Explore The Theatre in Fort Myers

For a chance to spend an intimate evening and get up close and personal with live music and live theatre performances, we are spotlighting three theatres in Fort Myers that showcase individual artistry and talents where Broadway and the cultural arts comes to you in Southwest Florida. Three of our favorite venues are: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Florida Repertory Theatre, and the Cultural Park Theater. These special places give fans an opportunity to experience small venues close to home. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall ranks number 12 in Top 50 worldwide ticket sales. The hit television show “American Idol” brings its American Idol Live Tour to the Barbara Mann hall on July 12, spotlighting the Top 5 finalists from Season 14, before wrapping up its cross-country tour on August 28 in California. The show gives fans in Southwest Florida a chance to see their favorite performers sing to a live band. For the upcoming 2015-16 Season, the Broadway series opens with The Sound of Music, followed by 42nd Street, Matilda The Musical, Kinky Boots, Dirty Dancing, and The Illusionists best-selling magic show direct from Broadway. In between, there is a slate of other concerts and cultural arts shows. Parking is plentiful and free. To make a special evening out, there are a number of restaurants to dine before or after a show, including The University Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill. The Florida Rep is celebrating its 18th season in the historic Arcade Theatre and The ArtStage Studio Theatre with Tony-award winning comedies, dramas, and musicals that brings more than 800,000 people to the Fort Myers River District annually throughout the October to May season. It’s a fully professional theatre company that the Wall Street Journal called “one of America’s Top Repertory Companies.” It is one of Lee County and Southwest Florida’s most important cultural and educational institutions and was named “Best Performing Arts Group” by Gulfshore Life Magazine. The historic Arcade Theatre is a restored 393-seat theatre home to Florida Repertory Theatre, Southwest Florida’s premier professional theater company. It was originally a vaudeville house and a movie theater built in 1915. The Cultural Park Theater, located in Cape Coral, is known for its live musical performances. In its July show scheduled this weekend, “Champagne and Ivories” will showcase a unique concert with two seasoned performers who will present a wide array of world-renowned melodies from many different genres, including ragtime, show tunes, classical and pop. Other live musical performances coming in August will include tributes to Neil Diamond and Frank Sinatra. The hit Broadway show, “Jersey Girls,” is coming August 28-30.