Theatre Conspiracy announces its 33rd consecutive season and is proud to announce a stunning lineup across a variety of venues for its final season in Fort Myers. Continuing decades of bold, boundary-pushing theatre in southwest Florida, Producing Artistic Director Bill Taylor will offer an unforgettable Farewell Florida Tour Season.

Theatre Conspiracy has built this final season honoring the tenets of artistic collaboration, generously giving back to the community it serves, and providing new and never-before-seen works that have made it a community favorite for over three decades. From the classics to the cutting edge, in collaboration with several venues, Theatre Conspiracy’s Farewell Florida Tour has something for everyone this season. Kicking off its season in June at the Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, Theatre Conspiracy then moves to the Calusa Nature Center, finishing the season in collaboration with the Laboratory Theater.

In addition to partnering with local venues, Theatre Conspiracy will give back to the community by offering buy-one-get-one-free tickets for The 39 Steps, Escaped Alone, and Sharing the Same Umbrella, and donations to local charities.

The Theatre Conspiracy’s 33rd Season and Farewell Florida Tour is sponsored by Janet & Bruce Bunch.

Season 33 – The Farewell (Florida) Tour

Off-Broadway Palm Theatre

The 39 Steps June 13 – 22

The 39 Steps, by Rick Barlow, from the novel by John Cuchan, based on the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, June 13 – 22.

The 39 Steps is a stage play adapted by Patrick Barlow from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. The play follows the story of Richard Hannay, a man who finds himself caught up in a dangerous and exciting adventure.

Set in 1930s England, the play begins with Hannay attending a dull evening at the theater. His evening takes an unexpected turn when he meets a mysterious woman who asks to accompany him back to his flat. Later that night, she reveals that she is a spy and has uncovered a plot to steal important military secrets. However, when she is murdered in Hannay’s flat, he becomes the prime suspect and must go on the run to clear his name.

As Hannay tries to unravel the conspiracy, he encounters a series of eccentric characters, including a crofter’s wife, a saleswoman, and a Scottish police officer. Along the way, he is pursued by both the police and the spies and must use all his cunning and wit to evade capture.

The play is famous for its fast-paced action and slapstick humor, with the actors switching between multiple characters at a rapid pace. The show’s inventive staging includes shadow puppets and clever use of sound effects to create the illusion of car chases, airplane crashes, and other action-packed moments.

Directed by Rachel Endrizzi and featuring Lauren Drexler, Lucy Sundby, Scott Thompson, and Jordan Wilson.

Tickets are $35.

Performance dates:

• June 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m.

• June 15, 22 at 2 p.m.

Special Events:

• Preview night – June 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life, July 10 – 13.

50% of ticket sales go to our local non-profit partners: United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties; Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund; AMCA (American Community Music Association), The Acoustic Music Society of SWFL; Florida Repertory Theatre; and Players Circle Theater.

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life is more than a show–it’s a movement. Created by Keith Alessi and directed by Erika Conway, it tells the inspiring true story of how a life-threatening cancer diagnosis led Keith to leave the corporate world and embrace his passion for the banjo. This heartfelt, humorous, and deeply moving hit celebrates resilience, music, and the power of following your dreams.

With sold-out runs across Canada, the United States, Off-Broadway in New York, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (sold out two years in a row with 5-star reviews), this award-winning production has continued to inspire and empower audiences around the world with its message and philanthropy. Don’t miss this intimate experience, and opportunity to give to something greater!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Storytelling at its best!” ~ Playbill (Edinburgh)

Non-profits we will support:

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. All of the money raised stays right here in our community. Your gift to United Way goes directly to meet the needs of our community – making our community a better place to live and work.

Our United Way is a community collaborator, bringing people and organizations together to create powerful partnerships that address issues and solve problems.

Barbara’s Friends–Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund: Provides resources to help with medications, transportation, therapies, counseling, and more for pediatric oncology and hematology patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

ACMA (American Community Music Association) provides a venue for nationally touring artists, many award-winning performers in the national and international Americana/Folk community. We offer year-round shows in a small, intimate setting. Every show is a meet and greet the artist. We are committed to supporting original independent music and musicians with programs that expand community appreciation and education while fostering the creativity and diversity that influence Americana and Roots music.

The Acoustic Music Society of Southwest Florida is a 501(c)3 non-profit community supported music organization doing business as Palmgrass. We host bluegrass music events primarily in Lee and Collier counties in southwest Florida. Other forms of acoustic music we present at our events include old-time, roots, classic country, and acoustic blues.

Florida Repertory Theatre brings spectacular stories to life on stage in the heart of the Fort Myers Historic River District. Performing in the Historic Arcade and ArtStage Studio Theatres, the fully professional regional theatre brings over 87,000 visitors to Southwest Florida each year, to see nationally recognized comedies, dramas, new plays, and musicals. According to The Wall Street Journal Florida Rep is, “As Good as Broadway!”

Players Circle Theater has a three-fold mission: To create a home for a variety of theater employing an ensemble of professionals; to become an outlet for community involvement in the arts; and to enrich, educate, and entertain our community with classes and performances. We intend to fulfill that mission as a nonprofit organization that operates in a fiscally responsible manner and keeps its programming accessible to all.

“This unique story, told through humor and music, is an engaging and uplifting experience worthy of a TedTalk, or at least a standing ovation in front of the telly.” ~ Broadway Baby-Edinburgh, Scotland

Tickets are $40.

Performance dates:

• July 10, 11, 12 at 7:30 p.m.

• July 13 at 2 p.m.

Escaped Alone

Escaped Alone, Caryl Churchill, July 18 – 26

Three old friends and a neighbor. A summer of afternoons in the backyard. Tea and catastrophe. Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone is, by turns, hilarious and harrowing, exploratory, and utterly relevant play by a modern playwriting master.

Performance dates:

• July 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m.

• July 20 at 2 p.m.

Special Events:

• Preview: July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25

OOPS! We’re a Troupe! A Haunted Improv Musical

OOPS! We’re a Troupe! A Haunted Improv Musical is a one-night-only special event on Aug.1. Being “Ghosted” has never been so much fun! Be part of the show by giving suggestions in this hysterical take on a haunted house by professional Improv Actors.

One performance only – August 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20

Katelyn & Jules

Southwest Florida Favorites!

Experience Katelyn & Jules Live in Concert for their Off-Broadway Palm debut.

Step into an intimate, soul-stirring evening with Josie Music Award-nominated duo Katelyn & Jules.

Julian’s use of Rhodes and soft piano, combined with Katelyn’s velvety, sultry vocals, blends the smooth charm of jazz with the heartfelt warmth of indie favorites. Enjoy an evening of bass, drums, keys and vocals, and a few surprises.

Playful, captivating, and deeply moving, they’ll make you laugh, sway, and get lost in your feelings.

Don’t miss the magic–join us for a night of jazz-infused indie vibes that will stay with you long after the last note fades.

One performance only – Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $39

Sharing the Same Umbrella

The world premiere of Sharing the Same Umbrella by Wayne Keller

A year after her husband’s death, Helen’s sister and friends hatch a plan to get her life back on track. When a surprise ambush fails, the friends persevere with plot after plot until Phred, the mystery man, arrives. Sharing the Same Umbrella tackles love and loss with compassion and proves that life, and maybe even love, after loss is possible.

Performance dates:

• Aug. 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 31 at 2 p.m.

Special Events:

• Preview: Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35

Calusa Nature Canter and Planetarium

Muttnik

MUTTNIK by Bruce Ryan Costella $40

A fundraiser for the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium

In November of 1957, Soviet scientists sent the first living thing into space; a stray dog. MUTTNIK is a “one dog play” that draws from historical events to create a story of purpose, life, and death told from the perspective of a Russian pup. Written and performed by Bruce Ryan Costella, MUTTNIK debuted at 2018 Orlando Fringe and enjoyed multiple sell-out performances and received an Orlando Fringe Critic’s Choice Award.

Tickets for this event are $40.

Established in 1970, Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium has been a part of the Southwest Florida community for over 50 years! Our mission, inspiring people to connect with nature, is accomplished by educating guests of all ages about our unique ecosystem and environmental issues concerning our area. We strive to provide holistic environmental education programs encompassing all areas including astronomy, ecology, zoology, and more. Our 105-acre property is home to rescue animals, a butterfly garden, raptor aviary, two nature trails, our area’s only public large-dome planetarium theater, and much more!

The Laboratory Theater

Clown Bar Christmas

Clown Bar Christmas by Adam Szymkowicz, Dec. 4 – 21 $37

The clowns have all come home for the holidays! Set before the events of Clown Bar, Clown Bar Christmas tells the story of clowns. . . in a bar. . . at Christmas. There’s more to it, but you’ll have to venture into the seedy underbelly of clown crime to see for yourself. (This play is not appropriate for children.)

This event is included in The Laboratory Theater’s season pass.

Performance dates:

• Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 7, 13, 14, 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Special Events:

• Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Half-price preview

Candy Roberts is Larry

Candy Roberts is Larry, Jan. 8, 9, 10, 11 $30

Award-winning Canadian Clown Artist Candy Roberts assumes her alter ego in this

smart and daring piece about a lovable hoser’s hilarious attempt at self-improvement.

He’s no “idiom,” and when the band doesn’t show up, tech guy Larry tries his darndest

to convince the audience that he can do the show. What could go wrong?

In a dynamic display of stupidity, Larry offers stand-up comedy and life-couching

wisdom, such as going to the dump to watch the bears eat the garbage, before

undergoing a surreal transformation while learnin’ the audience how to “medertate”.

Bob and Dog Mckenzie meets Gloria Steinem? Feminism meets headbanging? Gear

Down, Big Rig, you might get sideways.

This event is not included in the Laboratory Theater’s season pass.

Performance dates:

• Jan. 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m.

• Jan. 11 at 2 p.m.

Two Trains Running Feb. 20 – March 8

Two Trains Running by August Wilson, Feb. 20 – March 8

This is the eighth of the ten plays in the Century Cycle.

Set in 1969, Two Trains Running is about racial tensions in the Civil Rights era, as argued over by regulars at a soon-to-be-demolished diner, including a waitress, an ex-convict and a 322-year-old sage.

In a decade that held so much promise, the Civil Rights movement does not hold center stage in Wilson’s play, but rather simply a cameo: a rights rally offstage, a short exchange about Malcolm X. Two Trains Running almost solely revolves around one subject: money. The weekly numbers game, the price that Memphis can acquire for his building as the neighborhood gentrifies, and West’s financial success are all topics of conversation. This juxtaposition between the lofty ideals of the sixties and the reality of Black hardship demonstrates Wilson’s genius. His characters anxiously grapple with value: of money, of culture, of rights, of freedom. In Memphis’ own words: “Freedom is heavy. You got to put your shoulder to freedom. Put your shoulder to it and hope your back hold up. And if you around here looking for justice, you got a long wait.

This event is included in The Laboratory Theater’s season pass.

Performance Dates:

• Feb. 20, 21, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m.

• Feb. 22, 28 at 2 p.m.

• March 5, 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m.

• March 1, 8 at 2 p.m.

Special Events:

• Feb. 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m. Half-price previews

• Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Teens get a free ticket to the performance

• March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Sensory-friendly performance

Tickets are on sale now, and pricing varies by event and venue.

ALL DATES AND SHOWS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TICKET POLICY:

Tickets are on sale now and available by calling the box office at 239.208.1003 or at www.theatreconspiracyfl.com.

Tickets are nonrefundable; tickets may be exchanged for another date. Cancellations must be made by 10 am on the date of the performance. There will be no credit for missed performances. The theatre may, but is not obligated to, make reasonable accommodations for performances missed due to illness, traffic, or other unforeseen circumstances. Refunds are only available if the theatre cancels the performance for which the patron holds tickets; tickets to postponed performances may be exchanged for another date or a credit. Internet service fees are non-refundable.

Please note that with ANY ticket purchase, check-in must occur 5 minutes before curtain, or seats will become available for sale to others.

PREVIEW PERFORMANCES: Please note that previews are considered final dress rehearsals. It is at the director’s discretion if the show experiences any “holds” for the actors, director, or crew to make adjustments or give/receive notes as needed.

ABOUT THEATRE CONSPIRACY

Theatre Conspiracy is dedicated to producing a wide range of theatrical works, from timeless classics to innovative contemporary pieces. Sometimes, both at the same time.