The Gulf Coast Symphony, a professional organization comprised of the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, and the Music & Arts Community Center (MACC) will present over 100 programs in its 2022-2023 that showcase the best in classical music, jazz, world music, ballet, opera, and musical theater. The Symphony performs at both the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and its more intimate 300 seat theater at the MACC.
The Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, now in its third season is the orchestra in residence at the Music & Arts Community Center. The GCCO season continues its commitment to showcase works both great classical as well as works by living composer, woman composers and people of color. This season we will hear works from Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelsohn, Price, Farrenc, Montgomery, Theofandis, Higdon and more. This flexible sized ensemble (from 30 to 48 players) will also perform with the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersinger and Gulfshore Ballet. Beethoven Eroica Symphony will be presented Saturday, Nov. 5.
Musicals at the MACC brings a season of hilarious comedies to Fort Myers. The musical theater season opens with the world premiere of the Snowbird Follies (Dec 3-18), a whimsical musical yuletide celebration with a winking nod to Fort Myers’ original snowbirds, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. From “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” to “White Christmas,” this revue is playful journey through decades of holiday favorites, sprinkled with local history. The Thing About Men (Jan. 19-Feb. 4) is from the team that created I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. A four week run of Forever Plaid (Feb. 15 to March 11) brings tight four-part harmony as we relive classics of the 1950s. The season ends with Nunsense (April 13-29) as the Little Sisters of Hoboken raise money by putting on a variety show.
The Gulf Coast Jazz Collective brings the best of live Jazz to Southwest Florida. Under the artistic direction of drummer, educator, composer & arranger Paul Gavin, the Jazz Collective invites artists from around the country to collaborate in concerts that span the entire genre of jazz. This season features music from New Orleans to Miles Davis, Africa to the JUNO award winning vocalist Laila Biali. Music of Miles Davis will kick the series off on Thursday, Nov. 17.
The Gulf Coast Symphony’s Sunday Night Chamber Music Series brings ensembles from around the country to perform in concert at the MACC. This season includes the returns of pianist Brian Lin and the STAMPS String Quartet. Sunday Night Chamber Music Series dates will be Jan. 15, Feb. 19, March 12, March 26 and April 30.
The Gulf Coast Symphony’s Symphonic Pop Series at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall continues to bring international stars to our community. The Doo Wop Project features performers from Broadway’s Motown: The Musical and Jersey Boys. Tony-award winner Bryce Pinkham and his wife, double Olivier nominee Scarlet Strallen present From Broadway to the West End: A Love Story. In March, Grammy & Tony nominee Michael Cavanaugh presents the Music of Paul Simon, James Taylor and Neil Diamond. The Gulf Coast Symphony will present a full production of the 1959 classic GYPSY, starring Tony-award winner and voice of Disney’s Little Mermaid, Jodi Benson. In April the symphony features the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with Music of the Night, featuring the return of Hugh Panaro & Christiane Noll. In April the magic of Cirque returns with an all new show Cirque Goes to the Movies. The Gulf Coast Symphony season ends with a full production of Verdi’s beloved opera A Masked Ball (Un Ballo in Maschera).
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, great entertainment. In addition to the holiday revue Snowbird Follies at the MACC, and the Swing Holiday Jazz, two perennial favorites will be offered at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. Deck the Halls will feature the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers, Mark Sanders, Kellyn Irish Dancers and Santa! And the Gulfshore Ballet joins the Symphony for 2 performances of Tchaikovsky’s classic The Nutcracker.
Other shows include the Haunted Halloween family concert Oct. 30. In November, Great Ladies of Jazz features Aisha de Haas and Natalie Douglas, plus the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective and full Gulf Coast Symphony for an unforgettable tribute to the great Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more.
The season opens with a fundraiser called Hot Latin Nights on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers.
For tickets and info, visit www.gulfcoastsymphony.org
