Florida Repertory Theatre's 20th Season Will Open On Schedule

After a brief closure due to Hurricane Irma, Florida Repertory Theatre's 2017-2018 Season will kick off on Sept. 21 with the romantic comedy about two misfits in love, "Outside Mullingar," in the ArtStage Studio Theatre. The production's original opening date of September 22 is still on, but three of the four preview performances were cancelled and patrons reseated in order to make up lost rehearsal and production time.

Florida Repertory Theatre's facilities in downtown Fort Myers came through the storm without significant damage, and the company is happy to report its staff and artists are all safe and accounted for and are ready to begin performances for the long-awaited 20th Anniversary Season.

"Hurricane Irma was a devastating storm for so many," said Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo," and our hearts go out to all of those impacted both in Florida and across the Caribbean. All of us at Florida Rep know how lucky we are to have come through the storm without worse damage. Now that we are back up and running, we are looking forward to providing our audiences with a cool, air-conditioned, place to escape with a delightful romantic comedy. This is a stressful time for so many, but we are here to lift you up with a truly touching love story that will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face. And that is only the beginning."

Running through May 13, 2018 in the Historic Arcade and ArtStage Studio Theatres, the 20th season opens two weeks earlier than previous years and features new 7PM weeknight curtain times. The season line-up includes A.R. Gurney's comedy about a street-smart pooch, "Sylvia," the 12-time Tony Award-winning musical and Academy Award-winning Best Picture, "Cabaret," 2013's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, "Disgraced," multiple comedies, an American classic, and two world-premieres.

Previously announced to run in the ArtStage Studio Theatre, the world premiere farce, "George Washington's Teeth" by Mark St. Germain, will now play in the Historic Arcade Theatre and open later in the season (Apr. 24 - May 13, 2018).

"Florida Rep has made a strong commitment to developing new works, and we strive to honor those plays as best we know how," Cacioppo said. "After choosing this play from last spring's PlayLab festival, I decided the farce would be best served in a larger theatre - and it will allow more audiences to experience it."

New for the 20th Anniversary season, Florida Rep's weeknight performances (Tuesday-Thursday) in both venues will begin at 7PM. There is NO CHANGE to the popular 2PM matinee performances on Wednesday (Arcade), Thursday (ArtStage), selected Saturdays, and Sunday. Friday and Saturday evening performances will remain at their traditional 8PM time.

Subscriptions and single tickets are going fast for all nine plays and musicals slated for the theatre's 20th year in the heart of downtown Fort Myers. Available online at www.FloridaRep.org and through the box office at 239-332-4488, tickets are priced at $55 and $45 for regular performances, and $35 and $25 for previews. Subscriptions start at $150 for six plays.

Subscriptions are also on sale for as low as $150 (for 6 plays), and offer the best seats and biggest savings - up to 51% off. Packages are available that work for any budget or any schedule.
FLORIDA REP'S 2017-2018 SEASON

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR
by John Patrick Shanley
SEP 22-OCT 22, 2017 • Previews: SEP 21
In the ArtStage Studio Theatre
A delightful and heart-warming romantic comedy direct from Broadway! From the Pulitzer Prize, Academy Award, and Tony Award-winning author of "Doubt" and "Moonstruck". Starring Ensemble Members, Rachel Burttram, Brendan Powers, and Viki Boyle.
"Mr. Shanley's finest work since 'Doubt'!" -The New York Times

SYLVIA
by A.R. Gurney • OCT 27-NOV 15, 2017 • Previews: OCT 24-26
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
Back by popular demand! Celebrate Florida Rep's 20th anniversary with a revival of the theatre's biggest hit! A howlingly funny comedy from the author of "The Cocktail Hour"! Once again starring Ensemble Member, Michelle Damato as Sylvia!

DISGRACED
by Ayad Akhtar • NOV 10-DEC 10, 2017 • Previews: NOV 7-9
In the ArtStage Studio Theatre
A Gripping Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway drama! One of the most produced plays of 2016. An engaging and provocative story that explores religion, race, and betrayal.

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
by Alfred Uhry • DEC 1-17, 2017 • Previews: NOV 28-30
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
A touching and humorous love story about acceptance and change! A Tony-winning BEST PLAY from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Driving Miss Daisy." The New York Times raved, "an engaging family portrait!"

NIGHT AND DAY: Love Lost and Found through the Eyes of Cole Porter
Music and Lyrics of Cole Porter • Conceived and directed by Robert Cacioppo
DEC 22, 2017-FEB 25, 2018 • Previews: DEC 19-21
In the ArtStage Studio Theatre
Anything Goes in this glamorous and thrilling journey into the music of one of America's most beloved songwriters! From the creators of "Fascinatin' Gershwin" and "Too Marvelous for Words!"

HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES
by Alan Ayckbourn • JAN 12-31, 2018 • Previews: JAN 9-11
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
One secret affair, two disastrous dinner parties, and three couples heading for matrimonial mayhem! Marital discord has never been funnier in this masterfully crafted farce from the Tony and Olivier Award-winning author of previous Florida Rep hits, "Bedroom Farce" and "Relatively Speaking!"

THE MIRACLE WORKER
by William Gibson • FEB 16-MAR 7, 2018 • Previews: FEB 13-15
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
A timeless American classic and Tony Award-winning BEST PLAY! Witness the captivating and uplifting true story of how 21-year-old Annie Sullivan rescued a young Helen Keller from a dark and tortured silence!

CABARET
Book by Joe Masteroff • Music by John Kander • Lyrics by Fred Ebb
MAR 23-APR 11, 2018 • Previews: Mar. 20-22
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
Come taste the wine, come hear the band, come celebrate Florida Rep's 20th Anniversary with the classic musical sensation! A twelve-time Tony-winning BEST MUSICAL and winner of 8 Academy Awards, including BEST PICTURE! "Divinely, dangerously decadent!" -NY Times

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S TEETH
A World Premiere by Mark St. Germain
APR 27 - MAY 13 • Previews: Apr. 24-26
In the Historic Arcade Theatre
A hilarious new farce that follows the exploits of the women of the beleaguered New Bunion Historical Society as they battle the male city council to keep the doors open. When a set of George Washington's dentures turns up in the hands of an unexpected rival, the ladies of the Society brace themselves for all-out war. "From the author of "Best of Enemies" and "Camping with Henry and Tom!"

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with limited free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org, and by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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