Regional Theater of the Week: TheatreZone in Naples, FL

By: Justin Cowan

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States.

This Week's Featured Regional Theater: TheatreZone in Naples, FL!

In May 2002, Mark Danni, Chairman of the Board and CEO, and his wife, Karen Molnar, a professional choreographer, accepted a request from The Community School of Naples to move to Naples, FL and start a theater program.  By 2005, Mark successfully established a theater company program at The Community School of Naples and thus TheatreZone was born.

TheatreZone was born on two concepts: an affinity and nostalgia for the stage, and for the intimacy of live audiences.  Mark Danni and his wife, Karen Molnar shared a vision and a passion to bring equity professional actors, and produce talented and innovative productions of classic “lost treasures of Broadway.”

Over the last seven years, TheatreZone has grown steadily and produced a total of 220 performances, including two world premieres, featuring more than 250 artists and playing to audiences of over 50,000.

Andrea McCardle, Donna McKechnie, Lee Roy Reams, and Larry Alexander are just a few of the Broadway veterans who have graced the TheatreZone stage.  

Over the past seven years, TheatreZone has truly earned a name for itself.  Consistently producing professional work with some of the best names and talent around has made TheatreZone a southwest Florida theatre destination.

TheatreZone’s upcoming, eclectic 8^th season features; A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum starring “The Big Ragu” Eddie Mekka from TV’s Laverne & Shirley, Grand Hotel, the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal, and 110 In The Shade starring TV’s Jim and Kassie DePaiva.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call TheatreZone at 1-888-ZONE-FLA, 1-888-966-3352 or visit them at: www.theatrezone-florida.com.

Know of a theater we should feature? Send your suggestion to christina@broadwayworld.com

David Garrison and Director Mark Danni

Courtney Whittaore, Nicole Corris, Paige Miles, Megan Yelaney, Christina Alexander

Mark Danni, Karen Molnar, Jen Shubert and TC Dolgin