Fort Myers Florida Weekly

“Into the Breeches” opening on Florida Rep main stage


 

 

Florida Repertory Theatre’s 2021-2022 season continues with “Into the Breeches!” The new comedy by George Brant follows the women of a smalltown Shakespeare troupe who decide the show must go on — even when the men are overseas.

“It’s the perfect story to tell right now,” said Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen, “because at its heart, it’s about a group of people pitching in to help in a time of crisis.”

It’s 1942, and the leading men of the local playhouse are fighting overseas. With “the show must go on” as their battle cry, a band of passionate, yet inexperienced, women rally together to produce their season-opening production of “Henry V.” Filled with laughter, tears and sword fighting, the production will be either a victory on the home front or a target for rotten tomatoes.

Florida Rep’s production stars Emma Badger (“West Side Story”), Carol Halstead (“Native Gardens”), ensemble member V. Craig Heidenreich (“Barefoot in the Park”), Amy Hutchins (“Bedroom Farce”), local actress Julissa Jean- Bart (Florida Rep debut), Kevin Loreque (Florida Rep debut), Jan Neuberger (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder”) and Jackie Schram (“Cabaret”).

Frequent guest artist, and Washington

D.C.-based theater maker Eleanor Holdridge returns to direct the show after her work on “Every Brilliant Thing” and “Tenderly: the Rosemary Clooney Musical.” Set design is by Dennis Maulden, costume design by Charlene Gross, lighting design by Rob Siler, sound design by Adam Trummel, and stage management by Byron Abens.

“Into the Breeches!” is sponsored by the William E. Cross Foundation: Art & Hazel Brisker, Donald & Rebecca Linton, Northern Trust and WGCU Public Media. ¦

In the KNOW

“Into the Breeches!”

» Who: Florida Repertory Theatre
» Where: The Historic Arcade Theatre
in downtown Fort Myers
» When: Feb. 11-March 5, with
performances at 7 p.m. Tuesday-
Saturday, 2 p.m. Wednesday,
Saturday, Sunday and select Fridays;
and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, for the
opening night gala performance.
» Tickets: $59/$55
» Info: 239-332-4488 or www.
floridarep.org
» More: The theater’s free parking lot
opens two hours before show time.

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