Academia Hernando to present Gershwins program March 4 at WellCome OM Center

Jason Fortner will present "The Gershwins - A S’Wonderful Soirée" at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the WellCome OM Center, 4260 Lake in the Woods Drive in Spring Hill, as part of Academia Hernando’s Spring 2026 Lecture Series. The event listing puts the program squarely in the lecture series calendar and names Fortner as the presenter.

The program is billed as "a melodic look at the 100-year-plus legacy of George and Ira Gershwin, celebrating their Broadway and Hollywood hits with stories, songs, and video clips." The event description notes the brothers’ main period of output ran from the early 1920s until George Gershwin’s death in 1937, and says audience members will "revisit classics such as 'The Man I Love,' 'They Can’t Take That Away From Me,' 'Bidin’ My Time' and 'Someone to Watch Over Me.' These are beloved tunes that topped the charts throughout the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and beyond."

Fortner’s professional credentials are highlighted in the announcement. The program copy states that he "currently serves as Artistic Director of Francis Wilson Playhouse, a cornerstone of local theatre in Clearwater since 1930." It adds that "as a director, Fortner has helmed more than 500 productions across Florida, California, New Jersey, Idaho and other states" and that "as a writer and producer, he has created shows and live events internationally, including three seasons with Club Med resorts in South Florida, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Crested Butte and Cancun." The announcement also notes his international corporate production work in England, France, Mexico, Italy and Spain and says "in addition to his theatrical work, Fortner is an accomplished educator who has presented thousands of entertainment-focused lectures for Road Scholar, Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes and other lifelong learning organizations." The event text concludes that he "is delighted to return to speak with the members of Academia Hernando."

The Academia Hernando event page also contains a site placeholder reading "Presenter Bio: Matthew Beck — Bio to come," even though Fortner is named for the March 4 program. The page lists a follow-up lecture in the Spring 2026 series on Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m., titled "1960s: The Years That Shaped a Generation," and supplies a detailed bio for that presenter, Rick Kistner, including his nearly five-decade teaching career, a B.A. in Urban Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Dayton, a 30-year career in Criminal Justice Administration, and "nearly 600 presentations" delivered to date.

The event listings did not include ticket prices, registration or RSVP instructions, expected duration, or accessibility and parking details. Organizers have not provided whether music will be performed live or presented via archival recordings and video clips. The March 4 program begins at 10:00 a.m. at the WellCome OM Center, 4260 Lake in the Woods Drive, Spring Hill, and is part of Academia Hernando’s continuing Spring 2026 Lecture Series.