Share the Love’s Into the Woods – Gulfshore Playhouse

Enjoy an enchanted evening under the stars, with a wisp of fantasy for a Valentine’s celebration on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

The fourth annual Share the Love features Broadway-style musical performances and culinary cuisine prepared by renowned Chef Brian Roland and Crave Culinaire.

With a fairytale theme inspired by Gulfshore Playhouse’s recent Teen Acting Company production of “Into the Woods,” Share the Love will feature intimate tables for two, illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights draped from surrounding trees in a lavish nature setting hosted by Reneé and Scott Relfat The Portico at Oakes Estates.

Guests will find themselves in a secret garden under a canopy of mature oaks serenaded by the romantic velvety tones of internationally acclaimed Welsh baritone, Mark Llewellyn Evans.

Participation in this unforgettable event is limited to 40 couples; only four private two-top tables remain.

Tickets are $500 per couple, and include evening entertainment, dancing and dinner.

For purchase information, visit www.theporticonaples.com or call 239.287.3694.

Funds from Share the Love will benefit Gulfshore Playhouse’s education programs, which provides creative and imaginative experiences for children of all ages.

Serving students throughout Southwest Florida, Gulfshore Playhouse Education includes Think Theatre in-school residencies, STAR Academy after school and summer programming, and theatre intensive programs in playwriting and musical theatre.

“Into the Woods” was part of Gulfshore Playhouse’s newly created, audition-only teen acting conservatory program this past summer, and included a full-scale production of the Broadway musical directed by Associate Artistic Director and longtime Broadway veteran, Jeffrey Binder.

This spring, the teen acting conservatory program will produce William Shakespeare’s classic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” as part of the Teen Acting Company.

Gulfshore Playhouse is now accepting registrations for the Teen Acting Company, which provides students in seventh through 12th grade with experiences in acting, voice and movement technique with staff and guest artists. To apply or for more information, contact Director of Education Hester Kamin at 239.261.7529, ext. 207 or HKamin@gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

Gulfshore Playhouse has also partnered with the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida to present in-school performances of “In Flight,” a play about local Holocaust survivor Sabine van Dam.

This spring, Gulfshore Playhouse will also partner with the Naples Philharmonic to bring to life the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet in a special performance of “Starcrossed” for all 11th grade students in Collier County.

“We’re extremely humbled and thankful for Reneé and Scott’s support of Gulfshore Playhouse, and their passion to expand art education opportunities for students throughout Southwest Florida,” said Kristen Coury, producing artistic director and founder of Gulfshore Playhouse. “We’ve got a number of programs planned for the season, and through the community’s generous support, we’ll be able to provide additional need-based scholarships to individuals and schools. ”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.

The 2017-18 main stage season includes brand new works, several comedies, food for thought, venerated classics, hilarious adaptations, and, as always, passion for the highest-quality professional theatre created in the heart of Naples.

Gulfshore Playhouse will kick off the season with Ken Ludwig’s production of Leading Ladies. This laughout-loud comedy shares the story of two struggling actors who hear about an elderly woman planning to leave her immense fortune to two long lost relatives. Jack and Leo give their greatest performance yet as “Maxine and Stephanie” in this laugh-out-loud comedy showing November 2 through December 10.

Performances are presented at the Norris Center, located at 755 8th Avenue South in Naples. For purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or contact 866.811.4111.