Happenings Magazine Previews Same Time, Next Year

Happenings Magazine

Published May 9, 2026

Players Circle Theater invites audiences to experience a rich and emotionally resonant lineup of productions this May and June, bringing together beloved classics, intimate storytelling, and a vibrant showcase of emerging young talent.

Anchored by humor, heart, and human connection, this early summer series reflects the company’s continued commitment to providing high-quality, professional entertainment year-round for Southwest Florida audiences.

The season culminates with Same Time, Next Year (May 19 – June 7) by Bernard Slade, closing out what has been an extraordinarily successful main stage season marked by consistent sellout performances and enthusiastic audience response.

One of the most celebrated romantic comedies of the 20th century, the play enjoyed a four-year Broadway run and earned multiple Tony Awards. Audiences will follow Doris and George, two people married to others, who meet once a year over a span of 25 years. As their lives (and the world around them) change, their annual rendezvous becomes a deeply human exploration of love, longing, and time.

The production runs approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, with discounted preview performances May 19 – 21. This production stars AJ Mendini and Kimberly Suskind, two of Players Circle’s most vibrant and recognizable ensemble members, bringing depth, chemistry and nuance to this beloved story.

Artistic director Robert Cacioppo reflects on both the production and the season as a whole: “Closing our season with Same Time, Next Year feels exactly right. It’s a piece that reminds us how relationships evolve over time, much like a theater company does with its audience. This season has been one of the most exciting we’ve had: full houses, engaged patrons, and a real sense that the work we’re doing is connecting in a meaningful way.”

Continuing into June, Players Circle presents Love Letters (June 1 2– 14) by A.R. Gurney, a quietly powerful two-person play that unfolds through decades of written correspondence. Chronicling a lifelong relationship shaped by missed opportunities, timing, and emotional distance, the piece offers a deeply personal look at how love evolves and sometimes eludes us.

With its minimal staging and focus on language, Love Letters creates an intimate theatrical experience that resonates long after the final word. This special production features a different cast at every performance, showcasing the talents of some of Southwest Florida’s most well-known media anchors, journalists and radio personalities, making each evening a unique and engaging experience.

Associate artistic director Ted Wioncek III notes, “There’s something incredibly immediate about Love Letters. It strips everything away and leaves just two people and a lifetime of connection. It asks the audience to lean in, to listen closely. It’s also a perfect example of the kind of intimate, actor-focused storytelling we’re proud to continue producing beyond our main stage season.”

Midway through the month, the spotlight turns to the next generation of performers with Dare to Dream Jr. (June 19 – 21), a Disney musical revue presented by Players Circle Studio. This lively and heartfelt showcase features students ages 8–15 who have spent two weeks immersed in training across acting, movement, voice, and storytelling.

Closing out the lineup is Say Goodnight, Gracie (June 25 – July 5) by Rupert Holmes, a warm and nostalgic tribute to comedy legend George Burns. Tracing his rise in show business, his iconic partnership with Gracie Allen, and the enduring love that defined both his life and career, the play offers humor, heart, and a window into a golden era of entertainment.

Cacioppo adds, “What ties this entire lineup together is the idea of connection: Whether it’s romantic, artistic, or generational. Even as our main stage season concludes, our mission doesn’t pause. We’re here year-round, continuing to tell stories that entertain, challenge, and bring people together. And we’re not slowing down!”

Wioncek echoes: “We’ve built something special with our audiences this season, and there’s real momentum behind it. These summer productions carry that energy forward. They’re intimate, immediate, and full of life. And audiences can look forward to even more entertainment in the months ahead, including a concert presentation of South Pacific, a student production of Into the Woods, and, back by popular demand this August, My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, where the entire theater will be transformed into one retro, swingin’ joint.”

For tickets and more info, visit this link or call 239-800-3292

Players Circle Theater is located at 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-800-3292.