Broadway Musician & Guest Conductor To Lead The Naples Players IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS Orchestra

Broadway's Wicked and Annie pianist, Garrett Taylor, will join The Naples Players December 1-9, 2018 as a Special Guest Artist Conductor to lead the orchestra of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Mr. Taylor is a multi-faceted performer and conductor who has performed with symphonies in the U.S. and Europe, concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Washington D.C.'s Constitution Hall. He was praised by The New York Times for his "bravura vocals" in Gateway Playhouse's production of CATS starring Ken Page and was on the Broadway National Tour for Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Grease, Disney's Beauty & The Beast, and Sweet Charity. CBS-TV appointed Taylor as the Conductor for A New York Christmas to Remember. Taylor was the Former Conductor at The Cape Playhouse, The John W. Engeman Theatre at Northport, Theatre of the Stars, and Music Director at Flat Rock Playhouse. A musical graduate from Millikan University, Garrett Taylor has also worked at NYU, Manhattan School of Music, Marymount, Queens College and AMDA.

"Naples Players' Resident Musical Director, Charles Fornara, has handed over the reins of Irving Berlin's White Christmas for the week of December 1-9th, so that he can also support the students at Community School of Naples as they perform Fame, and TheatreZone's production of Home for the Holidays," shares Bryce Alexander, The Naples Players' Executive Artistic Director. "We are so proud that Charlie is working to support other arts organizations and students in our community. The arts community is a singular family, and such cooperation between theatres is important. It's one of the reason's we love Charlie!"

Garrett Taylor shares, "Community theater is where I had my start. It is also where I met the most wonderful people, developed my skills, and discovered my passion for theater. Growing up, I would have been lost without the wonderful arts programs in which I was lucky enough to be involved. The arts foster creativity, unity, and a sense of community and team work that is so important in our world today."

Alexander continues, "Having Garret conduct in Charlie's short absence is not only an incredible opportunity for our performers, but a great representation of The Naples Players' growing reputation with artists from around the country. We constantly strive to provide the highest caliber experience, and this is just another example of that commitment to our local community."

Irving Berlin's White Christmas performs at The Naples Players Sugden Theatre in Blackburn Hall November 28 - December 23, 2018. A limited number of tickets are still available, www.NaplesPlayers.org or contact the Box Office (239) 263-7990 to inquire.

The Naples Players (TNP) Sugden Community Theatre is Naples oldest and premier theatre group and a vital part of the exciting experience of Downtown Naples. Celebrating its 65th season, and as one of the top theatres in the country, they offer a variety of plays and musicals in three intimate spaces, Blackburn Hall, the Tobye Studio Theatre and outside Baker Stage - all located in one building on Fifth Avenue South. The KidzAct program, Southwest Florida's premier youth theatre program offers a performing arts education wing, offers top quality productions as well as in-depth skills classes for children. Adult education classes are offered throughout the year for skilled professionals to first-time performers. ETC Readers Theatre offers an opportunity to hear new works as well as rare one acts and classics.

The Naples Players continually seeks to enrich, educate, and entertain the community through a superior theatre experience. TNP is inspiring passion for the performing arts through life-long opportunities to participate in vibrant theatrical experiences. The 65th Anniversary Season, generously sponsored by Tanya & Denny Glass, is filled with dazzling musicals including Irving Berlin's White Christmas and Guys & Dolls - alongside comedies, Don't Dress for Dinner, Always a Bridesmaid, and an intellectual drama Marjorie Prime, and the classical Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.