Players Circle Theatre coming to Shell Factory

The Shell Factory & Nature Park has announced its newest tenant, Players Circle Theatre, located at 16554 N. Cleveland Ave. in North Fort Myers.
In partnership with the Actors Equity Association (contract pending), its inaugural season is slated to kick off in December and will include five professional shows.
Led by well known, award-winning Southwest Florida theatre juggernauts, Carrie and Robert Cacioppo, the venue will be a flexible black box theatre with shows performing in the round (audiences on four sides), three quarter thrust (three sides), alley (two sides) and proscenium (two sections facing the set) configurations.
Seating up to192 guests, the intimate performances will place the audience close to the action and never more than five rows from the stage. The acoustically rich space will have a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, accompanied by a Bluetooth loop hearing aid system and hearing headsets at no charge.
Adjacent to the theatre, a spacious elegant lobby adorned with more than two dozen vintage chandeliers and full-service marble top bar will double as an intimate cabaret space. The1,000 square-foot space will seat 50-plus, and the walls will showcase180 framed vintage Broadway playbills ranging from the 1920s through today.
Prior to the show, audiences can experience the newly revamped restaurant, Southern Grill, where they will be introduced to the savory home-style food menu and a sommelier selected wine list with available corkage.
Performances will include Broadway-level entertainment with prices starting at a modest $25 per person. VIP seating and subscription packages are also available.
Known as the faces of theatre in Southwest Florida for over 35 years, the Cacioppos have a proven track record of success in the theatre industry, including being the founding members of the Florida Repertory Theatre.
Currently, donations are being accepted and show sponsors are needed. Chaired by Dr. Jerry Laboda and vice chair Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, the theatre has already raised more than $200,000 in donations. Its three-fold mission is to create a home for a variety of theatre employing an ensemble of professionals who will form longterm working relationships to become an outlet for community involvement in the arts, and to enrich, educate, inspire and entertain the community with classes and performances.
“We are very excited about the Shell Factory’s partnership with the Cacioppos to bring a state-of-the-art venue and top-notch entertainment to SW Florida,” said Pam Cronin, owner of the Shell Factory & Nature Park.
“If someone hasn’t visited us in a while, I think they will be surprised and delighted at all we have to offer. The addition of the theatre is another opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to the community and our visitors to provide them with the best overall customer experience.”
The first season includes Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas Show Dec. 3 – 22, The Dining Room Jan. 10 – Feb. 2, Laughter on the 23rd Floor Feb. 15 – March 8, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime March 20 – April 12 and Miracle on South Division Street April 24 – May 17.
For more information, email at [email protected] or visit www.PlayersCircle.org.