Players Circle Theater announces its 2023-2024 season in a brand new location set in the heart of the McGregor corridor at 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers.
It has been a busy summer for Players Circle as the professional non-profit renovates their new 5,000 square foot home, implementing state-of-the-art lighting, sound and riser seating to provide optimum viewing for the 145-seat theater in the round.
“Every seat will be the best in the house with seating no more than five rows from the stage. Players Circle is the most elegant and intimate theater in Southwest Florida,” said Players Circle artistic director Robert Cacioppo. “We’ve designed a modifiable space able to be reconstructed in a plethora of ways. Four of our six productions will be presented in the round. Audiences will literally circle the performers, bringing the circle in our name to life.”
Formerly the New Phoenix Theatre, Players Circle Theatre is surrounded by a host of dining destinations including Golden Rind, The Melting Pot, First Watch, Sweet Bean Cafe and Norman Love Confections, right in the theater’s plaza.
The 2023-2024 season showcases six productions ranging from sidesplitting comedies and hard-hitting dramas to heartwarming classics and invigorating musicals. The theater even plans to produce a three-show summer season (TBA this spring), bringing the grand total of productions to nine each year.
“Planning a theatrical season is an art form. Each production must fit perfectly into the puzzle until it is complete. Our 2023-2024 is our most exciting and eclectic season available to all theater goers in Southwest Florida,” cheered Cacioppo.
Players Circle’s season kicks off in October with a hilarious Mafioso comedy that will set the tone for the whole season, Breaking Legs (which runs Oct. 17 through Nov. 12) written by Tom Dulack. This madcap comedy turns the spotlight on theater, the mob, murder and menace. A true laugh-out-loud production, Breaking Legs will be directed by Robert Cacioppo.
Set design is by Steven McLean (The Foreigner, Admissions, The Cocktail Hour). Lighting is by Andrew Zebroski (The Lifespan of a Fact). Costume design is by Terry Lynn Schaefer (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change).
The production stars an all-star lineup, including Players Circle veterans Natalie Brouwer (Laughter on the 23rd Floor, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change), Ted Wioncek III (I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change), Mitch Haley (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night) and comedian RC Smith (Murder at the Howard Johnson’s). Performer James Heffernan will make his Players Circle debut.
“Breaking Legs is hands down one of the funniest comedies out there. Imagine if Neil Simon wrote The Sopranos,” says Cacioppo, who directs the show for the third time.
Set in the back of an Italian restaurant, Players Circle sets the audience in the middle of the action. “We’ve designed the set to encompass the entire audience, with pictures of The Rat Pack and The Godfather lining the walls. Even as you enter the theater, you’ll smell the irresistible aroma of Italian cuisine,” says Cacioppo.
Keeping an eye on one-on-one patron relationships, Cacioppo encourages everyone to “Join our Circle” and concludes with Players Circle Theater’s motto, “We’re big enough to serve you and small enough to know you!”
Players Circle Theater subscriptions and single tickets are on sale. Details are available at PlayersCircleTheater.com or by calling the box office at 239-800-3292.
Carrie Lund Cacioppo and Robert Cacioppo
