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‘Communicating Doors’ a hilarious time warp

‘Communicating Doors’ a hilarious time warp

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players continue their historic 75th season with Alan Ayckbourn’s “Communicating Doors.” Directed by veteran director Preston Boyd and stage managed by his talented wife, Priscilla Boyd, the show zigs and zags through times of hilarity and plenty of suspense. Even though the killer’s identity is clear in the first act, how this thing will end is certainly not.

The characters cross paths as the result of a door to a storage room in the hotel suite that works as a time machine, but not every character can use it, and it only works in 20 year “leaps” to the times each murdered ex-wife once stayed in the room: 1974, 1994 and 2014, the year Phoebe arrives to become the center of this time warp centric story.

Audiences may find themselves a bit confused at first, but the whisking into another time soon becomes as expected as it is frequent. With plenty of laugh lines and an abundance of physical comedy, the exact story doesn’t hold as much power as the fascinating action handled by experienced actors who know how to not only get the best out of a line, but also can manage falling over a balcony “wall,” having a head bounced against the floor and plenty more action that has most likely left more than one cast member with a bruise or two.

We first see a “special consultant” arrive in 2014 at a large London hotel suite. Phoebe (Morgan Powls), whose trade name is Poopay, finds that her client, Reece (Dan Coppinger), does not seek her usual services. A dying old man with a guilty conscience, he asks Phoebe to sign as a witness on his written confession of the long-ago murders of two different wives. He is accompanied by his long-time loyal assistant and friend, Julian (Joseph Smith) who executes the role of the quintessential bad guy with perceived ease.

Director Preston Boyd did an outstanding job in getting the most out of this talented cast of veteran actors, who overcame an illness that affected most of the actors and caused the delay of opening night. Audiences would never know many of the rehearsals were done virtually. Serious talent is on display, and the plot is one of the most unpredictable in recent Island Players history.

“Communicating Doors” is a can’t-miss, and it’s not difficult to see why this season continues to sell out just about every performance.

The show continues through March 24. “Communicating Doors,” runs Tuesday through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Both on-line and box office ticket sales are available for the remainder of the run. On-line at www.theislandplayers.org and box office at 941-778-5755. Box office hours are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and one hour before curtain on Sundays for will call tickets only.

Island Players prepare final play of season

Island Players prepare final play of season

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players, Manatee County’s oldest community theater, plans to go out with a bang this season.

After directing “The Psychic,” the final play of the 2021-22 season, James Thaggard returns to close out another season with a show he says will bring plenty of laughs involving a unique stage design essential to the plot.

“Our set is two living rooms on one stage simultaneously, with dialogue happening in both, and not always at the same time during the play,” Thaggard said. “At one point we have the characters in both living rooms, but it’s Thursday in one room and Friday in another.”

The story of “How the Other Half Loves” is that of an upper-class couple in an upper-class house and a middle-class couple who live more modestly. Because of an affair, three couples wind up involved in a situation that Thaggard says will leave the audience in stitches. The play was written in 1970 by the prolific Alan Ayckbourn, and while Thaggard stuck to the script, he says sound was very important in this production. No spoilers, but he says audiences may catch some “audio Easter eggs” he personally added due to his fondness for that time in history.

“How the Other Half Loves” runs from Thursday, May 4 through Sunday, May 14, with daily performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets are $25 at the box office and $27 online. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 941-778-5755 or visit theislandplayers.org.

‘The 39 Steps’ is outlandish fun

‘The 39 Steps’ is outlandish fun

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – When hearing that “The 39 Steps” is an early Alfred Hitchcock film from 1935, comedy is probably not the first thing that comes to mind, especially considering the adaptation by Patrick Barlow actually follows the plot of the film fairly closely.

Those facts noted, there is absolutely nothing serious in the Island Players’ production of this hilarious spoof in which four actors play more than 100 characters in a little more than 90 minutes on stage, leaving the audience little time to catch their breath between laughs from a talented veteran cast.

Colin Brady is cool-headed as Richard Hannay, an English gent who, after a visit to the theater, gets swept up by pure chance into a convoluted plot of murder and international espionage. Sylvia Marnie is a mysterious German secret agent, a Scottish farmer’s wife and a stranger on a train who wants nothing to do with Hannay, but becomes ensnared in his plight nonetheless.

Mark Shoemaker and Joseph Smith each play dozens of roles without missing a beat. To accomplish this feat, there are a lot of quick costume changes, many of which take place during the action in front of the audience. To do it any other way would not accomplish what is at the core of “The 39 Steps,” being 180 degrees opposite of what community theater audiences are used to seeing.

At the beginning of the play, director Heiko Knipfelberg warns the audience that there will be special effects including gunshots, strobe lights and dense fog, which all add to the fun, but are not the norm for the Island Players.

Fans of Hitchcock should make sure to keep an eye out for references to many of his other films. Some are subtle, while others are more “in your face” references. It’s all part of the extremely fast-paced fun.

The only thing audiences may have a difficult time keeping up with is the actual plot, but it doesn’t matter, it’s supposed to be that way. Even the protagonist seems lost about what’s going on at times. The laughs come from the journey, which proves the old adage that getting there is often more fun than the destination.

“The 39 Steps’” runs through Sunday, March 26, with daily performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets are $25 at the box office and $27 online. The box office is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 941-778-5755 or online.

Island Players ready for 74th season

Island Players ready for 74th season

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players are getting in their last few rehearsals before they begin their 2022-23 season on Thursday, Sept. 15 with their production of James Yaffe’s Cliffhanger, which will run through Sunday, Sept. 25.

“This show is written and set in the mid-80s featuring a college professor and his wife who end up in a thriller murder mystery type of story, but it’s not your average thriller,” director Mike Lusk said. “This play is not technically a comedy, but I’m finding comedic moments; I know our audiences enjoy that. Without even changing the script, we’re just punching up those moments.”

The plot involves Professor Henry Lowenthal, who accidentally kills his boss when she ruins his retirement plans. Now Henry and his devoted wife, Polly, must find a foolproof method to dispose of the body despite frequent visits from a persistent student and a suspicious police lieutenant.

The players are Henry Lowenthal (Rick Kopp), Polly Lowenthal (Cathy Hansel-Edgerton), Edith Wilshire (Sue Belvo), Melvin McMullen (Colin Brady) and Dave DeVito (Sam DiGiammarino).

The Island Players often feature familiar faces, and Cliffhanger will be no different. Lusk directed The Savannah Sipping Society last season, and only one cast member, Sam DiGiammarino, hasn’t performed in a previous Island Players production.

This year’s lineup begins with Cliffhanger (Sept. 15-25), I Ought to be in Pictures (Nov. 3-13), The Odd Couple (Jan. 12-29, 2023), The 39 Steps (March 9-26, 2023) and How the Other Half Loves (May 4-14, 2023).

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the box office at 10009 Gulf Drive or by calling 941-778-5755. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Island Players bring the laughs with “A comedy of Tenors”

Island Players bring laughs with ‘A Comedy of Tenors’

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players have struck comedy gold with their latest production, “A Comedy of Tenors,” the fourth of five plays in the 73rd season of productions at the Island Playhouse.

Directed by Preston Boyd, whose wife, Priscilla, is the stage manager, Ken Ludwig’s sequel to his hit, “Lend Me a Tenor” finds that a trio of temperamental tenors, one wife, one lover and a few significant others have been recruited to create havoc, make love to the wrong person, slam the usual number of doors, leap head first off a balcony, hide, dress and undress in corresponding bedrooms with one pretending to be who he is not. 

The events all center around world-famous tenor Tito Merelli (John Andruzzi) as he arrives at his Paris hotel with his wife Maria (Valerie Lipscomb) to perform for 30,000 fans at a soccer stadium for a concert being billed as the biggest concert in the history of Paris. Tito is contracted to sing with two other tenors, Max (Mikey Lynch) and Carlo (Colin Brady) for the “show of the century” being promoted by the highly stressed, anxiety-riddled producer Saunders (James Thaggard), who wants nothing more than to get the tenors from the luxurious hotel room (brilliantly designed by set designer Jan Van Wart and the construction crew) that is the center of the chaos to the soccer stadium next door.

Unknown to Tito is the affair that is going on between his lovely daughter, Mimi (Katie Zanders), and Carlo, of whom Tito not only disapproves but who he mistakenly believes is having an affair with his wife. Add to this mixup the singing hotel porter (also played by Andruzzi) and a sexy Russian soprano (Sharon Bartley) who, unbeknownst to Maria, once had had an affair with Tito before they were married. Max, who was Saunder’s assistant in “Lend Me a Tenor” and is now his son-in-law, is anxious to get through the concert before his wife (not seen) goes into labor. 

Director Boyd does a brilliant job of bringing out the best in each and every actor in this production. Andruzzi is simply hilarious from the moment he walks on stage with his comical Italian accent to the closing of the curtain, playing not only himself, but also Beppo, the singing bellhop. The only thing lacking in this play is the audience having backstage access during act two. Doors slamming open and closed, Tito and Beppo being two characters played by one man means lightning-fast costume changes (this is the case for other characters as well) which much be complete pandemonium behind the scenes, but is pulled off flawlessly. If only we could get a look at how they must be frantically changing costumes with seconds to spare.

“A Comedy of Tenors” runs through March 20 at the Island Playhouse, 10009 Gulf Drive. Contact the box office at 941-778-5755 or visit the website for ticket information.

‘Steel Magnolias’ bleeds Southern charm

‘Steel Magnolias’ bleeds Southern charm

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – After a champagne party to celebrate the start of the Island Players’ 71st season, the show began for “Steel Magnolias,” a play written by Robert Harling in memory of his sister, who died at an early age.

Anybody who has seen the star-studded 1986 movie might get confused because the opening of the movie had Tom Skerritt using a shotgun to scare away birds in a huge magnolia tree.

That scene was not in the play, but it wasn’t missed. In fact, there were no male roles in the play, but they were not missed either.

The cast was up to the opening performance with great timing on the line delivery, especially the jokes. The Southern accents were believable and Director Mike Lusk did a great job.

The setting is a beauty salon in Chinquapin, Lousiana. Jennifer Kwiatkowski was brilliant as Truvy, the salon’s owner. She “chewed the scenery” when it came to dialogue with punch lines.

Tahlia Chinault, a newcomer to the Island Players, has performed on stages along the Sun Coast. She played the new girl in town, Annell, quite well and was spot-on in playing off the other actors’ lines. She will be replaced by Caitlin Ellis for the second week, but we would love to see her in future plays.

Cathy Hansel-Edgerton played Clairee, a regular customer at the beauty salon, who, as she says in the play is “richer than God,” and she buys the local radio station to give her something to do.

Sometimes actors get roles they can have fun with. That was the case with Sue Belvo, who played Ouiser (pronounced “Wheezer”). She’s mean and offends many of the townsfolk. Belvo got laughs as she delivered her lines.

Then we have a mother-daughter team played by mother Kelly Wynn Woodland and her daughter, Corinne Woodland. Kelly Wynn Woodland is known for her directing, but she occasionally takes to the stage, while Corinne has performed with her mother in other productions. It is remarkable how much they resemble each other and hard to tell the mother from the daughter when they’re on stage.

As Shelby, Corinne is determined to have a baby, even though she is diabetic and her doctor recommends against it. As M’Lynn, Kelly Wynn Woodland has to deal with the loss of her daughter when the inevitable occurs.

“Steel Magnolias” is a great play if you like to laugh and then wipe back a few tears at the end.

Acqua Aveda Salon and Spa is the play’s co-producer.

For ticket information, call the box office at 941-778-5755.

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All-ladies cast performs ‘Steel Magnolias’

All-female cast performs ‘Steel Magnolias’

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

The Island Players version of “Steel Magnolias,” by Robert Harling, has an all-female cast, unlike the 1989 movie where Tom Skerrit tried to shoo birds from a tree in his yard with a shotgun. The cast also includes a mother-daughter pair of actresses playing a mother and her daughter.

This comedic drama is set in a beauty salon in a small Louisiana town where the women come to mingle, share gossip and help each other through life’s ups and downs.

Director Mike Lusk, assisted by Priscilla Boyd, directs an accomplished group of actresses: Jennifer Kwiatkowski as Truvy Jones, Tahlia Chinault (first week) and Caitlin Ellis (second week) as Annnelle Dupuy-Desoto, Cathy Hansel-Edgerton as Clairee Belcher, Corinne Woodland as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Kelly Wynn Woodland as M’Lynn Eatenton and Sue Belvo as Ouiser Boudreaux.

“Steel Magnolias” graces the Island Players stage from Sept. 19-29 nightly Tuesday through Sunday with a matinee on Sundays. The stage is dark on Mondays.

Tickets are $23 and the box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, see the Island Players’ website or call the box office at 941-778-5755. Island Players Theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

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Island Players celebrate 70 years of entertainment

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – A piece of Island history is celebrating its roots and looking to its future and its 70th season.

The Island Players spurred on by entertainment-hungry tourists and locals, took over a historic home, converted it into a theater and began the business of providing opportunities for would-be thespians to entertain.

Island Players Herman B and Joe E
Island Players official Herman Brandt with movie star and comic Joe E. Brown. – Submitted | Anna Maria Island Historical Society

According to records at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, it all began in 1912 when area pioneer farmer William Gillet had a house built at the north corner of 121st Avenue East and 72nd Street East in Parrish.

The Gillet family sold the house in the 1940s to Bill McKechnie, a longtime manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and it was towed by barge to Anna Maria Island for use by ballplayers during spring training. It was later given to the city and used as Anna Maria’s first city hall, a community center, a tourist information center and eventually, the Island Players Theatre. They held their first performance in 1949.

The building fell in disrepair in the 1960s and its only use was as a theater. In 1971, at an Anna Maria City Council meeting, Mayor Harry Cole faced some opposition to having the termite-ridden building placed under the city’s care. It had some nostalgic value, but it would be a drain on the city’s budget, opponents said.

After much debate, the Island Players, who were planning to build their own theater, agreed to use the building and presented plans for a new stage, seating and to remove some of the building that would be unnecessary for a theater.

Island Players cast rehearsal
The cast for the upcoming play, “An Unexpected Guest,” from left: Heiko Knipfelberg, Kristin Mazzitelli, Colin Brady, Dan Coppinger, Valerie Lipscomb and Mark Shoemaker. On the sofa, Sylvia Marnie and Caroline Cox. – Submitted

Over the years, the Island Players’ productions became a favorite for locals, snowbirds and tourists. Within the past 25 years, they replaced the seats and the curtain with one that is a regal red shade.

Today, the players have the support of Island businesses that sponsor its productions and advertise in its playbooks, and there is an Offstage Ladies of the Island Players group that supplies volunteers as ushers, in the ticket booth, and behind the stage.

There is also a corps of actors that appear regularly as well as new faces, young and old, who make their acting debut here. Island Players President Sylvia Marnie, a veteran of several plays, said there is a lot of love that goes into each production.

“It’s like a family,” she said. “People know you, and they enjoy that.”

Due to its small size, the Island Players use more than the stage. They sometimes stand in the aisles and say their lines

“We do a lot, considering our size,” Marnie said. “At the Island Players, you’re only limited by your own imagination.”

As the Island Players celebrates seven decades of fun, they won’t take too much time out because, as they say, “The show must go on.”