Date/Time
September 13, 2019 to September 13, 2019
08:00 PM untill
Description
Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples’ premier professional regional theater, has announced the finalists for its Seventh Annual New Works Festival, which brings together playwrights, actors and directors from across the country for a weeklong workshop culminating in a series of staged readings.
Hosted at The Norris Center from Sept. 13 to 15, the New Works Festival invites audiences to experience a weekend’s worth of new works and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the process of creating a new play. Audiences will have the opportunity to take part in staged readings and live post-show Q&A sessions with the playwrights, including a free panel discussion with the winning playwrights on Thursday, Sept. 12.
This year’s finalists are:
- “Wonderland” by Michael Scanlan: The times are changing in 1968 – from politics, and religion, to society. Some think these cataclysmic upheavals are for the good, while others are convinced that the world is on the eve of destruction. “Wonderland” explores the changing culture through the eyes of the Lynch family, who grapple with it through anger, fear, courage, and humor. Will their love for each other take them safely through the chaos, or will they be crushed by the changes that threaten their way of life? The play is written by Michael Scanlan, a teacher, director and playwright who has written the book and lyrics for three innovative musicals. A dozen of his plays for young adults have been published by Samuel French and enjoy active production throughout the United States. In addition, several have been translated into other languages and have been performed in Africa and Europe. “Wonderland” will be directed by Gulfshore Playhouse Founder and Artistic Director Kristen Coury, and presented Friday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.
- “Near Nellie Bly” by Mark Loewenstern: Nellie Bly, an aspiring daredevil reporter, went undercover in an insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island (now Roosevelt Island) in New York City in 1887. There, she befriended a patient named Anne Neville. After 10 days, Nellie was released. Anne stayed. “Near Nellie Bly” tells the story from Anne Neville’s perspective. The play is written by Mark Loewenstern, winner of the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival and a three-time finalist for the Heideman Award. His commissioned play for California Stage Company about real-life 59-year old female con artist and serial killer Dorothea Puente will premiere in January 2020. Staged readings of “Near Nellie Bly” will be presented Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. and directed by Gulfshore Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Jeffrey Binder.
- “Picasso in Paris” by Rich Rubin: It’s 1906 in Paris and 25-year old Pablo Picasso is an emerging artist living with model Fernande Olivier, his mistress, in a small and cluttered studio. He’s just beginning to emerge from abject poverty when he’s introduced to Henri Matisse, an artist of growing renown. The two begin to engage in an intense, complicated rivalry. Meanwhile at home, things aren’t perfect between Picasso, Fernande and their recently adopted daughter either. Personal and artistic firestorms flare with life-altering consequences. The play is written by Rich Rubin, who has produced throughout the U.S. as well as internationally in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico. His full-length plays include “Swimming Upstream,” winner of the Todd McNerney Playwright Award; “Shakespeare’s Skull,” winner of the Portland Civic Theatre Guild New Play Award; “Assisted Living,” winner of the Neil Simon Festival New Play Contest; and “Cottonwood in the Flood,” winner of the Fratti-Newman Political Play Award. “Picasso in Paris” will be presented Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.