Comedy

Players Circle Theater in Fort Myers opens its 7th season this week with a production of playwright Neil Simon’s sophisticated farce “Rumors.” We explore the play in a conversation with director Bob Cacioppo and cast members Carrie Lund Cacioppo and Frank Blocker.

Local comic Josh Robinson’s popularity is growing, thanks in part to his spot-on takes on Florida.

Comedian Billy Gardell spent years battling his weight until he decided that enough was enough. As he prepares to return to the comedy clubs, Gardell talks about the steps to kick the weight.

Lewis Black’s voice has become synonymous to comedy after 30 years in the business. Before he leaves the stage, shares what fans can expect from his final shows in Florida.

Players Circle Theater in Fort Myers opens its 6th season with playwright Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy “Bedroom Farce.” Ahead of opening night we explore the production in a conversation with the company’s Robert Cacioppo, Carrie Lund Cacioppo, and Ted Wioncek III.

Laboratory Theater of Florida in Fort Myers is mounting the world premiere production of “Alien: The Musical Parody.” The show is a hilarious new take on the 1979 sci-fi horror classic film “Alien.” We hear from Lab Theater founder and Artistic Director Annette Trossbach, who conceived of and wrote the show, along with Earl Sparrow who composed the music.

Players Circle Theater closes its fifth performance season with a production of the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” We will explore the show in a conversation with director Bob Cacioppo and actors Ted Wioncek and Amanda Ross.

The Southwest Florida-based improv comedy team “Oops, We’re a Troupe,” will present a fully improvised long-form musical courtroom drama titled, “Disorder in the Court,” on May 11 at the Alliance for the Arts. Troupe members Julian and Lucy Sundby talk about the troupe, the performance, and mastering the art of improv comedy.

Players Circle Theater kicks off the performance season with playwright Tom Dulack’s mafioso-style comedy “Breaking Legs.” The show will mark the company’s first production in its newly renovated theater space in the heart Fort Myers’ McGregor corridor. We preview the show and learn about the new theater space in a conversation with Players Circle Theater co-founders Bob Cacioppo and Carrie Lund.

Paul Reubens, the actor, comedian and Florida native whose character Pee-wee Herman became a cultural phenomenon through films and TV shows, has died.Reubens died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he did not make public, his publicist said in a statement.