MORNING AFTER GRACE - GUEST ARTIST PACKET

GUEST ARTIST PACKET LINK TO PLAYBILL LINK TO PRODUCTION PHOTOS LINK TO PR & PRESS PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS LINK TO TELEVISION INTERVIEW SEGMENT PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS……………………………………….……….Page 2 IN THE NEWS………………..…………………….………………………..Page 3 REVIEWS………………………………………………………………….…..Page 8 PATRON COMMENTS…………………………………….…………...Page 15 PRINT ADVERTISING SAMPLES……………………….….….….…Page 18 FLORIDA REP PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL SAMPLE…...….Page 20

Thank you for bringing life, love & laughter to our stage!

Deborah Jonsson, Marketing Manager djonsson@floridarep.org

MORNING AFTER GRACE

PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS LINK to Florida Repertory Theatre YouTube Channel

B6

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WEEK OF JANUARY 5-11, 2022

www.FloridaWeekly.com

FORT MYERS FLORIDA WEEKLY

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. The deadline for calendar submissions is noon Saturday.

THEATER Rent 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour - At the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall through Jan. 9.

Show times vary. Tickets start at $48.

13350 FSW Pkwy., Fort Myers. 239-4814849 or www.bbmannpah.com.

Killer Joe - By The Laboratory Theater of Florida on select dates Jan. 12-29, with a half-price preview on Jan. 12. Show times vary. $30 adults; $10 students. 1634 Woodford Ave., Fort Myers. 239-218-0481 or www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.

Night and Day: Love Lost and Found through the Eyes of Cole Porter - At the Players Circle Performing Arts Center at the Shell Factory Jan. 5-16. $40-50. 64554 North Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. 239-800-3292 or PlayersCircleTheater.com.

Steel Magnolias - By Fort Myers Theatre Jan. 7-16. Show times vary. $20$30. 16120 San Carlos Blvd., #5, Fort Myers.

239-323-6570 or ftmyerstheatre.com.

The Colored Museum - By Theatre Conspiracy at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, Jan. 13-15 and Jan. 20-22, with a 2 p.m. matinee set for Jan. 30 at the Alliance for the Arts.

This is an immersive theatrical experience where audiences travel throughout the Alliance gallery and campus to visit each “exhibit.” 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-939-2787 or ArtInLee. org/Theatre.

Morning After Grace - By Florida Repertory Theatre Jan. 7-26, with discounted previews Jan. 5-6. $59/$55 for

Worth the TRIP

regular performances and $39/$35 for discounted previews. 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers. 239-332-4488 or www.floridarep. org.

Singin’ in the Rain - By Broadway Palm Theatre through Feb. 12. Show times and ticket prices vary. 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.

Over the River and Through the Woods - At Off Broadway Palm Theatre Jan. 13-March 5. 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.

Joey & Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding - At The Ballroom at

» Tim Allen — Jan. 6, Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood. www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com. » Al Di Meola — Jan. 7, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre | Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. www.rutheckerdhall.com. » Elvis Birthday Bash starring Mike Albert, Scot Bruce and the Big E Band — Jan. 7, Florida Theatre, Jacksonville. www.floridatheatre.com. » Jared Freid — Jan. 8, Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale. www.browardcenter.org. » The Molly Ringwalds — Jan. 8, House of Blues, Orlando. www.houseofblues.com/orlando. » The Fabulous Thunderbirds — Jan. 9, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre | Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. www.rutheckerdhall.com. » Live From Nashville — Jan. 9, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. www.rutheckerdhall.com. » Marc Broussard — Jan. 11, Bilheimer Capitol Theatre | Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. www.rutheckerdhall.com.

forms 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/.

Jazz Tunes - The Dan Miller Quartet performs from 7-10 p.m. on Thursdays at The Barrel Room. 2214 Bay St. 239-3332225 or www.barrelroomfortmyers.com.

Live Music - Deb and the Dynamics performs from 6-9 p.m. at the Nauti Parrot Dock Bar. 19001 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. 239-314-5667.

Blues Tunes - Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockerz perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Nauti Parrot Oasis. 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers. 239-208-2349.

Nunsense: The Second Coming - By Cultural Park Theater Jan. 13-23.

FRIDAY1.7

Show times vary. 528 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. 239-772-5862 or culturalparktheater.com.

Quartet - By New Phoenix Theatre Jan. 6-23. $25. 13211 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. 239-284-5214 or www.newphoenixtheatrefortmyers.org.

THURSDAY1.6 Bird Lecture - The Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society presents “Heron Foraging Behavior” by Dr. Jerome Jackson, FGCU professor emeritus and host of WGCU’s public radio show, “With the Wild Things,” at 7 p.m. This is the first of eight lectures to be held on consecutive Thursdays at the Sanibel Community House. $10 donation. 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Paypal.me/SanCapAudubon or www.san-capaudubon.org. pups from the Gulf Coast Humane Society visit the Lee County Sheriff’s Community Outreach Center in Suite 109 at Miromar Outlets and stroll the mall from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. 239-948-3766 or www.miromaroutlets.com.

Hot tickets across the state

Live Music - Eddie & the Edsels per-

the Naples Woman’s Club through April.

Doors open at 6 p.m. $75 per person in December; $85 per person January-April.

Tickets include a three-course dinner

by Artichoke & Company. 570 Park St., Naples. Shows at the Bonita Springs Elks Lodge begin Jan. 8 ($60). 3231 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. ComedyItalianWedding.com or 888-562-7537

Mall Mutts - Adoptable and adorable

TIM ALLEN

Joke Man” Martling performs tonight through Saturday at the Laugh In Comedy Café. Show times vary. $20 general admission; $25 VIP. 8595 College Pkwy., Fort Myers. 239-479-LAFF or www.laughincomedycafe.com.

Crossover Concert - Bach to Bluegrass, featuring award-winning violinist Tessa Lark and virtuoso composer/ bassist Michael Thurber, comes to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 7:30 p.m. $45 in advance; $10 students; $50 at the door. 2301 First St., Fort Myers River District. 239-333-1933 or www.sbdac.com/ music-series-2022/.

Sounds of Discovery - Friends of Lovers Key and the Americana Community Music Association host an acoustic concert of original music at 5:30 p.m. at the new Welcome & Discovery Center.

Performers are J. Robert, Ricky Baker Cegelis and Karen Cohen. $25. 8700 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach. www. americanacma.org.

History Tours - True Tours offers River District tours at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays in downtown Fort Myers.

Tours leave from the Franklin Shops at 2200 First St. $18 plus tax. Private tours are also available. 239-945-0405 or Truetours.net.

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

Funny Guy - Comedian Jackie “The

Vespers - Choral Artistry starts the new year on a high note with the sounds of Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers” from the “All Night Vigil” service of the Russian Orthodox Liturgy. Performances are scheduled at Sanibel Community Church (7 p.m. tonight); at St. Mary’s Episcopal in Bonita Springs (7 p.m. Saturday); and at Trinity by the Cove Episcopal in Naples (4 p.m. Sunday). Free admission; donations welcome. www.choralartistry.org or 239-560-5695.

Art Event - The Fort Myers River District Alliance hosts Art Walk from 6-10 p.m. in the downtown historic district.

Enjoy art, demos, exhibits, music, dining and shopping. www.myriverdistrict.com/ events/art-walk/.

Art Opening - The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts an opening night reception for two exhibits from 6-10 p.m. during Art Walk. A Darryl Pottorf solo exhibition is featured in the Grand Atrium. Featured in the Capital Gallery is the collaboration exhibition “Quattro Mani”

by Mr. Pottorf and Robert Rauschenberg.

The shows are on display through Jan. 28. 2301 First St., Fort Myers. www.sbdac. com or 239-333-1933.

Rooftop Tunes - Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center presents music by the Danny Sinoff Trio from 8-11 p.m. 2301 First St. 239-333-1933 or www.sbdac.com.

Sunset Trip - GAEA Guides offers a Sunset/Bird Rookery Kayak Tour on the Caloosahatchee River from 3:30-6:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Tour the river with a Florida Master Naturalist to see nesting sites and thousands of birds. $50 per person; includes all equipment.

For reservations: 239-694-5513 or www.

GAEAGuides.com.

More Music - Phase 1 Live performs from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. tonight and Saturday at the Zig Zag Lounge at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. 506 South 1st St., Immokalee. 800-218-0007, moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

Live Music - Chris Shutters performs from 8 p.m.-midnight at The Barrel Room. 2214 Bay St. 239-333-2225 or www. barrelroomfortmyers.com.

Musical Show - Brother Love’s Musical Extravaganza takes the stage from 6-9 p.m. at Olde Fish House Marina. 4530 Pine Island Road, Matlacha. 239-282-9577.

Live Music - Deb and the Dynamics perform from 7-10 p.m. at Rusty’s Raw Bar. 4631 SE 10 Place, Cape Coral. 239360-8154.

Tribute Show - Bonita Springs/ Estero Elks Lodge #2753 presents a Journey tribute band at 7:15 p.m. A grand buffet is open from 5-7 p.m. $49.95 plus tax. 3231 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs.

239-949-1066.

SATURDAY1.8 Artistic Crossroads - Arts Planet presents acclaimed Peabody Conservatory teacher and performer Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled, Naples Philharmonic principal cellist Adam Satinsky, and pianist Alexandra Carlson at 3 p.m. at Moorings Presbyterian Church. A light prosecco reception follows in the courtyard. Free for students but tickets required. Regular tickets are $55, with a “pay-what-you-can” option. 791 Harbour Dr., Naples www.ArtsPlanetNaples.org or 239-465-8132.

Free Festival - Seminole Casino Hotel hosts the free Southern Fried Swamp Jam Festival at 11 a.m. The event features six full-length, outdoor concerts with additional entertainment in the Zig Zag Lounge, as well as a truck and bike show, a large vendor section and a variety of food trucks. Performers include 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Georgia Satellites, Chasing Dallas, Jack Michael Band, and Mike Imbasciani and his BluezRockerz.

Free admission; bring chairs for seating.

506 South 1st St., Immokalee. 800-2180007, moreinparadise.com or facebook. com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

Art Fest - The 37th annual Cape Coral Art Festival & Market Place is set for today and Sunday on Cape Coral Parkway. In addition to work by juried artists and crafters, the event features Art on the Parkway showcasing the work of K-12 art students.

Free admission. capecoralfestival.com.

Annual Festival - Leading Latina Inc. presents the third annual Dia de Los Reyes Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum. The event features local heroes, including LCSO spokesdog Sgt. Hope, plus music, food, dance groups, vendors, a domino tournament, a cigar-rolling demo and a photo op with the “Three Kings.” leadinglatinaswfl. com/dia-de-los-reyes-festival or info@ leadinglatinaswfl.com.

Listening Room - A new Singer/ Songwriter Listening Room runs from 2-4 p.m. at the Bonita Springs Library.

Hosted by Linda Liles, who sings historical songs and presents a slideshow about Bonita’s pioneer families, the event features CJ Matthew, Monahan and Boyle, Carlene Thissen and Mike Bauer performing original songs. The event is open to songwriters to share their music and meet other musicians. Free admission.

10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. 239273-3583.

Art Event - The 26th annual Naples New Year’s Art Show runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sunday on Fifth Avenue South. The juried, fine art show features 250 professional artists from around the country offering a wide variety of art mediums. Free, but $10 suggested donation. naplesart.org/naples-new-years-artshow/.

Americana Music - The Americana Community Music Association welcomes the Reckless Saints at All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, with the Pearl Street Band at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $18 non-members; $12 members. 2756 McGregor Blvd.,

Tuesday, January 25

About

HOME

THEATRE

YOU ARE AT:

Home

Grab a copy

Advertise

MUSIC

Contact

ART



CALENDARS

CONCERTS

DINING

KEY WEST

Search …

Morning After Grace: Hilarious new comedy at Florida Rep Theatre

By HAPPENINGSMAGAZINE — January 3, 2022

Share



» Theatre » Morning After Grace: Hilarious new comedy at Florida Rep Theatre

THEATRE



RIVER DISTRICT

Search...



Tweet



Search

CLICK BELOW TO READ JAN ISSUE

 No Comments

Pinterest

+

Powered by



Publish for Free

Like Us on Facebook

Florida Repertory Theatre’s 2021-2022 season continues with Morning After Grace by Carey Crim. The brand new comedy kicks off the new year with laughs and a heartwarming, latein-life story of love.

Morning After Grace runs in the Historic Arcade Theatre Jan. 7 to Jan. 26, with discounted previews Jan. 4 – 6.

“We are thrilled to continue our season with this uplifting and outrageous comedy about the power of connection,” said artistic director Greg Longenhagen. Morning After Grace shows us we can move forward after a loss and that it is never too late to take a chance on love or engage a new beginning. I suspect that many Southwest Florida audience members will identify with these characters – the play takes place in a Gulf Coast retirement village. I hope you’ll join us for some well-deserved laughter!”

Morning After Grace follows retirees Angus and Abigail, who after hooking up at a funeral, find themselves wrapped in sheets and questioning their choices. Enter next-door neighbor Ollie, a former Detroit Tigers player who’s traded his mitt for golf clubs and a yoga mat, and all bets are off for a peaceful retirement. Nothing is as it seems with this trio, and every

Privacy - Terms

revelation brings new laughs!

Florida Rep’s production stars Martin LaPlatney and Katrina Ferguson as Angus and Abigail, and Marvin Bell as Ollie.

LaPlatney returns to Florida Rep after appearances in Outside Mullingar and One Slight Hitch, and Ferguson returns after making her Florida Rep debut in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park.

Bell makes his Florida Rep debut in Morning After Grace, but is no stranger to Southwest Florida, after his recent appearance in August Wilson’s Radio Golf at Gulfshore Playhouse earlier this season.

Florida Rep ensemble member Chris Clavelli returns to Florida Rep after directing Ken Ludwig’s A Fox on the Fairway and A Doll’s House, Part 2 in the 2019-2020 season. Clavelli is joined by an expert creative team, including set designer Kim Powers (Florida Rep debut), costume designer Charlene Gross (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder), lighting designer Rob Siler (Alabaster), sound designer Adam Trummel (West Side Story), and ensemble stage manager Janine Wochna (The Woman in Black).

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., and 8 p.m. for the opening night gala performance on Friday, Jan. 7.

Florida Rep’s parking lot opens 2 hours before each performance and offers guests free parking across the street from the Arcade Theatre.

Until further notice, Florida Rep is operating with enhanced health and safety measures, and current protocols are outlined at the theatre’s website at www.floridarep.org/buytickets/protocols-for-safety/ Tickets start at $59/$55 for regular performances and $39/$35 for discounted previews, and are available online at www.FloridaRep.org and through the box office at 239-332-4488.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with free parking in the Fort Myers River District.

SHARE.



 PREVIOUS ARTICLE

Zydegatorz concert at Neenie’s House Jan. 22











NEXT ARTICLE 

DAAS Co-Op presents exhibition of small works Privacy - Terms

Backstage Pass: Cast of 'Morning After Grace' gives inside scoop on Florida Rep show - ABC7 Southwest Florida (abc-7.com)

BWW Review: MORNING AFTER GRACE at Florida Repertory Theatre Playing now through January 26!

by Elizabeth James

Jan. 7, 2022

MORNING AFTER GRACE at Florida Repertory Theatre tells the story of retirees Angus and Abigail, who have just hooked up after meeting at a funeral, and Ollie, Angus's next-door neighbor.

The show is full of (literal) highs and lows, and it's a heartbreakingly beautiful story of love, loss, and acceptance. It is a comedy, but it's much more than that, too.

Angus, Abigail, and Ollie have to face really hard aspects about themselves and their lives.

The cast includes Martin LaPlatney as Angus, Katrina Ferguson as Abigail, and Marvin Bell as Ollie Ford. All three of these actors are brilliant. I really felt each emotion alongside them, and I was captivated by their performances. As they each face the reality of their lives, you can see the stages they go through to accept their situations. It absolutely is funny, and I enjoyed each joke, but I also really appreciated the more serious moments. There is a moment in the show were Ollie rehearses coming out to his father with Angus, and I felt that this was such an impactful and emotional scene in the production. One of the funniest moments in the show features all 3 of the characters getting hit with the case of the "munchies" after smoking, and then rushing to the kitchen.

MD: If You Have Dark Spots, Do This Immediately (It's Genius!)

Learn more

GundryMD

›

This production was directed by Chris Clavelli, with costume design by Charlene Gross, set design by Kimberly V. Powers, lighting design by Rob Siler, and sound design by Adam Trummel. Each part of the show drew you in and made you feel as if you were peeking into Angus's home to watch real people reacting to the events of their lives rather than fictional characters, and the entire creative team did an excellent job in bringing it to life.

I loved the depth this hilarious show had and think that many audience members will relate to it in various ways. I'd absolutely recommend checking out this production while it's running at Florida Rep. MORNING AFTER GRACE is playing now through January 26 in Florida Rep's Historic Arcade Theatre. For more information and to buy tickets, click here: https://www.floridarep.org/the-season/morning-after-grace/ Photo Credit: Joe Dafeldecker

RELATED ARTICLES

Brand-New Comedy, INTO THE BREECHES! Opens Next In Florida Rep's 2022 Season

VIEW MORE FT. MYERS/NAPLES STORIES

Gulfshore Playhouse Presents the World Premiere of HIGHER

Winners Announced For The BroadwayWorld 2021 Ft. Myers/Naples Awards

Featured on Stage Door Shoutouts, Classes & More

Michael Lee Brown

Brittney Johnson

Jonalyn Saxer

BWW Review: SINGIN' IN THE RAIN at Broadway Palm



Morning After Grace at the Florida Rep Arcade Theatre

BY EDWARD KLISZUS

/

ON JANUARY 8, 2022

Rating 

Photo: Florida Rep Theatre

The curtain of darkness and anticipation lifts, and against a faintly portentous quasi-mariachi soundscape and sensitively designed lighting, we see an amazing stage set with Angus (Martin LaPlatney) and Abigail (Katrina Ferguson) dozing, wrapped in bedsheets on the sofa. There is ubiquitous evidence of a raucous night and excessive alcohol consumption. We are in an upscale stereotypical babyboomer Florida retirement condo with plush furniture, a wellstocked open kitchen with counter seating, wall décor with beach themes, and light gray walls with white trim and crown molding. It’s nothing like the colonial tones of brass, antiques, and fireplaces in northern locales from whence formerly employed baby boomers originate. It’s a new world for them, and piece by piece, we shall discover much about this dalliance through reflections of life’s love, deceit, betrayal, loss, scars, and the passing of time.

Abagail manages to stand wrapped in a sheet as she looks for her clothes. Seeking something substantial to wear, some of

the post-tryst glow fades when she discovers a closet filled with woman’s dresses leading to questions about whether Angus is married or a transvestite. Angus awakens and fumbles through a basket in the kitchen for medication to relieve his headache. The night took its toll on the 70-yearold. We discover that Abagail is a mere 62, and Angus thinks she is beautiful.

Here are some of what emerges to provide grist for humor and pathos. Former human rights attorney Angus was married to Grace, whose funeral took place yesterday. Angus began drinking from a flask at the service and met grief counselor Abigail who had crashed the funeral and did not know Grace was Angus’ wife. Abagail spent the night with Angus, motivated by the funeral’s coincidental date of her divorce anniversary. Abigail’s husband “traded her in for a new model” after 39 years of marriage. Abagail has a dating counselor and notes that the woman/man ratio at age 70 is about four to one. Upon examining deceased Grace’s phone, Angus discovered his wife betrayed him by cavorting with another man. Grace and Angus could not conceive; Grace wanted to adopt while Angus did not and now, regrettably, is alone.

Former professional baseball player now limping with a cane, nice guy, and 68-year-old neighbor Ollie (Marvin Bell) drops by to comfort Angus. After some confusion over Grace’s illicit phone contact, whose name starts with the letter O, the trio indulges in Grace’s leftover medical marijuana. Guided by Abigail, the men engage in role-play therapy to address Ollie’s never having shared with his 92-year-old father that he was gay. The issue is now at the forefront since Dad has dementia and must live with Ollie. After sharing a bong pipe, the trio’s silliness and humor are akin to Cheech and Chong’s comportment in the film Up In Smoke (1978) or old lovable drunk comedians like Foster Brooks.

The audience chuckled at the many clever lines and twists, appreciating particular references to ‘60s culture and agerelated physical annoyances. Even a contemporary “blue pill” joke materialized, and Angus seemed proud of his connections to the past—he has a flip phone and uses a paper phonebook. As fellow audience neighbor Janice recalled to me, we were warned as teens in the late ’60s that just holding hands could cause pregnancy. When we danced, we had to imagine Jesus standing between us to ensure the safety and security provided by chastity. As an additional protective measure, girls were even named Chastity in those times.

Finally, Ollie could be himself, and Grace and Angus could hook up at a funeral, get drunk, spend the night as strangers, and smoke marijuana.

In this illusory Florida retirement community where three boomers find themselves, universal truths about life, time, and human nature emerge. This dimension appeals best to audience members who unveil their suspension of disbelief.

Insights about life and our plans are articulated, just as once expressed by a cynical Robert Burns, “the best-laid schemes of mice and men, go oft awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain, for promised joy!”

Angus’ Shakespearean soliloquy of loss and Grace’s death is heart rendering and soulful. He describes his grief, anger, and pain as he stumbles over Grace’s belongings as simple as her toothbrush or when noting the scent of her perfume on a pillow. He admits his part in the decline of their marriage and expresses many regrets, wistfully noting that “people are here, and then they are gone.”

Marvin Bell as Ollie Ford, Martin LaPlatney as Angus, and Katrina Ferguson as Abigail masterfully convey intimate, sentimental, and challenging portrayals. They successfully garner empathy as a measure of the work’s success, just as the audience’s experiences and gained insights gauge the writer’s efficacious purposes and expressive meaning.

Does Alexander Pope’s perspective reign that “hope spring eternal in the human breast,” or is our trio doomed to enact the tragedies of Hamlet, Claudius, and Gertrude? Is “morning” about “mourning?” Does “Grace” exude spiritual virtue? Can boomers find true love in the 21st century?

You’ll want to see the play to find out.

Carey Crim is the author of Morning After Grace. Chris Clavelli directs this performance, joined by costume designer Charlene Gross, set designs by Kimberly V. Powers, lighting

by Rob Siler, sound by Adam Trummel, and stage manager Janine Wochna.

Morning After Grace runs through January 26. For tickets, go to https://www.floridarep.org/buy-tickets/ or call the box office at 239-332-4488.

Historic Arcade Theatre, 2268 Bay St., Fort Myers FL 33901.

Arrive early as the Theatre is a few steps from the waterfront, marvelous restaurants, and shopping venues.

Runtime: About 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. This play contains adult language and themes.

Edward Kliszus

Performer, conductor, and educator Edward Kliszus began his musical studies at the age of 5 and has since been deeply involved in the fine and performing arts. Long time and current member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and American Federation of Musicians (AFM), he studied both piano and trumpet performance, and while at the Manhattan School of Music studied with Mel Broiles, principal trumpet of the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at Lincoln Center. His post-graduate studies at New York University focused on trumpet and piano performance, music composition, and analysis of Elliott Carter’s 1974 work Brass Quintet. He has performed at Manhattan's West Village

has performed at Manhattan s West Village venue Monologues and Madness and currently focuses his artistic and creative endeavors in writing, music composition, jazz piano, and reviewing music and theatre venues for The Front Row Center in New York NY, and OpeningNight.Online in sunny Florida.

All Posts

Marilyn McCoo and the Fifth Dimension singing One Less Bell to Answer, on Soul Train (1970).

PREVIOUS

WHERE AND HOW TO TRAVEL WITH YOUR SPOUSE, CHILDREN, AND FAMILY IN 2022

Leave a Reply COMMENT

NEXT

Graphics For Architecture

Post-Show Survey Comments: This was one of the best performances I have ever attended. The writing, directing, acting, set, lighting, music, EVERYTHING was so well done. This play was timely, hilarious, and totally relatable. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening!

The performance was wonderful. You didn’t feel like you were watching a play, you felt more like you were watching a real-life experience.

Great production. The entire audience was laughing!! We loved the play and have urged friends to go. It is an audience-pleaser!!

The set was impressive...so realistic.

Great play and good experience, the show itself was fantastic.

I was totally entertained, laughing and enjoying every min...

HOME RUN WITH THIS ONE!!

As always the actors were very good. I was close to tears several times.

Outstanding in all aspects!

What a joy!!! The acting was superb and we haven't laughed that hard in many a moon. Thank you so much. We'll be back.

It truly deserved the standing ovation. It was one of the best shows we've seen there.

We have been laughing about various lines all week. In pandemic times it was a great experience.

It was a funny, dear play. We laughed a good bit, but it left one feeling good. No one over-played their parts and were in good balance.

One of your best productions, great acting, great play, great sets and no trouble hearing the entire production! Thank you for great theater Thoroughly delightful performance. Cheers all around!

Great show!

Performance and stage setting was great Excellent production Great show. Could watch again.

Better than Broadway in NYC. This was a great show. The stage set, as always, was terrific.

Nice to see meeting roles for older actors. Plenty of laughs and plenty of points to ponder as well.

What a terrific show! Lighting was exceptional…going from day to night to day! Thanks for a lovely afternoon!!

This is my favorite production at the Rep. Everything is superb. I felt like I was just eavesdropping in someone's living room. Little reminders have been popping up all day ie a friend left her dog home unfed, my daughter made brownies, and a single friend spoke of a funeral she will be attending.

My husband and I thought it was a delightful mix of drama and comedy. We loved it.

What a great play! The script was fun, the actors were first-rate and the audience was with them the whole time. Everyone in our party of four had an excellent reaction -- lots of energy on that stage. Thank you; this play will be hard to beat for the rest of the season.

Loved everything Love, love, loved this productions! All the actors were so believable!

Loved the acting. All three of the actors were outstanding. Set was also outstanding.

Actors were magnificent, staging was teriffic, script was aimed right at our demographic! Very humorous play, while addressing serious subjects with heart, and a happy ending.

Wonderful performance by the entire cast and crew.

Laughed till my side hurt. Great play with a important moral.

Really enjoyed the storyline, the humor, the grief, the sadness, and the storyline. Actors were fantastic, enjoyed all three of them. They gave excellent performances.

COMMENTS SHARED DIRECTLY WITH FOH: “…touched all the issues in his [sic] life and made them lighter for me to handle.” He thanked us for “making a difficult time for him [sic] much easier to handle.”

“We love how Morning After Grace is a really good balance. Hilarious moments but also realness.”

“Wonderful show!” We enjoyed ourselves so much!”

“So well-written!” “Excellent!” “This play is really cute!”

“What a well-written play! It has everything-a nice balance of heavy things it explores, as well as funny moments.”

“Fabulous show!” “It’s really good. We loved it.” “The acting is superb.”

“Wonderful show!” “Fabulous show!” “We loved it!” “It was so real!” “So funny and fun to try to figure out!”

COMMENT FROM YOUTUBE CHANNEL “I saw the play last night. It touched all the issues in my life and made them lighter for me to handle. I was very touched and laughed at the silliness of some heavy moments that can be made lighter when brought out with light shined upon them. I thank all of you so much for making a difficult time for me much easier to handle. It was a wonderful experience.”

COMMENTS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA “Flawless direction, superb acting, and a funny, sad, heartfelt story.”

“A must see! Fantastic!”

“Marvelous show! Returning to live theater is such a joy and it was a great welcome back! Thank you!”

4 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022 | THE NEWS-PRESS

GULF COASTING

Girard Moravcik is this year’s poster artist for the Cape Coral Art Festival and Marketplace. This digital work will be on the official poster. GIRARD MORAVCIK

Festivals Continued from Page 3W

event includes Artway on the Parkway (an exhibit of work by Lee County students), a virtual version of the fest for people who want to avoid the crowds, and a marketplace featuring vendors and local businesses and nonprofi ts.

Info: CapeCoralFestival.com

NAPLES NEW YEAR’S ART SHOW When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Fifth Avenue South, downtown Naples Admission: Free with donations appreciated Number of artists: About 220 Juried: Yes Year the festival started: About 1996 Organizers: Naples Art More about the festival: The Naples New Year’s Art Show celebrates its 26th anniversary this season. It was ranked No. 15 in the country in Sunshine Artist magazine’s 2019 list of the top 100 best fi ne art shows in the United States.

Info: 262-6517 or naplesart.org

NAPLES ARTCRAFTERS When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from October through April. The next festival is this Saturday in Cambier Park.

Where: Cambier Park, 580 Eighth S. St., downtown Naples Admission: Free Number of artists: 50-70 artists and crafters Juried: Yes Year the festival started: 1966 Organizers: Nonprofi t arts organization Naples ArtCrafters More about the festival: The nonprofi t fest is run entirely by volunteers.

All artists are local and must be members of Naples ArtCrafters.

Info: naplesartcrafters.com/shows

BONITA SPRINGS NATIONAL ART FESTIVALS When: This annual series of festivals takes place January through March. The fi rst one is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15-16. Two more are scheduled for Feb. 12-13 and March 5-6.

Where: Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 See FESTIVALS, Page 5W

NEWS-PRESS.COM | FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022 | 17

PETS OF THE WEEK

Felix

TomTom

Maddy

Memphis PHOTOS SPECIAL TO NEWS-PRESS

Special to Fort Myers News-Press

better and have gained weight. My special needs are my food and my insulin injection. I’m very sweet and loving and hope someone will consider giving me a home and lots of love.

Maddy, female, calico, 2 years old.

My name is Maddy. I was found pregnant and living outside when HEAL rescued me and took me in. I had my kittens and they have all found their forever homes and now I am patiently waiting to fi nd mine.

Memphis, gray Russian blue mix, male, 9 years old, front declawed. My name is Memphis. I need to fi nd a new home because my owners can no longer care for me. I am a sweet boy but will do best in a home where there are no other pets.

If you are interested in adopting any of our cats please call Diane at 860-8334472.

USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA

The following pets are available for adoption through Haven on Earth Animal League (HEAL): Felix, black, male, 11 years old. My name is Felix. I’m a sweet guy who sadly was turned in to the county shelter when my owner died. I was adopted from HEAL many years ago so the rescue took me back to safety. I am very calm and loving and I am looking for my new forever home.

TomTom, orange tabby, male, 10 years old. My name is TomTom. I was forced to live my fi rst 10 years outside until a wonderful person saw I could use some TLC and took me in. I was very underweight, and after being evaluated by a vet it was discovered that I’m a diabetic needing insulin. Now I’m so much