Tom Hall

This week, four shows open, there’s a preview of another, seven shows close and 10 others continue their runs.

Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars closes on Saturday, March 15, with two performances of Tchaikovsky’s "Sleeping Beauty" performed by Gulfshore Ballet in the Wang Opera Center. Gulfshore Opera offers a “Taste of Opera” on Thursday at the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club. And the Sarasota Opera House will perform five different operas over the course of the week.

Before she became Gypsy Rose Lee, Louise Hovick was “excess baggage” in her mother’s eyes. Momma Rose wasn’t a monster, or even neglectful. It was a matter of focus - on June, her younger, more talented daughter. Lauren Perry plays Momma Rose. But Louise turns the table when her younger sister leaves to pursue a career as a legitimate film actor.

People in Naples are feeling a lot of civic pride about Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars. This major cultural event in the heart of Naples during the peak of tourist season is also a boon to local restaurants and shops.

Cynthia Mason is one of three artists being featured by The Baker Museum of Art in its 12th Annual Florida Contemporary exhibition. Mason’s three-dimensional wall constructions evolved organically from her early training as an architect.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota is letting the good time roll with the rhythm and blues musical, “Five Guys Named Moe.” The show is a vivacious journey through music, dance, and the joyous camaraderie of five charismatic characters.

Five outdoor art festivals take place locally March 6-9

Southwest Florida’s museums regularly curate traveling art exhibitions as well as artworks from their permanent collections. During the month of March, visitors will find 18 visual art exhibitions in museums from Sarasota to Naples.

March promises to be just as busy for Southwest Florida theaters as February was. This week, four shows open, three shows enjoy one-night performances and 11 others continue their runs.

This week, Luciano Pavarotti Foundation President Nicoletta Pavarotti will share details of her life with the famed tenor in the Wang Opera Center in Naples, Puccini’s “La boheme” and Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” will each be performed twice in Cambier Park as part of the 5th Annual Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars, and The Sarasota Opera House will perform four different operas, while Sarasota Ballet will present the final performance by the acclaimed Mark Morris Dance Group.