Theater News

Jennifer Thomas | Florida Weekly Correspondent Published October 19, 2026 "The Nerd" featuring (left to right) Kimberly Suskind, Ted Wioncek and AJ Mendini. Things get awkward in “The Nerd” Larry Shue’s comedy tests the limits of gratitude when an awkward houseguest overstays his welcome. Some houseguests might overstay their welcome, but for one host, he doesn’t stand a chance of getting a visitor to leave. “The Nerd” mixes outrageous humor with questions about friendship, obligation and finally saying no. The escalating chaos resulting from this is at the heart of the

Author: John Davis | PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida Published October 8, 2026 Players Circle Theater 8th season preview Players Circle Theater’s much anticipated eighth season begins later this month. This year’s ambitious line up of professional theater productions begins with the hilarious Broadway farce “The Nerd.” During the holiday season, the Players Circle Theater stage transforms into a radio sound studio for an inventive adaptation of the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but told as a 1940s-style live radio broadcast. The season will continue in 2027 with a production of a

Happenings Magazine Published October 1, 2026 The Nerd starts season at Players Circle Theater You can invite him in. Getting him to leave is another story. Players Circle Theater kicks off its 2026–27 season with Larry Shue’s The Nerd, a Broadway farce about a debt of gratitude that becomes a test of endurance. Performances run Oct. 23 through Nov. 15, with discounted previews Oct. 20 – 22, at the theater’s intimate McGregor Boulevard venue. Artistic director Robert Cacioppo directs the production, returning to Shue’s comedy after previously directing The Foreigner. “Having directed The Foreigner,

Fran Thomas | Author, Broadway World Published September 25, 2026 Players Circle Theater Announces 2026/2027 Season Seven Shows. One Intimate Stage. Players Circle Theater Announces “Love, Laughter, Legacy” The laughs are big, the stories hit home, and the actors are just a few feet away. Players Circle Theater invites audiences to its 2026–2027 season, “Love, Laughter, Legacy,” featuring seven professional productions running October 20, 2026, through June 6, 2027. The company is also opening the classroom doors this fall. Beginning October 3, Players Circle Studio will offer acting classes for students and adults

Fran Thomas | Author, Broadway World Published September 25, 2026 Previews: THE NERD at Players Circle Theater You can invite him in. Getting him to leave is another story. Players Circle Theater kicks off its 2026–2027 season with Larry Shue’s The Nerd, a Broadway farce about a debt of gratitude that becomes a test of endurance. Performances run October 23 through November 15, 2026, with discounted previews October 20 through 22, at the theater’s intimate McGregor Boulevard venue. Artistic Director Robert Cacioppo directs the production, returning to Shue’s comedy after previously directing The

Charly Shultz | Gulf Coast News Fort Myers Published August 25, 2026 Backstage Pass: 'My Way: A Frank Sinatra Tribute Musical' FORT MYERS, Fla. — MY WAY: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra is on stage at the Players Circle Theater for a limited time. The musical will send you back in time to listen to the tunes of Sinatra, sung be a jazz trio. They'll be performing until August 30th. Gulf Coast News' Alex Howard introduced us to two of the performers you see on stage. Meet Ted Wioncek III and AJ Mendini,

Carson Zorn | Assignment Editor, Gulf Coast News Published August 17, 2026 Gulf Coast News Review: 'My Way: A Musical Tribute To Frank Sinatra' FORT MYERS, Fla. — Have you ever wanted to step back in time, to walk into a smoke-filled cabaret, settle in with a drink, and listen to some big-band swing? Players Circle Theatre has transformed its space into an intimate, mid-century-style cabaret, complete with table seating and a terrific jazz trio, as four of the theatre’s best performers celebrate the music of Frank Sinatra. With a drink in hand, you’ll

Author: John Davis | PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida Published August 6, 2026 Players Circle Theater revives “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra" The cast of Players Circle Theater's production of "My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra" (from left): AJ Mendini, Ted Wioncek III, Kimberly Suskind, and Ruthgena Faraco. We dive back into the robust summer performance season at Players Circle Theater to explore the final two productions of the season. This week marks the final performances of their youth theater production of Stephen Sondheim’s multi-award winning and