatre Season!

The Roommate a comedy by Jen Silverman and directed by Stephen Hooper

December 9 – 19 • Sharon, in her mid-fifties, is recently divorced and needs a roommate to share her Iowa home. Robyn, also in her mid-fifties, needs a place to hide and a chance to start over. But as Sharon begins to uncover Robyn’s secrets, they encourage her own deep-seated desire to transform her life completely. A dark comedy about what it takes to re-route your life – and what happens when the wheels come off.

The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe and directed by Sonya McCarter

January 8 – 30 • The Colored Museum has electrified, discomforted, and delighted audiences of all colors, redefining our ideas of what it means to be Black in contemporary America. Its eleven “exhibits” undermine black stereotypes old and new, and return to the facts of what being Black means.

This is an immersive theatrical experience where audiences will travel throughout the Alliance gallery and campus to visit each “exhibit.” Ironically, the theatre will be the only space not used for the production.

This production is sponsored by William & Shareen Groce.

Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley and directed by Bill Taylor

February 17 – 27 • A “softhearted comedy freckled with dark reflections” (The New York Times) by the author of Moonstruck and Doubt. Near Killucan, Ireland, Tony Reilly schemes to sell the family farm and disinherit his son, Anthony. Standing in his way is a small plot of land belonging to the neighbor, Rosemary—and her long-simmering grudge. Destiny—whether embracing or fighting it—means everything in this very Irish story told with a rich tapestry of language, compassion and a few surprises.

This production is sponsored by Noreen Raney.

The Cake a comedy Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Stephanie Davis

March 17 – 27 • All is going well for Della. Her North Carolina bakery is legendary and she’s just been cast on her favorite television baking competition. But then, her late-best-friend’s daughter comes home from New York City to ask her to make a cake for her upcoming wedding. When Della learns that Jen’s about to marry a woman, she is forced to re-examine her deeply held beliefs as questions of morals, judgment and family swirl around them all. This emotional and deliciously funny play was created by Bekah Brunstetter, writer and producer of NBC’s “This is Us.”

This production is sponsored by Janet and Bruce Bunch.

Need help? Call our box office at 239-939-2787, visit 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers or subscribe online.

This theatre season is brought to you by:
City of Fort Myers • The Collaboratory • Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Florida Division of Cultural Affairs • Janet & Bruce Bunch • William & Shareen Groce • Noreen Raney

Alliance for the Arts • ArtInLee.org
239-939-2787 • 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers

Membership • Donate • Classes • Exhibits • Theatre

Janet & Bruce Bunch · The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation
Leigh Frizzell Hayes · Mary Lou & Richard Helms
Meisenberg Family Trust · Jon & Megan Romine · Arthur Zupko

And incredible people like you!

This press release was produced by Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.