Native Gardens

Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples’ premier professional regional theatre, will kick off the new year with “Native Gardens,” one of the top new comedies taking the country by storm. The play will be presented at the Norris Center Jan. 11-Feb. 2, 2020.

Written by one of the nation’s top playwrights and also named on American Theatre’s “Top 20 Most-Produced Playwrights of 2018-19,” Karen Zacarias’ “Native Gardens” has been wildly popular among regional theatres since it premiered in 2016 at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Directed by Kristen Coury, founder and producing artistic director for Gulfshore Playhouse, “Native Gardens” explores timely issues of culture and race in a captivating comedic setting, that’s also heartwarming.

The play centers on two neighbors: Pablo and Tania, an ambitious young couple expecting their first child, who have just moved next door to community stalwarts Frank and Virginia and their prize-worthy English garden. What begins as a friendly civil dispute over a fence line erupts into a no-holds-barred turf war where cultures, classes and tastes hilariously clash. Nobody comes out smelling like a rose in this brilliant, smash-hit comedy of bad manners.

In addition to Coury, the creative team for “Native Gardens” includes David Arsenault, Scenic Designer; Jimmy Lawlor, Lighting Designer; Renee Baker, Costume Designer; John Kiselica, Sound Designer; and John Patrick, Vocal Coach.

The cast includes:
– William Parry, who previously performed at Gulfshore Playhouse in the hit productions of “All My Sons” and “My Fair Lady.” Parry was in the original Broadway production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and went on to work with its celebrated director, Tom O’Horgan, in some seven productions. He’s also originated roles in the Broadway productions of the rock musicals, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road” and “Rockabye Hamlet,” as well as several productions at the acclaimed Lincoln Center. Parry has also performed in the national tours of “A Few Good Men,” “The King and I” and “Titanic.” Film and television credits include “In & Out,” “Domestic Disturbance,” “Spencer for Hire” and “One Life to Live,” and several episodes of “Law and Order” and “The Pretender.”
– Maureen Silliman, longtime Broadway veteran whose New York credits include “Shenandoah,” “I Remember Mama” and “Is There Life After High School.” Off-Broadway works include “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg,” “Marathon Dancing,” “Three Postcards” and “Reckless.” She also previously toured nationally in the productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Marigolds” and “The Gingerbread Lady,” as well as numerous film and TV credits. Silliman’s previous work at Gulfshore Playhouse includes “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” and “My Fair Lady.”
– Elizabeth Ramos, whose off-Broadway credits include “Then They Forgot About the Rest,” “The Surgeon and her Daughters,” “The Idea of Me” and others.
– Armando Acevedo recently appeared as Bill in “Mamma Mia!” at American Stage in the Park in St. Petersburg and as Amir in GableStage’s acclaimed production of Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer-winning “Disgraced.”

Evening shows begin at 8 p.m.; matinees begin at 3 p.m. Show subscriptions are available and include priority seating, exclusive events and discounted pricing. Tickets start at $45; $25 for students. All tickets are $38 two hours before a performance. Preview performances on Jan. 9 and 10 are also $38. For purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or contact 239-261-PLAY (7529).

Free pre-show discussions take place Jan. 12, 15, 26 and 29 where Gulfshore Playhouse artistic staff lead conversations about themes and topics related to the production. Audience members can also stick around for post-show conversations on Jan. 16 and 19. The Script Club will meet on Jan. 14 for further in-depth discussion on the play.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure and excitement. The work of Gulfshore Playhouse is inspired by a belief in the magic of theatre to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in its audiences an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the care with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its artists, audiences, students, staff and members of the greater community.

This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor – the creation of a cultural landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for the new Gulfshore Playhouse Theatre and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South, which will include two theatres and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).