Several blogs ago, I mentioned our friend Patty Baker who, along with her husband, Jay, have been a force when it comes to the entertainment field, producing award-winning Broadway shows, as well as being instrumental in the growth of The Naples Players at the Sugden Community Theatre.
And, for the last almost eight years, Bob and I have been intensely involved in Gulfshore Playhouse—one of Naples’ first and finest professional theater companies. Kristen Coury, as I am sure many of you know, is Gulfshore Playhouse’s founder and producing artistic director. The Playhouse started out with only a couple of shows, and with each show, we were wondering where there would be the space to perform.
Now housed at the Norris Center next to Cambier Park, Gulfshore Playhouse will be presenting its first-ever six-show season, a result of the record-breaking box office revenues with each passing year. Not one, but TWO Tony Award-winning plays, which will run simultaneously, begin on October 20. ‘Art’ will be directed by Kristen Coury, and God of Carnage by a new member of the Playhouse, Artistic Associate Cody Nickell. Both are comedies by Yasmina Reza. Producing two plays at once is more than ambitious in my mind, but if anyone can pull it off, Kristen Coury can. And you will never guess who is sponsoring both shows—Patty and Jay Baker—and we are excited about their interest and support. For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse and to check out the rest of the season, log on to gulfshoreplayhouse.org, or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).
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Along the same show business lines, I happened to be watching the Emmy Awards Sunday evening. To be honest, I was switching back and forth between Sunday Night Football (our New England Patriots were playing) and the Emmys because those acceptance speeches can go on and on. Besides, I really just like to see what the beautiful people are wearing. To my surprise, four people I know turned up at the Emmys and on the red carpet—all four from Naples—and all looked smashing. Denise and Brian Cobb, both of whom have had long-standing ties to the entertainment industry, were the first folks I saw. The Cobbs are Trustees of the Naples Winter Wine Festival and long-time residents of Naples. Following them was our friend Tennille Sevigny and her sister Tiffany—daughters of our friends, Leo and Jean Hertzog. Tennille and Tiffany looked so terrific they could have been stars in their own right.
Show biz from Broadway to Hollywood with ties to Naples. Sweet!
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