Just 2 more weekends of our magical CINDERELLA, auditions for TAKE ME OUT and SPELLING BEE are coming up and GOOD PEOPLE is on its way!

"Indeed, it is possible for a cast of children to perform a lovely play!" --Adriana Catanzarite, New Times

It seems like we just started our magical journey to the kingdom where dreams come true and it's already almost over. There are just 8 more performances of our summer Academy of Creative Theatre musical CINDERELLA. This is a show for kids of all ages. And yes, I'm talking to you! You're going to love this show, whether you're 5 or 95!  Take a look at what New Times had to say about the show HERE. Then, you'd better hurry and make your reservations HERE because this one is selling out. We had full houses for every show last weekend and we hope to see you here this weekend!

"A funny and troubling look at athletes and identity...Take Me Out is a dynamic, involving play." --Donald Lyons, New York Post

Do you like baseball? Do you like being on stage? Are you a guy? Then, come on down to auditions for Take Me Out next Monday and Tuesday at 6 pm. Director Daniel Freeman is looking for about 10-12 men for this award-winning Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Reading. Not only that, he could really use a couple of guys who can speak Spanish, and even one who can speak Japanese. Click HERE for full descriptions of the cast and more information about auditions, then come on down!

"Putnam County is that rarity of rarities, a super-smart show that is also a bona fide crowd-pleaser." --The Wall Street Journal

Guess what?!! It's time for another musical! Auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Dana Shaheen will take place on August 24 and 25 right here at the Little Theatre. This delightful musical will hit the Little Theatre stage in November, so check your calendar, warm-up your singing voice and come on down!  Click HERE for more details, character descriptions and other instructions (scroll down the page for information about Spelling Bee.) You can even download the sides you will be asked to read from at auditions, so you can be fully prepared to give it your all.

And while you're on our AUDITIONS PAGE, check out all the dates for auditions for the rest of the season. This is going to be one heckuva year at the Little Theatre, with auditions for shows taking place almost every two weeks! So, go to our website and scope out all the great shows planned for our 2014-15 Season and plan your schedule NOW to participate in at least one show this year. Come on, you know you want to. This is YOUR year!

"A masterwork of the comedy-drama genre." --Backstage
"Enthralling...utterly gripping...Remarkable." --LA Times

Rehearsals are in full swing for this amazing comedy-drama written by award-winning author David Lindsey-Abaire. If you're a fan of Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Readings, you may remember seeing this show on our stage as a staged reading in 2012. It was so successful and such a moving show as a reading, that the artistic team included it in our mainstage season this year. The show is directed by David Carey Foster, an experienced actor and director who you may have seen onstage a few years ago at PCPA or The Great American Melodrama. Now, you're more likely to catch him on The Mentalist or Dexter. We're thrilled to welcome him as director of our season opening show for our 68th Season here at the Little Theatre.

If you're NOT a season ticket holder (and you still can be by clicking HERE!) we recommend getting your tickets early for GOOD PEOPLE, opening on September 5th. Click HERE for more information and tickets. (Please note: Good People includes strong language and is suggested for mature audiences.)

And now, just because I love it so much, I'll leave you with a clip from the Broadway musical version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA.  One of my favorite moments in our production features Fairy Godmother Bella Yaguda and Cinderella Cali Singleton singing IMPOSSIBLE, complete with pumpkin carriage, dancing horses, an adorable footman carrying glass slippers and best of all, a magical dress transformation.  Click HERE to see it happen on Broadway and I hope you'll join us this weekend for our delightful young actors' version of this delightful tale of dreams-come-true. Have a wonderful weekend!

Here's the "Buzz" on PLAY ON! Only 5 more chances to see this original musical!

Courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography

CLICK HERE 

to purchase your tickets for the final weekend of PLAY ON!

Read on to get the "buzz" on this fabulous show, 

then help us spread the word until every seat is filled!

Here's what audiences are saying about PLAY ON!  

"It was fabulous! Absolutely fabulous! The whole concept was so creative, enlightening, funny, entertaining, professional, and so well put together. The dancing and music was amazing. It simply stirred the soul!"  ~ J.V.

"Who needs Broadway? We have the greatest talent right here on the Central Coast!"   ~ C.P.

"PLAY ON is fantastic! Beautifully written and choreographed! We thoroughly enjoyed the show."  ~ L.F.

"A fantastic show, not to be missed."  ~ S.L.

"Love you Suzy Miller!"  ~ Z.P.

Courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography

And then there's the critics:

"The 2014-15 Season at the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre kicks off in SPECTACULAR fashion... [PLAY ON] is a joyful production filled with high energy that flows from the actors and engages the audience from the very first song in Act One."  ~ Debby Nicklas, TICKET  (Read more HERE)

 "...there is an audacity and affection here that commands respect. Or, as the Bard himself said, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."  ~ Jessica Pena, NEW TIMES (Read more HERE)

Our incredible cast will be taking their final bow this weekend. This original, inventive, joyful, jaw-dropping, funny, poignant, inspired, musical revue will be gone forever after this Sunday's performance. Don't miss your chance to get in on the fun! CLICK HERE for your tickets today!

Courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography

FINAL WEEKEND! JULY 24-27

 Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 7pm 

Saturday & Sunday @ 2pm

If you've never seen a Suzy Miller show before,  you are truly missing out. There's more amazing music and dance packed into this show than most people see all year! Be sure to catch this show before it's gone!

Featuring:

David Caruso ▪ Mike Dexter ▪ Claire Gretlein ▪ Shaley Gunther ▪ MJ Johnson ▪ Eric Kehela ▪ Matti Kilpelainen ▪ Nieko Lopez ▪ Courtney M. Meznarich ▪ Breezie Rayas ▪ Marissa Ribeiro ▪ Arash Shahabi ▪ Tabatha Skanes ▪ Caitlin Tobin 

Thanks again to our generous Show Sponsors 

Laura Hopkins

Rabobank  

And Media Sponsors

KSBY ▪ KCBX ▪ CHARTER MEDIA ▪ NEW TIMES

Courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography

Come on, take a break from those Santa Ana winds and enjoy a cool afternoon or evening of great theatre. I'll be here for the Friday and Saturday shows to see this show again - hope to see you then!!

~Patty

It's "Throw-Back Thursday", PLAY ON hits a second weekend of shows, the first review is in and LOTS of photos!

Then and Now:

RAZZLE DAZZLE in 2007 and PLAY ON! today. It's "throw-back" Thursday and we thought it'd be fun to take a look back at another Suzy Miller show here at the Little Theatre, seven years ago. Wow - has it been that long? Whatever year it is, it's a Suzy Miller show and that always means great music, fantastic dance, delightful comedy and an incredibly talented cast!

But don't take our word for it, check out the New Times REVIEW by Jessica Pena and find out why:

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in it."

PLAY ON! A SUZY MILLER DANCE SPECTACULAR runs now through July 27th. We promise that you'll learn a little something about Shakespeare and popular culture, enjoy great music and dance and have a wonderful time. You'll also be supporting the Little Theatre while you do it! Join us for our new Thursday night performances OR come on down to the show on Saturday nights and have a martini at the bar!

David Caruso, Shaley Gunther, Nieko Lopez, Courtney Meznarich, Eric Kehela, MJ Johnson, Mike Dexter, Claire Gretlein, Arash Shahabi, Marissa Ribeiro, Breezie Rayas, Tabatha Skanes, Caitlin Tobin (Matti Kilpelainen, not pictured)

And since a picture is definitely worth a thousand words or more, take a look at some these images from the show courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography. Just a little taste to whet your appetite. You'll have to buy a ticket for the full course meal.

And there's so much more to enjoy!

Come on, just do it. 

You can get your tickets right HERE.

~Patty

PLAY ON! From Shakespeare to Broadway to Cirque du Soleil and back to Shakespeare again!

Think you don't know Shakespeare? Think again! PLAY ON! A SUZY MILLER DANCE SPECTACULAR storms the stage this Friday, July 4th and once you experience this show, you'll NEVER think the same way about William Shakespeare again. In the words of writer/director/choreographer Suzy Miller:

"Shakespeare said 'The object of Art is to give Life Shape.' Play On celebrates how Shakespeare has shaped ours..."

From Chicago's "Cell Block Tango" (like you've never seen it played before!) to "Too Darn Hot" and "I Hate Men" from Kiss Me Kate; to selections from West Side Story and "Circle of Life" from The Lion King, this is a "Shakespeare in pop culture" journey that you're going to LOVE.

Of course it doesn't hurt that this is a Suzy Miller show after all, and the choreography is absolutely brilliant. The cast is multi-talented, taking on tap numbers, Bob Fosse-style jazz, modern dance, 1920's Charleston numbers, aerial silks and more, not to mention an homage to both Hamlet and The Lion King that you just have to see. And I'll bet you'll learn a few things that you absolutely did NOT know about the great Bard of Avon too.

PLAY ON! opens this Friday, July 4th and runs through July 27th. You can get your tickets right HERE. And I recommend doing it early to make sure you're not left out of the fun!  The best seats are still available for our NEW Thursday night performances and if you're a fan of a dry martini, you can't beat our Saturday Night Martini Bar. You can even bring your drink in to watch the show!

And of course, if you haven't purchased your 2014-2015 season subscription yet, there's still time. Click HERE for all the details about 3 different subscription packages and buy your tickets today. Trust me, it's the best way to make sure you're never left out in the cold on a sold-out show.

Finally, you simply must see our new TV commercial created by Ryan Loyd of Rylo Media Design!

Currently playing on KSBY and selected Charter cable stations. A big thanks to Ryan for his wonderful work!

Whether you spend your 4th of July holiday weekend in the theatre seeing a show or out on the beach for fireworks, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. And remember...

"If music be the food of love, PLAY ON!"

"THE WAIT LIST" for A CHORUS LINE: Another GREAT reason to BECOME A SEASON SUBSCRIBER!

I'm sure you've all heard by now that A CHORUS LINE is sold-out for all the remaining shows in the run, through June 15th. We've even added two shows, but those tickets flew out the door in less than 24 hours!

Of course, our WAIT LIST is awesome. We've been able to squeeze a few lucky souls into the theatre at the last minute for this very popular show and if you haven't seen the show yet, that just may be your best bet. Click HERE for a look at our Wait List Procedures and cross your fingers!

Of course, for next season, there is a better way. 

Well, not NOW exactly. But SOON. 

Our 2014/2015 Season brochure will be hitting your mailbox NEXT WEEK and SEASON TICKETS are available for purchase on June 7th. Once you place your order, you will GUARANTEE YOUR SEATS for another great season of LIVE theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Do you know who has the best seats right now for

A CHORUS LINE? 

That's right. Season Subscribers!  

When you purchase season tickets you get the BEST SEATS at the BEST PRICE with the most FLEXIBILITY. And best of all, you NEVER have to hear the words SOLD-OUT again!

CLICK HERE for a preview of what's to come and get ready for an amazing 68th Season.

And guess what else? SUZY IS BACK! 

Emmy winning choreographer and SLO County musical treasure, Suzy Miller is creating another fabulous musical revue especially for Little Theatre audiences. Taking Shakespeare's plays and sonnets as her inspiration, Suzy has crafted yet another high-energy, dance-filled, musical comedy spectacular. The title is taken from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, where Duke Orsino declares:

"If music be the food of love, PLAY ON!"

You'll find yourself singing along, tapping your feet and shouting for more as Suzy and her company of dancers treat you to flights of fancy from Shakespeare to Broadway!

Tickets for this  gala summer musical go on sale JUNE 1.

Watch our website, facebook and your mailbox for details. 

Join us for another exciting season of great stories at your community theatre.

Next Friday night, join us for an evening of great music at the Little Theatre's first-ever:

PIANO BAR & CABARET

Friday, June 6th at 10 pm
Immediately following A Chorus Line. 

There's no cover charge and the bar is open. You can buy a bottle of wine, sit back and enjoy fabulous music from some of the most talented vocalists in town. Click HERE for details.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

~Patty

A CHORUS LINE...then and now.

1995 and 2004 Casts of A Chorus Line

As we look forward to opening night of A CHORUS LINE on Friday, I thought I'd give you another photo blog, courtesy of our incredible photographer, Jamie Foster! However, there's a bit of twist this time. You see, almost 20 years ago, in our second season here in the City Playhouse, there was another production of A Chorus Line staged featuring several still familiar faces. I'll be scattering a few of those "Throw-back Thursday" photos throughout this blog post - just for fun!

Oh, and one more thing...yes, we are sold-out or nearly sold-out for most every performance!  However, there are still great seats, located on the side seating areas of our thrust stage, available throughout the run of the show. Director Zach Johnson's staging has wonderful sight lines and trust me, you'll thoroughly enjoy the show from the sides, so don't be afraid to book those seats when that's all that's left! Besides, they're discounted, so you'll save money!

Okay, enough talk. Enjoy the photos (both old and new!) 

and stay cool on this hot Central Coast day! 

Hello 12, Hello 13 - Photo by Jamie Foster Photography

Kevin Harris as Zach with the cast in the 1995 production

Kelly Fidopiastis - Music and the Mirror

1995 Cast in rehearsal

Gregg Wolff as Zach talks to the 2014 Cast

Kevin Harris as Zach 

2014 One Singular Sensation!

The 2014 Cast of A Chorus Line!

 That's it for today, folks. Much to do to get ready for opening night, so I've got to get moving! Get your tickets for this incredible show while there are still seats left!  Click HERE or give us a call at 786-2440 TODAY!

I'll see YOU at the show!
~Patty