Naples, Fla. (Oct. 17) – Kick off holiday festivities this December with a performance of Home for the Holidays Dec.15-17, TheatreZone’s seventh annual production of its traditional season opener. The popular holiday musical is a feast for the senses with memorable songs, exuberant choreography and colorful costumes.
Home for the Holidays will be performed on Friday and Saturday, December 15 and 16, at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $50 to $85, depending on seat selection.
The musical was created by TheatreZone’s founding artistic director, Mark Danni, in 2016. “I wanted to create a fun and festive show to get everyone in the holiday spirit,” Danni said. “It’s also our welcome to the seasonal residents of Southwest Florida returning for the winter and TheatreZone’s 19th season.”
Community School of Naples students.
The musical’s cast features 10 kids from ages five to 10 from Community School of Naples, which hosts TheatreZone on its campus in a dedicated building. Joining the adorable children are eight adult professional actors many of whom are members of the Actors’ Equity Association. Together, the cast performs holiday songs and lively dance routines choreographed by TheatreZone’s associate artistic director Karen Molnar Danni.
A seven-piece professional band is directed by Charles Fornara. “Every year, our song lineup changes to mix in modern songs with classics,” Danni said. “New songs this year include “Christmas Morning Feeling” from the movie Spirited, “Disco Santa” and a Blake Shelton-Gwen Steffani duet, “You Make it Feel Like Christmas.”
Seven-piece professional band directed by Charles Fornara.
Cast members include TheatreZone favorites Robert Koutras (Rock of Ages, Bright Star); Alex Jorth (Copacabana, 9 to 5); Steve Geyer (Aida, Copacabana); Luke Danni (Mystery of Edwin Drood, Gypsy); Erica Sample (Rock of Ages, Escape to Margaritaville); Maya Senecharles (Heathers); Lindsey Walsh (Home for the Holidays), and Corinne Holland, whom TheatreZone welcomes for her debut performance with the company.
Following each performance, Mark Danni guides a backstage tour for patrons to experience the inner world of theatre. Guests see where actors wait in the wings and the colorful costume areas where performers are transformed into their characters. A special sight is the orchestra area, which is on stage and can accommodate up to seven musicians performing the music for TheatreZone’s productions. Guests can bask in the limelight of center stage and vicariously feel a performer’s excitement.
To buy tickets for Home for Holidays and book a backstage tour, visit www.theatre.zone
