The Naples Players continue to provide the Naples community with abundant opportunities to safely experience arts and culture this holiday season.
The inaugural Trees & Teas Festival takes over the iconic Naples Players Sugden Community Theatre facility on 5th Avenue South from Dec. 4 through Dec. 19 from 2 to 9 p.m.
Attendees will reserve a time to walk through a wonderland of artist-decorated, themed holiday trees while sipping on an array of hot holiday teas provided by The Spice & Tea Exchange of Naples. Live carolers, holiday wreaths for purchase, and all of the trees and teas of the season are available to students for $12 and adults for $18.
Trees and themes vary from traditional to wacky to completely reimagined artists interpretations of recognizable shows like The Little Mermaid, Elf, The Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins.
After viewing the trees, head over to Cambier Park on Dec. 19 for a one-night-only live radio play of the holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life. While limited seats remain to attend the event in person, reduced price tickets are available to view a live-stream of the show from the comfort of your own home.
The Naples Players presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play from Cambier Park. Enjoy the performance live in-person in socially distanced Cambier Park; or select a virtual ticket to view the performance online from anywhere in the world.
This heartwarming classic is a show within a show. It’s Dec. 24, 1946 in Studio A at WBFR Radio, and a cast of six actors is preparing to present It’s a Wonderful Life live to the listening audience. With the help of only a sound-effects artist, the ensemble re-enacts the story of George Bailey, a young man whose dreams of traveling the world are thwarted by his sense of responsibility to the family business. Down on his luck, Bailey, compassionate yet disheartened, is at the end of his rope. He questions his purpose in life and considers ending it all. Just then, an angel arrives to show Bailey how the lives of those he loves would be affected if he were not around. The story’s message is profound and remains relevant for today’s audiences.
“Getting together around the holidays and enjoying a live show together are a challenge due to COVID-19, but we imagine that the live streaming of this show is something people can enjoy with family around the globe while staying safe, ” said Naples Players CEO and executive artistic director Bryce Alexander.
Lastly, the popular TNP Drive-In Movie Nights are continuing in December with showings of A Christmas Story on Dec. 15 and 16, and Frozen II on Dec. 29 and 30. Movies are shown on a 33 foot outdoor screen using a state-of-the-art projection and sound system. The drive-in lot, just one block north of The Naples Players Theatre, opens at 7 p.m. and movies begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets and more information for all of these events are available at www.NaplesPlayers.org or by calling the TNP Box Office at 239-263-7990.
