THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP.

IT'S LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTION AS THE FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL ROLLS OUT.

THE RED CARPET.

A PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR'S EVENT FEATURING AN ARRAY OF FILMS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

A REJUVENATION OF A CLASSIC BROADWAY PERFORMANCE.

WE SEE HOW THE FLORIDA REP DELIVERED A SLICE OF THE YOUTH MOVEMENT IN THEIR LATEST PRODUCTION OF SWEENEY TODD.

IT AND BRINGING SOME PUNK ROCK FLAIR TO LOCAL PERFORMANCES.

THE NEW ART CENTER THAT IS INJECTING A LITTLE REBELLION INTO THE CITY OF PALMS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR A FILMMAKER RAISING THE CAPITAL TO CREATE YOUR OWN DOCUMENTARY OR FEATURE FILM CAN RUN FROM THE TENS OF THOUSANDS TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THEN THE NEXT STEP ENSURING THAT FOLKS HAVE THE CHANCE TO ACTUALLY SEE YOUR FINISHED PRODUCT THIS WEEK.

SOME OF THE TOP INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD ARE DESCENDING ON FORT MYERS, THE RED CARPET WAS ROLLED OUT FOR THE ANNUAL GATHERING, WHICH HAS BECOME A HUGE CELEBRATION OF FILM.

>> THIS WEEK KICKS OFF THE 16TH ANNUAL FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL.

ITS FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ERIC RADDATZ JOINS US.

TELL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TO OUR WGCU STUDIO.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU IN PERSON.

I LOVE IT LOOKS JUST AS HE LOOKS EVEN BETTER IN PERSON THAN IT DOES WHEN I'M WATCHING AT HOME ON TV.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO TELL US ALL ABOUT THIS YEAR'S FILM FESTIVAL.

YOU CREATED THIS 16 YEARS AGO.

IT'S GOING STRONG.

YEAH.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?

EVERY FILM FESTIVAL KIND OF HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY.

>> AND OURS IS VERY FLORIDA CENTRIC.

BUT IT ALSO HAS A REAL INTERNATIONAL APPEAL AS FAR AS HIGHLIGHTS, I GOT TO SAY IT'S TOUGH.

WE HAVE 81 FILMS WERE IN 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WHERE IN 5, 5, OVER 5 DAYS.

AND IT'S HARD TO PICK THE BEST MOMENTS NOT TO MESS, BUT MOST PEOPLE SAY THAT IF YOU WERE GOING TO PICK ONLY ONE THING TO DO AT THE FESTIVAL IS TO COME OUT FOR THE OPENING NIGHT PARTY IN CELEBRATION.

WE ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET.

WE'VE GOT TO STEP AND REPEAT.

IT'S NOT QUITE LIKE THE MET GALA BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST REALLY POSING THE NOT VERY THING.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA WATCH A FILM AND GET TO MEET MIX AND MINGLE.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

I WAS REALLY AMAZED THAT THERE ARE INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS THAT ARE COMING TO FORT MYERS FOR THIS.

WHAT'S THE PROCESS?

>> FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO ENTER AND ULTIMATELY GET THEIR FILMS SCREENED HERE IN FORT MYERS.

IT'S A SIMPLE PROCESS AND YOU'LL GO ONLINE AND YOU GO TO FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL, A CALM AND IT SAYS SUBMIT YOUR FILM.

NOW WE'RE NOT TAKING SUBMISSIONS.

>> FOR THE SEASON, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE OFFICIAL SELECTIONS FOR THIS HERE THIS WEEK MAY 20TH TO 24TH IN THE 5 TO 4 LOCATIONS BUT WILL PROBABLY OPEN SUBMISSIONS END OF JUNE EARLY JULY.

SO IF YOU'RE A FILMMAKER THAT WANTS TO GET INTO THAT OF THE 2027 FORT MYERS, 12 FESTIVAL, YOU SIMPLY WOULD.

AND TO YOUR FILM, WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND THEN THEY ARE UP FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE FARMERS OFFICER OR 2027 AND YOU GOT QUITE A FEW SUBMISSIONS, CORRECT?

YES, ENOUGH THAT WERE WHEN WE SEND OUT THE YOU'VE BEEN ACCEPTED.

WE ALSO HAVE TO SEND OUT THAT YOU'VE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED IN.

THAT'S NOT A FRIENDLY THING.

WE TRY TO LET EVERYONE KNOW.

IT'S A TOUGH YEAR.

WE HAD MORE FILMS THAN EVER WHERE MANY LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE A WIDESPREAD OF TIME.

BUT WE SIMPLY CAN'T SOME USE ALL THE FILMS THAT ARE BEING SUBMITTED AND SOME TICKET VERY GENTLY AND SOME PEOPLE ARE REALLY QUITE UPSET.

THOSE WHO SUMS ARE SELECTED, I WOULD SAY PRETTY CONSISTENTLY.

THEY'RE EXCITED.

I SEE HIM START POSTING ONLINE.

A STARTS EVEN POSTING ABOUT COME OUT TO MY FILM AND I'M GONNA TO BE THERE AND FLYING IN FROM LOS ANGELES OF FLYING IN FROM NEW YORK OF FLYING IN FROM CHICAGO, FLYING IN FROM BRAZIL.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS OUR 16TH YEAR IN OUR FIRST YEAR.

WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE THIS WHO ARE WE DIDN'T THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

NOW WE HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION.

IT'S ONE WHERE PEOPLE SAY WE LIKE THE FEELING IT'S STILL VERY INDEPENDENT.

IT'S NOT WHERE COMMERCIAL, WHICH A LOT OF THE BIGGER FILM FESTIVALS HAVE STARTED TO GET DISTRIBUTION IN ADVANCE OF EVEN TO SELECTIONS.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS THE INDEPENDENT FILM AND WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDEPENDENT FILMS?

I FEEL LIKE I'M.

>> THESE ARE FILMS THAT WILL SHOW YOU PASSION PROJECT SAID SHE WOULDN'T SEE IN A COUPLE BIG OR COMMERCIAL MOVIE.

YOU MIGHT NOT SEE COVERED ON THE LOCAL NEWS AND YOU'LL SEE SOMEONE WHO KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT SPECIFIC SUBJECTS THAT WILL IT WILL RAISE YOUR AWARENESS.

IT MANAGES TO ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE AND INSPIRE OFTEN AT TIMES.

WHAT WE SEE IN THESE FILMS AS ACCESS AND WHAT WE SEE IN THESE FILMS IS A VOICE FROM SOMEONE WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD A VOICE.

AND WHAT WE SEE IN THESE FILMS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING EXCEPTIONAL PIECES, CREATIVE PIECES, WELDON PIECES THAT HELP US TO SEE THINGS AND IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY IN THE WAY THEY SEE IT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH IT, BUT WE GET TO SEE THEIR POSITION.

AND AGAIN, THESE OVER 5 LOCATIONS.

>> I HAD READ THAT THERE'S AN IMMERSIVE 360 DEGREE EXPERIENCE.

TELL ME ABOUT WHAT KIND OF FILMS WILL BE SHOWN THERE.

WHERE IS THAT?

>> I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE DO HAVE 5 LOCATIONS AND ONE OF THEM IS THE CALUSA NATURE CENTER AND PLANETARIUM ARE ALSO SERVE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT.

BUT LIKE THE PEANUT BUTTER MELTS THE CHOCOLATE WHEN IT COMES TO FILMS DON'T FILM COURSE, THERE'S ONLY A FEW DON'T FILM FESTIVALS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SO THE TOP DON'T FILMS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THESE FILMS JUST FOR THAT 260 DO FROM EXPERIENCE.

THEY'RE ALL EXCITED.

BUT THE FORMER SOUTH ASSAULT, A SECOND-DEGREE BEEN DOING IT.

IT'S A BACK IN THE PLUS EAST OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED CLOSE TO NATURE CENTER FINES FOR HIM.

AND YOU GET TO SEE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU WOULD IMAGINE SITTING THERE WATCHING THEM AT THE 360 DEGREE THAT DON'T FILM THAT AREA.

I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO JOIN US AND TELL US ALL ABOUT IT.

IT WAS MY PLEASURE.

AND I'LL COME BACK WHENEVER YOU INVITE ME.

YES, WELL, I WILL BE DOWN THAT THIS WEEK.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE.

THANK YOU, ERICA.

ABSOLUTELY.

JOINING US A LITTLE CLOSER.

>> YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL AND COVERAGE OF THE ARTS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SIMPLY LOG ONTO WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, ONE PERFORMING GROUP IS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH THEIR APPRECIATION FOR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO TACKLE THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE LEGENDARY PLAYWRIGHT IN JUST 3 DAYS.

WHEN THE MUSICAL SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET OPENED ON BROADWAY IN 1979 REACTION WAS MIXED.

THE GORY SPECTACLE CAPTIVATED SOME THEATER GOERS.

WELL, REPELLING OTHERS WHO FOUND THE GRISLY SCENES A BIT OF A TURN OFF AT FLORIDA REP EDUCATION, THE PRODUCTION IS GETTING A YOUTHFUL REBOOT WHILE STILL HONORING THE ORIGINAL AWARD WINNING MASTERPIECE.

WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL HAD THE PERFECT SEAT TO TAKE IT ALL IN ATTEND THE TALE OF SWEENEY TODD.

HIS SKIN WAS PALE.

AND HIS EYE WAS ODD, HE SHAVED THE FACES OF GENTLEMAN WHO NEVER THEREAFTER OR HEARD OF AGAIN, THIS IS THE CHILLING INTRO TO STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S GOT THE CAR MORALITY TALE ONCE CONSIDERED HIS BIGGEST FLOP.

SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET IS NOW HE'S BEST KNOWN SHOW ITS SUCCESS TRANSCENDS THE MACABRE PLOT AND CHARACTERIZATIONS MUCH OF THE SHOW'S ALLURE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO SONDHEIM'S TONY AWARD WINNING SCORE.

SO I PERSONALLY KAI JUNIOR, GABRIEL CREWS PLACE SWEENEY TODD.

IT'S HIS FIRST TIME PERFORMING SONDHEIM BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE.

HE NOW UTTERS HIS NAME AND HUSHED REVERENT TONES.

SONDHEIMS THE GREATEST COMPOSER OF ALL TIME.

GOING INTO THIS SHOW.

I DID NOT THINK LIKE I WOULD LIKE SONDHEIM AS MUCH AS THEY DID NOT REALIZE EVERY SINGLE THING AS A TENSION BEHIND EVERY SINGLE KNOW EVERY SINGLE LYRIC IS JUST SO.

>> IT'S JUST SO PROFOUND.

SWEENEY TODD IS A STUDY IN CONTRASTS.

NELLY LOVE.

IT IS THE EFFERVESCENT MANIC OPPOSITE OF THE BROODING BARBER MARCHING HYPNOTICALLY INTO AN INESCAPABLE OF THIS.

SHE'S PLAYED TO PERFECTION BY FGCU FRESHMAN DELILAH MENDEZ.

>> SOMETIME MAKES A VERY INTENTIONAL THAT YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR STUFF.

SO LUCKILY, WE KNOW OUR STAFF.

>> FLORIDA REP EDUCATION DIRECTORS, MONIQUE CALDWELL IN CAMDEN HAVE MAKE SURE THAT FROM YOUNGEST TO OLDEST.

THEY'RE CASTING A SPOT ON.

>> IT IS REALLY A VERY COMPELLING SHOW.

AND I SAY IT'S MORE COMPELLING KNOWING THAT EVERYBODY IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 AND IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO TO HANDLE SUCH LIKE HEAVY TOPICS OF DEATH.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT MUSIC AND WE HAVE LITERAL 16, 17 YEAR-OLD SEEN ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT COMPOSERS OF OUR TIME AND EXECUTING IT BEAUTIFULLY.

SO THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH REASON FOR ME AS A VIEWER BE LIKE, WOW, I WANT TO SEE SOME 15 YEAR-OLDS CRUSHED ON TIME.

>> PART OF WHAT MAKES ON-TIME VOCALLY CHALLENGING HIS HIS INFAMOUS LYRICAL, WORDPLAY IT COMES FAST AND FURIOUS AS AND PIRELLIS MIRACLE ELIXIR >> SONDHEIM JUXTAPOSES THE DISSONANT BROKEN HARMONIES AND SONGS LIKE THE BALLAD OF SWEENEY TODD AND ACT ONE CLOSER, A LITTLE PRIEST WITH SWEET SAW LOANS AND THIS DUET SON BY TAYLOR SPRING JACKSON, HALLIBURTON HAS TIMES DAUGHTER JOHANNA AND HER SAILORS SOUTER.

ANTHONY, WHO SAVE SWEENEY FROM DROWNING AT SEA.

IT BEGINNING OF THE TALE.

>> I USED TO BE OBSESSED WITH THE MOVIE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

IT WAS BEFORE I EVEN STARTED THEATERS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY FULL CIRCLE THAT NOW THAT I'M DOING AND I'M ACTUALLY PURSUING ITS LIKE, OH, MY GOSH, I LOVE THE SHOW SO MUCH.

AND I LOVE THE MUSIC.

THE MUSIC IS MY FAVORITE PART.

THE BIG SONDHEIM BAMBA WHO ISN'T.

>> HEADING TO THE MUSICAL'S YIN YANG QUALITY.

THE FLEDGLING ROMANCE BETWEEN JOHANNA AND ANTHONY STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO SWING IN LOVE.

IT'S BONNIE AND CLYDE AFFAIR.

BUT THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF SWEENEY TODD CYPRUS, LAKE HIGHS, JACKSON, HALLIBURTON, WHO PLAYS ANTHONY.

>> IT'S JUST SO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MUSICAL THEATER, LIKE EVERYTHING'S EVERYTHING ELSE.

HE SEEMS LIKE VERY LIKE COLORFUL, UNLIKE POPPY.

AND THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM FINES LIKE FRIEND AND DARK.

BUT IT'S BUT IT'S EXCITING.

STILL, IT'S VERY COOL.

>> FOR ALL THE MUSIC AND SET DESIGN AND LIGHTING THE SHOW.

ALSO PLACES A PREMIUM ON EXCEPTIONAL ACTOR.

NOWHERE IS THAT MORE IN EVIDENCE THAN WITH THE LEAD GAME.

CRUISE SHIPS.

HE'S THE EPITOME OF THE MENACING SINGLE-MINDED DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET.

THAT COMES WITH ITS REAL-LIFE CHALLENGES SUCH AS EMBRACING THE ALL CONSUME, CALLS HIS RIGHTFUL INDIGNATION AND VENGEANCE.

>> IT'S HARD TO GET INTO THAT KIND OF MINDSET.

IT REALLY IS BECAUSE YOU CAN TAKE A TOLL ON YOU.

I HAVE TO BALANCE IT ALL.

YOU KNOW, I CAN'T I CAN'T GET TOO INTO THE CHARACTER.

A KITTEN THAT AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE, YOU KNOW, BUT I WOULD SAY IT'S IT IS FUN PLAYING THE TYPE OF CHARACTER THOUGH.

FOR WGCU NEWS, IM TOM HALL.

>> THE VOCALS AND ACTING IN SWEENEY TODD REALLY LOOK INCREDIBLE.

TOM, WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT IMPRESSED YOU ABOUT THIS?

WELL?

>> THE FLORIDA REP EDUCATION DIRECTOR AND THE CALDWELL HAS DONE A MAGNIFICENT JOB WITH EVERY ASPECT OF THIS PRODUCTION.

IT'S A COMPLEX BROADWAY CALIBER SHOW, EVEN THOUGH IT'S STAGED BY YOUTHFUL PER ACTORS.

THE SET AND LIGHTING RECREATE VICTORIAN LONDON.

SWEENEY TODD SECOND-FLOOR BARBERSHOP AND CHAIR LEND AN AIR OF AUTHENTICITY AND THE OPPOSING SETS OF LIGHTED ORGAN PIPES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STAGE.

THEY DON'T TRUST DRAW THE EYE INTO THE ACTION CENTER STAGE.

THEY ALL MEANT IT BUT ISSUING A STEADY STREAM OF SMOKE THAT HEIGHTENS THE ANXIETY AND TENSION.

THAT'S WOVEN INTO EVERY LYRIC.

EVERY SONG AND EVERY SCENE.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE.

THE COSTUMES AND THE PROPS ARE IMPECCABLY REALISTIC.

>> THEY LOOK SO OFTEN TO US.

>> IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE A TRIM?

I GUARANTEE TO GIVE YOU WITHOUT A PENNY IS CHARGED.

THE CLOSE TO SHAVE YOU'LL EVER NOW.

>> WELL, I DON'T NEED FROM, BUT I KNOW QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO COULD USE ONE.

>> I AM CURIOUS, WHERE DID YOU GET THESE FACING?

>> COPS.

MY WIFE COUNTIES, BUT AN ANTIQUE DEALER SINCE SHE WAS 16 AND SHE HAS A WHOLE BATHROOM FULL OF BARBER SHOP.

>> ACCOUTERMENTS WELL, THEY'RE PERFECT FOR THIS PARTICULAR SEGMENT TODAY.

ARE WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCTION THANKS FOR ASKING >> THIS SHOW IS BEING PERFORMED.

AN HISTORIC ARCADE THEATER THAT HARVEY HEITMANN BUILT IN 1915, FOR VAUDEVILLE AND LOCAL TALENT SHOWS THAT BECAME A THEATER 2 YEARS LATER BUT FELL INTO SUCH DISREPAIR OVER THE YEARS THAT BY THE LATE 1980'S THERE WAS TALK OF ACTUALLY TEARING IT DOWN AND CONVERTING THE THEATER AND OFFICES.

NOW, AT THAT POINT, RENOWNED BALLET STAR AND CARRIE BRADSHAW LOVE INTEREST IN AND THE CITY MCKELL BARYSHNIKOV.

HE ENTERED INTO THE PICTURE AND HOSTED A JOINT BENEFIT WITH THE CITY OF FORT MYERS TO SAVE THE HISTORIC BUILDING.

THE FUNDRAISER RAISED ENOUGH MONEY TO COMPLETELY RESTORE THE ARCADE, WHICH IS NOW HOME TO FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE, SWEENEY TODD WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK AND SUPPORT THESE HARDWORKING THESPIANS.

>> SWEENEY TODD IS NOT THE ONLY SHOW THAT YOU ATTENDED.

WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU SEEN RECENTLY?

>> AND MONDAY AT THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING A PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED A CULTURAL PARK THEATER.

IT'S A HILARIOUS ROMP FOR ALL.

37 OF THE BARD'S PLAYS PERFORMED BY 3 ACTORS WITH NICK BEAR AND JAYNE SELF.

IT'S THE OPPOSITE OF STODGY.

IT'S SATURDAY AND THAT LIVE MEETS WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY WITH A HEALTHY DOSE OF IMPROV, AN AUDIENCE EXTENT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

TELL ME MORE.

>> NEXT, BEST MACBETH.

THE WIND KNOCKED OFF.

>> FEW PEOPLE WOULD EQUATE WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE WITH BREVITY YET HIS FAMILY CHARACTER POLONIA IS PROCLAIMS.

BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT.

BOTH BREVITY AND WETTER BUILT INTO THE FABRIC OF ADAM LONG.

DANIEL SINGER.

AND JUST WHEN FIELDS AFFECTIONATELY IRREVERENT SPOOF THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ABRIDGED.

THE KEY WORD BEING ABRIDGED SAYS DIRECTOR MULLING THE PLAYWRIGHT TRAIL FOUND A WAY TO CONDENSE HIS ENTIRE BODY OF WORK TO A TWO-HOUR MAD DASH TO RUN OUT EARLY AT.

>> JULIUS CAESAR, TRUST PRESIDENT.

YEAH.

YEAH.

YEAH.

MACBETH.

WE DID WITH THE SCOTS ACTIONS ON KING LEAR.

WE DID IN THE SPORTS THING I TIMON OF ATHENS.

I MENTIONED WITHOUT ANTHONY CLEOPATRA.

>> THE I VOMIT ON THOSE PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

IT ON CORRELATE US.

>> I DON'T I WANT TO DO THAT WHEN WE HAVE 3 FABULOUS ACTORS WHO ARE GOING TO BE PRESENTING ALL 37 OF THOSE PLAYS IN A HILARIOUS HIGH WAY THAT YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE USING MANY DIFFERENT HOPS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE USING MANY DIFFERENT COSTUMES.

AND AND IT IS JUST A DIFFERENT SHOW EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.

THERE ARE SOME IMPROV ELEMENTS THAT ARE FUN AND OS.

ALSO AUDIENCE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION THAT ISN'T REALLY A BLAST.

>> THE MAGICIAN TURNS THE MONSTER TO A NEW THING BECOMES SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> ABRIDGED ACTOR MAX RUSSO WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREES YOUR CONDENSING THAT MANY YOU'RE DOING THE HIGHLIGHT REELS.

SO THE REALLY FUN STUFF FIRST APART, PUT IT.

I DO NOT DOUBT, BUT TO HEAR THEM SAY IT IS A SWEET COMEDY.

>> IN US OR THAT COMEDY IS REALLY WHAT HITS THE SPOT WITH THESE SHOWS.

WITH THAT WE'RE DOING AND SHOWING YOU AND ALMOST EVERY ELEMENT THAT THEY ARE DOING HAS SOME LEVEL OF COMEDY AND IT ESSENTIALLY SHAKESPEARE WAS A FORMULA WRITER.

ONCE HE FOUND A DEVICE THAT WORKS.

>> USE IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SOME MR.

SHAKESPEARE, THE QUESTION WE HAVE IS THIS.

>> WHILE YOU HAVE SEEN COMEDIES WHEN YOU PUT IT RIGHT AND JUST WON.

>> THE COMEDY IS MODERNIZED.

IT TIES INTO SHAKESPEARE, WHICH IS.

>> YOU KNOW, 410 YEARS OLD NOW.

SO.

THAT'S PRETTY PRETTY FANTASTIC THAT YOU CAN HAVE SOMETHING THAT WAS WRITTEN 410 YEARS AGO IS BRINGING THE MODERN MODERN SOCIETY AND IT'S STILL RELEVANT.

IRONICALLY, THE EU MURDER BRIDGE DOESN'T COME FROM THE BART 16 COMEDY.

WELL.

>> NOTING THAT THERE IS FORMULAIC IS A HALLMARK FROM CANNES, LONG SINGER IN WINFIELD CONDENSE ALL 16 INTO A 5 MINUTE SKETCH IN WHICH SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.

IT'S WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?

THE EU MYRNA BRIDGE THAT HIGH NOTES IN SHAKESPEARE'S HISTORIES AND TRAGEDIES LIKE TITUS ANDRONICUS, WHICH IS REIMAGINED AS A TAR COOKING SHOW IN WHICH RUSSO CHANNELS HIS INNER JULIA CHILD.

>> AUGUSTA POWDER, SMALL HANDFUL OF HER TEMPER.

IT.

I WILL BET YOUR HEAD ABOUT 350 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES.

WITH SERVING SUGGESTIONS LADY FINGERS FOR DESERT MAKING FUN OF THE FACT THAT I'M DRESSED LIKE A WOMAN WRITES, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE SERIOUS.

IT'S IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN.

BUT THE HIGH PITCH OF THE VOICE TAKES IT KIND OF DIFFICULT TO.

BECAUSE THERE'S THERE'S SHAKESPEAREAN TEXT.

>> THAT HAS SAID THE PLANES FULL OF OVER THE TOP SCENES AND PSYCH ACTS SUCH AS NICK BEAR.

AND JANE SETH PERFORMING THE BALCONY SCENE FROM ROMEO AND JULIET ON A STEPLADDER IS ABOUT.

>> WAS THE DOCTOR.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S OFF WHAT LIKE THEIR YOUNGER WINDOW BREAKS?

WELL.

>> ROMEO, ROMEO, WHEREFORE ART, THOU ARE.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?

TONIGHT?

MY FATHER REFUSED BY NAME.

OR THAT MAY BE BUT SWARM.

I LOVE THAT ON A LONGER BE A CAPULET.

WHAT'S IN A NAME ANYWAY?

THAT WHICH WE CALL A NOSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD STILL SMELL.

ROMEO, ROMEO, WHO NEEDS ROMEO SOFT.

I NAME FOR IT IS NO PART OF ME.

TAKE ALL MYSELF >> AND I THINK THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME BUT LOVE.

>> OR MACBETH REWORKED AS THE 3 PART HARMONY.

SCOTTISH TRAP NUMBER EVERY 2 DAYS ANYONE OFF TO THE NORTH AND THE 3RD ON THE PHONE HE GOT CAUGHT.

>> DIDN'T WRITE A LETTER AND DIDN'T ADD UP ALL THAT.

BUT NOTE ACTOR NICK THERE, THERE'S MORE THAT KEEPS THE COMEDY A FOOT IN A BRIDGE LESS ROOM BETWEEN THE SHOWS LIKE A MISHAPS WITH LAKE IMPROPER STAGE CUES OR LIKE A MISSING PROPS OR COMING OUT IN A WEIRD WAY OR STRAMPEL LINE ARE.

THAT SORT OF THING FOR ALL THE HIGH JINKS PRANKS AND MARY MAKING A BRIDGE.

HE'S STILL IN ESSENCE, A LOVING ODE TO THE GREATEST STORYTELLER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

>> YOU'LL DEFINITELY WILL LEAVE WITH A GOOD FEELING ABOUT SHAKESPEARE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SHAKESPEARE.

>> AND ROMEO AND JULIET.

>> ABC NEWS, TOM HALL, THANK YOU.

>> HERE'S SOME MORE INFORMATION ON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO THE SHAKESPEARE BIRTHPLACE TRUST THE PLAYWRIGHT'S BIRTHDAY IS CELEBRATED ON APRIL 23RD WHICH IS ALSO BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME DAY THAT HE DIED AT THE AGE OF 52.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH ALL OF TOM HALLS REPORTING ON THE ARTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY GOING TO WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BRINGING A LITTLE REBELLION TO THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ART SCENE.

THE VENUE THAT OFFERS A LITTLE PUNK ROCK FLAIR TO ITS PERFORMANCES AND EXHIBITS.

>> IN THE HEART OF FORT MYERS, THE REBEL IS PROVIDING A 3RD SPACE, A PLACE WHERE MUSICIANS, ARTISTS AND ANYONE IN BETWEEN YOU CAN SHARE THEIR ADMIRATION FOR ALL KINDS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.

WGCUS JESSICA BOWLBY STOPPED BY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS HAVEN FOR ALTERNATIVE ARTS.

>> THE >> DAM CENT AND >> WE'RE HERE AT THE RUBBLE OF RAIN.

NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS CENTER IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WHERE CREATIVE ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS CAN COME TOGETHER.

IT'S THE NEWEST CREATION FROM THE NONPROFIT GROUP.

LOVE YOUR REBELLION.

IT WAS FOUNDED BY ANGELA PAGE >> THE REBEL IS THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF LOVE YOUR REBELLIONS MISSION.

SO THE REBEL IS POWERED BY THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

AND THIS IS OUR HOME FOR ALL OF OUR ARTS PROGRAMMING.

SO ALL OF OUR MUSIC SHOWS ALL OF OUR WRITING WORKSHOPS, ALL OF OUR SHOWS IT WILL LIVE IN THIS SPACE FROM HERE ON OUT.

AND IT'S IN A CAFE SETTINGS.

SO PEOPLE CAN ENJOY LIGHT BITES AND BEVERAGES WHILE THEY EXPERIENCE OUR PROGRAMMING INSIDE THE RAINBOW COLORED WALLS.

>> PAGE HAS CURATED.

A COLLECTION OF WORKS FROM LOCAL ARTISTS.

>> AND SCRAPBOOK TABLES FILLED WITH ICONIC MUSICIAN MEMORABILIA.

YOU CAN FIND THEM SERVING COFFEE IN THE DAYTIME TO FUEL ARTISTS.

JAM SESSIONS.

AND CRAFTED COCKTAILS FOR LATE NIGHT SHOWS THIS DUAL NATURE IS INSPIRED BY HER CHILDHOOD MY PARENTS ARE FROM SICILY.

SO I'M LIKE.

>> EXTREMELY INTO THE IDEA OF A EUROPEAN STYLE CAP.

A PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN MY CHILDHOOD WHEN I WAS LIVING IN FORT LAUDERDALE.

AND SO THIS IS BASICALLY THE CULMINATION OF SOME OF THOSE CHILDHOOD DREAMS AND ALSO THE ADULT VALUES THAT HAD DRIVIN LOVE YOUR REBELLION FOR ALL THESE YEARS.

THE REBEL PLANS TO HOST ALL KINDS OF EVENTS.

>> LIKE OPEN MIKE NIGHTS AND MUSIC BASED MEET UPS.

ITS UPCOMING EVENT.

HIGH LONESOME SONG RIGHT AROUND IS MAY 22ND.

THE PERFORMANCE FEATURES 3 LOCAL SINGERS AND SONGWRITERS, INCLUDING ORGANIZER AND MUSICIAN, CLAIRE LIPARULO >> I SEE LIKE ONE-OFF EVENTS LIKE AROUND THAT HAPPENS, MULTI-YEAR OR SHOWCASE.

BUT I DON'T SEE A RECURRING EVENT THAT GIVES A SEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP.

AND SO I WANTED TO FOCUS ON.

HIGHLIGHTING MOSTLY LOCAL SONGWRITERS, BUT ALSO WELCOMING IN PEOPLE JUST OUTSIDE OF OUR REGION.

>> LOVE YOUR REBELLION.

ALSO HOSTS BABE FAST AND ALTERNATIVE CONCERT CELEBRATING FEMALE ARTISTS LIKE PAGE AND LIPARULO >> THEY BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SPACE FOR MARGINALIZED GROUPS TO COME TOGETHER AND CREATE.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE FLORIDA ARTS AND CULTURE AND IN A HYPER-LOCAL WAY.

>> REALLY FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED, GIVING THEM A NEW EXPERIENCE OF WHAT IT IS TO.

>> BEING AN ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> THE REVEL HAS A NEW AND USED BOOKS ELECTION.

>> AND STOCKS LOVE YOUR REBELLIONS IN THE NEWSPAPER.

>> SWAMP RAG.

>> WHICH COVERS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ARTS EVENTS.

SAYS MUSIC IS MORE THAN A SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE.

>> IT'S THE SCAFFOLDING.

>> WHAT HAS A SONG DONE FOR YOU LIKE ON YOUR WORST DAY?

YOU'VE HAD SOMEBODY WHO GOT HOW YOU FELT WHEN YOU FELT COMPLETELY ALONE ON YOUR BEST DAY, YOU HAD SOMEBODY TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CRY IN THE SHOWER.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, WITH KATE CRONIN, I'M JESSICA BOWLBY >> THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU HAD THE WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.