May 11, 2015
Venice Theatre and Loveland Center present “Something Wonderful”
Loveland Follies celebrates 20 years with MainStage performances June 4 –7, 2015
(Venice, FL) Regina Cahill “Can’t believe it’s been 20 years!” She says, “The progress that I have seen is amazing; it’s a real team effort. From baby steps to leaps and bounds.” Cahill, Loveland Center Activities Coordinator and Loveland Follies Assistant Director, is talking about the 20th anniversary of the Venice Theatre/Loveland Center partnership. Adults with developmental disabilities who participate in this theatre arts program will present four performances of the original play, Something Wonderful. The show will take place on Venice Theatre’s MainStage Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2015. Tickets are available for $20 at the theatre’s box office by phone at 941-488-1115 or online at www.venicestage.com. Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The production is generously sponsored by Pinkerton Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisers, LLC.
Jan Wallace and Becky Holahan have written this year’s script for the Loveland Follies. In it they tell the history of the partnership between the two organizations. Songs, skits, dances and more will bring laughter and tears to the audience and most likely the usual standing ovation for the performers. Holahan says, “The Loveland Follies is the best show in town. We are acknowledging its 20th anniversary with an extravaganza!”
Cahill added, “Not just for me, but for all the volunteers, students, staff, and families involved, this is a momentous event. This is the kind of experience that I try to explain to people, but it’s so hard for them to grasp, to understand it all, until they see it.”
Approximately 32 Loveland Center students, 10 participants with disabilities from the community and over 30 volunteers will be participating in the production. Joining the adults on stage are Logan, Bailey and Hannah, three young students from the Venice community.
“I like everything and my favorite thing is doing my baton, dancing and hip shaking,” Loveland Center student Stephanie Dittmann says about her nineteenth year with the Loveland Follies. “I was Mona Lisa one time. I’m more outgoing and feel motivated when I’m on stage.”
The collaboration between the two non-profit organizations provides adults with developmental disabilities the chance to grow through theatre study. Meeting twice a week for classes and rehearsals, students and community members rehearse and train, which culminates in the full-scale production of the Follies on Venice Theatre’s MainStage.
Tickets for Something Wonderful are available by phone at 941-488-1115, online at www.venicestage.com or in person at the box office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before all shows for walk-up tickets. Venice Theatre is located on Venice Island at 140 W. Tampa Ave. in Venice. Loveland Center is located at 157 S. Havana Rd., also in Venice.
Both organizations offer tours to the public. For a tour of Loveland Center, call 941-493-0016 or email [email protected]. For a tour of Venice Theatre, call 941-488-1115 and ask for Cara Herman, or e-mail her at [email protected].
Tickets: 941-488-1115
Venice Theatre’s mission is making a dramatic impact on all stages of life. The second-largest out of 10,000 community theatres in the United States, it is located at 140 W. Tampa Ave .on the island in Venice, FL. Its MainStage offers seating for 432 patrons and features musicals, plays, concerts and special events. Its Yvonne Pinkerton Theatre seats 90 patrons and is home to the theatre’s “Generations”, Stage II and Cabaret Series. In addition to providing entertainment to the community, Venice Theatre has a wide range of education and outreach programs for children and adults.
