Belle Theatre

Five shows open, there are previews for a world premiere and eight other shows continue their runs at area theaters during the week of January 13, 2025.

The Brits love “The Da Vinci Code,” so the only surprise was that they waited until 2022 to adapt the 2003 novel for the stage. The drama jumped the pond in August of 2023, and Producing Artistic Director Tyler Young was first in line for the rights to produce the play in Florida.

Arts Center Theatre on Marco Island is presenting Neil Simon this season, starting with “Last of the Red Hot Lovers.” There’s an abundance of physical comedy, amplified by the cozy confines of the 82-seat theater, where the front row is a mere 4 feet from the stage.

Christmas shows abound in Southwest Florida theaters, but The Belle Theatre in Cape Coral has prepared a program like no other. Belle will celebrate the season with caroling, cocoa, cookie decorating and "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

This week, theatergoers have 17 productions from which to choose, including one new play and performances of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker by Gulfshore Ballet and Sarasota Ballet.

Southwest Florida has a number of couples who perform regularly on stage. One such romance is Ryan Porter Craig and Cassie Sampson. They're on stage at The Belle Theatre in "Rent" through August 11.

Belle Theatre's Peyton McCarthy commands the stage in Grounded as an F16 fighter pilot who is reassigned to fly drones from a windowless trailer in the desert outside Nevada after she becomes pregnant. McCarthy rises to the challenges presented by this ambitious one-woman show.

As theaters in Southwest Florida enter a new season in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the performing arts community has more attendance challenges ahead after two years of struggling through the pandemic, local theaters say.

Belle Theatre Director of Theatre Education Dana Alvarez chosen as one of six theatre educators from around the world to participate in the 11th Annual Freddie G Fellowship in New York.

Belle Theatre in Cape Coral presents a production of the original Broadway musical "Newsies." Performances run June 11-19.