by Julie Clay

Any theatre fan knows the drill. Lights go down and the stage lights up. And for the next couple of hours we’re transported into another time and place as the story unfolds before us. Now theatergoers in Southwest Florida have another place with which to indulge their thirst for the theater. Stage 88 inaugurated its first season last year at the Norris Center Theatre in Naples with productions like Jeff Daniels’ hilarious Escanaba in da Moonlight, Frame 312 and the hit musical, Pump Boys and Dinettes.

After much hard work and preparation, season number two is here, promising to once again give audiences a special treat in every Stage 88 production. By popular demand, Escanaba… returns, running October 6–22, followed by another Jeff Daniels’ penned play, Apartment 3A, November 25–December 10. The lineup itself looks exciting, and it’s nothing but a reflection of the teamwork and talent assembled that makes it tick.

Stage 88 founder and artistic director Mark McClellan is encouraged by his team’s devotion to the craft within a community theatre setting, which he defines as a volunteer setting that’s basically open to anyone looking to be a part of the stage experience. "Anyone who wants to come along and work and grow artistically with us is welcome," he says. Which doesn’t mean that you get a bunch of rookies every season.

"One of the things that is really nice about this marketplace is the quality of the productions that we do," McLellan states. "The quality of our work stands up next to most of the small theatre companies that I’ve come across. The people we have generally do have a lot of theatre experience. They are very good actors, tech people, directors, etc. and are looking for a good outlet that we are providing." Seasoned veterans or newbies, everyone involved with Stage 88 puts their heart and soul into their work, he affirms. "At the core of our group, we really have a bunch of people with the fire in their gut who are very serious about what they do and also enjoy themselves tremendously."

Formed as an outgrowth of the now dark Actors Repertory Theatre, a professional company, Stage 88 saw the need for a community theatre, which also gave them an outlet to present newer plays, original works and more intimate productions. As community theatres go, a few people end up wearing several hats. McClellan, himself an actor since age 10, ended up in Escanaba… and was cast as well for Pump Boys… since he was a musician. Same for Stage 88 Marketing Director Sabrina Sharpe, also a Pump Boys... and Frame 312 cast member. "I think Sabrina has the best female voice in the market for musical theatre," states McClellan. Michael Hennessey, a professional actor with over 170 productions under his belt (many in major cities), was in Escanaba… and is directing Apartment 3A.

Hennessey gives us a cast overview of his project. "Mark will be in Apartment 3A in a small role. The lead is Erin Laughlin, who is well known around these parts. Reginald Oldham will be playing Donald. Denny Hoover is playing Dell, and Paul Smolens is playing Elliott," Hennessey says, "All are seasoned actors. Denny Hoover has been with Naples Players for over 20 years. Reginald has worked with Naples Players and subsequently did All My Sons there. Paul Smolens did Woody Allen’s Play it Again, Sam in Naples Players."
Mixing the veterans with those new to theatre is one of the big bonuses of community theatre. "Actors that might not have that much experience love to work with the more seasoned actors," shares McClellan, using Hennessey as an example. "Michael is a great teacher and a wonderful, giving person. Everyone who has come in contact with him learns something new. That is an example of the type of people we have been blessed to work with."

McClellan’s resume speaks for itself. A southwest Florida resident since 1993, he has worn the actor/director/writer hat pretty much the whole time, most often doing all three. Having performed with Compton & Bennett, Fred and Lee Tobias and the Actors Repertory Theatre, McClellan is still a current member of Naples Players, covers his Stage 88 commitments and takes on the occasional freelance gig. Plus a day job! Does this guy ever sleep?

He did take some time to discuss theatre and writing with Jeff Daniels, and discovered in the process that Daniels’ work and Stage 88’s vision had much in common. McClellan says, "We gravitated towards Jeff’s work as he’s an excellent playwright and the characters he creates are very unique. The audience can really empathize with his characters. We had been reading all sorts of newer plays and his work really stands out. It fits into what we like to do as far as doing more intimate shows. What he creates are small, human stories that everyone can relate to. His comedic style is a natural fit for the types of things we want to do." There’s a good chance we’ll see even more of his work performed by Stage 88.

McClellan himself is writing the script for a musical that Stage 88 will perform this spring, called You Know They Got a Hell of a Band. Loosely inspired by a combination of a Stephen King short story, Twilight Zone and early rock’n’roll, he says it is about a couple who find themselves in a peculiar little town. They start to notice that they’re recognizing a lot of its residents and by the end of the show they are trying to figure out if they’re in rock ‘n roll heaven or rock ‘n roll hell. "Its funny, has its poignant moments and we have people working with us who have turned out great music," McClellan shares.

This community theatre has its own unique perspective on seasons beyond as well. McClellan admits they’re going about this differently from most theatre companies. "The way we define success is the group of people we have who pour so much blood, sweat and tears into what we do. I have actors who stand side by side with me who paint sets, rig the lighting, etc. We don’t just cast and have them show up for rehearsal." Stage 88’s members are convinced that potential donors and advertisers will be attracted by the sheer quality of their performances and enthusiasm. "What interests me is doing what we love to do and what audiences love to see," says McClellan. "We’re not going to ask for a dime. We’re going to do a couple of seasons and show potential donors what we have done. If we do our best those other things will come and evolve in their own time." He sums it up, "I am not going to go out to people with my hand out. I am going with my arms open—to welcome people in." •