A brand new LIGHTING SYSTEM, AUDITIONS on Sunday, SPELLING BEEs are fun, AND Happy HALLOWEEN!

CFSLOCO's Janice Fong Wolf, Kevin Harris and Board President
Bryce Engstrom in the booth with our new light board.

Thanks to two generous grants from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, we are looking pretty spiffy these days, both onstage and off, here at the Little Theatre. In October, we received a very generous grant of $5,000 to fund the purchase of a new state-of-the-art computerized lighting console replacing our 23 year old “antique” light board. The new system is able to be programmed with multiple lighting designs for multiple shows and will greatly enhance the experience of both audiences and technicians alike during our ambitious 2014-15 Season.

Intern extraordinaire Ellis Beardsley displaying our new tickets and color print materials.

In addition to our gorgeous new light board, we also have new printers! Almost a year ago now, we received a grant of $2,850 through the Foundation to purchase a new thermal ticket printer and a new color printer/scanner. It took awhile to find the perfect ticket printer AND to program it to work with our ticketing system, but now, you can actually read the seat numbers on your tickets and our publicity materials really stand out in full color!  Many thanks to our Community Foundation for their generous support!

Every time we turn around lately, it seems like it's time for more auditions. I love it! Our next Ubu's Other Shoe staged reading to hit the rehearsal room will be MISS WITHERSPOON by Christopher Durang. Director Kelly Fidopiastis needs five or six talented actors and actresses to bring this deliciously offbeat comedy to life. Auditions are this Sunday at 4 pm and Monday at 6 pm. Hope to see you here. Click HERE for all the details.

If musicals are more to your talents and taste, be sure to dust off your tap shoes and come on down on November 23 and 24 for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN auditions. This is going to be our biggest musical of the year, so warm up those vocal chords and stretch those dancing muscles. You can check out audition requirements and the roles available HERE, then come on down and "make 'em laugh...make 'em laugh...make 'em laugh!"

When the trick or treating (in the rain or under moonlight!) is done, the party is definitely NOT over! If you like LIVE, ORIGINAL, FREE late-night theatre, come on down for a one-of-a-kind Halloween party at NO SHAME THEATRE. Because when NO SHAME and HALLOWEEN collide, you never know what might happen. The doors open at 9:30 pm, we'll accept your original five minute scripts at 10 pm and the show starts at 10:30 pm.

Saw a rehearsal for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM VALLEY SPELLING BEE last night and we are in for a real treat! This Tony Award winning musical comedy opens next Friday, November 7th. Directed by Dana Shaheen, the laughs and songs come fast and funny and don't be surprised if YOU wind up on stage joining the BEE! Click HERE for more info and tickets.

And finally....THRILLER!  It's an oldie, but it's also a goodie. So, in honor of Halloween, here's a little zombie action just to get you in the mood.  Have a fun Halloween weekend! ~ Patty

Farewell PICASSO, adieu FROST/NIXON, au revoir MADDY SINCLAIR and hello SPELLING BEE!

Jamie Foster Photography

Ah well...farewell to PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE. Now that the cast of this beautiful show has taken its final bow we can share a couple of photos of surprise scenes without posting a spoiler alert too. Great cast, awesome set and fabulous direction. I know I've said it before, but I'm really going to miss this one.

Jamie Foster Photography

Yep. "Elvis" has left the building, but not without scoring two solid weeks of sold-out shows and leavin' 'em laughing as he went. Hope you all enjoyed this show as much as I did, sparkly gold glitter, twinkle lights and all.

Danielle Dutro Photography

FROST/NIXON had two nearly full houses last week as our UBU'S OTHER SHOE STAGED READING series continues to break new ground in the high quality of its performances and in attendance. The cast of 10 actors included three of our talented PICASSO actors, who decided to do "double-duty" performing in both shows. Toby Tropper went from playing Pablo Picasso to David Frost, while Cameron Rose transformed himself from Albert Einstein to James Reston, and Tom Ammon shed his character of Gaston to become Nixon aide Jack Brennan. Next up for Ubu?  ANNA IN THE TROPICS, directed by Leo Cortez.

We also said au revoir to MADDY SINCLAIR after her final performance on Sunday. What a show!  Congratulations Maddy on a stellar premier and we can't wait to see what's next for you. Our AFTER HOURS @slotheatre late-night comedies are off to a great start thanks to this talented British comedienne. So what's next, you may ask?

RyLo Media Design

Glad you asked! This Friday we will celebrate Halloween night with NO SHAME THEATRE! If you like LIVE, ORIGINAL, FREE late-night theatre, come on down for what is sure to be a one-of-a-kind All Hallows Eve. When NO SHAME and HALLOWEEN collide, you never know what might happen. The doors open at 9:30 pm, we'll accept your original five minute scripts at 10 pm and the show starts at 10:30 pm. Need a giggle before Friday?  Click HERE to see RyLo Media Design's NO SHAME HALLOWEEN video.  BOO!

CAL POLY ARTS is making a very special offer for friends of the Little Theatre: a 10% discount on any full-priced ticket to the Globe Theatre's performance of KING LEAR at the PAC on November 18th!  Performed by members of England's Globe Theatre and starring James Marcell (Geoffrey from Fresh Prince of Bel Air) this show is a must-see for lovers of Shakespeare and great theatre. Here's how to get your discount:

Click HERE for the Cal Poly Arts show page, then click "BUY TICKETS" and enter the promo code: GLOBE to receive your discount. Order online or by calling (805) 756-4849.

And finally, mark your calendars for November 7th and the Tony Award winning musical, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE!  This delightful musical comedy has been called: "Irresistible!" and "Riotously funny!" Directed by Dana Shaheen, the show features the talents of Madison Shaheen, Stephanie Wilson, Caitlin Tobin, Heather Malcolm, Garrett Larsen, Gregory Gorrindo, Mike Mesker, Robin Kirk Wolf and Vincent Lemos.

If you'd like to find out a bit more about the show, click HERE to watch an interview with composer/ lyricist William Finn and Broadway director James Lapine about the original Broadway show. Then click HERE for your tickets before our limited 3-week run is SOLD-OUT!

Happy Halloween Everyone! Hope you have a great week and I look forward to seeing you soon, right here at your San Luis Obispo Little Theatre.

~Patty

Last chance for FROST/NIXON tonight and it's the final weekend for PICASSO and MADDY SINCLAIR - don't miss these 3 GREAT SHOWS!

"In a drama as thought-provoking as it is gripping and entertaining, acclaimed screenwriter Peter Morgan examines how a British playboy, talk-show host managed to do what no other journalist or prosecutor could: extract a confession from our most notorious statesman." -- DAILY TELEGRAPH

Tonight is your last chance to see a tremendous staged reading of this award-winning play. I saw the play last night and it was riveting. Great cast and a wonderful look at history. Don't miss your chance to see playwright Peter Morgan's funny and insightful look at the interview that sealed a president's legacy. Besides it's only $10!  Click HERE for your tickets to our Ubu's Other Staged Reading of FROST/NIXON, directed by David Norum.

Yes, you CAN still see this awesome comedy!  You just have to get to the theatre early, put your name on our waiting list and wait... we can almost always find you a seat! PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE has been one of our most hilarious and successful comedies ever so trust me, you don't want to miss it. Final performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm and they are all nearly sold-out BUT you can still get your foot in the door if you give it that old college try. Arrive at least a half hour before show time, put your name on that waiting list and we'll do our best to get you a seat. Sorry, no guarantees, but we do have a pretty good track record of finding seats for everyone AND it's worth a chance and worth the wait. I promise!

This weekend is also your last chance to see WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS? too, before it launches off to LA and London. If you've never met Maddy Sinclair, let me introduce you: Swiss/Scot, raised in England. HILARIOUS! Okay, there's a better introduction of our star right HERE on the Two for the Show Central Coast blog by Dave Congalton and Charlotte Alexander. Check it out and then I've got a very special discount deal for you, dear readers of our Little Theatre blog....

Click HERE to order your tickets online for our Friday, Saturday or Sunday shows, then enter the promo code "giggle" and you can buy $10 tickets! Don't miss the premiere show of our After Hours @slotheatre series.  The bar is open and the laughs are on us!

Can you spell F-U-N?  Mark your calendars for our next show of the season - a delightful musical comedy that the entire family will enjoy - THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE!  Rehearsals sound great from my little perch upstairs and I can hardly wait for opening night. If you're not already a season subscriber (with your seats already guaranteed) click HERE for your tickets today.

Have a great week and weekend, everyone - see you very soon right here at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre!

~Patty

  

PICASSO's a HIT (and we've got the reviews to prove it!) AFTER HOURS premieres Friday and UBU's FROST/NIXON takes the stage on Tuesday. It's a very busy October here at the Little Theatre!

Photo by RyLo Media Design

As if there was ever any doubt in my mind, Steve Martin's PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE  is a hit! This well-acted and brilliantly directed (Suzy Newman) gem of a show has audiences not only rolling in the aisles but also thinking some very interesting thoughts about history, celebrity, art, science, men, women, sex... But don't take my word for it, you can read the awesome New Times review right HERE and the Tribune has also weighed in on the subject of Picasso, history and hilarity HERE.

PICASSO runs for just two more weekends, so don't miss your chance to see this great show, click HERE for your tickets today. And before you point it out, I'll admit it: some performances are already very close to sold-out. But there's no need to despair! Einstein and Picasso both proved that things are not always what they seem. Sometimes when we look sold-out we can still get you into the show. It doesn't make sense, but it's true. So, take a leap and come downtown and check it out this weekend. Sold-out or not, we'll do our best to find you a seat! 

"Nothing says late-night like live comedy." - New Times

Yep, it's here. The Little Theatre's AFTER HOURS @slotheatre series of shows will premiere on Friday night at 9:30 pm with WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS? written by and featuring British-born humorist Maddy Sinclair. Maddy has been a regular performer at our late night NO SHAME THEATRE for the past couple of years and we're thrilled that she's chosen to premiere her one-woman show right here at the Little Theatre. 

Photo by  RyLo Media Design

The hour long show is directed by Jill Turnbow, and make no mistake about it...it is NAUGHTY.   Yes, folks. This is late-night, not ready for prime-time, not for kids stuff. So if that's NOT your cup of tea, I'd stay home if I were you. But if you like stand-up comedy and think you might enjoy grabbing a glass of wine or a beer at the bar before sliding into your seat to enjoy some uproarious tales of life, love, sex and more, I'll see you here this weekend. Click HERE to get your tickets in advance (Just $20!) or come on down after dinner downtown at one of our fabulous downtown restaurants!

If you're old enough to remember the days of Nixon and the Watergate scandal, or even if you're not, this riveting and insightful play by Peter Morgan will have you glued to your seats from the very first word. Directed by David Norum and featuring an awesome cast (including our young Picasso and Einstein actors, Toby Tropper and Cameron Rose!) FROST/NIXON tells the true story of an interview that sealed a president's legacy. The show runs for two nights only, Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd at 7 pm. (There will be a talk-back with the cast and director after Tuesday evening's performance.) 

Our Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Readings are very popular and often fill the house, so we definitely recommend advance reservations. Click HERE to get your seats today or subscribe to all 8 remaining UBU shows and guarantee your seats all season by clicking HERE. Either way, I'll see you next week for FROST/NIXON!

And finally, what blog post would be complete without another audition notice! Ubu's Other Shoe director Kelly Fidopiastis is looking for a cast for Christopher Durang's absurdist comedy MISS WITHERSPOON and director Kevin Harris is hoping you will dust off your tap shoes and come on down to auditions for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. You can get all the details about auditions on our website HERE. 

Hope to see you this weekend for a double dose of comedy here at the Little Theatre! 

~Patty

PICASSO packs the house, AFTERHOURS@SLOTHEATRE is coming, and UBU'S 11th season continues with FROST/NIXON! This week at the Little Theatre!

Good afternoon friends of the Little Theatre,

Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the Little Theatre's 2nd season production in our 68th anniversary season, opened to standing-room only crowds this weekend! This hilarious Steve Martin comedy, directed by Suzy Newman, is nearly sold out for the remainder of the run, so get your tickets now! Come see this incredible cast in action- click HERE to reserve your seats instantly online!

The Little Theatre is proud to offer a brand-new comedy series to our community: AFTERHOURS@SloTheatre! This edgy, laugh-out-loud-funny series of plays opens this Friday with Why Am I Telling You This?, and original one-woman show by Maddy Sinclair (directed by Jill Turnbow.) Maddy has been a regular at No Shame Central Coast for the last few years, and we couldn't be happier that she has created this all-new show for the Little Theatre. Click HERE to read more about the show and to reserve your tickets for the opening weekend. You've never seen anything quite like Why Am I Telling You This?

Take Me Out, the first staged reading of Ubu's Other Shoe's 11th anniversary season, played to near-capacity audiences late last month- don't miss your chance to see Frost/Nixon, the second staged reading of the season. This play, written by Peter Morgan, was nominated for over 20 New York awards back in 2006. Our staged reading, directed by David Norum, plays for two nights only: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21 and 22 at 7:00 PM. Be sure to join us for our talkback with the cast and crew after Tuesday's performance. Click HERE to get your tickets.

Thank you for your support of the Little Theatre! Have a wonderful week, everyone!

-Kevin

The 20th Century Begins Now... PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE!

Photo by Ryan Loyd, Rylo Media Design

It's finally here! Opening Night for PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE is tomorrow night -- Friday, October 10th. I had the chance to see a rehearsal on Monday night and I can hardly wait to see this show. Written by the always wonderful Steve Martin, the story goes something like this:

Picasso and Einstein walk into a Paris bar. It's 1904. 
Much laughter follows.

There are only 14 performances over 3 weekends of this delightful show, so I'd recommend getting your tickets very, very SOON. You can do that by clicking HERE.

Now, I'm going to turn the rest of the BLOG over to photos today, because as we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks to Ryan Loyd of Rylo Media Design for these great shots!

Einstein (Cameron Rose) gets an idea...

The lovely Suzanne (Alicia Klein)

Freddy (Bobby Kendrick) the owner and bartender of the Lapin Agile

Picasso (Toby Tropper) meets Einstein.

Sagot (Larry Kaml) an art dealer

A duel...?

Gaston (Tom Ammon)

Germaine, waitress and Freddy's girlfriend (Megan C.C. Walker)

The whole hilarious cast (including a mysterious visitor...)

Hope to see you at PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE - it's going to be a blast!

~ Patty

PICASSO is opening, AFTER HOURS approaches, and UBU'S OTHER SHOE is selling out! This week at the Little Theatre!

Good morning friends of the Little Theatre,

We had a fantastic weekend of technical rehearsals for Picasso at the Lapin Agile, directed by Suzy Newman. This hilarious, award-winning comedy opens on Friday and plays for only three weekends (through Sunday, October 26.) Many shows are already close to sold out, so, don't delay: secure your tickets to this production by clicking HERE. If you want to take a short break from the stress of your Monday, click HERE to let off some steam!

We introducing a brand new series at the Little Theatre this season: AFTERHOURS @SloTheatre. This adult series, featuring five evenings of mature comedy, begins on Friday, October 17 with Maddy Sinclair's original one-woman show, Why Am I Telling You This?, directed by Jill Turnbow. Why Am I Telling You This? play Friday and Saturday night at 9:30 (after Picasso) and Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM. Get your tickets by clicking HERE.

This season of Ubu's Other Show (the staged reading series at the Little Theatre) has sold more quickly than it has in the last decade! Take Me Out, the first presentation of Ubu's 11th season, played to near-capacity audiences during its run, and Frost/Nixon is already filling up. Read about this award-winning script and get your tickets by clicking HERE.

Thank you, everyone, for your support of this organization. Have a wonderful week!

-Kevin

A rare DARK weekend at the Little Theatre but PICASSO is on its way!

So, Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar...

Do you like to laugh? Then you're going to LOVE our next show, opening next week here at the Little Theatre! Steve Martin's PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE goes into tech rehearsals this weekend, adding lights and sound and more to the mix that will become another great show here at the Little Theatre.

In this long-running Off Broadway hit, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet in a Parisian café in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated artist set the world afire with cubism. Director Suzy Newman has assembled an amazing cast for this absurdist comedy by actor, author and comedian Steve Martin. You can read Suzy's thoughts about the play in her Director's Notes from the playbill HERE.

Scenic artist Lisa Langere has been working every day this week on her "forgery" of Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon  and it is going to blow you away when it's finished. The mural is just one element of the wonderful set design by David Linfield for the show, and the set design is just one element of this show that is absolutely going to raise the bar on everything else we do here.

Opening night is nearly sold-out but there are still great seats available for the rest of the 3-week run of the show. But you'd better hurry, they'll be gone before you know it. Click HERE to get yours today.

The timeless tale of a special place where magic, hope, and love grow.

The Academy of Creative Theatre will be holding auditions for their January production of The Secret Garden on October 14 and 16. Director Shelagh Garren is looking for 12 young actors to fill out the cast of this enchanting adaptation of the children’s literature classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Auditions are by appointment only. You can get all the details about our growing educational programs and learn more about audition requirements for The Secret Garden right HERE. To make an appointment, please email Education Director Kerry DiMaggio by clicking HERE.

That's right!  October is National Arts & Humanities month and that is something to celebrate! There is so much great ART going on in San Luis Obispo County and that's one of the many reasons why we love it so much. We hope you'll find a way to pARTicipate in the arts this month, whether it's attending PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, or enjoying OPEN STUDIOS, the SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY, OPERA SLO's community production of AIDA, the CAMBRIA CENTER FOR THE ARTS' production of BOEING BOEING or any number of other fabulous performances or galleries on the Central Coast. Looking for ideas?  Check out Arts Obispo's new arts calendar right HERE.

Even though the Little Theatre is dark this weekend, there are still many opportunities to get out there and enjoy the ARTS this weekend and throughout October. The arts bring life and color, humor, drama, insight, delight and so much more to our lives. For a Top 10 list of reasons to support the arts in 2014, check out Randy Cohen's Arts Blog HERE and thank you for your support of the performing arts and the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre.

And yes, just for fun, and because it's awesome. I leave you with Steve Martin's timeless performance of KING TUT.  You're welcome.

Have a great weekend!