Gulfshore Playhouse Continues Seventh Season With THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Gulfshore Playhouse continues their spectacular seventh season with the hilarious, classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, playing February 15 through March 3, with a preview performance February 14.

One of the funniest comedies in the English language, this play revolves around Ernest Worthing, who has come from the country to propose to Algernon's cousin, Gwendolen. Algernon, however, refuses his consent until Ernest explains why his cigarette case bears the inscription, "From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack". This masterpiece continues wittily in what is known as one of the most ingenious cases of "manufactured" mistaken identity ever put into a play. Come see this hilarious comedy that reminds us of the importance of honesty, laughter and being earnest!

Founder and Producing Artistic Director Kristen Coury will direct the production. "We have yet to undertake Wilde here at Gulfshore Playhouse and I am up for the ride. I look forward to bringing this hilarious classic to the stage with such an incredibly talented group of New York professional actors from all over the country."

William Connell is playing John Worthing. William has previously appeared in the 2010 Broadway revival of A View from the Bridge, The Coast of Utopia at LCT, Alphabetical Order at Keen Co., Hamlet at Aspen Music Festival. He has also appeared in Smash and Gossip Girl. Playing Algernon Moncrieff is A.J. Shively. A.J.'s previous Broadway credits include: La Cage Aux Folles and Brigadoon and the national tour of The Sound of Music. Nick Ullett will be playing Lady Bracknell. Nick created the role of Gerald in the musical Me and My Girl on Broadway and most recently appeared on "Love Struck" with Barbara Bain.

Claire Brownell is playing Gwendolyn Fairfax. Gulfshore Playhouse audiences may remember Claire from last season as Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. She has also appeared on Broadway in The 39 Steps. Playing Cecily Cardew is Hanley Smith. Hanley has appeared as The Women in The Picture of Dorian Gray (Sonnet Repertory Theatre); Luisa in The Fantasticks (Virginia Stage Company); Sally in The Voice of the Turtle (Merrimack Repertory Theatre); and Gloryana with The Public Theater. Kate Young will be playing Miss Prism. Kate's previous credits include Florida Rep's Lend Me a Tenor and the Mason Street Warehouse's Boeing Boeing. Other regional theatre favorites include Sister Aloysius in Doubt, Herodias in Salome, and Lady Britomart in Major Barbara with the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre (PICT) where she is an Associate Artist.

Reverend Chasuble will be played by Tony Triano. A former transplant of Jacksonville, Tony was the resident character actor at the Alhambra Theatre and performed in over 150 productions! Nationally, he has been seen in Hello, Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie and LaCage aux Folles. Gulfshore Playhouse Artistic Associate Cody Nickell will be playing the roles of Lane and Merriman. Last fall, Cody starred in 'Art' and directed God of Carnage. Audiences will also see Cody playing Caleb in The Whipping Man.

Gulfshore Playhouse will also be presenting their 3rd Annual "Bubbles, Baubles and Broadway" Gala Fundraiser on February 28th at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, starring Alexandrea Tocco, who patrons may remember as Juliet in 2007's Romeo and Juliet: Redefined. This wonderful event will feature Alexandrea performing Broadway showstoppers, a 3-course dinner, live auction with special guest auctioneer City Councilman Bill Barnett and silent auction with jewelry items provided by Bigham Jewelers. This is a night you won't want to miss! Cost is $225 per person, $400 per couple and $1500 per table.

Take advantage of our exclusive dinner deal with the new The Chapel Grill. This seasonal menu features three courses plus a glass of wine or champagne for just $29.95! Reservations can be made between 5:00 - 6:15 p.m. To take advantage of this special dinner deal, Gulfshore Playhouse patrons must call The Chapel Grill for reservations at (239) 206-4310 and provide their Gulfshore Playhouse e-mail ticket confirmation when they visit the restaurant. This deal is valid only on the date a patron is attending a Gulfshore Playhouse production.

Gulfshore Playhouse is Naples' first and finest professional theatre company offering a variety of stimulating, thought-provoking and entertaining productions from important classics to Broadway hits and innovative new works. Our shows are conceived and created in-house using a team of professional designers and technicians as well as Equity actors with credits ranging from Broadway shows to film and television.

The Gulfshore Playhouse Theatre Education Project serves Southwest Florida through a wide variety of unique educational opportunities. Our programming provides people from our diverse community accessibility to the art of theatre. Program offerings range from ART SMART, our in-school residencies which teach content curriculum through the lively art of theatre during the school day, to the STAR (Student Theatre Artist in Residence) after-school theatre classes and Theatre Summer Camps. We offer a variety of educational opportunities for adults, from rigorous internship programs to Professional Training Series classes taught by professional actors and members of the Gulfshore Playhouse creative team, and our newly unveiled Synergy Series, a series of panel discussions and talk-backs relating to our Mainstage productions.

Gulfshore Playhouse's production of The Importance of Being Earnest will play February 15 through March 3, with a $25 preview performance on February 14. Four-show and three-show subscriptions and single tickets are available now! Single tickets start at $33. Half-price tickets are available for all matinee performances one-half hour before the show. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 1-866-811-4111 or visiting our website at www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Gulfshore Playhouse's 2012-2013 season continues with a mesmerizing new drama The Whipping Man and the musical play based on the life of Maria Callas Master Class. All shows in the 2012-2013 season (with the exception of Master Class) are presented at the Norris Center, 755 8th Avenue South, Naples. Master Class will be presented at the Daniels Pavilion at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

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