Farewell to January, 4000 Miles and The Secret Garden and Welcome to February, our History Exhibit and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!

Last weekend's Ubu's Other Shoe production of 4000 MILES performed to capacity audiences in three awesome shows. Our Ubu staged readings grow more and more popular with each performance. Thank you to director Danielle McNamara and her fabulous cast and crew for creating a wonderful show. Mark your calendars now for our next Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Reading:  ROCK 'N ROLL, directed by Leticia Velez. Click HERE to find out more about this 2006 Tom Stoppard play and our talented local cast.

We also bid farewell to our Academy of Creative Theatre production of THE SECRET GARDEN in January. This heartwarming tale of the transforming power of love and nature was beautifully told by our young, student cast and we were sorry to see it go. If you know a young person who would like to learn and grow their theatrical talents, consider signing them up for ACT Spring Theatre Classes at the Little Theatre! There are still a few spots open in our musical theatre class AND in our Spring Break Camp. Click HERE for all the details and to register your child. Generous scholarships are always available thanks to a grant provided by The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County.

Interested in some Little Theatre history? Join us at Art After Dark this Friday night at the History Center of San Luis Obispo County for a look-back at 68 years of SLO Little Theatre called: "LET'S PUT ON A SHOW!" The exhibit will run through April 26th at the History Center at 696 Monterey Street in downtown SLO. In addition to showcasing some of our history, we'll also give you a glimpse of some exciting plans for the future! The exhibit project was spearheaded by board member Michael Simkins and has been generously sponsored by Joan Gellert Sargen. Click HERE for more information, then join us for Art After Dark in downtown SLO next weekend!

Photo by Jamie Foster Photography

Meet the cast of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN! One of the most beloved Hollywood movie musicals of all time will be coming to SLO, live on stage, and it's not too late for you to join us for our Gala Opening Night Celebration on February 13th! This very special evening will feature generous hors d'oeuvres, wine, martinis, a movie-themed silent auction and more! Film maker, actor and producer Todd Fisher (son of the lovely Debbie Reynolds, star of the original MGM Classic film!!) will be at the opening night show and will be bringing along a very special item to display: one of the original costumes worn by his famous Mom in the film! Also on hand will be KSBY's charming meteorologist Dave Hovde. Dave will keep us posted on the weather and serve as our host for the evening. Guests are invited to join the fun, dressing in classic 1920's style, or elegant black tie and gowns. Doors open at 5:30 pm for wine, food and auction, and the show starts at 7 pm. After the performance, you're invited to stick around for dessert and  mingling with the cast and crew.

Photo by Jamie Foster Photography

Center section seats are SOLD OUT for our gala opening  night, but there are still side seats available at the discounted price of $75. Click HERE for more information about the show and our gala opening night and click HERE to reserve one of only 14 remaining seats for this fabulous event!

And if you can't make it on Opening Night?  No worries! There are still great seats available for most performances, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm, running February 14-March 15. All seats are $35. Click HERE for more info and a link to buy tickets. But you'd better hurry, tickets are flying out the door!

The Little Theatre is dark this weekend as we get ready for our Gala Opening Night Celebration next weekend. Hope you have a great weekend and we hope to see you at SINGIN' IN THE RAIN!

~Patty

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! 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!

"This is more than a story about one dysfunctional family...the play asks questions about what we do to our children, what we owe our parents, how we move forward, and what we leave behind."

~ Joan Crowder, The Tribune

As we enter our third weekend, INDEPENDENCE continues to leave audiences speechless. Remember dramas? I know, sometimes they're tough to watch. I come home from work and I'm tired. I head for the TV and I don't immediately think about watching a heavy drama about dysfunctional families or a documentary about the war in Afghanistan. I want to laugh! I want to smile and be uplifted. It's the same with movies and even theatre sometimes. I love a good musical as much as the next theatre groupie. But you see, I forget sometimes how a well-written, beautifully-acted drama affects me. A well-thought out work of art speaks to me on a deeper level and can leave me feeling fulfilled and satisfied and well-fed in a way that a Will Ferrell comedy or an action adventure like Iron Man or even The Sound of Music (as much as I love it!) can't. 

If you haven't seen this show yet, please do. You won't be disappointed. Lee Blessing's insightful script, Suzy Newman's skillful direction and the acting of four amazing women will send you home feeling like you've seen the real thing: a great evening (or afternoon) of intimate, dynamic, live theatre. 

But don't just take my word for it. You can read Joan Crowder's review in the Tribune today right HERE and Anna Weltner's review in last week's New Times HERE.  And of course, you can get your tickets on our website HERE.

Speaking of great dramas, maybe you've heard of Eugene O'Neill?

Sparked by the dark hollows and brilliant imaginings of his subconscious, master American playwright Eugene O'Neill conceived Desire Under the Elms as he slept one night, resulting in a work with the powerful emotional pitch of a fever dream. Next week, our Ubu's Other Shoe 10th Anniversary Season of staged readings continues with this classic family drama. I'll be there and I hope you will be too!

Wed. November 6th @ 7 pm

Thu. November 7th @ 7 pm
Please join us for a talk-back with the director 

and cast after Wednesday evening's performance.

Directed by Brent Keast
Featuring:

Tom Ammon, Graham Smith, Brooke Foster, Evan Camacho,
Clayton Greiman, Joy Brenner, Cathryn Cannavino, and Sharlotte Elston

CLICK HERE for more information and tickets. 

AUDITIONS - NOVEMBER 13th!

Now's your chance to sing some of the greatest music ever written - the songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein! This show has it all, music from such great shows as Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music and many more. We're looking for five dynamic performers and possibly a chorus as well.

WED. NOVEMBER 13th 

6 - 9:30 pm

CLICK HERE for more information

(And don't worry - tickets to the show will be available very soon!!)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

We're looking forward to a very happy holiday season here at the Little Theatre with a double-header of holiday treats!  The beloved classic MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET opens on November 22nd, filling our mainstage season slot Thursdays-Sundays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Then, on November 30th, we will be adding a very special late-night holiday show. THE SANTALAND DIARIES, a one-man-show based on a short story by David Sedaris and starring Kevin Harris, will take the stage on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:15 pm. Rehearsals are in full swing now and we'll look forward to wishing you a very happy holiday with two great shows very soon!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hope you all have a very safe and fun Halloween. Don't eat too much candy and we'll hope to see you downtown, right here at the Little Theatre, very soon. 

Cheers!

~Patty