WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

>>Vicki Lawrence performs at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts Sunday, April 20. This week's theatre

Breaking Legs - The worlds of the Mafia and the Theatre collide in an Italian restaurant with this expertly crafted comic masterpiece. "Breaking Legs" is on stage at the Florida Repertory Theatre through April 20. The meatballs hit the fan when a college professor turned playwright has his play produced by a Mafia don. Prepare yourselves for a madcap entrée of murder and menace with a heaping side of pasta and laughter. This is Theatre - Tony Soprano style! Performances are Tues. - Sat. at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wed., Sun. and selected Saturdays. Florida Repertory Theatre is located on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry in the Historic Arcade Theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Subscriptions and single tickets are available through the Box Office (239) 332- 4488, or visit Florida Rep online at www. floridarep.org.

Humble Boy - "Humble Boy," a dramatic comedy by British playwright Charlotte Jones, runs at the Sugden Community Theatre in downtown Naples through April 19. Directed by Paul Graffy, "Humble Boy" tells the story of a widowed mother and her theoretical astrophysicist son. Performances run Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and can be purchased at www.naplesplayers.org, by phone at (239) 263-7990 or at The Naples Players Box Office, 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples.

>>B.B. King returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Sunday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. Cabaret - "Cabaret," the hit Broadway musical is on stage at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre through May 31. The love story of a young novelist and an eccentric singer captures the spirit of prewar Germany. Wilkommen! The words beckon you for some lively entertainment by the magnetic Emcee who welcomes you to Berlin. "Come to the Cabaret, old chum!" Ticket prices range from $25 to $52. Group discounts are available for parties of 20 or more. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm.com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Lend Me a Tenor - The Off Broadway Palm Theatre presents the awardwinning comedy "Lend Me a Tenor," playing through May 3. This clever and wildly entertaining farce mixes mistaken identities, competing opera stars and a symphony of slamming doors. Lend Me a Tenor is set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera on its biggest night in history. World famous tenor, Tito Merelli, known to his fans as "Il Stupendo" is scheduled to sing the lead in Otello, produced as a gala fundraiser that is set to raise $50,000 for the company. Before the star even leaves his hotel room, things begin to unravel. Tickets can be reserved by calling (239) 278-4422, by visiting www.BroadwayPalm. com, or by stopping by the box office at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

The Bible: - "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)" runs through May 10 at Theatre Conspiracy's new home located at 2711 Park Windsor Dr #302, in Fort Myers. In this fun and irreverent comedy, three actors perform the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments in less than two hours. From Eve to Exodus through the epistles, the apostles and the gospels via fig leaves and final judgement and exploring deep meaningful theological topics such as: Was Jesus a good carpenter? Did Adam and Eve have navels? Did Moses really look like Charlton Heston? Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with select Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 or $10 for students with proper I.D. For tickets, complete directions or more information call (239) 936-3239.

Blast - "Blast!," winner of the 2001 Tony Award for "Best Special Theatrical Event" and the 2001 Emmy Award for "Best Choreography," is on stage at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall for eight performances Wednesday, April 16 through Sunday April 20. The show is comprised of 35 brass, percussion and visual performers brought together in a unique explosion of music and theatre. Born on athletic fields across the nation, "Blast!" is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. According to Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe; "Blast! is an exuberant 15-number show that doesn't falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. Blast! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent a full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause." There's a special "Kids' Night on Broadway" performace on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. Kids (moms and dads, too) are invited to attend a special pre-show party with food and fun. Tickets for "Kid's Night on Broadway" are specially-priced: buy one regularly priced ticket and get a kid's ticket of equal value free. This special pricing is valid only for the Kids' Night performance on Wednesday, April 16. Tickets are on sale at the box office, by calling (239) 481-4849 or at www.bbmannpah.com.

This week's symphony

Eternal Light - Join the Southwest Florida Symphony Chorus and Chamber Orchestra for its program "Eternal Light" at 3 p.m. on April 20 at Riverside Church, 8660 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers. Charismatic Director of Choruses Joseph Caulkins will conduct this program that includes Rutter's beautiful Requiem - "Be Thou My Vision," Lauridsen's "O Nata Lux" from "Lux Aeterna," "In Remembrance" by Jeffrey Ames and Elgar's "Lux Aeterna from Enigma Variations." The concert is sponsored by The Galloway Group and the Stained Glass Series is sponsored by Madeleine R. Taeni. The Symphony Chorus's second and newest CD will be released at the concert. The CD, "How Sweet the Sound: Songs of Faith and Inspiration" features the Symphony Chorus, Chamber Chorus and the Children's Chorus. They are $15 each or a two-CD set, which includes the original "Sing Me to Heaven" recorded in 2005, is available for $25. Single tickets are $18 and may be purchased by calling the Symphony Box Office at 418-1500 or at www.swflso.org. Although tickets may be available at the door, it is strongly recommended they be purchased beforehand.

Thursday, April 17

Concert - Well-known local actress Carrie Lund Cacioppo will perform with duo pianists Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales and the Unconservatory Festival Orchestra at the final concert of the season for Shell Point Retirement Community's sixth annual Fine and Performing Arts Concert Series. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and tickets are still available. Lund Cacioppo, who is well-known for her dramatic work with the Florida Repertory Theatre will be reciting the poetry of Ogden Nash to compliment the performance of Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals, which is one of the selections by Whipple and Morales. In addition to this popular work, their program will also include Bach's Concerto in C Major for Two Pianos and Strings. Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales have performed at venues throughout the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, Spain, and throughout the Caribbean. Tickets for this concert are $25. To purchase tickets or receive additional information about this concert or payment information, please call (239) 454-2067 or visit www.shellpoint.org.

Friday, April 18

Art - Rising Stars Art Studio will present "A Tropical Journey" from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Promedade at Cape Harbour, located at 5781 Cape Harbour Drive. The event will feature sculpture by David Lanier, paintings by Uschi Lanier, Maria Pia Malerba and Sarah Penna, digital imagery by Pam Brodersen, fused glass and glass jewelry by Lois Johnston and frescos by Cindylee Alexander and student photographer Jennifer Castle. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (239) 541-9992.

Zummo - Acclaimed guitarist, producer, writer and performer Vinnie Zummo makes his Naples debut this at 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Daniels Pavilion at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The shows are part of the Cabaret at the Phil series. The former guitarist for Joe Jackson, Zummo is celebrated for his amazing grasp of many different styles of guitar playing. He has been a featured soloist in movies and on television, where he appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. Cabaret at the Phil presents big-name entertainment in an intimate, clublike setting. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres are available for purchase and may be enjoyed during the show. Tickets for the Vinnie Zummo Trio are $39. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.thephil.org.

Art - Leroy Nichols, a celebrated oil painter from Sarasota and William Turner, an award-winning watercolorist from Bradenton, will present their landscape masterpieces at the Sim Gallery of Fine Art in Cape Coral. An Artist Reception will be held on April 18, 6 to 9 p.m. Both artists graduated from Ringling Art School in the 1950's and didn't meet again until 2008, when they agreed to show work at Sim Gallery. It is located at 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Ste. 104. Call 541-1004 for additional information.

Saturday, April 19

Mischief Makers - The Mischief Makers - The children's play "The Mischief Makers," presented by the Florida Repertory Theatre, is on stage at 11 a.m. at the Brick Bar in downtown Fort Myers. A lesson in world mythology and folklore, "The Mischief Makers" shows audiences what happens when three of the world's most famous and mischievous characters find themselves mysteriously thrown together on the same totem pole.For tickets and more information, contact Florida Rep's box office at 239- 332-4488. Please do not call the Brick Bar for ticket information.

Zummo - Acclaimed guitarist, producer, writer and performer Vinnie Zummo makes his Naples debut this at 6 and 8:30 p.m. in Daniels Pavilion at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The shows are part of the Cabaret at the Phil series. The former guitarist for Joe Jackson, Zummo is celebrated for his amazing grasp of many different styles of guitar playing. He has been a featured soloist in movies and on television, where he appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman. Cabaret at the Phil presents big-name entertainment in an intimate, clublike setting. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres are available for purchase and may be enjoyed during the show. Tickets for the Vinnie Zummo Trio are $39. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.thephil.org.

Sunday, April 20

Vicki Lawrence - Emmy Awardwinning comedienne Vicki Lawrence presents "Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show," at the Philharmonic Center in Naples at 8 p.m. Lawrence is one of the most beloved television personalities of her generation, best-known for her endearing character "Mama," first on "The Carol Burnett Show" and then on "Mama's Family." A multi-talented entertainer, Lawrence is also an accomplished singer, who earned a gold record for her hit "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." This acclaimed new show mixes stand-up comedy, storytelling, music and a special guest performance by Thelma Harper, a.k.a. Mama. Tickets are $48. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.thephil.org.

Monday, April 21

Pascal Rioult Dance - The Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre, known for its daring and imaginative explorations of classical scores, is coming to Naples for one performance at 8 p.m. at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. The Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre is a unique force in dance that adheres to the tradition of modern dance yet pushes the bounds of the contemporary. Rioult creates new work that brings a fresh perspective to timeless themes. In Naples, the troupe will perform "The Ravel Project," an evening of dance set to the lush scores of Maurice Ravel, featuring the classic Bolero. Tickets for the Pascal Rioult Dance Theatre are $49. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.thephil.org.

Tuesday, April 22

Off-Broadway - The off-Broadway smash hit "Bermuda Avenue Triangle", written by and starring Renée Taylor and Joe Bologna, comes to the Philharmonic Center in Naples at 8 p.m. "Bermuda Avenue Triangle" is the tale of two widows (Renée Taylor from TV's "The Nanny" and Lainie Kazan from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"), set up in a Las Vegas retirement condo by their daughters, who think life has passed them by - until they both meet and fall in love with the same charming swindler (Joe Bologna from Big Daddy). Tickets for "Bermuda Avenue Triangle" are $56. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or tollfree at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.thephil.org.

Ongoing events

History - One of the greatest anthropological finds in history, "LUCY: The Story of Human Origins" spans 50 million years in scope, from the early primates to the dawn of humanity. This exhibition, at the SWFLMuseum of History in downtown Fort Myers, represents a historical frame of reference for the human timeline which includes this comprehensive collection of exact replicas of skeletons, skulls, footprints, tools, and artifacts dramatically illustrates the story of the progression of humankind on Earth. As part of the exhibit, the museum store will feature anthropological items and gifts and the best-selling book by the man who discovered her; "Lucy: The Beginning of Humankind," by Donald Johanson and Maitland Edey. The exhibit runs through June 12. Call (239) 332-5955 or visit www.cityftmyers. com/museum.

Art - Space 39 in downtown Fort Myers hosts an exhibit "Women's Work: Feminist Art from a Man's Perspective." The issues of the Feminist Art movement are re-examined and re-interpreted from the point of view of a single dad. Artist Jeffrey Scott Lewis uses acrylic paint and canvas to create collages that are inspired by the Quilts of Gees Bend. Using color, line and texture, the artist questions traditional genderbased roles and responsibilities. The abstract works are given titles that suggest the issues a stay at home mom faces in raising children, keeping a home and maintaining relationships.

Art - Rising Stars Art Studio in Cape Coral presents a private Collection of Fine Art Prints by Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, Egon Schiele, Helmut Newton, and Raoul Dufy. The exhibit will be on display through April 21 on the promenade at Cape Harbour, 5781 Cape Harbour Drive, # 105, Cape Coral. For information call 541-9992.

Call for entries - The 2D/3D All Florida Juried Exhibition is looking for artists to appear in the show set for June 13. The categories for the 2D 3D exhibit are sculpture, painting (including oil, acrylic, collage, watercolor, and mixed media), fiber art, photography, prints and drawings (no crafts). Cash awards will be given totaling $2,000, including $1,000 for Best in Show Announced on Opening Night. Digital Graphics, Entry Form and Fee must be hand delivered or received on or before April 23, at 5 p.m.August 4-5: Hours to pickup all artwork, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Call to artists - The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center has issued a Call for Artists to participate in "10 Illustrated: An NAA Members' Photography Exhibition." It will be installed in the Art Center from July 12 through Aug. 3, and selected images from those works will also be published in Naples Illustrated magazine. The Art Center and the magazine both turned 10 this year, and like brothers born near the same time, they will celebrate together to "take 10 to the max." The photography exhibition, therefore, is to be compiled from work based on a single theme - 10. There is no entry fee. Submissions are open to NAA members only and work may include photography or mixed media incorporating elements such as collage, photomontage, hand colored photographs, graphic design, compositing and computer illustration. Artwork receiving is Friday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, June 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Art Center, 585 Park Street or call (239) 262-6517 for more information.

B.B. King - Legendary "King of the Blues" B.B. King returns to the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Sunday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. Riley B. King, affectionately known as B. B. started recording in the late 1940's and has released over 50 albums; many of them considered blues classics, such as 1965's definitive live blues album "Live At The Regal", and 1976's collaboration with Bobby "Blue" Land, "Together For the First Time." A five-time Grammy Award winner, he is best known for such hits as "The Thrill Is Gone", "Sweet Sixteen", "Caldonia" and "Why I Sing The Blues." He was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Between 1999 and 2000 B. B. King released several albums, two of which included "Let The Good Times Roll," an excellent tribute to Louis Jordan, and "Riding With The King," a collaboration with Eric Clapton.

42nd Street - The ultimate Broadway musical comedy, "42nd Street" will go on stage at Estero High School on Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m., in the Estero High School Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students with an ID, and will be sold at the door. This landmark show, which is based on the classic 1933 movie musical of the same name, "42nd Street" is the story of a naive young actress named Peggy Sawyer (played by sophomore Anna Robbins) who arrives to audition for the new Julian Marsh (played by freshman Diego Rodriguez) extravaganza set to open on Broadway starring aging leading lady Dorothy Brock (played by senior Kelsey Thompson). A classic backstage story, "42nd Street" is a delightful throwback that the entire family will enjoy. For more information contact Estero High School 947- 9400 or the Drama Department at 273-7587.

Fantasticks - "The Fantasticks" will be presented by Jodick Productions at the Foulds Theatre at the Alliance for the Arts on two weekends April 25 thru May 4. Jodick Productions is a volunteer based community theatre collaborative based in Cape Coral. This will be their second show of the year, following on the heels of their smash hit "Nunsense" which was performed in January at Cape Coral High School. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors. Call 297-3077 for tickets.

Dance Lessons - The delightful comedy, "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks," opens at the Sugden Community Theatre in downtown Naples on April 23 for a four week run. Written by Richard Alfieri, the show tells the story of a lady of a certain age who has retired to the West Coast of Florida, and signs up for a course of dance lessons in her own home. When the dance instructor arrives for the first lesson, sparks and banter fly as two strong personalities clash. Critics have described the show as "entertaining, thoughtful, razor sharp, charming, funny and genuinely moving." The Naples Players production stars Diane Davis and David Goguen, and is directed by Jeff Hoover. The show will be performed Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm from April 23 through May 17. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets are available at The Naples Players Box Office, 701 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples, by telephone at (239) 263-7990 or online at www.naplesplayers.org

Calusa Musicale - Calusa Musicale is celebrating it's 30th anniversary this month with its Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert. The event will feature violin virtuoso Reiko Niiya, concert mistress of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary with the orchestra this season. Her collaborator at the piano will be Mary Griffin Seal of Edison College and a devoted member of Calusa Musicale. The concert plays Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, 13411 Shire Lane. The concert is free, however donations may be given at the end of the program.

Great Expectations - Margaret Hoorneman, a 94-year-old Shell Point resident and former English teacher, will see her Broadway-bound musical "Great Expectations" performed in Fort Myers at the Arcade Theater at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5. Everyone in the community who loves theater and Charles Dickens is invited to attend this free, one-time only performance. In the 1960s, Hoorneman was teaching the classic book, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, to her ninth-grade students in Le Mars, Iowa. Popular musical versions of "Oliver" and "A Christmas Carol" had been produced, and Hoorneman, a theater maven who believed a musical interpretation of "Great Expectations" would be a great success, waited for it to burst onto the Broadway stage. One day, after 15 years of relaxed retirement in Sanibel, she decided to adapt "Great Expectations." The performance of "Great Expectations" is free, but those who wish to attend must have a ticket. Anyone interested in seeing a musical production of a Broadway bound work in progress, please call Barbara Hilton at (239) 267-4258 or Marj Nordstrom at (239) 395-2944 to reserve your tickets. Tickets are limited and will be given out on a first-come basis.

Musical revue -The spirited "In the Mood," a 1940s musical revue, comes to the Philharmonic Center in Naples at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. "In the Mood" takes a retro look at the life and times of America's greatest generation - a generation that was listening and dancing to up-tempo bigband rhythms and mellow, intimate ballads. It was a time like no other in the nation's history, setting the mood for a future of promise, hope and prosperity. For the past 14 years, "In the Mood" has played sold-out shows all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Tickets are $42. For more information or to order tickets, call (239) 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900. Tickets may also be ordered online at www. thephil.org. The Philharmonic Center for the Arts is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples. The Philharmonic Center is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.