THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IMPACTING TRAVEL AT RSW THE ROLE ICE AGENTS ARE PLAYING AS NEW SECURITY MEASURES ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED AT THE AIRPORT SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE PERFECT RENDITION OF A BROADWAY CLASSIC.

THE HEIGHTS ONE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IS REACHING FOR A TOE TAPPING PERFORMANCE.

AND A LOOK INTO THE ROLE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PLAYED IN WORLD WAR 2, HOW A SMALL AIRFIELD TRAIN THE PILOTS IN THE SWAMP TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE SKIES OF GERMANY.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS TAKING A TOLL ON AIRPORT TRAVEL AS 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF TSA OFFICERS ARE BEING FORCED TO WORK WITHOUT PAY.

THIS HAS LED TO MANY OFFICERS QUITTING OR CALLING OUT SICK ICE AGENTS DEPLOYING TO 14 AIRPORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY REPORTEDLY TO HELP WITH THE STAFFING SHORTAGES OF TSA WORKERS.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS THE ONLY AIRPORT IN FLORIDA TO RECEIVE ICE AGENTS.

WGCU REPORTER YOUN JOO PARK TALK WITH TRAVELERS WHO HAVE MIXED REACTIONS TO THE PRESENCE OF ICE AGENTS IN THE FORT MYERS AIRPORT.

>> ICE AGENTS HAVE BEEN ON PATROL AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SINCE THE PARTIAL U.S.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN MEANS TSA WORKERS ARE NOT BEING PAID THE LEADING SOME TO NOT SHOW UP OR TEST QUIT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DISPATCHED ICE AGENTS TO SUPPLEMENT TSA SECURITY DUTIES IN DOZENS OF SELECT AIRPORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

RSW IS THE ONLY AIRPORT IN FLORIDA TO HAVE ICE AGENTS, ACCORDING TO CECIL PENDERGRASS, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND PORT AUTHORITY TO CHAIRMAN.

>> EVER AND OTHER NEWS THERE FOR BACKUP WITH FOR SOMETHING I COULD NOT BE DOING.

THE TENTACLES THAT ARE SERVED BY FOR THE RADAR SCREENS OF CERTAIN KIDS AGES FOR WE HAD THAT A SHORTAGE OF THOSE AGES, BUT BASICALLY HAS THE HANDS OF HELPING OUT WITH A PRESENCE.

ANDREW PEOPLE FOR THE LINE.

IF IT DOES NEED TO BE.

>> ON THE IN THEIR NEW ROLE ICE AGENTS WERE CLEARLY VISIBLE STANDING IN GROUPS BY THE TERMINAL ACCENTS.

ICE AGENTS DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED, BUT THEY SHARED A WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM LAUREN, THIS ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HOMELAND SECURITY.

WHILE THE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO PUT THE SAFETY DEPENDABILITY.

ANDY'S OF OUR AIR TRAVEL AT RISK.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TAKING ACTION TO DEPLOY HUNDREDS OF ICE OFFICERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY FUNDED BY CONGRESS TO AIRPORTS BEING ADVERSELY IMPACTED.

THIS WILL HELP BOLSTER TSA EFFORTS TO KEEP OUR SKIES SAFE AND MINIMIZE ERA TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS.

TRAVELER KENNETH ROBERTS WONDERED ABOUT THEIR NEW ROLES.

I ASSUME THEY'RE NOT GOING TO >> OPERATE THE X-RAY MACHINES BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T BE TRAINED.

BUT ANY OTHER JOB?

SURE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

ALTHOUGH SO FAR THE ONES THAT I'VE SEEN OF NOT BEEN DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAT STANDING IN GROUPS OFF TO THE SIDE.

>> CHAT LASKY SAYS HE WAS SURPRISED AT HOW QUICKLY LINES MOVED THROUGH SECURITY CHECKPOINTS.

>> I WAS INITIALLY AFRAID WHERE THAN THOSE?

I WENT TO WHITE PLAINS ABOUT HALF HOUR EARLIER THAN MY THAN IT NORMALLY WOULD.

>> AND I WAS THE 8TH PERSON IN LINE FOR A TSA PRECHECK.

I WAS THROUGH AND 11 MINUTES.

>> THERE WAS NOT A CAST AT ALL, BUT IT'S ALSO A SMALL AIRPORT.

SO IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT IF I WAS OUT OF ORDER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> KAREN HARRIET FROM MINNESOTA, SO THAT ICE AGENTS THAT STEP YOU DO NOT SEEM IS FRIGHTENING AS THE ONES IN YOUR HOME STATE.

>> AI IN GENERAL WOULD RATHER NOT SEE ICE.

IF I SEE THEM AND THEY DON'T HAVE GUNS IN MASKS, THEN THAT THAT'S MAYBE NOT AS BAD.

>> TRAVELERS WHOSE 18 SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR THEIR PRESENCE.

AND WHEN I GOT UP, I NOTICE ICE AND I SAID THANK YOU FOR SERVING.

AND THEY SAID, OH, YEAH, YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANKS FOR SAYING THAT.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERY FRIENDLY, VERY FRIENDLY.

>> SOME TRAVELERS EXCHANGED PLEASANTRIES WITH THE AGENTS.

>> AS IN THE CASE OF JOHN AND SUSAN, BACK.

>> I HAVE A NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICES IN MY FAMILY.

>> I NEVER USE VAPE ARE WITH THEM AROUND AND A SMILE.

YOU.

>> OLESEN AND WAR IS A STATE POLICEMAN.

HE'S VERY WELL TRAINED, A GOOD PERSON.

AND THESE GUYS, THE 2 SAME FOR YOU.

>> SEVERAL PEOPLE SAID THEY ARE UNSETTLED BY THEIR PRESENCE BUT DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED COMMISSIONER PENDERGRASS SAYS ICE WILL TAKE SWIFT ACTION AT THE AIRPORT IF NECESSARY.

>> ANYBODY COULD OPT TO HONOR THOSE CITIZENSHIP IF THEY COME ACROSS THAT THE AIRPORT, THEY WOULD BE THE THING WITH THEIR PARENTS.

>> MOST PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO FOCUS ON THE EAST OF GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE AIRPORT.

>> LIKE JOHN PREET OF NAPLES, HAPPY THEY'RE JUMPING IN TO HELP OUT AND I THINK PASSENGERS SHOULD BE HAPPY BECAUSE THE JUST GONNA HELP PEOPLE TO TRY TO GET MOVED THROUGH THE LINES QUICKER YOU KNOW, IT.

YOU CAN'T HAVE JUST 3 TSA AGENTS.

>> GET OUT OF AS MUCH OF A FULL COMPLIMENT AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO IF THEY CAN HELP OUT, I MEAN, MORE POWER TO HIM.

>> KENNETH ROBERTS SHARED HIS ADVICE FOR SMITH TRAVELING.

>> I'VE BEEN TRAVELING REGULARLY MY WHOLE CAREER.

AND SO YOU JUST LEARN WHETHER IT'S A WEATHER DELAY OR THIS KIND OF DELAY OR WHATEVER YOU JUST KIND OF HAVE TO ROLL WITH IT.

YEAH.

GETTING UPSET OR NERVOUS.

DOESN'T GET YOUR KNEE THERE ANY FASTER.

>> IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THE ICE AGENTS WILL BE PATROLLING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OR WHEN THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WILL END FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M YOUN JOO PARK.

>> ACCORDING TO A HOMELAND SECURITY ICE OFFICERS ARE RECEIVING TSA TRAINING TO HELP VERIFY IDENTIFICATION TO ASSIST WITH GROWING SECURITY LINES AT THE AIRPORTS.

COMING UP, BRINGING A BROADWAY CLASSIC TO THE HIGH SCHOOL STAGE.

HOW ONE LOCAL STUDENT BODY IS GOING BIG WITH THEIR VERSION OF CHICAGO.

YOUNG STARS SHINING BRIGHT ON STAGE AT LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL THIS WEEKEND.

THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SMASH HIT CHICAGO ELEVATED WITH INCREDIBLE ACTING LIVE ORCHESTRA AND A SET AS BOLD AS THE MUSICAL WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL HAS THE STORY.

>> I KNOW WHAT THE SPOT WHERE THE GYM IS CALLED IN THE PIANOS HOT AND ALL THAT JUST.

ITS LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS AUDITORIUM WHERE THEY'RE PERFORMING CHICAGO TEEN EDITION.

IT'S A PAINT.

THE TOWN JAZZ EXTRAVAGANZA PERFECTLY SUITED TO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MIGUEL CENTRE.

RON'S TRIPLE THREAT THEATER STUDENTS.

>> I CHOOSE EACH SHOW BASED ON THE KIDS THAT I HAVE AND WE HAVE POWERHOUSE.

LIKE FEMALE.

>> PERFORMERS BUT CINTRON HAD AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE.

ALSO, I CHOSE CHICAGO.

>> HONESTLY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT LIKE IT'S IT'S A KIND OF LIKE A GIFT TO MY CHOREOGRAPHER.

MY LITTLE SAYS LAUREN GOMEZ, AND SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED TO DO IT.

AND SO THAT WAS JUST MY LITTLE GIFT TO HER AS WELL.

>> IT ALSO TURNED OUT TO BE A GIFT FOR SENIOR SAMANTHA JEAN-MARIE.

THERE'S A COMPETITION.

IT'S CALLED SWIFT SOUTHWEST FORT DETRICK, A SOCIETY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN ENTER IS A SCENIC DESIGN.

AND I CHOSE CHICAGO BECAUSE I KNEW I WAS GOING TO BE STATEMENT.

INGENIOUS ALSO KILL 2 BIRDS WITH ONE STONE >> CINTRON TOLD HER HE ENVISIONED A JAZZY 1920, SPEAKEASY VIBE.

SO THE RAZZLE DAZZLE HIM AND HER SWITCH TO JUDY CATERS.

SHE WENT ALL OUT.

>> I RESEARCHED CHICAGO IN THE 1920'S LIKE THE CHICAGO IN BRICK, THE TYPE OF THE FIRE SKIPS THE TYPE OF STEEL THAT THEY USED.

>> SHE DIDN'T USE STEEL, BUT SHE DID USE LOTS AND LOTS OF LUMBER.

THAT'S BECAUSE SHE AND SEN TRUMP WITH THE SHOW'S 14 PIECE ORCHESTRA AND A SECOND-STORY OVERLOOKING THE STAGE.

>> CHICAGO, VERY DENSE HEAVY RIGHT?

SO IF YOU TO THE STAGE WISELY ON THE BLOCKING, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT LIKE THEY WERE ELEVATED UP, IT GIVES ACTORS MORE SPACE IN ROOM, AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND NOT HAVING TO LIKE LOOK AWAY FOR LIKE THE OTHER BAND MEMBERS.

JIM MURRAY DIDN'T JUST TELL CINTRON WHAT SHE HAD IN MIND.

>> SHE HANDED THEM A SKETCH.

A SCALE MODEL AND THE BLUEPRINT TO GUIDE THE SET BUILDERS.

IT WAS A BIT TRICKY.

>> BECAUSE I HAD A KIND OF LIKE MAKE SURE THAT THE BAN ON THE UPPER LEVEL IS GOING TO BE THEY'RE SAFE.

THEY'RE SECURE, BUT ALSO STILL KEEPING IN MIND THAT I WANTED TO GO FOR LIKE A JAZZ CABARET, CHICAGO AND LOOK >> IT'S ALL THROUGH THE BILL.

I TEASE THEM OUT AND USE ALL THE TOOLS.

THEY PAINT EVERYTHING THEY I MEAN, WE DO IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> AND >> IT'S THE SENATE THAT UNIQUELY ENABLES ENTRANTS CAST TO SHOW OFF HER ACTING DANCING AND VOCAL SKILLS AND SUCH SIZZLING FAUCI INSPIRED NUMBERS.

A CELL BLOCK TANGO FEATURING TAYLOR SPRING.

THE ROLE OF THEY'LL MCALLEN.

>> SHE'S A SENIOR.

SHE ACTUALLY WON BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL LAST YEAR.

AND SHE'S EXTREMELY TALENTED.

SHE'S GOING ON TO STUDY MUSICAL THEATER.

>> ALSO TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF JEAN-MARIE SET DESIGNS RODRIGUEZ IN THE ROLE OF ROXIE HART SEEN HERE PLAYING BILLY FLYNN VENTRILOQUIST DUMMY.

AND WE BOTH REACHED FOR THE GUN TO US.

>> AND SHE'S A JUNIOR >> AND SHE'S A DANCER AND ACTOR VOCALIST >> A VERY TALENTED.

THIS IS HER FIRST REAL BIG LEAD THIS YEAR.

>> THEN THERE'S THE BIG BAMBOO SALIR, THE RING MASTER HIMSELF.

BILLY FLYNN.

>> ALSO A SENIOR AND HE WAS RUNNER-UP LAST YEAR FOR BEST ACTOR THIS YEAR IS PLAYING BELIEF IN HIS NAME.

IS VIC TAKE ELIZAH.

>> THIS INDIFFERENCE PRODUCTION OF CHICAGO HAS LOTS OF FLASHING RAZZLE DAZZLE.

>> FOR MORE ON LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH'S PERFORMANCE OF CHICAGO.

WE'RE JOINED BY WGCU ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL.

TOM, ASIDE FROM THE 2 STORY SET, WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO OUT TO LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH TO SEE THIS WONDERFUL PRODUCTION?

>> WELL, JENNIFER IS A MATTER OF FACT.

LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH AS ONE OF THE TOP THEATER PROGRAMS IN ALL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AT LAST YEAR'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS.

THEIR PRODUCTION OF HAITI'S TOWN WAS NAMED THE BEST OVERALL MUSICAL PRODUCTION.

IT ALSO TOOK TOP HONORS FOR TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR VOCAL ARTISTRY AND FOR OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE AND WORKERS TO AND WAS SECOND PLACE IN CHOREOGRAPHY, THEIR STUDENTS ALSO TOOK 3 OF THE 4 BEST ACTOR AWARDS.

NOW, IT ALL FLOWS FROM THEIR THEATER DIRECTOR.

THAT'S MIGUEL.

CENTRUM.

AND MIGUEL, AS A AS AN ACCOMPLISHED ACTOR AND MUSICIAN IN HIS OWN RIGHT.

HE'S STARRED IN SUCH A LESTER'S PRODUCTIONS IS COULDN'T BERG AND AN ACT OF GOD IN WHICH YOU PLAY THE ALMIGHTY AND THE GUN SHOW, WHICH IS A ONE MAN SHOW WHERE HE'S ON STAGE FOR 2 HOURS AND NEVER LEAVES THE STAGE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A VERY BIG PRODUCTION >> IT IS IN 2 WAYS.

FIRST, THERE'S AN ARMY OF STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE SHOW.

THERE ARE 37 IN THE CAST.

ANOTHER 15 AND THE WORKERS TO AND 29 IN THE CREW.

BUT IT'S ALSO THEIR COMPETITION PACE FOR THIS YEAR'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS AT THE BARBARA B MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL IN MAG.

SO EVERY NIGHT THERE WILL BE JUDGES IN THE AUDIENCE EVALUATING HOW THE ACTORS, THE MUSICIANS AND THE CREW STACK UP AGAINST THE OTHER 8 OR 9 SCHOOLS ARE COMPETING THIS YEAR IN THE H M THE DHS MTA.

>> TOM, WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU DURING THIS PRODUCTION?

>> SO MIGUEL CINTRON SAYS HE'S GOT A POWERHOUSE CAST AND HE CERTAINLY DOESN'T ALL STARTS WITH TAYLOR BURR WHO PLAYS VELMA.

KELLY IN THE TRADITION OF BEBE NEUWIRTH AND CATHERINE ZETA JONES.

SHE'S A GENUINE TALENT AND HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE.

A MUSICAL THEATER.

IT CONTINUES FROM THERE, THOUGH.

AND ELLA RODRIGUEZ WHO PLAYS ROXY COMES FROM A COMPETITIVE DANCE BACKGROUND.

SHE'S GOT ALL THE MOVES.

VICTOR GALARZA IS BILLY FLYNN AND HE HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES.

IN FACT, AND WE REACH FOR THE GUN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MUSICAL NUMBERS HE CARRIES A G 4 NOTE FOR 40, MAYBE 50 SECONDS.

I WAS AT A BREATH JUST LISTENING TO HIM.

BUT THE REST OF THE CAST, THE STRONGEST CLOROX, INCLUDING THE STUDENT WHO PLAYS MAMA MORTON, STEPHANIE FUENTES.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO ALAN RAZA.

HE PLAYS ROXY HEARTS, WOEFUL HUSBAND, AMOS HE MAY BE MISTER CELLOPHANE IN THE SHOW, BUT HIS TALENT WHEN IT COMES TO ACTING AND VOCALS, IT COMES THROUGH LOUD AND CLEAR.

SO IT'S IT'S REALLY FOR ANYBODY WHO LIKES A GOOD, STRONG CAST.

GO SEE CHICAGO AT LEHIGH SENIOR HIGH.

IT SOUNDS ALSO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.

IT LOOKS LIKE AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE AND DEFINITELY WORTHWHILE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT WAS THRILLED TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU, TOM.

>> FROM BROADWAY SHOWS TO HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCES, STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE ARTS HAPPENING AROUND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY HEADING TO WGCU DOT ORG.

>> FOR MORE ON THE ARTS IN OUR AREA, WE'RE JOINED BY ROBERT CASTILLO BOW AND TED WINDS.

CHECK FROM THE PLAYERS CIRCLE THEATER IN FORT MYERS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELL, AS FOR THE PAST THAT TO BE HERE, I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH MCGREGOR AND THAT WHOLE CORRIDOR AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT YOUR THEATER WAS LOCATED THERE.

CAN YOU GIVE US A HISTORY AND >> KIND OF WALK US THROUGH HOW IT CAME TO FRUITION.

>> AT THIS LOCATION WELL OF WE FOUND THAT A PLAYER CIRCLE OF IN 2020 AND WE WERE KYLIE HOUSE OF THE SHELL FACTORY.

BUT THE LOCATION WE FOUND THAT THE LOCATION ON MCGREGOR BOULEVARD NEXT, THE SPOT ON NEXT TO FIRST WATCH.

NORMAN LOVE CHOCOLATE OPPOSITE.

THE LANDINGS WAS SO IDEAL AND ALSO 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE, THAT LITTLE AREA, THERE'S NO PROFESSIONAL THEATERS RIGHT IN THAT AREA.

SO IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL LOCATION SERVING THIS PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

NOW, CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US WHY YOUR THEATER IS UNIQUE?

>> WELL, I'D SAY NUMBER ONE OUTSIDE A LOCATION IS THE INTIMACY.

SO RIGHT NOW IT'S 120 SEATS AND EVERY SEAT IS THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE.

I MEAN, THE ACTION IS ONLY 5 ROWS RIGHT FOR MY VERY STAGE.

SO WHEN YOU ARE IN, FOR INSTANCE, OVER THE TAVERN, THE PLAY WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE IN A LIVER, HIM PLAY.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN THAT LIVING ROOM.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LIVING AMONGST THOSE CHARACTERS.

YOU CAN HEAR EVERYTHING YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING AND YOU REALLY BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PLAY.

>> HOW DO YOU SELECT PERFORMANCES FOR A THEATER IN THE ROUND?

DOES THAT CHANGE HOW YOU SELECT?

>> WHAT PLACE WHAT IT DOES AFFECT?

BUT, YOU KNOW, OUR MISSION AT PLAY A CIRCLE STILL WIDE VARIETY OF WORK.

I SAID I LOOK AT HOW YOU FOOD, BUT I DO WANT TO 7 NIGHTS A WEEK.

I LIKE CHINESE FOOD.

SO WE LIKE NEXT SEASON WITH DOING 2 COMEDIES TO MUSICALS, 2 DRAMAS AND A NOSTALGIA RADIO PLAY.

SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WIDE VARIETY TAKING 180 DEGREE.

TURNS ONE SHOW TO THE NEXT.

I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHERE YOU GET YOUR TALENT.

THERE ARE.

THERE ARE AMAZING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES THAT PERFORM AT THESE.

>> A PLACE.

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?

ARE THEY LOCAL?

WELL, WE GET PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

SO WILL FLY PEOPLE IN HOUSE WILL BRING IN A PERFECT ACT.

US FROM NEW YORK CITY.

>> BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN ENSEMBLE.

WE HAVE LIKE 5 TED AND HIS WIFE, MY WIFE.

AW, THAT ARE JUST INCREDIBLE.

AND WE PICK THE SEASON FOR THEM.

THE OTHER DAY THAT TED'S WIFE SHE FIRST ENTERED ROBB, A FARCE COCKTAIL HOUR.

BUT THEN I WENT ON A WEBSITE AND SAID SHE CAN SAY SHE'S IN THE TROUBLED SINGER.

SO TO SEE ACTORS GO FROM COMEDY TO DRAMA TO MUSICALS, THE AUDIENCE BECOMES FANS OF YOUR ENSEMBLE.

THAT'S FANTASTIC.

AND YOU YOU ARE GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT SEASON AND YOU'RE HERE TO UNVEIL IT GO AND I GO AHEAD AND SELL A STAKE.

>> IF IT MAKES GOOD, HAS A WIDE VARIETY WILL OPEN IT UP TO THE PLATE.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO OPEN UP WITH A BIG COMEDY AND THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN OCTOBER.

AND AS COLIN NERD AS BY A GUY NAMED LARRY SHUE, WHO WAS ONE OF THE GREAT PLAYWRIGHT OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

UNFORTUNATELY, HE DIED IN A PLANE CRASH AT 39 YEARS OLD AND HE ONLY HAD 2 MAJOR PLAYS.

ONE WAS CALLED THE FOREIGNER, WHICH I DIRECTED 3 TIMES AND IS A STAPLE OF REGIONAL THEATERS.

AND THE OTHER WAS THE NERD AND IS AN AMAZING SWITCH.

COMEDY.

BUT AFTER LOWRY SHOES, DEATH, IT WAS ON BROADWAY IN 1987, DIRECTED BY CHARLES NELSON.

REILLY.

AND IT WAS A GIGANTIC HIT, RAN 400 PERFORMANCES YET IT'S HASN'T BEEN DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND SO IT WILL BE EXCITED TO DO THIS NEW COMEDY AND THEN WE'RE DOING THE NEXT SHOW.

YEAH, OUR NEXT SHOW IS IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A RADIO PLAY SO THAT THAT EXACT IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

YOU KNOW, THE MOVIE OF YOU ARE ALRIGHT, I KNOW YOUR EYES, BUT WE FOUND THAT LIKE.

>> IT IS SUCH A PERFECT TITLE BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, YOU KNOW, JUST THINK OF A LINE OR MOMENT, IT'S REALLY TIED TO A MEMORY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST >> A PART OF OUR IDENTITY.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

SO THIS IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S THE RADIO PLAY.

SO BY THAT, I MEAN, IS WHEN YOU THE AUDIENCE STEP INTO THE THEATER, YOU'RE NOT STEPPING TO THAT.

STEPPING INTO PLAYER CIRCLE ANYMORE.

YOU ARE PART OF THE LIVE STUDIO THERE'S APPLAUSE SIGNS ON AIR SIGNS.

THERE'S A RED CARPET.

THERE'S AUTOGRAPHS TO BE HAD.

WE HAVE A CIGARETTE GAL GOING UP AND DOWN THE AISLES AND THEN YOU ACTUALLY WATCH BEDFORD FALLS COME TO LIFE RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES.

AND WE ACTUALLY DO IT THROUGH FULLY ART.

SO WHAT'S AMAZING IS YOU GET TO ACTUALLY SEE THE SOUNDS BEING CREATED.

WE SAY TO US IT'S LIKE CREATING SOUND CHOREOGRAPHY BECAUSE THE SOUND OF THE SNOW FOOTSTEPS ON THE GROUND, YOU KNOW THAT THE THAT BEAUTIFUL BELLS IN THE CHOIR, THAT IT'S ALL BEING MADE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

SO YOU REALLY GET TO BE APART OF THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE.

YES, EXACTLY.

ARE THEY TO STORY TIME?

AND THAT'S WHERE WE SAY, YOU KNOW, IT IS.

SENTIMENTAL IS NOSTALGIA, BUT ITS ALSO COMMUNAL BECAUSE YOU THE AUDIENCE ARE PART OF THE SOUNDTRACK.

SO TOGETHER, YOU'RE REALLY BUILDING THIS PRODUCTION.

>> TOGETHER WILL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING ALL THIS FANTASTIC INFORMATION.

WELL, IT'S SO GREAT TO BE HERE AND IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU.

AND IT'S A THRILL TO BE ON THIS TELEVISION SEASON.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE YOU BACK IN SHORT.

>> DUE TIME.

GREAT.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, WE ARE SOARING INTO THE RICH HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE ROLE.

ONE SMALL AIRFIELD PLAYED IN CHANGING THE TIDE OF WORLD WAR.

2.

AS AMERICA CELEBRATES MIKE.

WHEN CENTENNIAL, WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT THE ROLE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS PLAYED IN THE PAST 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

THAT INCLUDES ONE REGION WHICH PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING TO SAVE THE NATION DURING WORLD WAR TWO WGCUS MIKE WALCHER REPORTS ON HOW THESE WANTS SLEEPY BACKWATERS BECAME SO IMPORTANT TO THE WAR EFFORT.

>> IN GERMANY DOMINATED THE SKIES OVER EUROPE WHEN AMERICA ENTERED THE WAR IN LATE 1941, JAPAN CONTROL OF THE AIR OVER MUCH OF THE PACIFIC.

THE U.S.

AND ALLIES FACED AN UPHILL FIGHT.

>> THE OUTCOME WAS NOT GUARANTEED BY BY ANY STRETCH AND IT WASN'T GOING TO REQUIRE A A MAJOR EFFORT ON THE WORLD'S PART.

BUT UNITED STATES PLAYED THE LARGEST ROLE IN THAT.

>> THE MILITARY NEWS THE U.S.

HAD TO TAKE BACK THE SKIES AND THAT MEANT TRAINING PILOTS AND FLEXIBLE GUNNERS TO PROTECT BOMBERS, FLEXIBLE AS AND MEN WHO TWISTED 50 CALIBER MACHINE GUNS ALL AROUND TO FIRED AND THE PLAINS.

FLORIDA PROOF THE IDEAL TRAINING GROUND.

VERY SIMPLE.

IT WAS FLAT OPEN PAGE AND FORT MYERS ALREADY WAS AN AIRFIELD.

SO THE MOVE TO MILITARY TRAINING HAPPENED FAST.

>> THEY WERE FIGHTERS COMING IN BOMBERS COMING IN.

THEY WERE TRANSPORT PLANES COMING IN AND THEY WOULD GO UP AND TRAINED PILOTS.

MATT JOHNSON IS DIRECTOR OF THE IMAC HISTORY AND SCIENCE CENTER IN FORT MYERS.

>> HE CO-WROTE A BOOK ABOUT BUCKING HIM AIRFIELD IN BUCKINGHAM.

THE NEW ARMY AIR FORCES BASE WAS CARVED ABOVE SWAMPS IN FOREST TO TRAIN AERIAL GUNNERS TO PROTECT BOMBERS.

A FAR CRY FROM THE RESORTS.

THE DRAW VISITORS TO THE REGION TODAY.

>> SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER.

NO AIR CONDITIONING, NO MOSQUITO CONTROL LIVING IN A BASICALLY A BOX WITH TAR PAPER WALLS WITH.

YOU KNOW, DOZENS OF OTHER PEOPLE IN BUNK BEDS AND TRAINING THEY WOULD SHOOT SKATE WAS SHOT DOWN.

SO THAT WOULD TEACH HIM HOW TO LEAD A TARGET.

BOMBERS WHEN THEY'RE FLYING ARE NOT NICE AND FLAT AND SMOOTH.

THEY'RE BOUNCING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

SO THEY PUT HIM IN THE BACK OF PICKUP TRUCKS WITH A 50 CALIBER MACHINE GUNS AND TAUGHT HIM HOW TO SHOOT TARGETS BOUNCING AROUND IN THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK.

>> THOUSANDS OF WOMEN PART OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY CORPS WHACK HELP RUN THE BASES.

RICK BLACK HONORED THEM AT A RECENT EVENT IN BUCKINGHAM PUT ON BY THE FORT MYERS, AMATEUR RADIO CLUB.

OKAY.

CAN I GET YOUR NAME AND LOCATION?

WINDS ARE GOING ON THE ATTACK.

>> HE SAYS HIS MOM, BETTY WAS A 17 YEAR-OLD CIVILIAN WORKING AT BUCKINGHAM.

SHE TRANSPORTED AMMUNITION AND OTHER SUPPLIES TO PLANES WAITING TO TAKE OFF THAT I'M >> PROUD OF THE ROLE THAT SHE PLAYED IN THAT AND PROUD OF THE THE U.S.

MILITARY AND WHAT IT DID IN THE WAR.

>> BLACK SAYS HIS MOTHER'S STORIES ABOUT BUCKINGHAM INSPIRED HIM TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.

I THINK WHAT SHE DID.

>> THAT KIND OF THING WHICH ENABLED US TO CONTINUE IN OUR FREEDOM.

>> WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS, WASPS, FLU, ARMORED PLANES AS TARGETS FOR THE GUNNERS FIRING PLASTIC BULLETS.

WOMEN HAD TO FLY BECAUSE ALL MALE PILOTS WENT OVERSEAS.

AS SOON AS THEY FINISH TRAINING SOMETIMES AND ONLY 2 TO 3 MONTHS.

THE TRAINING CALLED FOR A CRUISE WITH MALE PILOTS TO DROP DUMMY BOMBS LIKE THIS ONE ON AND HAVE A GOOD BARRIER ISLANDS PLAYING THE SOMETIMES DROPPING LIVE BOMBS ON RANGES OR IN THE EVERGLADES.

MATT JOHNSON SAYS CRASHES WERE COMMON BOTH ON LAND AND OF THE WATER.

>> UP IN TAMPA BAY, THE BE 26 WAS NICKNAME WANT TODAY IN TAMPA BAY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY ACCIDENTS THAT WERE HAPPENING ALSO HAD THE NICKNAME OF WIDOW MAKER.

>> JOHNSON SAYS BOMBERS CRASHED IN THE GULF IN ONE CRASH.

6 MEN FROM DIFFERENT STATES DIED OFF SHORE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE.

2 BODIES WERE RECOVERED AT THE TIME AND THIS COUPLE PROPELLER WAS BROUGHT UP BY DIVE CREWS THAT CAGE AFTER THE WAR OVERSEAS, THE DEATH TOLL FOR PILOTS AND CREW WAS HIGH.

>> AS MANY AS TWO-THIRDS OF THEM DID NOT COME HOME WHEN THEY WENT ON A BOMBING RUN OVER GERMANY AND IT WAS COMMON FOR THE ENTIRE SQUAD RUNS NOT TO RETURN.

>> SLOWLY OVER TIME.

AMERICAN AIR POWER DESTROYED FACTORIES AND FUEL REFINERIES IN GERMANY AND JAPAN EFFECTIVELY DECIDING THE WAR IN THE ALLIES FAVOR TO HEAR THE STORIES OF.

>> JUST THE NOT ONLY THE BRAVERY BUT THE GRIT THAT IT REQUIRED.

SO, YEAH, IT IS AN EMOTIONAL THING WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK AT THE HUMAN TOLL AND THE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THAT WON THE WAR AND MANY WAYS.

>> PAGE FIELD RETURN TO CIVILIAN STATUS WHEN THE WAR ENDED, BUCKINGHAM WAS ABANDONED HIM.

BUT LATER REVIVED HIS LEE COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL HEADQUARTERS.

THE ORIGINAL CHAPEL WAS TAKEN APART.

BRICK BY BRICK TRANSPORTED TO FORT MYERS AND THE BREC'S RELAYED TO BUILD SAINT JOHN FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

IT STANDS TO THIS DAY IN THE DUNBAR COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE LIKE OSCAR CORBAN, A GUNNERY INSTRUCTOR CAME BACK TO FORT MYERS.

HE WAS ELECTED MAYOR AND CITY HALL IS NAMED FOR CORA AND THE BACKING OF OUR YEAR, ESPECIALLY THE INCISION NOT TAKING CHECK.

AND VETERAN BRIAN DARLING OF THE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB SAYS WE MUST REMEMBER THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

>> ITS HEART, IT LEAVES A LUMP IN YOUR THROAT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MANY TRAINED IN HOW MANY DID NOT MAKE IT BACK.

>> THE CITY OF FORT MYERS PUT UP A STATUE IN CENTENNIAL PARK, HONORING THE BRAVE WHO HELP SAVE THE LAND OF THE FREE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE MOVE DOWN HERE, EVEN IF THEY THINK THIS IS JUST A PART OF THE SOUTHWEST FOR STORY, IT'S NOT IT'S IT'S ALSO PART OF THE AMERICAN STORY.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AMERICAN STORY THAT WE CONTINUE TO TELL AND PRESERVE AND PROTECT.

>> WITH A TARGET FOR AMANDA WITH A MORE FOR WGCU NEWS IM MIKE WALCHER >> OUR FLORIDA TO 50 STORIES ARE SPONSORED IN PART BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA THROUGH THE DIVISION OF ARTS AND CULTURE.

COMING UP ON TOMORROW'S PROGRAM, BURNOUT AND HIGH TURNOVER ARE LEADING TO A SHORTAGE IN SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE IMPACT IS BEING FELT LOCALLY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.