WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO

This week's theater

Musical Comedy Murders - "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940," a comedy by John Bishop, presented by The Naples Players, is on stage through Dec. 20 at the Sugden Community Theatre in Naples. The hilarious play is not a musical, but a spoof of Hollywood film noir thrillers of the 1940s. Performances are in Blackburn Hall at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday nights with a special performance at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets for the production are $30 for adults and $10 for students; call the box office at 263-7990.

Gulfshore Playhouse - Gulfshore Playhouse opens its season with the Florida premiere of "Another Night Before Christmas" Dec. 11 through Dec. 21 at the Norris Center in downtown Naples. The holiday musical by Sean Grennan and Leah Okimoto, oto, creators o of last spring's Gulfshore P Playhouse hit "M Married Alive," ce centers on disillusioned l Karol, who suffers from a lack of ho holiday spirit, and an intruder claiming to be Santa Clau Claus. Is he just a burglar, or i is he really the right jolly old elf determined to help her find the meaning of Christmas? For information about show times and tickets, call (866) 811-4111 or visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse. org. Regular tickets are $30; rush tickets are $10 one hour before each performance, subject to availability.

White Christmas - The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers presents "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" through Dec. 27. "White Christmas" is based on the movie classic made popular by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. It's 1954 and two army buddies turned show biz partners follow a duo of singing sisters to Vermont where the girls are scheduled to perform over Christmas. The Irving Berlin score includes "Happy Holidays," "Sisters," "Blue Skies," and the title song, "White Christmas." For reservations and show information, visit www.BroadwayPalm. com, call 278-4422 or stop by the box office at 1380 Colonial Blvd.

 

Indian Blood - "Indian Blood,'' by A.R. Gurney, runs at Florida Repertory

Theatre through Dec. 21. The New York

David Sandborn live at The Phil Dec. 29

Times called "Indian Blood" a "snow globe for the stage," a touchingly funny family portrait, and a perfect comedy for the holiday season. Call 332-4488 or go to www. floridarep.org.

This week's symphony

Classical & Romantic Quintets - Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Classical & Romantic Quintets'' at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Beethoven and Schubert, who died months apart (and were buried side by side), bridged the Classical and Romantic periods in Western music. Beethoven wrote just one original quintet for two violas and Schubert wrote only one quintet for two cellos. Both of these great chamber works will be showcased in this program. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www. thephil.org.

 

Holiday Pops - Back by popular demand. Stuart Malina will lead the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in "Holiday Pops," a stirring musical celebration of the season, at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.; Thursday- Sunday, Dec. 18-21, at 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets to Holiday Pops are $47 for adults and $22 for students. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Thursday, Dec. 11

Phoebe Snow - Phoebe Snow, who has been one of the most distinctive voices in popular music since the release of her selftitled debut album in 1974, will perform at the Philharmonic Center at 8 p.m. Tickets to Phoebe Snow are $42. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

 

Evening on Fifth - Enjoy and evening of music, shopping and dining on a world-class street at Evening on Fifth from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A tuba band plays Christmas carols in the Sugden Plaza while competing for the "best-dressed tuba" award. A variety of live entertainment venues will be along the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue South.

Friday, Dec. 12

Band concert - The Barron Collier High School Band presents its 20th annual Christmas gift to the community at 7 p.m. The band will perform a concert of holiday music at the Cambier Park band shell in downtown Naples. Santa will be available for a chat with the little ones at 6:30 p.m. Baked goods, hot chocolate and other refreshments will be available for sale. For more information, call 254-0124.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'' at 8 p.m. Based on the popular 1988 film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'' centers on two con men living on the French Riviera - the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson; and small-time crook Freddy Benson. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Saturday, Dec. 13

Holiday concert - The SWFL Gay and Lesbian Chorus will present its holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Naples at 6340 Napa Woods Way. Tickets are $18. For more information, call 691-2532 or visit www. gaychorus.org

 

Classical & Romantic Quintets - Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents Classical & Romantic Quintets at 3 p.m. Beethoven and Schubert, who died months apart (and were buried side by side), bridged the Classical and Romantic periods in Western music. Beethoven wrote just one original quintet for two violas and Schubert wrote only one quintet for two cellos. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Boat parade - The Marine Industries Association of Collier County is hosting its annual Christmas boat parade at 6 p.m. The public is invited to watch as numerous holiday-clad vessels from throughout Southwest Florida traverse the bay, with all the proceeds raised going to the Ricky King Fund. More details and an entry form are available at www.miacc.org.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - The Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'' at 8 p.m. Based on the popular 1988 film, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'' centers on two con men living on the French Riviera - the suave and sophisticated Lawrence Jameson; and small-time crook Freddy Benson. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Museum family day - The Naples Museum of Art will host a free-admission Family Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme is "Holiday Treats and Sweets" and a number of special events relating to current exhibitions are planned. Included will be bilingual storytelling with Carrie Sue Ayvar, face painting with Cori Scheft, portrait sketches by artist Jason Weber, hands-on art activities, a fun-filled treasure hunt and more. All activities are free. The Naples Museum of Art is open Tuesday- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Naples Museum of Art is located at 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd. in Naples. For more information, call 597- 1900 or (800) 597-1900.

Ave Maria - Paul Todd, nationally acclaimed singer, composer and musician, will perform a Christmas Concert in Ave Maria's Town Center from 1 to 3 p.m. The concert, which is open to the public free of charge, is open-air, and those attending should bring blankets or lawn chairs. Refreshments will be available.

Sunday, Dec. 14

The Irish Tenors - Naples Philharmonic Center of the Arts presents The Irish Tenors at 8 p.m. The Irish Tenors have thrilled audiences for nearly a decade with their gorgeous singing and Irish charm. Their eight bestselling CDs have brought them a huge and dedicated following and their unprecedented five PBS specials have taken them into homes and hearts all over the globe. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

An Evening With - The Art League of Bonita Springs hosts "An Evening With..." - "Suncoast Brass Quintet: Sensational Selections" at the ALBS Campus - Outdoor Stage from 7 to 9 p.m. Join Jamie Marshall, Al Mitchell, Thomas Kracmer, Alan Klispie and Cindy Scaruffi- Klispie for a selection of their favorite musical arrangements. These five accomplished musicians will entertain with favorites, both holiday and classics. For information, call 495-8989.

Upcoming events

Movin' Out - The Tony Awardwinning new musical conceived, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp and based on 24 classic songs by Billy Joel, plays in Naples at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts Friday, Dec. 26 through Sunday, Dec. 28, and tickets are on sale now. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597- 1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

 

David Sandborn - Alto sax master David Sanborn, who has played a key role in establishing the sound of contemporary jazz and instrumental pop over the past 35 years, will perform live with The David Sanborn Group at the Philharmonic Center on Monday, Dec. 29, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $54. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

New Year's Bash - Celebrate the New Year with a spectacular Big Band Bash, featuring conductor Jack Everly and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the Philharmonic Center's New Year's Eve Gala, Wednesday, Dec. 31. A buffet reception at 7 p.m. will be followed by the performance at 8 p.m. Joining the orchestra for this unforgettable, fast-paced evening of music and fun will be Broadway singing star Judy McLane, acclaimed clarinetist Jon Manasse and the one-and-only Capitol Quartet saxophone ensemble. Tickets to the New Year's Eve gala are $150. Ring in the New, a repeat of the New Year's Eve performance, without the reception, will be presented Friday, Jan. 2, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $79. For more information or to order tickets, contact customer service at 597-1900 or toll-free at (800) 597-1900 or visit www.thephil.org.

Robert Williamson - Bayfront, the Mediterranean-style plaza in downtown Naples, will hold a free holiday concert on the plaza featuring Naples' own Robert Williamson on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The concert will be held during the Chef's Market at Bayfront. The market hours are 3 to 7 p.m. with Mr. Williamson performing from 5 to 7 p.m. This traditional farmers market is a free community event and will continue through April. A variety of vendors will be offering fresh produce breads, pasta, cheeses, desserts and pastries, fair trade baskets, local-made soaps and candles, plants, fresh flowers and more. Each month a local chef will be selected to do food demonstrations using the vendors' products on the plaza during the event.

Ongoing events

Student art - As is its fall tradition, the Naples Art Association presents an exhibition of works created by students ages 3 to 15 who participated in summer ARTScool classes at The von Liebig Art Center. During ARTScool, students learn about various forms of art, what can be used to create art and about the greatest artists in history. At the end of the session, some of most creative pieces are selected to go on to Naples City Hall. The show runs through Jan. 14 and greets visitors to City Hall at 735 Eighth Street South. To learn more about classes at The von Liebig Art Center, call Abigail Miles, 262-6517, ext. 110, or visit www.naplesart.org.

 

John Henry - Internationally acclaimed sculptor John Henry, known for his sky-high steel sculpture, will kick off his seven-city Florida exhibition, "Drawing in Space: The Peninsula Project," at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts through Feb. 3. Incorporating new works as well as some of his most recognized pieces, the indoor and outdoor exhibition brings together his colorful, monumental works. For more information, visit www. PeninsulaProject.com

NASA Art - The Art League of Bonita Springs presents "NASA Art: 50 Years of Exploration," a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, running through Jan. 24. More than 200 NASA-commissioned artists experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the agency — the scientists, astronauts, and other personnel who shaped the missions and programs. This fascinating look at our nation's space program will appeal to all ages. Call 495-8989. Andy Warhol - "Andy Warhol: Select Works" is the December exhibit at Art Modern Gallery at 751 12th Ave. S. The show features numerous works by the pioneer of the Pop Art movement of the late 1950s. Art Modern Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 263-1137 or visit www.artmoderngallery. com.

Boys of Summer - North Collier Regional Park showcases rarely published photographs chronicling the "Boys of Summer" as seen through the lens of award-winning Brooklyn Dodgers' photographer Barney Stein. The 32 black and white images feature Dodger greats Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Ralph Branca, and legendary batboy Charlie DiGiovanna. The "Brooklyn Dodgers Photographs of Barney Stein" exhibit runs through Feb. 1.

Roberto Clemente - North Collier Regional Park will host "Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente," through Dec. 27. For many baseball fans, Roberto Clemente was simply the greatest Latin American ballplayer ever to step out onto the diamond. A right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1955-1972), Clemente earned 12 Gold Gloves, appeared in an equal number of All-Star games, won four National League batting titles, and was twice named the league's MVP. Off the field, Roberto Clemente is remembered as a selfless humanitarian. For more information, please contact the Exhibit Hall at 252-4060 or 252-4024.