Page 38 - LIN-May-June-July-2024-web-file

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by Claudia Polzin, Independent Consultant
ith our beautiful weather Some interesting details of the renovation are that it will be the
most of the year it is hard only certified LEED theatre in the State of Florida and will have a
W to determine when summer seating box that is “sensory friendly” which means that individuals
actually occurs here in Naples – but May with sensitivity to sounds and light will be able to control their
through August are when summer months environment and enjoy the productions.
nd
are most commonly identified in the rest On June 26 the Naples Players will open the musical 42 Street.
of the country. Those are the months when This musical first opened on Broadway in 1980 and that year won the
kids are home and outside and underfoot Tony for best musical and best choreography. The story is one of the
and have mom wondering when will backstage of a Broadway production and the entire rehearsal process
school start again. of a musical staged during the great depression.
Because our economy is very dependent on our “snowbirds” On May 4 at 7 p.m. at the Norris Center there will be a
most of our entertainment options happen during November production of “Wonderous Stories” performed by Voyces. This is
through April, making it more difficult to find options during the a beautiful evening comprised of the most popular musical stories
“summer” months. However, there are some performances that ever told – and range from inspiring to humorous with plenty of
I want to make sure you don’t miss. First, Theatrezone will be opportunities for “sing alongs”.
concluding the performances of Carrie – The Musical on During these months we also have two wonderful holidays to
May 5, 2024. This musical is based on Stephen King’s novel Carrie celebrate – Memorial Day in May and the Fourth of July. Memorial
and the classic 1976 film by the same name. I noted in my April Day was first celebrated in 1968 to honor the men and women who
article that this play is based on a theme that continues to have died while in the military service. The day was originally known as
relevance today – that of bullying. Decoration Day, with the first national observance occurring on
The second option for live productions is at the Naples Players. May 30, 1868.
Clue: On Stage will be performed from May 1-19. This play is The Fourth of July has been a federal holiday since 1941. When
based on the popular board game and film. This whodunit will the Revolutionary War broke out in April, 1775 few colonists favored
keep you guessing until the very end. There is a murder that complete independence from Great Britain. John Adams, one of
happens in a mansion occupied by several suspects and is solved the founding fathers, believed that July 2 was the appropriate day
by a detective, while the ending is decided by the audience. This to celebrate and refused invitations to speak at any July 4th events.
mystery has 216 possible endings – so that means that no two Interesting that both Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4
th
shows will likely be the same. 1826 – the 50 anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of
Remember that the Naples Players productions are being Independence. But to his death John Adams believed that July 2
held at the United Church of Christ in Naples while the Sugden should be celebrated as the “great anniversary festival”.
Theatre undergoes a major renovation. When completed, the Enjoy the “summer” months in Naples. Celebrate Memorial Day
existing two performance spaces will have been renovated and a and the Fourth of July with family and friends and remember all that
third will have been added. The Sugden originally opened in 1998 we have to be grateful for in this country.
and has become a pivotal part of downtown Naples.

38 Life in Naples | May, June, July 2024