Step back in time at Artis–Naples (5833 Pelican Bay Blvd) from April 14 to 19 for the "Broadway in Naples" production of The Music Man. This six-time Tony Award-winning classic follows the charming con man Harold Hill as he attempts to dupe the citizens of River City, only to have his heart stolen by the town's librarian, Marian. Catch this family-friendly favorite at 7:30pm Tuesday through Friday, with both 2:00pm and 7:30pm performances on Saturday and Sunday.

PlayLab | HALFS by Dominic Finocchiaro takes the stage on May 1, 2026 at the Historic Arcade Theatre, directed by Annette Trossbach, in a compelling one-night play reading that explores family, failure and second chances. The story follows Ray, a former rising music star whose life unraveled, now struggling to get by until the arrival of his teenage half-brother Simon forces him to confront his past and the choices that shaped it. Both intimate and emotional, HALFS is a powerful reflection on recovery, relationships and the possibility of new beginnings.

PlayLab | The Last Great Escape Artist by Stephen Spotswood comes to the Historic Arcade Theatre on May 2, 2026, directed by Stuart Brown, for a captivating one-day play reading that blends mystery, humor and heart. Once a legendary escape artist who pulled off impossible feats, Sidney Malter now lives a quiet life—until a determined 17-year-old named Eleanor arrives seeking to learn his secrets, bringing along mysteries of her own. As their unlikely mentorship unfolds, both are forced to confront truths they can’t outrun, revealing a story about connection, hidden pasts and the limits of escape.

PlayLab | Monarchs by Kelundra Smith takes place on May 2, 2026 at the Historic Arcade Theatre, directed by Karen Stephens, in a powerful play reading set during the Great Migration. The story follows Mae and John Monarch as they leave the hardships of sharecropping in 1935 Mississippi for a hopeful new life in Chicago, only to face unexpected challenges that test their marriage, finances and dreams—especially when trouble back home pulls them in different directions. With the support of a lively community of neighbors, Monarchs becomes a moving exploration of resilience, family and the pursuit of a better future in a changing America.

PlayLab | Ahoy-Hoy: A Play About That Relatable Feeling When Someone Else Invents the Telephone Three Hours Before You Do takes the stage on May 3, 2026 at the Historic Arcade Theatre in a wildly inventive play reading that blends history with humor and absurdity. Set in both 1876 and the present moment, the story follows inventor Elisha Gray as he races to perfect the telephone—only to be narrowly beaten by Alexander Graham Bell—sparking a hilarious and chaotic clash of ambition, ego and invention. Fast-paced and delightfully offbeat, Ahoy-Hoy is a clever, high-energy exploration of innovation, rivalry and the unpredictable pursuit of legacy.

PlayLab | Playwright’s Panel takes place on May 3, 2026 at the Historic Arcade Theatre, offering a unique opportunity to hear directly from the festival’s featured playwrights following the final reading of the 2026 PlayLab. Moderated by Associate Artistic Director Jason Parrish, this engaging roundtable brings together writers to discuss their creative process, their featured works and the realities of building a career in American theatre, alongside special guests from the literary world and the National New Play Network—making it an insightful and inspiring experience for anyone passionate about new works and storytelling.

Enjoy an evening of laughter and heartfelt reflection with Denise Fennell’s The Bride: Or Does This Dress Make Me Look Married?, running April 7 – May 10, 2026 at Artstage Studio Theatre with performances Tuesdays through Sundays. Written by Rick Pasqualone and Denise Fennell and produced by Key of G Productions, this engaging one-woman comedy stars Denise Fennell—best known as the scrappy Sister from Late Nite Catechism—as a bride of a certain age who has less than two hours before her wedding and begins questioning love, life and marriage itself. Blending humor, personal stories and audience interaction, the show invites theatergoers into a witty and heartfelt journey toward the ultimate decision: will she walk down the aisle or not?

See Lionel Bart's Oliver! staged at TheatreZone from June 4th to 14th, 2026. This musical, one of the most iconic of all time, adapts Charles Dickens' 1838 novel Oliver Twist. While full of catchy tunes, the production maintains the original story's powerful exploration of poverty and loss. Showtimes include evening performances at 7:30 PM and matinees on weekends at 2:00 PM. A Talkback discussion is scheduled for June 11th.

Experience the bold and iconic musical Cabaret from October 8–11, 2026, with evening performances at 7:30 PM (Oct 8–10) and matinees at 2:00 PM (Oct 10–11), as TheatreZone partners with Florida Gulf Coast University for this special collaboration. Set in 1930s Berlin inside the provocative Kit Kat Club, the story explores love, identity, and the blurred line between illusion and reality during a time of rising uncertainty, brought to life through unforgettable songs like “Willkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Cabaret.” Winner of eight Tony Awards, this enduring musical features music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Joe Masteroff, delivering a powerful and timeless theatrical experience.