The World of Wyeth

In 1986, the revelation that acclaimed realist artist Andrew Wyeth had been secretly painting neighbor Helga Testorf for 15 years (without telling even his wife) caused a nationwide stir. This season, those paintings will be causing a stir at the Naples Museum of Art, when they and other Wyeth works go on view Jan. 21 to May 14.

Actually, two exhibitions will take place during those dates. One will focus on about 80 works by Andrew Wyeth, including his images of Helga, the German-born nurse who became his most famous subject. The other exhibition will look at the work of Andrew's father, painter-illustrator N.C. Wyeth, and Andrew's son, Jamie. Different as the three generations of artists are, director of curatorial affairs David Setford says we'll notice a "landscape thread" in all their work.

Born in 1917, Andrew Wyeth is one of the few American painters to become a household name. His 1948 painting, Christina's World, purchased by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, has been reproduced on thousands of posters. But until the late 1980s, the Helga paintings were unknown to everyone but the painter and his muse.

Wyeth revealed the paintings to his wife in 1985. In 1986, Leonard E.B. Andrews purchased the Helga works, and in 1987, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., organized a tour. The series now belongs to a private Japanese interest, which lends them for special exhibitions.

Wyeth actually painted more than 240 works with Helga as the subject, including tempera and dry-brush paintings as well as watercolors and pencil studies. He depicted Helga in the studio, in the landscape, in shadow, in sunlight and at every hour of the day in every season, and viewed her from every angle and position, clothed and unclothed. But he chose not to reveal her emotions. She appears withdrawn, introspective and self-absorbed. In every sense of the word, Helga was the model for Wyeth's experiments in composition, light and color.

The opportunity to view works by N.C. and Jamie Wyeth will give visitors a rare perspective on this family of painters and their unique contributions. Andrew was the youngest of five children fathered by N.C., who was known for his powerful illustrations for the classic books Kidnapped, Robin Hood, Robinson Crusoe and Last of the Mohicans. His works were very different from the watercolor and tempera landscapes and portraits chosen by his son Andrew. Setford promises a glimpse of N.C.'s noncommissioned, personal and private work.

Andrew's son, Jamie, paints subjects that interest him as well as commissioned portraits. One of his best-known portraits is that of President Kennedy, painted after Kennedy's death but still a remarkable psychological portrait. He's also a sensitive observer of his surroundings, frequently painting livestock and other animals.

For more details on the Naples Museum of Arts' season, call (239) 597-1900.

-Mark Ormond

Leading the von Liebig

New director Taylor Wells has great plans for the von Liebig Art Center. First up: an innovative exhibition from the Seminole tribe, which will include workshops, demonstrations and

storytelling. Meanwhile, he'll lead an effort to win accreditation from the American Association of Museums, an important step for the center.

Wells, who possesses a cultured Virginia charm, has a background in arts management and consulting, and his degrees in sociology and community health may come in handy while working with the vast array of personalities-and passions-that distinguish the arts community he will serve. His broad interests and wit should also help him to, as he puts it, "get everyone on the same page."

The von Liebig, he says, "is moving away from plans of being a modern art museum, but will continue to feature both emerging and established artists."

Wells grew to appreciate Naples as an arts town during visits over the past 10 years. Prior to moving here, he won high praise as director of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Va., and he staged more than 300 exhibitions in his 10 years at the Peninsula Fine Art Center in Newport News.

In his free time, Wells visits his two grown children. His daughter's recent marriage in France gave him the chance to host a dinner "for a hundred of his new French friends." We'll be looking forward to our dinner invitations soon.

-Mark Ormond

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There's more compelling art to appreciate at the naples museum of art this season. One particularly intriguing exhibition, Diane Arbus-Family Albums, presents more than 50 haunting black-and-white photos by the late Arbus, who has been highlighted recently in retrospectives at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The Naples show focuses on a collection of previously unknown works produced by the artist in 1969; it's on view Jan. 7 to April 15. Also at the museum: Frank Lloyd Wright and the House Beautiful, which examines the legendary architect's skill in creating harmony between architectural structure and interior design. Viewers will see approximately 100 original objects from the collection of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and other public and private collections, Feb. 14 to June 25.

At Lee County Alliance of the Arts, January offers an International Printmakers Show Jan. 6-28 . Art League of Marco Island's season includes the Vine Art exhibit Feb. 6-28, complete with a wine presentation and tasting . The fledgling Florida Arts Cultural Center in Fort Myers is planning an exhibit in February tied to the 50th anniversary of the book Gift from the Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and is also planning its first annual Florida Arts Festival in March . Other arts festivals to look forward to: the Naples National Art Festival, Feb. 25 and 26 in Cambier Park . the Bonita Springs National Art Festivals, Jan. 14-15 and March 11-12 at the Promenade at Bonita Bay. and ArtFest Fort Myers, Feb. 4 and 5 along Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers.

A Month of Magic

With a reputation for being the "little festival that could," the Sanibel Music Festival marks its remarkable longevity with a series of performances by world-renowned classical musicians who usually headline at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and even the White House.

"In the chamber music world, this festival is recognized as one of the top five in the country," says festival board member Janice Stone. "It's a little arts jewel."

Throughout March, the little festival with the big reputation will offer seven concerts in the 325-seat Sanibel Congregational Church, an appropriately intimate setting for chamber music. Since 2006 marks the 250th birthday of Mozart, many of the programs will feature works by the late, great composer. Six of the concerts will be recorded by National Public Radio and air locally in May.

The timeless appeal of chamber music and the world-renowned performers combine to draw sell-out crowds on a regular basis. "To consistently get this caliber of artists is extraordinary," Stone notes. "We work hard to find both well-known and up-and-coming stars, and we have a reputation for being a special place to perform. Of course, who wouldn't want to be here in March?"

The 20th annual festival begins March 4 with the Ying String Quartet, a gifted group of siblings from Harvard University. The talented family annually commissions new composers to write for string, and Stone hopes one of these pieces will be featured in their concert. "Like the Yings, we believe in encouraging new talent," she says. "Although most of the festival will concentrate on traditional chamber music, we always want to include at least one or two pieces by 20th- or 21st-century composers."

The festival continues on March 7 with pianist Olga Kern, a Cliburn Gold Medal winner, followed by the American Chamber Players on March 11. The 2005 Cliburn silver medalist, pianist Joyce Yang, who at 19 became the youngest entrant in the prestigious competition, will perform on March 14. Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, hailed as the power couple of chamber music, will present a program on March 21. The festival closes on March 25 with the Pacifica String Quartet and guest star Wu Han.

For the all-volunteer board of the Sanibel Music Festival, producing a big-league festival on a small nonprofit budget is a year-round (and sometimes daunting) task. But the reward is a magical month of music.

"We work hard to get major under-writers to help support the festival so we can offer music affordable to everyone," she says. "In New York, you'd pay $100 to $150 to hear these musicians. Here, the top price is $30. The $6 bridge toll will be worth it for this."

For ticket information, visit the Web site at

www.sanibelmusicfestival.org.

-Lynn Howard Frazer

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The Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts always boasts a strong lineup of classical artists. This season's highlights include a return visit by opera star Renée Fleming, Jan. 15; violin virtuoso Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg joining the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra on Bruch's First Violin Concerto and more, Dec. 1-3; and rising young piano sensation Lang Lang, in his Southwest Florida debut, April 4. Beyond the classical, though, the Phil also debuts a new Cabaret at the Phil series, which will bring great cabaret artists to the intimate Daniels Pavilion. This year offers Algonquin Hotel regular Barbara Carroll, Jan. 20-21; Tony Award-winner Debbie Gravitte, March 10-11; and the original Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Susan Egan, April 7-8. Other sensational shows: the NPO's pop series, presenting the original version of Rhapsody in Blue, Feb. 21-26; and A Salute to Jerry Herman, welcoming the great Broadway showmeister himself, March 4-5.

The Southwest Florida Symphony, in its last season under Paul Nadler, offers some of the maestro's personal favorites, especially in the season opener, An Impressionist Affair, Nov. 10 and 11, which blends works by Debussy and Ravel with the unveiling of area artist Gale Bennett's FigureScapes series, inspired by Bennett's long friendship with Nadler. Nadler's farewell concert pays tribute to The Revolutionaries who changed the world with their music, including Wagner, Beethoven and Stravinsky, April 21 and 22.

A few other highlights: the eclectic Austin Lounge Lizards, playing everything from bluegrass to surf music, Nov. 26 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel . Quartetto Gelato's holiday concert, Dec. 13, for Classic Chamber Concerts ... former disco queen Donna Summers, Feb. 22, and pop songstress Petula Clark, March 16, both at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall . And the brand-new Opera Naples company, headed by Steffanie Pearce, plans its first opera production in April. Stay tuned for more info.

Gao Wows

Last summer, 15-year-old violinist Alan Gao earned a place on the prestigious Sydney Opera House stage, sharing the limelight with other budding virtuosos at the International Children's Culture and Arts Festival. It was far from the first time Gao had been on center stage. He began studying violin at age three and by 11 was playing in his first orchestra, starting at the top as principal violinist and concertmaster for the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He was one of the youngest of the middle and high school students.

"I was a little uncertain at first," Gao remembers. "But my dad helped me."

His father, Ming Gao, was well qualified to help: He is also a violinist-and the associate concertmaster for the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra.

"It's an amazing privilege," says the young musician of his role in the youth orchestra. "I've gained a new sense of what it means to be a real musician."

But like most 15-year-olds, he's still not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. "I'm interested in math, sciences and a lot of other things," he says. "I'm keeping my options open, but I'll never completely give up the violin. It will always be there for me."

The Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra offers two major concerts this year, Nov. 13 and May 21, with the young musicians playing side-by-side with the professional musicians.

For ticket information, call (239) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

-Lynne Howard Frazer

Taking the Stage

How much room is there for live theater in Southwest Florida? More than you might think, insist the founders of two new theater groups.

"I can't tell you how many times we were asked, 'Is there room for another community theater group?'" says Mark McClellan, artistic director for the year-old Stage 88 Theatre. "But traditional rules don't seem to apply to the Naples marketplace. This community really enjoys live theater."

Although there were plenty of other community theater groups in town, McClellan and a small group of community theater veterans wanted to form a company dedicated to presenting recent and original works not usually attempted by all-volunteer theater troupes.

"We wanted to concentrate on the type of productions you wouldn't see anywhere else," he says.

The first step for the fledgling company was finding a stage; the group was able to reserve space at the Norris Center at Cambier Park in Naples. The location-at the corner of Eighth Street South and Eighth Avenue South-inspired the Stage 88 name.

Despite the demands of real-life jobs (McClellan works full-time as a producer of commercials for a local television station), Stage 88 embarked on an ambitious first season, debuting with Escanaba in da Moonlight, a comedy by actor/writer Jeff Daniels.

"We were blown away by the response," says McClellan. "I thought we'd have about 25 people. Instead, we had them practically hanging off the rafters."

The company then presented Pump Boys and Dinettes (a production rarely attempted by community theater groups, since most of the performers must also be musicians) and Frame 312, a haunting drama about the assassination of JFK and one woman's secret involvement.

Escanaba in da Moonlight was such a success that the group will present it again this season, Nov. 25 to Dec. 10. McClellan also has written and composed the music for a new musical thriller, You Know They Got a Hell of a Band!, which will debut on March 30.

"We've been able to do things I never thought we could in our first year," McClellan notes. "We all have the same fire in the gut to do this. Performing is a passion for us."

Until recently, finding a place to perform was a passion of another new theater group, the Gulfshore Playhouse. After months of searching for a site, the company has announced that it will build a new theater in Estero on land donated by a

local developer.

In the meantime, the legendary Carol Channing will host Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend, a celebrity jewelry auction benefiting the regional theater, on Jan. 12.

"Carol really believes in promoting the growth of theater," says Kristen Coury, Gulfshore Playhouse founder and producing artistic director. "We're thrilled she's helping us."

For more information about Stage 88, visit www.stage88.com or call (239) 513-8600. To learn more about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call (239) 261-5870.

-Lynne Howard Frazer

In the Blood

More than 30 years ago, Tom and Debbie Prather ran a summer stock theater in Selinsgrove, Pa., where their young son, Will, did curtain speeches and helped run the concession stand. By 1987, the family had built the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, Pa., and Will Prather was hooked on the theater business.

"I often say that I came out of my mother's womb and straight onto the stage," he jokes. "I always knew I wanted to run the family business."

In 1993, the Prathers converted a failing Fort Myers grocery store into the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, with Will at the helm. He admits he had to learn the hard way about running a dinner theater in Southwest Florida. "I had some dreadful failures and offered some of the worst stuff ever produced," he says with a laugh. "But we learned. This year, we're celebrating our 100th show, which is a milestone not too many dinner theater companies can claim."

The Broadway Palm will celebrate its 12th season this year with a series of popular mega-musicals, including Cats, Oklahoma!, Godspell and The Full Monty. With Tom and Debbie Prather now semi-retired, Will manages all three of the family's dinner theaters, including the new Broadway Palm West in Mesa, Ariz.

"I love this business and consider it an honor to continue my parent's legacy," he says. As for the future, "My son, T. J., is almost seven. Maybe he'll follow the family tradition."

For dates and ticket information, call (239) 278-4422.

-Lynne Howard Frazer

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The curtain rises on another packed theater season this fall, and here are some of the highlights: The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Broadway season piles on the laughs with the Tony-winning Hairspray, John Waters' tribute to 1960s Baltimore and one girl's dream to dance on TV and snag the guy she loves, Feb. 14-19. At the Philharmonic Center, the theater season offers a timely look at The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial with stars Ed Asner, James Cromwell and Marsha Mason, Jan. 20-21; as well as a revival of Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue starring JoBeth Williams and Hector Elizondo, March 19. Both shows will be performed in the style of a radio play and are being recorded for broadcast on NPR. The Phil also has the Billy Joel-Twyla Tharp hit Movin' Out, Jan. 31 to Feb. 5, and ropes in Larry Gatlin to play Will in The Will Rogers Follies, Feb. 17-19.

In home-grown theater, look for the Naples Dinner Theatre's High Society, the musical version of the classic Philadelphia Story, Dec. 8 to Jan. 15, and a repeat of one of NDT's most successful shows ever, La Cage Aux Folles, with Barry Marcus reprising his role as Zaza/Albin, March 2 to April 15 . The Naples Players reach back to stage master Noel Coward with a production of Present Laughter, April 19 to May 13; this one is about actor/ladies-man Garry Essendine, originally portrayed by Coward himself.

In Fort Myers, the season offers Cats hanging from the rafters of the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Dec. 29 to March 4, along with the area premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror, a fast-moving murder mystery with comic and musical overtones, March 17 to April 9 at Florida Repertory Theatre . Also in Fort Myers, Theatre Conspiracy plans more premieres: The Florida debut of Vivien Leigh: The Last Press Conference runs Nov. 3-6 and stars Marcy Lafferty, which includes a fund raiser for the company; See Rock City by Arlene Hutton (whose Last Train to Nibroc played last season) runs April 27 to May 13 and centers on a pair of newlyweds during World War II . And Cape Coral's Cultural Park Theatre brings back perennial favorite On Golden Pond, March 17 to April 2.

Book It

Harry Potter's magic extends far beyond the fictional halls of Hogwarts School of Wizards and Witchcraft, with J.K. Rowling's successful series of books inspiring millions of Muggles (humans without wizard abilities) to discover the joys of reading and the power of the written word. Books are back, and book lovers of all ages will have the opportunity to meet many of their favorite authors during two area reading festivals.

On March 18, the seventh

annual Lee County Reading Festival, at the Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers, is expected to attract more than 15,000 people. The free event is produced by the Lee County library system. This year, programs for all ages will include writing workshops, storytelling sessions, street theater performances and historical portrayals. In addition, more than 20 authors will offer presentations and book signings.

"It's unique for a library system to put on an event of this size," says Karen Sloan, Lee County library development specialist and

event organizer.

Some of the stars slated for this year are Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries; Tim Dorsey, the humorous Florida crime writer and author of eight books, including Florida Roadkill and Stingray Shuffle; and mystery

writer Carol Higgins Clark, author of eight Regan Reilly mysteries and co-author of three suspense novels with her mother, Mary Higgins Clark.

"It's always rewarding to see a big spike in the circulation of the featured authors' books after the festival," Sloan says.

Since readers need writers, the Naples Press Club's fourth annual Authors and Books Festival will kick off this year's event with a separate writer's conference Jan. 14 and 15 at International College's Naples campus.

"There's a real hunger here to learn the craft and business of writing," says event chair Phil Jason. "Every year we've seen this event grow, so we decided to separate the writer's conference from the festival so more people could attend both."

More than 20 presenters will cover a wide variety of topics, from how-to sessions for would-be writers of fiction and fantasy to tips on marketing and selling ideas to publishers. Headlining authors include Jonathon King, author of the popular Max Freeman novels, and S.V. Date, the Florida author of such Hiaasen-like hits as Black Sunshine and Deep Water. Representatives from literary agencies and publishing houses will also be available for writers to pitch their works.

"There will be a rich menu to choose from," says Jason. "The hardest part will be choosing which sessions to attend."

For more information on the Lee County Reading Festival, call (239) 479-4636. For more information on the Authors and Books Festival, call (239) 593-1488 or visit

www.authorsandbooksfestival.org.

-Lynne Howard Frazer

Making History

More than three decades after the last train chugged out of the Naples Depot, the front doors are once again open, welcoming visitors to the newest museum in Collier County. Not quite complete when the first train arrived in 1927, the building had its main entrance sealed off 20 years ago, says Ron Jamro, director of the Collier County museums. "It's great to have it open again."

Opening a museum is nothing new for Jamro, who has worked as director of county museums for 23 years. He started fresh out of graduate school, with a master's degree in history from the University of San Diego. At that time, the county's only museum was a tiny 1,500 square feet. Over the years, he oversaw the expansion of that space and opened three others: the Museum of the Everglades, the Immokalee Pioneer Museum and now the Naples Depot.

But Jamro, 55, has yet to overdose on history, often participating in re-enactment groups, playing the part of a soldier during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. He's even inspired his 17-year-old daughter, Lauren, to sometimes join in as company flag-bearer-although "her mother doesn't like it when she plays a Northerner during the Civil War," he jokes.

"I still get great joy out of seeing people get excited about history," Jamro says. "The hardest part is getting people to believe our history is worth learning and preserving. We're a long way from done, but we've made a start."

-Lynne Howard Frazer

For more information, call (239) 774-8476 or visit www.colliermuseum.com.

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The opportunities to enrich our lives by listening to interesting people have expanded this season. For starters, the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts serves up nearly 150 different programs in music, dance, art, theater, literature and more with its Lifelong Learning at the Phil series. Old favorites George Zimmerman, Paul Rathburn and Elaine Newton are back with commentary on music, Shakespeare, books and movies. But you can also tune in to lectures on the performing arts by Temple University professor emeritus Joe Leonardo, indulge in a painting marathon with Graham Nickson and learn about modern dance from Lou Conte, founder of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. For dates and times call (239) 597-1900. There's more, too, in the Phil's Voices of Distinction speaker series, which brings to town jazz player-commentator Billy Taylor, Feb. 13, author-philosopher Deepak Chopra, March 13, and humorist Dave Barry, April 17.

The Naples Fort Myers Town Hall Today series presents author David McCullough, Feb. 17; former Attorney General John Ashcroft, March 17; and sometimes-controversial Georgia Sen. Zell Miller, April 7, all at the Registry Resort . BIG ARTS Forum lecture series brings historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and newsman Jim Lehrer, among others, to Sanibel; call (239) 395-0900 for dates . Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Ellen Goodman appears Feb. 15 for Planned Parenthood's annual speaker event and dinner . And no less a personage than former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev educates and illuminates March 28 at the Florida Gulf Coast University Lecture Series ... On a different note, the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival promises films and fun in the sun, April 27-30.