The Ann Landers Play 'The Lady With All The Answers' At Florida Rep

THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS in the Florida Rep Studio Theatre

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of The Lady with All the Answers, a witty and heartwarming comedy drawn from the life and letters of legendary advice columnist, Ann Landers.

Starring veteran Sarasota-based actress, Carolyn Michel, the play runs Feb. 10 to Mar. 6 in Florida Rep's New Studio Theatre. Tickets are going fast, and the run has already been extended.

"This is a very funny, very toughing play," said Florida Rep Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "it was a smash hit Off Broadway, and I know our audiences will love it just as much. It's really a perfect play for our new Studio Theatre space, and with Carolyn Michel in the title role, it will be even more memorable."

For over 50 years Ann Landers dished out direct, insightful, and honest advice to millions of Americans. From lovelorn teens to housewives in distress, no topic was off limits for the no-nonsense Ann Landers, but now, with a deadline looming, she finds herself facing a new kind of heartbreak. Her own.

The production stars Carolyn Michel as Ann Landers, an accomplished actress making her Florida Rep debut. Michel is a 20-year veteran of the Asolo Repertory Company in Sarasota, and has worked extensively in Florida and all over the country. She is no stranger to this role, and appeared in The Lady with All the Answers with Florida Studio Theatre in 2007.

Sarasota's Herald Tribune raved saying, "Carolyn Michel rises to the challenge victoriously as Ann Landers...She effectively captures the down-home practicality of the woman...Michel fills the role of Landers with plenty of nuance."

Florida Rep Associate Artistic Director, Chris Clavelli, is again directing in the New Studio Theatre after a nearly sold out run of The Santaland Diaries earlier this season. Clavelli's work as both an actor and director with Florida Rep goes back to 2002, and in addition to many others, he's made appearances in all three of Florida Rep's nationally acclaimed productions of Sylvia (2011) You Can't Take It With You (2010) and Dancing at Lughnasa (2009).

Clavelli and Michel are joined by an expert creative team including set designer, Chris Simpson (The Santaland Diaries), resident costumer, Roberta Malcolm (Gaslight), and resident sound designer, Kate Smith (The Santaland Diaries) as lighting and sound designer. Stage manager, Janine Wochna (Rounding Third), comes back to Florida Rep after a four-year residency with GeVa Theatre Center in Rochester, NY.

The Lady with All the Answers by David Rambo and Margot Howard plays in the New Florida Rep Studio Theatre Feb. 10 - Mar. 6. Performances are Tues. -Sat. at 8:30pm with matinees on Wed., Sat., Sun., and selected Thurs. performances at 2:30pm. The run also features two 7:30pm Sunday Twilight Performances on Feb. 13 and 20.

Performances in the extension week, Mar. 2-Mar. 6, are Wed.-Sat. at 8pm with 2pm matinees on Wed., Thurs., Sat., and Sun.

There are no Saturday performances on Sunday, Feb. 13 or Saturday, Feb 19. due to Edison festival of Light and Edison Parade programming in the River District.

The Lady with All the Answers is sponsored by Nu Image Cleaners.

Tickets are $39 and available through the box office at 239-332-4488 or online at www.floridarep.org. Subscribe Now and see 4 shows for just $99 with the popular Rush Pass. 5-Show Packages are available that include The Lady with All the Answers, but tickets are going fast and seating is limited. (Order fees apply to subscription pricing.)

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay Street between Jackson & Hendry with convenient free parking in the Fort Myers River District, and the The Florida Rep Studio Theatre is just down the hall. Visit the Rep online at www.floridarep.org and on facebook at www.facebook.com/FloridaRep.

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