Heading into a weekend of OTHER DESERT CITIES -PLUS- Rehearsals and construction continue for Some Enchanted Evening!

We're heading into a great UBU weekend with a staged reading of OTHER DESERT CITIES this Friday and Saturday night. A finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize, the production was nominated for five Tony Awards and has now become a hot ticket at regional theatres across the country. John Battalino directs a stellar cast in this dynamic staged reading of a "searing comedy with banter that dazzles and decimates..." You can buy your tickets right HERE, right NOW, and be sure to arrive early for the best seats, especially on Friday, since there is a talk-back after the performance. Don't miss this one!

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: 

SET CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES!

The sound of construction fills the theatre by day and the sound of singing fills it by night! Our fabulous winter fundraising musical --  SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN -- is coming together bit by bit!  Clockwise from top right, we can see volunteer Ron Burkhart sanding a brand new bench; the set platforms, featuring multiple levels for the performers and two elevated platforms for our amazing pianists, are quickly coming together;  and yes, Cheetos are a critical tool to have on hand when building and painting a set. Seriously. And finally, our gorgeous poster art (created by Subplot Studio!) provides a tantalizing hint at what's to come on Opening Night, which by the way is VALENTINE'S DAY! (hint, hint...) 

MEET THE CAST!

Danielle Dutro McNamara, Gregory Gorrindo, Jackie Edwards, Phil Edwards and Katie Gucik are the very talented members of the cast for this delightful Rodgers & Hammerstein musical revue. They'll be performing over 30 songs from some of the greatest Broadway hits of all time, including Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The King & I, The Sound of Music and many more. 

Director Kevin Harris and choreographer Zach Johnson show us their "better sides" as they work a song from South Pacific with the lovely ladies of the cast. :)

I've got a great idea! Why not treat your sweetheart to a romantic Valentine's weekend by getting your tickets NOW for Some Enchanted Evening! What a wonderful way to show you really care for that Broadway music-loving partner of yours. I'm just sayin'...could be the best Valentine's Day ever. And don't forget that Saturday night is Martini Night. Doors open at 6 pm. I'll tell her it was your idea. 

Buy your tickets HERE. Just add a bouquet of roses and you're done.

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN

FEBRUARY 14 - MARCH 16

Fridays & Saturdays @ 7pm | Saturdays & Sundays @ 2 pm

Music by Richard Rodgers  |  Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Directed by Kevin Harris

Musical Direction by Lacey McNamara

Choreography by Zach Johnson

Thanks to Laura Hopkins for sponsoring the show! 

Watch for our commercial on KSBY and you can hear our radio spot on KVEC!

FINALLY, YES... IT'S THE SUPER BOWL!

And I really hope you have a fabulous SUPER BOWL Sunday too! Of course my favorite part is the commercials. Sorry, but it's true. And if you haven't seen the new Budweiser Super Bowl commercial, check it out right HERE. But I'm warning you, it's got a cuteness factor that's off the charts. Clydesdales and puppies, who'd a thought?

Have a good weekend!

~Patty

Set work for SOME ENCHANTED EVENING!

Come see this set in action! Click HERE to get your tickets.

The curtain closes on PINOCCHIO, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING takes the stage, OTHER DESERT CITIES plays this weekend, and AUDITIONS are coming! Only at the Little Theatre!

Good afternoon friends of the Little Theatre,

Jamie Foster Photography

Jamie Foster Photography

The curtain closed on our Academy of Creative Theatre production of Pinocchio last weekend- congratulations to this wonderful cast and crew who created one of the most artistically and financially successful production in ACT's history. Pinocchio played to full houses the entire last weekend; what a great way to introduce young people to live theatre! Thank you to Shelagh Garren, Taylor Peters, Kerry DiMaggio, and Lester Wilson on a truly magical production. Spring classes for ACT are registering now; check out what our Academy of Creative Theatre is offering to the community. Click HERE to browse our classes and register online!

Less than 2 hours after Pinocchio's final curtain call, our technical director Dave Linfield was loading in the elegant set for our upcoming fundraising production of Some Enchanted Evening: the Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein. This beautiful journey through over 30 of the most recognizable songs from "America's Songbook" opens on Friday, February 14 and runs through Sunday, March 16. Read more about the show and get your ticket instantly online by clicking HERE.

Looking for a modern theatrical experience that will knock your socks off? Check out our upcoming staged reading of Jon Robin Baitz's award-winning play, Other Desert Cities. Join us on Friday night for a talkback with the cast and director after the reading. Other Desert Cities plays for two nights only: January 31 and February 1 at 7:00 PM. Get your tickets by clicking HERE. 

Interested in being a part of the action onstage? We have several audition opportunities coming at the Little Theatre! Consider being in an Ubu's Other Shoe staged reading (low commitment, no need to memorize lines.) Auditions for the next Ubu reading, Psychopathia Sexualis, will be held on February 5th. Have a pair of dance shoes that are collecting dust? Check out our auditions for A Chorus Line coming up in mid-February. We're always looking new people to become a member of the Little Theatre family! Click HERE to look at all of the audition details.

We have so much to bring you in 2014! Thanks you for your ongoing support of your community theatre! Have a wonderful week, everyone!

-Kevin

Final weekend of PINOCCHIO, AUDITIONS, NO SHAME & MORE!

It's true! PINOCCHIO is about to leave the building! And he's taking Cricket and The Blue Fairy and Candlewick and the Village Children and all the rest with him! Just four shows remain in the run of this wonderful Academy of Creative Theatre show and all four are nearly sold-out. If you don't want to miss out, listen to Cricket and CLICK HERE to buy your tickets today!

Many thanks to everyone who  made this delightful show possible, including our show sponsor Wilda Rosene, ACT Season Sponsors Patricia & Laura McNamara, the Central Coast Funds for Children, the Community Foundation of SLO County and of course, our 24 talented actors and actresses and their very supportive families. Don't miss this show!

So excited for auditions this weekend: Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 pm!  If you're a quick study, you still  have time to prepare and take a shot at being a part of this powerful play directed by Teresa Thuman. CLICK HERE for all the details about auditions (and while you're there, check out the two other shows having auditions very soon!)

PROOF runs April 4-27. CLICK HERE for tickets.

That's right, this Friday night is NO SHAME THEATRE! If you're a fan of late-night, live, FREE, original theatre, then this is the place you want to be on Friday, January 24th. Doors/Bar open at 9:30, script submissions at 10, showtime at 10:30 pm.

The first 15 scripts will be performed and no script will be turned away, as long as it follows these three simple rules:

RULE ONE:  All work must be original. That means the performer(s) either wrote the piece or have permission from the author to perform the piece.

RULE TWO:  All performances must be 5 minutes or less.

RULE THREE:  Nobody may break anything... including the law.

CLICK HERE for more information about NO SHAME!

OTHER DESERT CITIES

by Jon Robin Baitz

Directed by John Battalino

Prepare for amazing theatre.

Friday, January 31 & Saturday, February 1 @ 7pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Ubu's Other Shoe Season Sponsors
Anet & Charley Carlin, The Web Game

Make plans now for a romantic
Valentine's Day Opening Night!

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING:
THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN

February 14 - March 16

Enjoy the songs that will live forever in our hearts from such legendary Broadway hits as Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, State Fair, Flower Drum Song, The King & I, The Sound of Music and more!

CLICK HERE for your tickets to this magical, musical revue

ONLY at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre!

Many Thanks to our Show Sponsor:

Laura Hopkins

And to our Media Sponsors

KSBY TV

KVEC News Talk 920

Have an awesome weekend everyone! 

Get on out there and see a show.

PINOCCHIO packs the house, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING begins staging, OTHER DESERT CITIES enters the home stretch, and PROOF auditions take place this weekend! This week at the Little Theatre!

Good morning friends of the Little Theatre,

I hope that everyone had (and is having) a wonderful long weekend. Our holiday weekend was anything but "dark" at 888 Morro Street; Pinocchio had its second week of performances and played to full houses all weekend long.

Photo Courtesy of Jamie Foster

There are only 4 more chances to see our Academy of Creative Theatre performers bring this classic story to life on our stage. Pinocchio is a perfect way to introduce your children to the magic of live theatre. Click HERE to reserve your tickets today. Thank you to Laura and Patricia McNamara, our Academy of Creative Theatre Season Sponsors, and Wilda Rosene (Jockey Person to Person), the Show Sponsor for Pinocchio.

Musical rehearsals have ended and the cast of Some Enchanted Evening takes the stage tonight to begin staging. Our fundraising production features over 30 of the most famous Rodgers and Hammerstein songs performed by 5 incredible singers. This is one you will not want to miss! Some Enchanted Evening opens on Friday, February 14 and plays through Sunday, March 16. Reserve your tickets today by clicking HERE. Check out Mitzi Gaynor's original screen test for South Pacific by clicking HERE. She's singing just one of the classic songs featured in the production.

On July 13, 2011 Other Desert Cities premiered at the Mitzi E. Newhouse theatre to rave reviews. Shortly after its run, the production was moved to Broadway and quickly became one of the most acclaimed new plays of the last decade. Experience the power of Other Desert Cities in staged reading directed by John Battalino; two nights only: 1/31 and 2/1 at 7:00 PM. Other Desert Cities is part of the 10th anniversary season of Ubu's Other Shoe, the staged reading series at the Little Theatre. Check out Ubu's great season by clicking HERE. Get your tickets to Other Desert Cities by clicking HERE.

Auditions for Proof, our next mainstage season show, will take place this weekend (1/25 and 1/26) at the Little Theatre. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play will be directed by guest director Teresa Thuman. All roles are open. See all of the audition details by clicking HERE.

Thank you, as always, for your support of our organization! Have a wonderful week, everyone!

-Kevin

Board Meeting

The regular meeting of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre Board of Directors will be held at 6 PM on January 22, 2014 at the Little Theatre.

Click here to view the agenda.

PINOCCHIO's adventures, AUDITIONS galore and RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN!

PINOCCHIO is everywhere today! First of all, there's a lovely photo and a BIG thanks to Central Coast Funds for Children in the GOOD NEWS section of the Tribune today. There's an awesome video featuring two of our young actors, and the lovely Kerry DiMaggio, on the KSBY WEBSITE (and it will air on the 6 pm news tonight too!) We're also a HOT DATE in New Times today and finally, check out the great review by Joan Crowder in today's Tribune TICKET (It's not posted online yet, but you can pick up a copy of the Tribune at your local market!)

This is a great show for young and old alike, and it's rapidly selling out for our two remaining weekends, so make your reservations now to ensure your seats. Here... I'll make it easy for you: just CLICK HERE for your tickets NOW!

So much theatre, so little time....

Seriously, I know Kevin told you all about this a couple of days ago, but it bears repeating again and again...and again. Come on out and audition for a show! First of all, there's PROOF  next weekend, January 25-26. Director Teresa Thuman will be in town all the way from Seattle to see what you've got, so come on down to the theatre and give it a shot. What have you got to lose? CLICK HERE for more information about the play, roles available and preparing for your audition.

 If you love to act, but don't feel like you have enough time for a full production, why not try out for one of our Ubu's Other Shoe staged readings?  Great theatre, limited rehearsal time and just two performances. The next auditions will be February 5th at 6:30 pm for a staged reading of PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS, directed by Lisa Woske. Five roles, hilarious play. CLICK HERE for everything you need to know before the audition.

Last, but most certainly not least....A CHORUS LINE!!  You know who you are. You love to sing, you love to dance, THIS is the show you were born to do! And working with director/choreographer Zach Johnson and Musical Director Lacey McNamara is going to be a blast. Mark your calendars now for Feb. 18, 19, 25 & 26, then CLICK HERE for all the details on preparing your audition.  

Finally, just a quick note from the girl who works upstairs at the theatre. Remember her? It's me. There are definitely a few perks to be had when you work late at the Little Theatre. Sometimes you get to overhear the rehearsals for the next show. And if you're really lucky, the next show is a musical. And if you're really, REALLY lucky, the musical features some of the most beautiful songs ever written by two of Broadway's most prolific and legendary teams:  RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN!

Well lately... It's a Grand Night for Singing as I sit In My Own Little Corner in My Own Little Room. I may be As Corny as Kansas in August, but sometimes I feel Younger than Springtime as I spend Some Enchanted Evenings in my little office upstairs. Musicals are definitely one of My Favorite Things. 

You may not be able to sit upstairs and listen to rehearsal, but you can get your tickets early for SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN. Trust me, you'll love it. Opens on  Valentine's Day, February 14th. Not a bad idea for a date with your sweetheart. 

Ok. Enough singing for now. I hope to see you at the Little Theatre soon. Have a great weekend. :)

~Patty

P.S. And just because I absolutely LOVE this one... here it is. Hugh Jackman in the 1999 production of OKLAHOMA!

PINOCCHIO has a magical opening weekend, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING finishes up music rehearsals, and AUDITIONS are coming! Only at the Little Theatre!

Good morning friends of the Little Theatre,

Our Academy of Creative theatre production of Pinocchio opened on Friday and had a wonderful weekend of performances. Congratulations to ACT coordinator Kerry DiMaggio, Director Shelagh Garren, Assistant Director Taylor Peters, and the entire cast/crew of this magical show. There are only 8 more chances to see Pinocchio- get your tickets by clicking HERE. 

Some Enchanted Evening, our winter fundraising production, is wrapping up the first two weeks of music rehearsals and is read to move to the stage. Some Enchanted Evening is the nation's most popular Rodgers and Hammerstein music review; the production features 5 amazing singers and two live pianists who take the audience on a nostalgic journey through the greatest hits of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Join us and experience songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, State Fair, The King and I, and many, many more! Some Enchanted Evening is directed by Kevin Harris, musically directed by Lacey McNamara, and choreographed by Zach Johnson. The production plays from February 14-March 16; you can get your tickets by clicking HERE. To check our Gordon MacRae singing one of my favorite songs from the show, click HERE.

We have three great audition opportunities coming up at the Little Theatre. On January 25 and 26 we will be holding auditions for Proof, directed by Teresa Thuman. On February 5 we will be holding auditions for the staged reading of Psychopathia Sexualis, directed by Lisa Woske. And finally, for two weeks in February, we will be holding auditions for our season production of A Chorus Line, directed and choreographed by Zach Johnson. These three productions have over 30 open roles for actors of all ages/types. For complete audition details, please click HERE. Now is the perfect time for you to get involved and get onstage!

We've had a great start to 2014 at the Little Theatre (and we have so much more to share with you in the coming months.) Thanks you, as always, for your continued support of our organization. Have a wonderful week, everyone!

-Kevin

Thanks to Central Coast Funds for Children for FREE Tickets to Pinocchio!

All photos by Jamie Foster Photography

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre has received a generous $3,000 grant from the Central Coast Funds for Children in support of our Academy of Creative Theatre production of Pinocchio, which runs January 10-26, 2014. Specifically, the grant underwrites free and discounted tickets to performances of Pinocchio for underserved children and families in collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO.) The tickets are being distributed through CAPSLO to families involved in Head Start and other programs for families and children. In addition, this generous grant has underwritten many of the costs associated with the production and the training of the students involved, including a unique marionette class taught by clown, puppeteer and theatre arts instructor, Gale McNeely.

Conner Allen as Gepetto and Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

ACT’s production of Pinocchio is directed by Shelagh Garren and features 23 student actors from the Little Theatre’s ACT educational program. The students have been rehearsing for this production since early October. The cast includes: Conner Allen, Eiligh Brevetz, Penny DellaPelle, Campbell Ellery, Isabella Grznar, Ella Harris, Laila Haughey, Lunabella Levin, Audrey Mason, Stella McSween, Zoe Peach-Riley, Serafina Regusci, Mia Ritter, Sienna Ritter, Ernesto Roide, Claire Romero, Alexis Rosinsky, Lauren Rudd, Cali Singleton, Elizabeth Tharp, Drew Vander Weele, Anouk von Ott and Trevyn Wong and Assistant Director Taylor Peters.

Cali Singleton as Swindle the Fox with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

“Participating in theatre encourages creativity and builds self-confidence” says ACT Coordinator Kerry DiMaggio. “ACT provides a creative, artistic, educational and FUN outlet for children who might not otherwise be engaged with their peers or other important adult role models. This generous grant from the Central Coast Funds for Children enables us to share this production of Pinocchio, not only with the students performing in the production, but with children and families throughout the county who might not otherwise be able to attend.”

Gepetto's Workshop 

ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF CREATIVE THEATRE
The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre provides year-round theatrical training for youth ages 5-18 (kindergarten through 12th grade.) ACT’s after-school programs, summer camps and theatrical production classes inspire young performers and technicians to develop skills which will benefit them throughout their lives, both on and off the stage. Students involved in ACT learn from professional artists in programs designed to help students explore creative self-expression and individuality. Whether our students choose to pursue theatre as a career, as volunteers or as audience members, our hope is their experience at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre will help them to develop a greater appreciation of the theatre arts and a stronger connection to their community.

Ernesto Roide as Candlewick with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

Thank you to Central Coast Funds for Children for supporting kids and the arts and don't miss our production of Pinocchio, now through January 26th! (CLICK HERE for info and tickets!)

Alexis Rosinsky as Cricket with Trevyn Wong as Pinocchio

PINOCCHIO! Plus AUDITIONS for two Pulitzer prize-winners, another great UBU staged reading and an ENCHANTED EVENING for Valentine's Day!

That just about covers it. Wow. Quite a line-up for the first two months of the year. So much for gradually getting back up to speed after the holidays. We prefer to start the new year off with a bang! There WILL be theatre. LOTS of it. All GREAT. So, pull out your calendar and start planning your next two months, because you don't want to miss a minute!

First up is the story of the little wooden marionette who wanted to be a real boy. PINOCCHIO!  We all know the story, but it's always worth hearing again, especially when it's performed by our talented Academy of Creative Theatre students! Show dates are January 10-26 and some shows are already selling out, so be sure to buy your TICKETS today!

WANTED:  2 women, 2 men; all excellent actors who can carry the weight and communicate the beauty of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Auburn. Director Teresa Thuman has asked you to prepare two contrasting contemporary monologues for your audition here at the theatre January 25-26. CLICK HERE  for more information and break a leg! (PROOF runs April 4-27)

OTHER DESERT CITIES is a searing comedy with banter that dazzles and decimates...one of the most satisfying grown-up plays of the decade. Our next Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Reading hits the stage January 31-February 1. Written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by John Battalino, Other Desert Cities features the talents of Annie Guynn, Polly Firestone Walker, Michael Siebrass, Jenny Shaheen and Bob Peterson. 'Nuff said. Don't miss this one. It's a definite winner. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

The perfect show for Valentine's Day! Tickets are already going fast for this enchanting musical revue featuring the legendary music of Rodgers & Hammerstein! Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Flower Drum Song...the list goes on and on. This is also our winter fundraising musical, so you can enjoy a lovely, romantic evening out and support the Little Theatre at the same time! Mark your calendars: February 14-March 16. SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, featuring the enchanting music that has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Buy your tickets early for this intimate and memorable musical revue!

You know it. You love it. So, I guess the question is, is it your turn to strut your stuff right here at the Little Theatre in one of the most popular musicals of all time? You've got more than a month to prepare before auditions for A CHORUS LINE on February 18, 19 & 25. What are you waiting for?!!  CLICK HERE for more information and start working on your singing and dancing! (A CHORUS LINE runs May 16-June 15.)

Phew. That's a lot of stuff to do in less than two months. But if you're with us, it'll be easy. Here's a little SOMETHING for inspiration. One singular sensation...

Happy New Year everyone!