Gulf Coast News Reviews “The Nerd”

Dave Elias | Reporter, Gulf Coast News

Published November 1, 2026

FORT MYERS, Fla. — An all-star cast makes “The Nerd” at Players Circle Theater the funniest show I’ve seen onstage this year. If you’re looking for hearty, laugh-out-loud comedy, this Larry Shue farce is a must-see.

Director Robert Cacioppo should be proud of this production, which delivers a steady stream of laughter through sharp performances and wonderfully outrageous physical comedy.

Anyone who has ever had a guest overstay their welcome will relate to the predicament facing Willum Cubbert, a mild-mannered architect whose life is turned upside down when the ex-soldier who saved his life in Vietnam arrives unexpectedly and makes himself at home.

AJ Mendini is pitch-perfect as Cubbert, a ball of nerves caught between repaying a life-changing debt and preserving his sanity. But veteran actor Ted Wioncek III steals the show as Rick Steadman, the clueless houseguest who cannot take a hint and drives everyone around him to the brink, including the audience members.

Wioncek told me after the performance that he had considerable freedom to push the antics and develop physical comedy reminiscent of the Marx Brothers and Robin Williams. That freedom pays off in a performance full of comic energy.

“The show is fresh each night in its own ways,” Wioncek said.

Kimberly Suskin brings her refreshing stage presence to Tansy McGinnis, Cubbert’s girlfriend, while New York-based actor Gregg Weiner delivers the dry wit of their friend Axel Hammond with impeccable comic timing.

Reid Wylie is an amusing addition as Thor, a bratty youngster whose appearances add to the chaos. TJ Albertson and Lucy Sundby round out the cast as his uptight parents, Warnock and Clelia.

One of the production’s greatest pleasures is its final twist. I won’t spoil the surprise, but it puts the evening’s chaos in an entirely different light and gives audiences one more reason to leave smiling.

Steven McLean’s impressive set design provides an inviting backdrop for all the mayhem. The theater has also added seating and adjusted its layout to accommodate its growing audiences.

At a time when a good laugh feels especially welcome, “The Nerd” delivers plenty of them. This is an evening of theater that lets you forget your worries and enjoy the absurdity unfolding onstage.

“The Nerd” runs through November 15. For tickets, call the box office at 239-800-3292 or visit this link.

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