Theatre Conspiracy’s “The Piano Lesson” offers ‘love, tension, grief, contention’

BY NANCY STETSON nstetson@floridaweekly.com

“It’s not just a piece of wood,” declares Sonya McCarter.

She’s talking about the piano at the center of August Wilson’s award-winning play, “The Piano Lesson,” an instrument that causes family discord, grief and death.

Ms. McCarter directs the production currently running at Theatre Conspiracy in Fort Myers (through

April 30.)

Mr. Wilson wrote 10 plays, often called The Pittsburgh Cycle or The Century Cycle, depicting Black life through the twentieth century, a play for each decade. They’ve won numerous awards, and two, including “The Piano Lesson,” received the

SEE ETHERIDGE, A14 ⊲ Music

Arts Commentary

Heroes just for one day: “Lobby Hero” at Florida Rep. B12

WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

Submit calendar listings and high-resolution photos to events@floridaweekly.com. Email text, jpegs or Word documents are accepted. No pdfs or photos of fliers, please. The deadline for calendar submissions is noon Friday for the following week’s publication.

Symphony

Patriotic Pops - Wear your patriotic best for this annual salute to the troops by the Naples Philharmonic and the Naples Philharmonic Chorus performing the grand music of America at 8 p.m. May 2526 in Hayes Hall at Artis—Naples. 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples. 239-254-2684 or artisnaples.org

THEATER

Musical Comedy - “A Cracker at The Ritz,” a satirical roasting of all things Florida in song and sketch comedy, is on stage from 7-9 p.m. May 30 at the Center for Performing Arts Moe Auditorium & Film Center. The show stars Betsy Bennett and Rick Compton. $30. Additional dates: June 14 and 27. 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org.

Private Lives - At Cultural Park Theater on select dates through May 21. Show times vary. $12-$26. Food trucks are scheduled for every performance. 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 239-772-5862 or culturalparktheater. com.

Beauty and the Beast - By Fort Myers Theatre on select dates through May 21. Show times vary. $25-$40. 16120 San Carlos Blvd., #5, Fort Myers. 239-3236570 or ftmyerstheatre.com.

Fame, The Musical - By the Florida Repertory Theatre’s Education Conservatory Program May 18-21 and May 2427 in the Historic Arcade Theatre. Evening and matinee shows are offered. $30 adults; $15 students. 2258 Bay St., Fort Myers. www.floridarep.org, 239-332-4488 or 877-787-8053.

Worth the TRIP

Lobby Hero - By Florida Repertory Theatre on select dates through May 21 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre. Show times vary. $63. 2258 Bay St., Fort Myers. www. floridarep.org, 239-332-4488 or 877-7878053.

Always A Bridesmaid - By Off Broadway Palm Theatre through May 20. Show times and ticket prices vary. 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.

Sister Act - At Broadway Palm Theatre through May 20. Show times and ticket prices vary. 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.

Footloose - At Broadway Palm Theatre May 26-July 1. Show times and ticket prices vary. 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.

THURSDAY5.18

Music Legend - Melissa Etheridge performs in concert at 7 p.m. at the SW Florida Event Center. Tickets start at $153. 11515 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. www.ticketmaster.com.

Jazz Tunes - Jazz at the MACC: Jazz Jam, featuring the Gulf Coast Symphony and the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, starts at 7 p.m. at the Music and Arts Community Center. $15. 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 239-277-1700 or GulfCoastSymphony.org.

Art & Poetry - Gulf Coast Leisure hosts an Art & Poetry Networking Event at 8 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Mixed media artists, music, spoken word and vendors are highlighted each month. Cocktails start at 7:30 p.m. $10. 2301 First St. 239-333-1933 or www.sbdac.com.

Hot tickets across the state

» Yungblud — May 17, Jannus Live, St. Petersburg. www.jannuslive.com.

» Margaret Cho: Live and Livid! — May 20, Plaza Live, Orlando. www.plazaliveorlando.org.

» The Backseat Lovers — May 23, Jannus Live, St. Petersburg. www.jannuslive. com.

» Nick Norman & Jason Lamson — May 28, Key West Theater, Key West. www. thekeywesttheater.com.

» Ana Gabriel — June 3, FTX Arena, Miami. www.ftxarena.com.

» Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour — June 9, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota. www.vanwezel.org.

At Miromar - David Lynn performs classic rock from 4-7 p.m. near COACH Outlet at Miromar Outlets. 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 239-948-3766 or www.miromaroutlets.com.

Funny Fellow - Comedian Spunky Robinson performs tonight through Saturday at Snappers Laugh In Comedy Club. Show times vary. $18 general admission; $23 VIP. 8595 College Pkwy., Fort Myers. 239-479-LAFF or www.laughincomedycafe.com.

More Music - Yard Dog Charlie performs from 5-9 p.m. at Mudbugs. 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 239-472-2221 or www.mudbugssanibel.com.

At the Zig Zag - Flashback performs from 6-10 p.m. at the Zig Zag Lounge at

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. 506 South 1st St., Immokalee. 800-218-0007, moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/ SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

At The Stage - The Stage presents a Neil Diamond Tribute Show at 7:30 p.m. 9144 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-405-8566 or www.stagebonita.com.

FRIDAY5.19

Benefit Event - An evening of socializing and candle-making runs from 7-9 p.m. at Sanibel Candle Co., with proceeds benefiting Gulf Coast Humane Society. Participants make a candle and choose scents. Tickets include beverages, light appetizers and desserts. $32. 13499 South Cleveland Ave., Unit 107, Fort Myers. To register: Candleparty2023.givesmart.com.

Country Band - The Eli Young Band brings its ‘Love Talking Tour’ to Seminole Casino Hotel at 8 p.m. The band has earned 14 charts singles, including the smash “Crazy Girl,” from 2011, and are touring in support of its album, “Love Talking,” which contains the hit single “Love Ain’t.” Doors open at 7 p.m. For age 21 and older. 506 S. First St., Immokalee. Advance tickets are $65 at www.ticketmaster.com or at www.moreinparadise. com.

Rooftop Music - Friday Nights at Sidney’s with music by Briz and Lady runs from 8-11 p.m. at Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Donations welcome. 2301 First St. 239-333-1933 or www.sbdac.com.

Music Event - Fort Myers Music Walk runs from 6-10 p.m. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District. On the third Friday of each month, local and regional musicians line the streets to play everything from jazz and blues to rock and roll. 239-313-5129, events@ rdafortmyers.com or www.myriverdistrict.com.

At Miromar - Rocker, SWFL’S premier classic rock band, performs from 6-9 pm. in the Restaurant Piazza at Miromar Outlets. Bring lawn chairs for seating. 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 239-948-3766 or www.miromaroutlets.com.

At The Stage - The Stage presents six tribute shows: Tom Jones, Rod Stewart with a touch of Meatloaf, Celine Dion and Linda Ronstadt with a touch of Patsy Cline at 7:30 p.m. 9144 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-405-8566 or www.stagebonita.com.

At the Zig Zag - N Fusion performs from 8 p.m.-midnight tonight and Satur- day at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. 506 South 1st St., Immokalee. 800-2180007, moreinparadise.com or facebook. com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

SATURDAY5.20

Bonsai Group - The Bonsai Society of SWFL Club meets 9 a.m. at the Berne Davis Gardens. Those interested in bonsai are welcome. The club meets on the third Saturday of every month. 2166 Virginia Ave., Fort Myers. www.bonsaiswfl.org or 239-935-6850.

Writing Workshop - The Gulf Coast Writers Association hosts the writing workshop “Wordsmithing Those Critical First 100 Words: from 10 a.m.-noon at Word of Life Church. Taught by Claudia Geagan, the event includes her insights and tips on how to grab readers with the opening first words. Free for first-time visitors; $5 for subsequent visits; and free for members. Bring notebooks, pens and be prepared to participate. 6111 South Pointe Blvd., Fort Myers. The event is also accessible via Zoom. gulfwriters.org/.

Brew Festival - BrewFest starts at 2 p.m. at Cultural Park. The event includes selections from local craft breweries, live music, food trucks and vendors. VIP access is at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Cape Coral Museum of History. $75 VIP; $40 general admission; $20 designated drivers. 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 239772-7037 or www.capecoralmuseum.org.

Etiquette Class - “Etiquette At Edison Ford” for children ages 6-13 runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Instructor Suzanne Willis teaches proper introduction, handshakes and dining etiquette during a three-course meal. Each student receives a workbook and certificate of completion. If a child has dietary restrictions, contact Lindsey at llutarewych@edisonford.org. Registration is required: $85 for members; $95 non-members. 2350 McGregor Blvd. 239334-7419 or www.edisonford.org.

Latin Tunes - Gulf Coast Symphony presents “Hot Latin Nights” at 5 p.m. at the Music and Arts Community Center. The Heat Latin Jazz Band kicks off festivities with a unique mix of multicultural jazz at 6 p.m. Taking the stage at 8 p.m. is multiple-Grammy-nominated Peruvian musician Kiki Sanchez and his Salsa quintet, who will heat up the stage of the MACC with salsa, bachata, tango, merengue and reggaeton. The event includes drinks, street food and dancing to benefit the MACC. $25-$35. 13411 Shire Lane, Fort Myers. 239-277-1700 or GulfCoastSymphony.org.

Live Music - Guitarist Mark Aulick performs from 4-7 p.m. near Ford’s Garage at Miromar Outlets. Rick & Susanna perform from 4-7 p.m. in the Restaurant Piazza. 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. www.miromaroutlets.com.

At The Stage - The Stage presents the Fabulous Girls of Motown Big Dance Band at 7:30 p.m. 9144 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 239-405-8566 or www.stagebonita.com.

Blues Fest - A Backyard Bluesfest featuring Selwyn Birchwood, Tommy Lee Cook & The Buckingham Blues Band, and The Reggie King Sears Band, runs from 2-8 p.m. in the back yard at the Buckingham Blues Bar. $15 admission; no coolers or pets. 5641 Buckingham Road. 239-693-7111 or www.buckinghambar.com.

Florida Repertory Theatre closes out its 25th anniversary season with Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan.

The production runs in the ArtStage Studio Theatre now through May 21.

In Lobby Hero, the foyer of a Manhattan apartment building becomes more than a waiting area for four New Yorkers entangled in a murder investigation. As a young security guard with big ambitions clashes with his stern boss, an intense rookie cop and her unpredictable partner, the setting becomes a testing ground for what happens when personal and professional personas nd themselves at odds.

“Playwright Kenneth Lonergan’s emotionally-nuanced play applies heart and wit to address polarizing topics of race, gender, class, and corruption,” said producing artistic director Greg Longenhagen. “It’s a well-balanced piece of theatre that examines the grey areas and multiple perspectives of moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, while providing a healthy dose of comic relief along the way.”

The ensemble cast features New York-based actors Dante Alexander, Matt Monaco, Michael Saguto, and Dana Stern, each making their Florida Rep debuts. Director Ron Lagomarsino (Broadway: Alfred Uhry’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo; OffBroadway: original Driving Miss Daisy) is joined by an expert creative team including ensemble set designer Ray Recht (Maytag Virgin), costume designer Stephanie Hawks, lighting designer Joel Zishuk (Freud’s Last Session), sound designer Katie Lowe (Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash), and ensemble stage manager Janine Wochna (The Importance of Being Earnest).

Single ticket prices for Lobby Hero are $63 for regular performances. Curtain times are Tuesday – Saturday at 7 p.m., Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Florida Rep’s parking lot opens 2 hours before each performance and offers guests free parking across the street from the Arcade Theatre. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oridarep.org or by calling the box oce at 239332-4488 or toll-free at 877-787-8053.

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