The Naples Players announces the production and sale of a new 2021 calendar that features some of Naples’ leading female leaders “taking it all off” for charity. Originally scheduled for release to coincide with The Naples Players’ production of Calendar Girls, the calendar and production were placed on-hold due to COVID.

Taking inspiration from the true Calendar Girls story that inspired 11 women in England who “dared to bare all” to raise funds when one of their own lost a husband to leukemia, our local dynamic dozen channeled their inner Helen Mirren, gathered their courage and dropped everything else.

Led by local queen of Philanthropy Patty Baker, in partnership with award-winning photographer Charlie McDonald, some of Naples’ leading ladies were invited to go almost au 

naturel for their cherished charities: Patty Baker, Brenda Melton, Audrey Pengelly, Simone Lutgert, Diana Riley, Sharon von Arx, Sarah Baeckler, Sue Dalton, Kristen Coury, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, Myra Daniels and Jennifer McCurry.

“Patty was not only the creative force behind the project, but she played an important role in ensuring it was a project led by women” said Bryce Alexander, CEO & Executive Artistic Director of The Naples Players. “It was important to us that the women understood that they were in charge of their own story and their artistic expression.”

After the original project was postponed, in true Calendar Girls fashion, the Collier Calendar Girls collectively decided to move forward altering the original mission of selling the calendar for multiple charities, and finding “common ground” to address a critical local need – food insecurity.

“This issue directly and indirectly impacts the various organizations represented by the women in the calendar” says Diana Riley, Founder of local non-profit Swinging with Purpose, and who is featured in the April section of the calendar. “This issue affects the individuals and families that are being served by our organizations – hence it was our ‘common ground” she finished.

Thanks to help from the Community Foundation of Collier County, sales of the calendar will be distributed to non-profits dedicated to providing food security; with CFCC’s proven track record of ensuring the funds are appropriately collected, allocated, and used.

The Naples Players has also rescheduled Calendar Girls to re-open the theatre – with shows beginning on April 28, 2021 and running through May 23rd.

“We hope that the calendar brings important support, creativity, and levity to our community. It isn’t often that you see leaders of multiple non-profits coming together to raise money for other non-profits” continued Alexander. “It speaks to the true character of these women, and to our amazing community.”

The 2021 Calendars are available for purchase by visiting www.naplesplayers.org/calendargirls for a suggested donation of $25.

Tickets for Calendar Girls are also available at www.naplesplayers.org/calendargirls – running April 28 to May 23, 2021 – $35 for subscribers, veterans, and first responders; $42 for thePublic.