FORT MYERS, FL (January 15, 2021 ) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida will present the regional premiere of Jordan Tannahill’s extravaganza, Botticelli in the Fire, on February 26th.
Sandro Botticelli is the promiscuous life of the party. While painting his masterpiece, The Birth of Venus, the plague rages outside and a conservative preacher is blaming the sodomites. Set in a 15th century that has skinny jeans and cell phones, will the famous artist sacrifice his painting or his young apprentice, Leonardo da Vinci?
Director Annette Trossbach says, “Sassy, sexy, funny, heartbreaking, timely – Botticelli in the Fire is the most revolutionary theater I’ve read since Hamilton. Author Jordan Tannahill excavates the queer history of Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci to tell the story of the creation of The Birth of Venus with all the political machinations, fear, urgency, hysteria, and privilege experienced by the main actors at the time. Set in the 15th century, Jordan Tannahill employs casual vernacular and modern elements (cell phones, skinny jeans) as well as 15th and 20th-century music to tell this historically-based story, which is a masterpiece in modern theater. Guests will see parallels to today’s world in the plague, the rise of extremism, classism, and the scapegoating of sex and sexuality for political agendas.”
This show features Steven Coe as Sandro Botticelli, Steven Michael Kennedy as Leonardo da Vinci, Daniel Sabiston as Poggio di Chullu, Madelaine Weymouth as Clarice Orsini, F. Scott Davis as Girolamo Savonarola, David Cooley as Lorenzo de’ Medici, and Renée Freeman as Madre Maria. Costumes by Casey and Ariana Davis. Lighting design by Jonathan Johnson. Stage management by Margaret Cooley. This production is generously sponsored by Arlene Foreman.
“…a celebratory mix of the sacred and profane that is sure to please.” – MD Theatre Guide.
This show features adult language, nudity, sexual situations, and mature themes. No one under 18 will be admitted.
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NOTES ON YOUR VISIT:
****Masks are required on all patrons for their entire stay at the theater****
Playbills will be digital and delivered in the email confirmation with ticket(s).
For maximum safety, the theater will not be offering concessions for these productions, nor will outside food or drink be allowed.
There will be no refunds for patrons asked to leave for refusing to honor our mask requirement.
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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DATES:
Performance dates are:
February 26th and 27th at 8 pm.
February 27th and 28th at 2 pm.
March 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 12th, and 13th at 8 pm.
March 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th at 2 pm.
Tickets are $28 each or $10 for students with valid student ID. Seating is limited and sold by section for safety. For tickets, please call the box office at 239.218.0481 or online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com.
COVID NOTES:
For the protection of our cast, which will not be masked during the performance, we require that all patrons wear their masks over their noses and mouths during their entire stay at the theater. Our seats are spaced following current CDC regulations and may not be moved or adjusted. All theater surfaces are professionally coated with a specially developed antimicrobial sanitizer, and temperatures will be recorded upon check-in; guests with elevated temperatures will not be admitted. For further information on what the theater is doing to keep its casts, crews, and guests safe, please visit the website and review the pandemic protocol.
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.
