Gulfshore Playhouse earns Equity status

FITZPATRICK Just as it announces its new season, Gulfshore Playhouse has earned status as Equity Theatre under an SPT 8 contract. All performances take place at The Norris Center.

“I am ecstatic to have achieved the status of an Equity Theater,” says Kristen Coury, founder and producing artistic director. “I look forward to our season filled with remarkable plays and terrific actors.”

The company’s new season presents an eclectic mix of Broadway, Off-Broadway and Florida-based performers.

“Honour” by Joanna Murray-Smith opens the season Jan. 22-30 (previews Jan. 20-21). This masterful drama examines what happens when a comfortable, upper middle-class, middle-aged marriage suddenly stalls. When shared values and responsibilities no longer coalesce, and when the opportunity arises for one life to be renewed but at the expense of another’s happiness and security, how is the family impacted?

HESS Broadway, Off- Broadway and TV actress Elizabeth Hess will portray Honour, the central character. Broadway veteran Allen Fitzpatrick (“Les Miserables,” “Sweet Smell of Success,” “Damn Yankees”) will star as Gus. Gulfshore Playhouse welcomes back Amy McKenna (last season’s “Tartuffe”) as Claudia.

The second show of the season is James Sherman’s heart-warming family comedy, “Beau Jest,” Feb. 19 through March 6 (previews Feb. 17-18). When her parents don’t approve of Sarah Goldman’s choice of boyfriend, she begrudgingly hires an out-of-work actor to portray their idea of an ideal mate — Dr. David Steinberg. Of course he isn’t Jewish, either, but it’s OK. He’s toured with “Fiddler on the Roof” and is sure he can pull it off. Hilarity ensues in this charming comedy.

BERGER Lori Wilner (“A Catered Affair,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Awake and Sing” on Broadway) and Stephen Berger (“Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” “Little Me” and “Into the Woods” on Broadway) will play the parents, Miriam and Abe.

Playwright James Sherman will attend the show Feb. 25-26 and conduct a talkback after each performance. On Feb. 27, he will lead a workshop about the building blocks for creating a play.

“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Frank McGuinness, closes out the Gulfshore Playhouse season March 26-April 10 (previews March 24-25). In this classic work, Nora is a happy housewife. Devoted to her husband, playful with her children, fun and frivolous with those around her she doesn’t have a worry in the world. Or does she? This production examines the gender politics involved when a woman in a man’s world tries to take matters into her own hands. Known as “the door slam heard around the world,” this play features one of the most famous, and scandalous, climaxes in 19th century drama.

Larry Bull (“The Coast of Utopia” at Lincoln Center) will play the role of Torvald and regional and Off-Broadway performer Beth Hylton will play Nora. Steve Brady (Orgon in Gulfshore Playhouse’s “Tartuffe”) returns to play Dr. Rank.

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For the first time, Gulfshore Playhouse has a season subscription package for its 2010 lineup. For $99 per person, theatergoers get front/center seating ticket to each of the three mainstage productions.

In the spring, Gulfshore Playhouse and The Norris Center will stage the cabaret-style “‘I’ll Be Seeing YOUZ... A Bronx Boy’s Musical Perspective of World War II.” The world premiere by Franc D’Ambrosio will play April 23-24.

Gulfshore Playhouse patrons will remember Mr. D’Ambrosio from 2005’s “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway.” His playful new show features the lively and lovely tunes made popular during World War II and delivers a humorous snapshot of The Greatest Generation. Cabaret tickets are $42. The show is not part of the subscription series.

For more information, call (866) 811- 4111 or visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse. org. 