Theater in Southwest Florida

 

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.

 

Experience a unique fusion of film and live performance with Forever Everly: The Everly Brothers Rockumentary, running September 18 through October 25, 2026 (with previews September 15–17) at the ArtStage Studio Theatre, where audiences are taken on a captivating journey through the lives and legacy of The Everly Brothers as a documentary unfolds on screen while performers Jared Mancuso and Nick Gallardo bring the music to life in real time, featuring timeless hits like “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” and “Until I Kissed You,” along with songs from Paul Simon and The Beatles in a one-of-a-kind theatrical concert experience. 

 

Enjoy laughs and romance with Neil Simon’s The Star-Spangled Girl, running October 23 through November 8, 2026 (with previews October 20–22) at the Historic Arcade Theatre, where this lively comedy by Neil Simon follows two idealistic young men publishing a protest magazine in 1960s San Francisco whose lives are hilariously upended when an all-American former Olympic swimmer moves in next door, sparking a whirlwind of romantic rivalry and comedic chaos in a witty clash of love, politics, and personality. 

 

Feel the tension rise with Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, running November 27 through December 13, 2026 (with previews November 24–26) at the Historic Arcade Theatre, where this gripping thriller set in 1944 Greenwich Village follows Susan and Sam Hendrix as their seemingly ordinary apartment becomes the target of cunning criminals willing to deceive, manipulate, and kill for a hidden prize, building relentless suspense that culminates in a legendary, edge-of-your-seat finale. 

 

Celebrate the season with Plaid Tidings: A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, featuring original vocal and musical arrangements by James Raitt, running December 4, 2026 through January 3, 2027 (with previews December 1–3) at the ArtStage Studio Theatre, where the beloved Plaids—Frankie, Jinx, Smudge, and Sparky—return from beyond for a festive mission inspired by Rosemary Clooney to spread holiday cheer through smooth 1950s-style harmonies, performing classics like “The Christmas Song,” “Let It Snow,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Joy to the World,” and “Jingle Bells” in a heartwarming, nostalgic musical celebration. 

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Special Exhibit and Fun Events

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