I’ve been lucky enough to be so busy performing that I’m just now catching up with doing some blog posts. For up-to-date info on my activities, I hope you’ll check out my Instagram and/or Twitter accounts: @AndrewSellon
After the early closure of Carousel due to covid cases, I went straight into rehearsals for a production of the Tony-winning comedy The 39 Steps at Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida. Having caught covid in my prior show, I had to do my first week of rehearsals on Zoom from my quarantine hotel room in Vero Beach. When I wasn’t rehearsing on camera, I was trying to sleep off the covid fatigue. But you know what? For the first week it worked out just fine, and I’m so grateful to the theatre, our amazing director Peter Amster, stage manager Danny Kuenzel, and my three magnificent castmates William Connell, Jess Nahikian, and Brian Owen for their patience and generosity. The second week I was able to drive to Naples to join the company in person, and then the fun really kicked into high gear!
I was especially excited for this production; I did the same production with Peter exactly 10 years ago at my beloved Maltz Jupiter Theatre, where it was a smash hit. Peter also directed me in a record-breaking hit production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Asolo Rep a few years back, and there is simply no better director out there. Period. So I was thrilled to be playing in the room with Peter again, as well as with three truly lovely and talented fellow clowns. I confess I was worried how my body would respond to doing this incredibly demanding show again after 10 years! I’m happy to report it’s been a smooth and incredibly fun ride.
I’m also happy to report that this production of The 39 Steps is a smash hit as well: rave reviews all around, sold out houses–and Gulfshore’s Producing Artistic Director Kristen Coury just announced we’ve become the third-highest grossing show in the theatre’s 17 year history! I’d call that “The Amster Touch.”
We are about to enter our last week of performances. I will miss this production, this merry bunch of players, and beautiful Naples, Florida. I’m so thrilled that Gulfshore has just broken ground on construction of their very own theatre and education complex. They are scheduled to open in early 2024.
I’m also proud that The 39 Steps is the theatre’s first production as a new member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). This is great for them, for their actors, and for their audiences. Onward and upward! Congrats to Kristen, Managing Director Joel Markus, and all involved. This was a great time, and I foresee greater times ahead for Gulfshore Playhouse. I’ll share some more pix from this swell production when I have them.
