Shows will no longer go on at Naples theater
By Charles Runnells
crunnells@news-press.com
Originally posted on April 27, 2007
Michael Wainstein raised his champagne glass and smiled out into the audience — the last audience he'd ever see at Naples Dinner Theatre.
"To theater!" he toasted, and the audience cheered and clapped enthusiastically.
It was an emotional moment for many theater regulars. After 27 years — nine of those under its current management — the Naples landmark closed its doors for good. Sunday's performance of "Show Boat" was the last show that will ever appear on that stage.
Developers plan to raze the building this summer to make way for a public-storage building.
Some regulars still seemed stunned by the turn of events.
By Charles Runnells
crunnells@news-press.com
Originally posted on April 27, 2007
Michael Wainstein raised his champagne glass and smiled out into the audience — the last audience he'd ever see at Naples Dinner Theatre.
"To theater!" he toasted, and the audience cheered and clapped enthusiastically.
It was an emotional moment for many theater regulars. After 27 years — nine of those under its current management — the Naples landmark closed its doors for good. Sunday's performance of "Show Boat" was the last show that will ever appear on that stage.
Developers plan to raze the building this summer to make way for a public-storage building.
Some regulars still seemed stunned by the turn of events.
After this is gone, like everything else in Naples, we'll ultimately realize what we've lost," said Ed Cohen, 75, of Naples.
In speeches before the show, owners Wainstein, Stuart Glazer and Barry Marcus gave tearful goodbyes to their theater family, thanking everyone from longtime actors and employees to the theater patrons, themselves.
"I hope we all see each other again in the future," said Wainstein, the theater's artistic director.
Marcus — who has starred in 22 shows at the theater — got choked up as he thanked friends who have seen them through good times and bad.
"I'm going to be a little verklempt," he warned the audience as his voice got shakier.
The musical "Show Boat," ironically enough, has been the theater's second-bestselling show — right after "Chicago."
Marcus joked that he and Glazer have a plan for their next business venture, whenever and whatever that may be.
"The next time we open a theater," he said, "we're going to announce from day one that we're closing."
The theater has been a part of Naples life since it was built in 1975. Back then, the Fiske family called it the Starlight Supper Club.
The Starlight closed in 1997 and reopened two years later with a new name and new owners: Wainstein, Marcus and Glazer. Since then, they've sat 668,000 people and staged 3,083 performances, Wainstein said.
Theater managers will lock the theater doors April 30 and turn their keys over to the landowners, Wainstein said.
In speeches before the show, owners Wainstein, Stuart Glazer and Barry Marcus gave tearful goodbyes to their theater family, thanking everyone from longtime actors and employees to the theater patrons, themselves.
"I hope we all see each other again in the future," said Wainstein, the theater's artistic director.
Marcus — who has starred in 22 shows at the theater — got choked up as he thanked friends who have seen them through good times and bad.
"I'm going to be a little verklempt," he warned the audience as his voice got shakier.
The musical "Show Boat," ironically enough, has been the theater's second-bestselling show — right after "Chicago."
Marcus joked that he and Glazer have a plan for their next business venture, whenever and whatever that may be.
"The next time we open a theater," he said, "we're going to announce from day one that we're closing."
The theater has been a part of Naples life since it was built in 1975. Back then, the Fiske family called it the Starlight Supper Club.
The Starlight closed in 1997 and reopened two years later with a new name and new owners: Wainstein, Marcus and Glazer. Since then, they've sat 668,000 people and staged 3,083 performances, Wainstein said.
Theater managers will lock the theater doors April 30 and turn their keys over to the landowners, Wainstein said.
Before that, they'll sell their remaining chairs, tables and other office items at a "yard sale" in the theater parking lot starting at 9 a.m. this Saturday. The theater has already sold its entire collection of props, costumes, and theater equipment to two other theaters.
When Naples Dinner Theatre closes, there won't be another full-time, professional troupe in Naples. The Naples Players are
community theater, and the professional TheaterZone only stages a handful of shows each year.
The theater's closing leaves about 70 actors, stagehands, musicians, cooks, wait staff and office employees without jobs.
Hostesses Dee Ingalls and Dorothy Atzingen said they're not sure what they'll do.
"I'll probably take a vacation," said a smiling Ingalls, 77, of Naples. She's worked at the theater for three years.
"It's the end of an era," she added. "This is what I've been telling all the patrons: All good things come to an end ... including us."
When Naples Dinner Theatre closes, there won't be another full-time, professional troupe in Naples. The Naples Players are
community theater, and the professional TheaterZone only stages a handful of shows each year.
The theater's closing leaves about 70 actors, stagehands, musicians, cooks, wait staff and office employees without jobs.
Hostesses Dee Ingalls and Dorothy Atzingen said they're not sure what they'll do.
"I'll probably take a vacation," said a smiling Ingalls, 77, of Naples. She's worked at the theater for three years.
"It's the end of an era," she added. "This is what I've been telling all the patrons: All good things come to an end ... including us."
ON THE CLOSING
"We're all very sad about it. I never saw a bad show there."
— Faye Blackman of Coconut Creek, who has driven down to Naples once a year for five years with her tour group
"It's been sad. The audiences have been so supportive. They're applauding every night, and some of them are crying.
"I have a lot of memories there. Sometimes I'm standing backstage, and I'm thinking, 'I'm never going to see those stairs again. I'm never going to see these people again.'
"I've made a lot of friends here. I'll miss them all."
— Actress Debi Guthery, who has performed at the dinner theater since 2003 and starred in "Show Boat"
"Every show he has done has amazed me. He's brilliant."
— Artistic director Michael Wainstein about co-owner Barry Marcus, who has starred in 22 productions at the dinner theater
"The man is a genius."
— Marcus about Wainstein, who directed everything from "Forever Plaid" to "Show Boat"
"And, of course (I give thanks) to my Stuart, who without him none of this would have happened. He ran everything and he gave me this huge playground to play with."
— Marcus about partner Stuart Glazer