Laboratory Theater

“The Rivals” is touted as one of the funniest plays ever written. TheatreConspiracy and the Laboratory Theater are collaborating to perform an abbreviated adaptation of the comedy of manners Nov. 13-29.

This week, five shows open, eight close, seven continue their runs and there is one limited engagement at Southwest Florida theaters.

This week, four shows open, two close, 11 continue their runs and there is one limited engagement at Southwest Florida theaters.

This week, five shows open, two close, eight continue their runs and there are three limited engagements at Southwest Florida theaters.

Laboratory Theater of Florida is mounting a production of playwright Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman.” It is simultaneously a dark comedy, crime procedural, and psychological thriller about a fiction writer being interrogated after a string of horrific child murders bear a striking resemblance to his own disturbing short stories. We will explore the show in a conversation with cast members Ryan Adair and Christian Rivero.

The Laboratory Theatre presents Martin McDonagh’s high-stakes mystery “The Pillowman” October 8-25. Says Director Nykkie Rizley, “It’s about four profoundly broken human beings in a pressure cooker where no one is purely good or evil, and the line between monster and victim is constantly shifting.”

This week, “Bat Boy” opens at The Sarasota Players. Plus, two shows close and four shows continue their runs at Southwest Florida theaters.

In 2024, Annette Trossbach retired as the Laboratory Theater of Florida’s first and only Artistic Director. She was succeeded by Todd Lyman, but he soon departed for health reasons. So, co-founder, Nykkie Rizley, filled the void with Waner Del Rosario stepping in as Board President. And the Southwest Florida theater community held its breath, waiting to see if The Lab would survive intact or have to compromise its reputation to fill seats and attract donors and sponsors.

On June 15, Fort Myers City Council awarded $150,000 in arts and culture grants. Of the 47 applicants this year, grants were awarded to over a dozen arts organizations, one group and one individual artist. The total awarded, $150,000, was the same amount the city awarded last year.

The 16th Fort Myers Film Festival concluded on May 24 with the announcement of awards in 12 categories.