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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.

Island Players announce latest play

Island Players announce latest play

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

ANNA MARIA – After having to cancel last year’s theater season due to COVID-19, the Island Players are thrilled with the response to their 73rd season, which continues with their third production, Noel Coward’s comedy, “Blithe Spirit.”

Directed by Jeffrey Steiger, stage-managed by Denise Handley and co-produced by Duncan Real Estate, the play will run from Jan. 6-23. 

Written in 1941, “Blithe Spirit” was the longest-running comedy in British theater for many years. It broke London box office records before hitting Broadway. In 1945, to audiences’ delight, it became a popular film directed by David Lean and starring Rex Harrison.

In the play, skeptical Charles Condomine invites the eccentric Madame Arcati to his home for a séance. Soon after, he is haunted by the spirit of his first wife, Elvira, who turns his life to shambles as she hilariously torments his second wife, Ruth.

Some familiar cast members are returning for this production: Mark Shoemaker as Charles, Heiko Knipfelberg as Doctor Bradman, Sylvia Marnie as Mrs. Bradman and Abby Deenik as Elvira. New to the Island Players stage are Jan Wallace as Ruth, Seva Anthony as Madame Arcati and Maggie Carter as Edith.

Tickets are available at the box office for $25 beginning Dec. 27. The box office is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before each show. For more information, please visit the website or call the box office at 941-778-5755. The theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria.

Masks are required for every performance, and hand sanitizer is readily available. 

Island Players announce their next production

Island Players announce their next production

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

ANNA MARIA – Following the resounding success of their 2021-22 season opener, “The Savannah Sipping Society,” the Island Players announce their next production, “Same Time, Next Year,” which will run from Nov. 4-14.

This romantic comedy became a film sensation in 1978, receiving two Golden Globe Award nominations and three Academy Award nominations. Ellen Burstyn won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

The play is about Doris and George, who have an affair and over the course of the next 25 years continue to meet at the small inn where the affair took place to celebrate the anniversary of that night away from their families and spouses. 

This play has only two cast members; Nancy Denton as Doris and Mark Woodland as George. Both have appeared on the Players stage previously and are well known in the local theater scene.

“Same Time, Next Year” was written by playwright Bernard Slade, directed by Island Players veteran Kelly Wynn Woodland and stage-managed by Denise Handley. The new evening start time is 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees will continue to be at 2 p.m.

Tickets at $25 each will be available when the box office opens on Oct. 25. The box office is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before each show. For more information, please see the Players’ website or call 941-778-5755. The theater is located at 10009 Gulf Drive.

For everyone’s protection, masks are required and temperature checks will be taken at the door. Hand sanitizer will be available.

Drinks are flowing at Island Players 73rd season premier

Drinks are flowing at Island Players 73rd season premier

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

ANNA MARIA – As the title implies, there’s plenty of drinking going on in “The Savannah Sipping Society,” directed by Mike Lusk and presented by The Island Players. The play is set to run until Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse on the corner of Gulf Drive and Pine Avenue. 

Four women form a strong bond and an unusual friendship after meeting at a hot yoga session, at which none of them excel in any way. The lead character, Randa (played by Jennifer Kwiatkowski), meets Dot and Marlafaye (played by Cathy Hansel-Edgerton and Laura Morales, respectively) after their failed attempt at hot yoga. They decide that a meeting at Randa’s second-floor downtown Savannah veranda is a much better idea, albeit a far less healthy place to meet for an impromptu happy hour after the ladies find they may have more in common than they first thought.

After agreeing to meet at Randa’s, Dot throws a bit of a curveball into the situation by inviting a new friend, Jinx (Susie Lowe), a “beauty technician” who also claims to be a life coach, although she appears to have little training for the job – but is very enthusiastic. This sets the stage for a budding friendship and plenty of laughs. 

Each of the ladies has a life issue that has made them question whether they would ever regain the zest for life they once had. But Jinx offers to be their life coach and help them regain their passion for living, although she has her own issue that isn’t revealed until late in the performance.

All of the ladies are over 50 and this provides the platform for many of the show’s laughs. Other comedic platforms include rolling with the punches after getting fired from a professional position (Randa) with restraining order included; a long-range run from a philandering husband (Marla Faye); recovery from the death of a spouse (Dot); and a lifelong search for family (Jinx).

Although some of the topics are dark, they are treated with a heavy dose of self-deprecating humor in a way that only southern women can deliver. Anyone who has ever watched The Golden Girls will feel a familiarity with “The Savannah Sipping Society.” That conclusion is logical since the play was written by the trio of Jessie Jones, Nicolas Hope and Jamie Wooten, who not only wrote for “The Golden Girls” but also authored “The Dixie Swim Club,” a similar story that is “Sipping Society’s” companion piece.

In the case of “The Savannah Sipping Society,” the friends aren’t looking for a relationship with Mr. Right, but rather a refreshment of life and a path to sanity and sympathy. This hilarious production is a treat for the audience and a perfect kick-off to the 73rd season of Island Players. 

The production runs through Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Island Playhouse in Anna Maria. Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All tickets are $25 and are available at the Island Players box office. Call 941-778-5755 for more 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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Honors presented at Island Players banquet

Expect comic mayhem at next Island Players show