Gulfshore Playhouse Names Barbara and George Franks Event Chairs for Annual Gala

Gulfshore Playhouse will host its 9th Annual Gala "Bubbles, Baubles, and Broadway" on March 18, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. The event also celebrates the 15th anniversary of Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples' premiere professional regional theatre, and commences with cocktails at 5 p.m.; dinner and program begin at 6 p.m.

This year's star-studded event will be chaired by Barbara and George Franks. Community philanthropists, education supporters, and longtime theatre patrons, the Franks are actively involved in a number of community-impact organizations benefiting children and underprivileged families.

A former educator and counselor, Barbara currently serves as board member and secretary for Christ Child Society of Naples, and is a board member for Four Silos Questers in Illinois. As a Eucharistic Minister, she served at St. William Catholic Church and at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, in Naples and is currently serving at Holy Family Catholic Church in Inverness, IL administering to hospital bound patients.

A graduate of Christian Brothers University and a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998, George served as an industry leader in the telecommunication sector for more than four decades, earning numerous U.S. patents for products, including switches, clamps and communication assemblies.

Involved in ministry-related initiatives, including a successful "Feed the Hungry" program in his home state of Illinois, George served as president of the Access Commons Association, vice president of the Le Ciel Park Tower Association and served as a member of the Bay Colony Golf Club Membership Committee.

"Little more than a decade ago, Gulfshore Playhouse was the vision of a passionate few," said Kristen Coury, founder and producing artistic director. "Today, it is a thriving institution that has engaged more than 250,000 patrons through professional theatre and touched thousands of students throughout Southwest Florida because of this region's generous support; we're so honored to celebrate our 15th year with the community."

This year's gala also celebrates the continuation of the "Next Stage Capital Campaign" for Gulfshore Playhouse as they progress with design plans for a new state-of-the-Art Theatre and Education Center in downtown Naples that will serve Southwest Florida with world-class theatre, culture and education for future generations. The new Theatre and Education Center, located at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South, will include two theaters and an education wing to support programming for children, adults and families.

The Havana Nights-themed evening will feature live entertainment and performances of some of Broadway's most iconic musical hits. Entertainment will be led by New York City Music Director Matt Aument and a Cuban band and sultry singer.

Individual event tickets are $600. Individual Patron tickets are $1,200 and include a private VIP event at a beautiful home in Bay Colony on March 14, 2019. Additional sponsor tables for 10 start at $6,000. Patron Table sponsorships for 10 start at $12,000 and include preferred Gala seating, Patron Party attendance and an ad in the Gala program.

For additional purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).

All proceeds benefit the Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence, which allows Gulfshore Playhouse to employ the nation's most sought-after actors, directors, and designers, and enables the theatre to commission new works, create unique educational opportunities, and continue producing world-class productions.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure and excitement. The Playhouse's work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theatre to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in audiences an understanding of their common humanity. This belief drives the care with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.

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