Gulfshore Playhouse Seeks Donations and Provides Community Tickets for $10

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Gulfshore Playhouse has announced the cancellation of its first show of the season, "Paradise," a revised schedule and an offer for reduced tickets to thank the community for their support.

"Due to a variety of extenuating circumstances, including shipments for lumber not yet received, shop workers who had evacuated for the hurricane, and, of course, lack of electricity, internet and phones for more than a week-and-a-half, plans for Paradise slowly started to crumble," said Kristen Coury, founder and producing artistic director for Gulfshore Playhouse. "The final nail in the coffin was damage to The Norris Center, where we perform."

During the hurricane, the building sustained damage to the roof as well as water damage, which had seeped inside when doors to the building were blown open. The lack of power for two weeks exacerbated the water damage resulting in mold throughout the building. While the building is structurally intact, it will need to go through the mold remediation process, forcing a closure of The Norris Center for the month of October.

"It's been a difficult time for the theatre, which has been battered by an inability to create the art that is our lifeblood, and the significant loss of anticipated income," added Coury.

To help offset costs and give back to the community, Gulfshore Playhouse will move up the start of "Leading Ladies" to Nov. 4 and provide a special community give back opportunity with $10 tickets for preview performances on Nov. 2 and 3.

Written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Darren Katz, "Leading Ladies" shares the story of

Jack and Leo as they give their greatest performance yet as "Maxine and Stephanie" in this laugh-out-loud comedy. When Jack and Leo hear about an elderly woman in York, Pennsylvania planning on leaving her immense fortune to her late sister's long-lost children, Max and Steve, the two struggling actors see an opportunity to end to their woes. What seems like a perfect plan quickly dissolves into mayhem as they discover that the woman's relatives are not nephews, but nieces.

"We remain dedicated to this community, and creating art that brings people together. We want to give back in any way we can, even when faced with obstacles and uncertainty," Said Coury. "Like Jack and Leo in "Leading Ladies," we will make this season our greatest performance yet, but we need help. We're asking patrons to consider making a donation, purchasing a ticket, or providing an education sponsorship so a child can experience art that could be life-changing through our education programs."

"Leading Ladies" is being dedicated to the First Responders, who will receive free admission with proof of identification throughout the entire run of the show.

Evening shows begin at 8 p.m.; matinees begin at 3 p.m. Show subscriptions are available and include priority seating, exclusive events and discounted pricing. For purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or contact 866-811-4111.

Due to the damage at The Norris Center, Gulfshore Playhouse has also cancelled several education programs conducted in the building. The STAR in a Show program presenting 'Twas the Night has also been cancelled due to lack of rehearsal space. The STAR Academy program will resume in the spring with the Teen Acting Company, which will conclude with the presentation of William Shakespeare's classic comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." ThinkTheatre in-school residencies and "In Flight" performances in schools will continue.

Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards, and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure, and excitement. Gulfshore Playhouse's work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theater to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in the audience an understanding of common humanity. This belief drives the respect with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community. This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for Gulfshore Playhouse's new 56,000-square-foot complex at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square that will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse or its new facility, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).

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