We're traveling 4000 MILES this weekend, 68 Years of LITTLE THEATRE HISTORY will be on display next weekend and you're invited to "Celebrate Charlene" on February 17th

"[4000 MILES] unfolds with the unassuming ease of conversations overheard, among people with complicated relationships." - Bloomberg

"Herzog’s....humor, honesty and narrative subtlety make this a rarity: a family play that avoids sentimentality or sitcom shtick" - Time Magazine

Plays like 4000 MILES are the reason that our UBU'S OTHER SHOE STAGED READING series exists. Challenging, award-winning, cutting-edge plays that are a joy to be performed and demand to be seen. Artistic Director Michael Siebrass reads a mind-boggling number of plays each and every year and this year he has chosen nine. All award-winners, all not your typical day at the theatre.

3 SHOWS: FRI @ 7 PM / SAT @ 2 PM & 7 PM

4000 MILES features a small, tight cast of actors, including Dixie Parker, Alpha O'Neal, Allen Negrete and Arisa Bega. The show is directed by Danielle McNamara. You can click HERE for a "shout-out" in today's New Times and click HERE for a thoughtful Washington Post article about the play.  Then I'd recommend you BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE before they disappear.

Let’s Put on a Show! is the title of an exhibit about the evolution of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre that will be displayed at the History Center of San Luis Obispo County from February 4 through April 26, 2015. The exhibit will trace the development of the Little Theatre over the years with an emphasis on how it has evolved from a small, completely volunteer group of local citizens with a passion for theater into a professionally run, non-profit, performing arts organization that, in addition to fully staged plays, offers youth theater classes, staged readings, and other programming. 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!

Remembering Charlene... All of us here at the Little Theatre are still reeling from the news that our dear friend and dedicated volunteer Charlene Premer passed away last Sunday. The news was unexpected and devastating, however Charlene would rather we celebrate her life than mourn her passing, and that is exactly what we will do (and invite you to do) on February 17th at 11am at New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach. Per Charlene's request, this is a celebration of her life, so please do not wear black, and no flowers. I don't think she can stop us from shedding a few tears, but there will certainly be laughter as well. If you'd like to make a donation in Charlene's name, an account has been setup at Coast Hills Federal Credit Union for those who would like to honor her with a donation. The donations will help her family pay for cremation expenses and the balance will be donated in her honor to her favorite charities: Arthritis Foundation and Cancer Treatment Center.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN: Don, Kathy & Cosmo | Photo by Jamie Foster Photography

There's a lot of singin' and dancin' and rehearsin' goin' on at the theatre these days and the whole "glorious feelin'" experience will be ready for YOU to enjoy on February 13th!  Click HERE for more information and we'll see you at the show!

Remembering Charlene

Hello friends of the Little Theatre,

Late on Sunday evening, the local theatre community learned of the unexpected loss of one of our own, Charlene Premer. The outpouring of emotions- shock, grief, complete, dumbfounded bewilderment- speak to the important place Charlene had in our lives (both in the theatre and out.)

Charlene created the props for nearly every single production at the Little Theatre since I arrived in 2008 (and was a constant presence backstage and in the lobby for many, many years before that.) In the last 6 years, she was an integral part of over 40 artistic teams, bringing her incredible ingenuity (and occasionally infuriating attention to detail) to an amazing assortment of shows. There was never a prop challenge that Charlene couldn't meet, and perhaps the most appropriate testament to her passion and dedication to live theatre is to remember her last time at 888 Morro Street: dropping of newly finished props for Singing in the Rain before heading north for surgery. Dedicated, prepared, and a perfectionist until the end.

We at the Little Theatre have lost not only one of our most amazing volunteers, but one of our very good friends; a person whose off-kilter sense of humor (and perspective on life) brought joy to everyone lucky enough to spend time around her. Our thoughts go out to Charlene's family and friends during this difficult time.

 “If you keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs, 

you’ll be that much taller.”

Safe home, Charlene. And TenQ.

-Kevin

Ubu's Other Shoe AUDITIONS this weekend and an Ubu's staged reading of 4000 MILES next weekend!

Director Leticia Velez is looking for a large cast of talented actors to take on Tom Stoppard's funny, sentimental, insightful play about art and politics. ROCK 'N ROLL will be #6 in our series of nine Ubu's Other Shoe Staged Readings this season and YOU can play a role. Staged Readings are a great way to get back into acting, especially for busy, talented people. Less rehearsal time and a limited performance run, with all the challenge and fun of a full production.

Playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard, author of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, The Real Thing, Arcadia, Shakespeare in Love, Brazil (just to name a few) has won four Tony Awards and one Academy Award and is one of the most internationally performed playwrights of his generation. You can read more about his 2006 play, ROCK ' N ROLL, in a Huffington Post story right HERE and find out more about auditions HERE. Auditions are this Sunday at 4:30 pm. Come on... you know you want to.

And don't miss our next Ubu's Other Show staged reading performance: Amy Herzog's 4000 MILES, directed by Danielle McNamara and featuring Allen Negrete, Alpha O'Neal, Dixie Parker and Arisa Bega.  A finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize, Herzog's heartfelt and riveting drama "...seems fresh, particularized, plausible...4000 Miles is the family drama that really sticks with you, easily the best play of the season." (Time Magazine review.)

There will be three performances of 4000 MILES: Friday, January 30 at 7 pm and Saturday, January 31 at 2 pm and 7 pm. You can find out more about the production and get your tickets online HERE.

Anet Carlin

To know her is to love her. She has participated in more than 275 stage productions on the Central Coast over more than 60 years and next weekend, we're going to honor her for many, many contributions to theatre and the arts in San Luis Obispo County.

If you'd like to join us in honoring Anet at this benefit event for arts education in SLO County, you can click HERE for more information and to make your reservations. And if you'd like to sit at one of our four Little Theatre tables, contact Patty Thayer and she'll make sure your seating is confirmed!

And lest you should forget! There is something for everyone this weekend at the Little Theatre! Last chance to see the Academy of Creative Theatre's production of THE SECRET GARDEN and our late-night comedy WE'RE CANCELING CABLE! (AND OTHER EMPTY THREATS).

Hope to see you soon!
~Patty

Making Theatre Magic on a Small Stage PLUS it's the Final Weekend for 2 Fabulous Shows!

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE 2014
Set Design: Dave Linfield / Lighting Design: Kevin Harris
Photos by Jamie Foster Photography

We're in a "calm before the storm" week here at the Little Theatre. There's one more weekend of performances for THE SECRET GARDEN and WE'RE CANCELING CABLE! and then we take down those sets, store those costumes and start building the magical world for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, opening on February 13th.  That's just 18 days and nights to transform the Little Theatre stage from an early 20th century English manor into 1920's Hollywood. How do we do it, you may ask? It's a mystery!

Dave Linfield and Zach Johnson consider the set for A CHORUS LINE

Actually, it's NOT a mystery. (That's just one of my favorite quotes about theatre!) Technical Director/Designer Dave Linfield and a team of dedicated volunteers spend hours upon hours working on each and every set you see on our stage. It starts with reading the play, then research, then several meetings with the director and the artistic team for the show. Dave then creates digital plans and a practical model of the set. More discussion, a few changes (or more than a few) and then building begins.

Scenic Artist Lisa Langere works on the set for ENCHANTED APRIL (2013)

Here's a photo of a typical production week where the theatre is generally a huge mess. Lighting instruments are being adjusted, set pieces are being constructed and painted and each night the stage needs to be cleared and ready for a rehearsal.

Lisa Langere working on the "Picasso" for PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE

I wish I had more "before" photos I could show you of our sets in process, but take my word for it, it's an amazing process of transformation. One that would not be possible without the help of our set construction and painting volunteers including Ron Burkhart, Lisa Langere, Janet Elder-Nichols and many more.

Pam Hester (Stage Manager and Light/Sound Operator) Randal Sumabat (Costume Designer for The Secret Garden) Franklin Mognett (Running Crew for Good People) Ella Harris (Sound Operator The Secret Garden)

Not to mention our amazing prop masters, back stage crews, stage managers and running crews. It takes a village to put on a show, and we are fortunate to have a very dedicated and talented group of people who help make the magic happen for each and every show here on the Little Theatre stage!

The set for THE SECRET GARDEN designed by Dave Linfield

Speaking of which... it's closing weekend for two fabulous shows and if you haven't seen them yet, then you'd best get your tickets now!

"If you’re looking for a little more magic in your life, The Secret Garden is the play for you." - NEW TIMES

There are just four performances remaining of our Academy of Creative Theatre production of THE SECRET GARDEN. If you missed it the first time around, you can read the lovely review in New Times HERE. It's a terrific show for all ages and you can find out more and purchase your tickets online right HERE.

 "Funny, well-executed, apropos to the times." "Lot's of laughs and sometimes just a funny grin." "Hilarious and so true!" (Facebook comments)

It's also the final weekend for our After Hours @slotheatre late night comedy show WE'RE CANCELING CABLE! (AND OTHER EMPTY THREATS).  Excellent cast, very funny writing, this show is LOADS of fun and you don't want to miss it!  I'll be there for the second time this weekend, because once is just not enough!  Do yourself a favor and spend an evening full of laughs at the Little Theatre. WE'RE CANCELING CABLE runs Friday and Saturday at 9:30 pm and Sunday at 7 pm. It's not exactly appropriate for children, but why bring them? This is YOUR time. :)  You can read Sarah Linn's Tribune story about the show HERE and get your tickets HERE!

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see how Dave Linfield and his team make THIS happen for our next show. It's going to knock your socks off. Big show, tiny stage, talented directors, designers, actors and crew. I just can't wait for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN! I'll keep you posted as production continues, but if I were you I'd get your tickets NOW. And you can do that right HERE.

Have a great rest of your week everyone - and I hope to see you at the theatre this weekend!

~Patty

AFTER HOURS returns to SLO with the premiere of WE'RE CANCELING CABLE! [and other empty threats]

Late night comedy is alive and well in downtown SLO and it's all happening at the Little Theatre! Super soccer moms and dads on the sidelines, uncomfortable conferences in the principal's office, ridiculous arguments with 12-year-olds and sullen teenagers in the back seat. Sound familiar? Even if your kids are grown, or you've never experienced the withering glare of a 14 year old from the back seat, you're going to love WE'RE CANCELING CABLE! (AND OTHER EMPTY THREATS)!

Written by Michael Kaplan, with original music by Mark Pietri, and directed by Jill Turnbow, WE'RE CANCELING CABLE features original sketches, monologues and songs that perfectly and hilariously capture the experience of being a modern parent. But you know, even if you're not a parent, grab a drink at the theatre bar and join us anyway - we guarantee this show will leave you laughing! Click HERE to check out a great story by Sarah Linn in the Tribune today and come on down this weekend for live, local, late-night comedy ONLY at the Little Theatre!

WE'RE CANCELING CABLE (AND OTHER EMPTY THREATS) runs January 16-25, Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. Click HERE for more information and tickets. (This show is not exactly appropriate for children. But why would you bring them? This is your time.

"If you’re looking for a little more magic in your life, The Secret Garden is the play for you." - NEW TIMES

Yes! You can still catch THE SECRET GARDEN here at the Little Theatre for the next two weekends and the NEW TIMES highly recommends that you do! Check out the entire review by Adriana Catanzarite HERE and find out why you should bring the whole family to this delightful Academy of Creative Theatre production.

The Secret Garden runs January 16-25, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Find out more and get your tickets to this heartwarming show right HERE.

I couldn't sign off today without mentioning this show. As you know, I'm lucky enough to work upstairs here at the theatre, which means that sometimes I get to see and hear some pretty cool stuff. For the past two weeks, I have heard tap-dancing! And singing! And FUN! This morning I was repeatedly treated to the sounds of Don Lockwood (Jeff Salsbury), Cosmo Brown (Zach Johnson) and Kathy Selden (Kerry DiMaggio) singing and dancing one of my favorites from this classic MGM musical: GOOD MORNING!  What a treat!

Yep, I'm a lucky girl. But never fear, next month YOU can enjoy this fabulous musical too! Click HERE for more information and to take a sneak peek at the entire cast list and click HERE to get your tickets before they're all gone!

Have a great weekend, everyone!
~Patty