FREE SHOWS and an extended run for “The Play That Goes Wrong” at The Lab!

The Play That Goes Wrong has been extended – and two free performances added.

FORT MYERS, FL (Updated October 7, 2022) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida will offer two free performances of The Play That Goes Wrong that are open to the community on Saturday, October 8th at 8 pm and Sunday, October 9th at 2 pm.

These free performances are possible because of a special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, The Play That Goes Wrong, and the playwrights Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, The City of Fort Myers, Mayor Kevin Henderson, and Councilman Liston Bouchette. The theater will be open 30 minutes prior to curtain, and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Laughter, combined with a sense of community togetherness, is the best medicine. It is important to everyone at The Lab that we support the community that sustains us – even if it is only for a few hours of air-conditioned normalcy and some outrageously riotous laughter.

Due to the postponement of a number of performances, the show will be extended to add evening performances on October 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 8 pm and matinee performances on October 16 and 23 at 2 pm.

Anyone holding tickets for postponed performances can exchange them by calling the box office at 239.218.0481. The exchange will give the ticket holder full value towards a new ticket for any performance this season.

Original release below:

The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the southwest Florida premiere of The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields on September 16th. The show runs until October 9th.

Officially kicking off its 14th season, The Laboratory Theater of Florida is excited to pay homage to the theatrical arts with a play within a play – where everything that can go wrong does, with hilarious results.

Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, and all mayhem, this Olivier Award-winning show is disastrously delightful. The fictitious Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, whose limited funds have allowed them to produce hits such as James and the Peach and The Lion and The Wardrobe, has received a substantial donation to produce an exciting whodunit, The Murder at Haversham Manor. But “break a leg!” takes on new meaning with this woefully misguided troupe of actors. This play-within-a-play is beset with an unconscious leading lady, a corpse who can’t play dead, a flustered detective, and a literacy-challenged butler who must manage technical gaffes, forgotten lines, and falling scenery.

Artistic Director Annette Trossbach says, “British actors, a slickly choreographed sword fight, and a murder mystery with more twists and turns than you could hit with a cat make The Murder at Haversham Manor the must-see show of the season. Previously plagued by budgetary constraints, the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is thrilled to present this show, which promises to be the most exciting ever. If you enjoyed Noises Off and Play On!, you’ll love The Play That Goes Wrong. Truly, there are so many things that must ‘go wrong’ in this show – choreographing the mayhem for safety and maximum comic effect makes this show one of the most challenging of my career.”

Directed by Annette Trossbach, The Play That Goes Wrong stars Miguel Cintron (Robert/Thomas Colleymoore), Andrew Sarkozy (Chris/Inspector Carter), Giuseppe Anthony (Dennis/Perkins), Danielle Channell (Sandra/Florence Colleymoore), Les Englehart (Max/Cecil Haversham), Heather Johnson (Annie), Matthew Roman (Trevor), and Daniel Sabiston (Jonathan/Charles Haversham). Scenic design by Gabrielle Lansden and Technical Director Jonathan Johnson. Costumes by Alena Stevenson, and lights/props by Steven Michael Kennedy.

“If you are in the mood for laughs, sight-gags, double-takes, craziness, wacko antics, pure fun, here is your show. – Chicago Tribune

This show opens the theater’s 14th season and is included in the season pass, which is on sale now.

Generously sponsored by Marlene and Darrell Smith.

DATES:

Performance dates::
September 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 at 8 pm.
September 18, 25 at 2 pm.
October 1, 6, 7, 8 at 8 pm
October 2, 9 at 2 pm.

Special Events:
Half-price preview nights: September 14, 15 at 8 pm
Staging Teen Success Through Theater: September 17 at 8 pm
Post-performance talkback: September 25

Tickets are $30 each or $10 for students with valid student IDs. There are half-priced previews on September 14th and 15th at 8 pm and a new Thursday night special ticket price of $25 each for adults. Socially distant seating may be available and must be scheduled in advance with the box office. For tickets, please call the box office at 239.218.0481 or online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
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NOTES ON YOUR VISIT:
****While masks are encouraged, they are not currently required****
Photography and videography of this production are strictly prohibited.
Thank you for your cooperation and your support of The Laboratory Theater of Florida.
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ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information, visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.