Onstage in Sacramento

Unfortunate Update to Previous Post

2009-04-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

The farewell production at Garbeau's Dinner Theatre is "There's a Little Bit of Broadway in Everyone." The show will run through May 17, with a special Mothers Day brunch and performance on Sunday, May 10. For reservations, call 916.985.6361. On April 3, Mark, Andrea and the Garbeau's Family announced it would close by May 31. For details, their letter is here. In addition to the Broadway show, some going-away parties near the end of May are in the works.

Community, Politicians to Garbeau's Rescue; Thank you!

2009-03-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the community and to several politicians for their support of Garbeau's Dinner Theatre, which has been in a financial crisis since February. The public stepped up by purchasing tickets, gift cards, etc., and Senators Dave Cox and Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Member Roger Niello and California State Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard "cut through some red tape." The details are in Garbeau's recent newsletter if you want to read them. The gang at Garbeau's also is alerting everyone that there's been a change in the sequence of this season's lineup. "There's a Little Bit of Broadway" will open in April; look for "Midlife: The Crisis Musical" later in the year. What else? This is the final weekend for "I Love You Because." "Karaoke - Thursday Nights" is a permanent event on the schedule. "Johnny Appleseed" continues Saturday. And, if you'd like to use the dinner theatre facility for group meetings, non-profit events, seminars, etc., please call 916.985.6361. "We thank you again and still look forward to keeping the show going!!" wrote Mark, Andrea and the Entire Garbeau's Family.

Let them worry about the transportation to Ashland, the hotel, the tickets - and they have!

2009-02-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

This year's "Capital Stage Theatre, Wine and Arts Tour," a four-day event hosted by Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte and Managing Director Peter Mohrmann, will be Aug. 27-30 in Ashland. First things first - here's what you'll see at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival: "Much Ado About Nothing" in the Elizabethan Theatre; "The Servant of Two Masters" in The New Theatre; and "Equivocation" in the Bowmer Theatre. Lodging is at the Ashland Plaza Inn & Suites. Also in the package is a backstage tour, a wine reception, a discussion with an OSF company member about one of the plays, and a trip to historic Jacksonville. And you won't have to drive, or carry your bags. The price per person is $795.

A Compliment to Chautauqua

2009-01-31T09:32:00.000-08:00

For an "easy-to-use, fast-to-load, just-the-facts" local theater Web site, don't you think the Chautauqua Playhouse's is the best? I'm on their e-mail notification list, and just received the e-mail about Enchanted April. There's an image, a blurb about the play, and an "order tickets here" link. And I love it when the e-mails also include a reminder about location and telephone number.

'Ba-Bang' Opens at Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre

2009-01-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

Intellects, political fans and history buffs are who come to mind as being the true aficionados of Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre's "Ba-Bang! or 01/20/09: the end of an error," now on stage in Midtown Sacramento. But I liked it too. A lot! Also, if you've enjoyed the Bush Legacy Project segments of MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," it's a "must-see" for you too. Thomas M. Kelly's play, directed by Stephen Vargo, is described as a "comedic caricature of 'W.'" In it, Uncle Sam calls on God and a panel of "some of the most noted minds of the past" [including to name a few, Golda Mier, William Shakespeare and Harry S. Truman] to discuss Bush's presidency, even call for a press conference, in helping him in his "quest to create a lasting legacy." (Wait until you see Terry Chunn as Bush, in his Western garb from top to bottom, complete with guns. He's just perfect in his role.) "Ba-Bang" continues through the next three weekends, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Intermission features a fabulous dessert, coffee and tea. All performances cost $20.

Caricature Political Comedy Opens Jan. 16 at Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre

2009-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

Coinciding with the beginning of an era, Thomas M. Kelly's "Ba-Bang or 01/20/09: the end of an error!" opens at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at Midtown Sacramento's Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre. On its Web site, it's described as follows: "A caricature comedy starring 'Dubya' and some of the most noted minds of the past to help him in his quest to create a lasting legacy." (There are more details you can read online.) Here's the updated schedule: Opening Night, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16; 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18; 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25; 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. Tickets are $20, with dessert, coffee and tea served during intermission.

Plays at preview prices

2008-12-29T19:42:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm on B St. Theatre's mailing list, I receive postcards announcing their plays. Right away, I noticed the bright yellow graphic with the words, "Special Preview Price $12." I called to see what it was all about, learned that a preview is a dress rehearsal prior to the play's actual opening, and that the preview ticket price was $12. I think we saw B St.'s Rabbit Hole for a preview price, the Rabbit Hole I'd seen during the spring at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Since then, I've tried to take advantage of the previews. You should too. Check their Web site for contact information, or call 916.443.5300 - they're always really nice and helpful. P.S. I just received my postcard for Wit, which is on next as part of the B3 Series. The previews are 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and 7 p.m. Jan. 23. (However, if you don't have a postcard, you wouldn't know this since the information's not online.)

A Holiday Play List

2008-11-25T14:57:00.000-08:00

With a pardon for preempting Thanksgiving, here's a summary of holiday-related theater events throughout the Sacramento area. There's a seemingly endless variety of time and date options, so please check the Web sites carefully and make phone calls as necessary. Listed as they are opening (or as they opened) are: Nov. 8-13: "The Seafarer," a B Street Theatre B3 production, located in the smaller of the two theaters at 2711 B St., Sacramento. $22-$30. Nov. 14-Dec. 21: "'Tis the Season-A Holiday Celebration," a musical presentation of singing, dancing, comedy and a light show, at Garbeau's, 12401 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova. $17-25. Entrees available at an additional cost. Nov. 20-Dec. 28: "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!" at Capital Stage, aboard the Riverboat Delta King in Old Sacramento. $13-$30. Nov. 21-Dec. 28: "Holiday in the Hills" at Stage Nine Theatre, 717 Sutter St., Historic Folsom. This is an annual event of songs, dances and skits featuring "real" people who lived in or visited Folsom in the 1800s. If you're booked for 2008, the 2009 dates are Nov. 20-Dec. 22. $22, general admission. Nov. 22-Jan. 4: "A Christmas Carol," of the B Street Theatre Family Series, which is located in the smaller of the two theaters at 2711 B St., Sacramento. $18, children. $25, adults. Dec. 6-30: "A Winnie-the-pooh Christmas Tail," presented by the Young People's Theatre of Folsom at Stage Nine Theatre, 717 Sutter St., Historic Folsom. $15, general. $12, children 12 and under. Dec. 6-20: "Reindeer Revolution" at Chautauqua Playhouse, 5325 Engle Road in the La Sierra Community Center, Carmichael. $17, general. $7, children. Dec. 10-24: "The Pastorela," performed by STC2-Young Professionals Conservatory at Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St., Sacramento. $15-$20. Dec. 12-28: "The Runaway Presents" and "Christmas Bouquet" at Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre, 1901 P St., Sacramento. $20 includes dessert, coffee and tea. Are there more plays to add to my list?

Theatre Up!

2008-11-18T20:44:00.000-08:00

We find ourselves, seemingly without any plan, now having tickets for four completely diverse events over the next six weeks (yes, one is in Berkeley, but it's written by August Wilson and directed by Delroy Lindo): "Going to Tibet" at the Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre; The Pirates of Penzance, presented by the Sacramento Opera, at the Sacramento Community Center Theater; "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at Berkeley Rep, and The Nutcracker by the Sacramento Ballet at the Sacramento Community Center Theater. "The Seafarer," which we saw Friday night, although not for everyone, was true to B Street Theatre's B3 form. All five of the guys were just great. Our Sacramento (and Berkeley) has so much going on - please take advantage of it all.

As noted during election night coverage on TV

2008-11-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

"It was like a drama. We all had roles to play." - U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia

Until Monday at 7, then.

2008-10-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

"Monday Evenings at 7" - The Thistle Dew [say it phonetically] Playwright's Workshop meets every Monday at 7 at the Thistle Dew Theatre, 1901 P Street, Midtown Sacramento. I haven't been yet ... so this is FYI according to the Web site. "Readers, writers, theatre critics, directors, producers, actors and theatre aficionados are invited and welcomed. ... The workshop members and owners of The Thistle Dew, Tom and Ellie, are dedicated to supporting original works by local playwrights and offer the opportunity for new works to be performed on the Thistle Dew stage." There's much more really good information on the Web site. Speaking of stage, these plays are in the works at Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre: "Going to Tibet," by Tim Cahill and a product of the Thistle Dew Playwright's Workshop, opens Nov. 14; "The Runaway Presents," by Karen Kearney, and "Christmas Bouquet," by Gloria Jones, open Dec. 12; and "Ba-Bang or 01/20/09: the end of an error," by Thomas M. Kelly, opens Jan. 9. All performances are $20, and include dessert, coffee, tea. Information on the reservations process, etc., are provided on the all-inclusive Web site.

Costume Sale to Benefit Foothill Theatre Company

2008-10-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sacramentans may want to drive up the hill (I-80) noon-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Wednesday, Oct. 29, for the 2nd Annual Foothill Theatre Company Costume Shop Sale at Miners Foundry, Nevada City. The event promises "quality costumes and quality clothing at a great price." As an aside, the Miners Foundry, itself, is an historic location, right out of the Gold Rush Days. It's the site of many events, including the annual International Teddy Bear Convention and Artisans Festival.

Prepping for the Elections

2008-10-17T19:52:00.000-07:00

"Criminal Rights and Proposition 6" and "Redistricting and Proposition 11" are upcoming luncheon events, hosted by the University of California Center Sacramento, with a special focus on California law, policy and the state ballot. The UC Center at Sacramento offers an academic program for undergraduates and graduates, a public policy research program and a public service program. Journalist Sasha Abramsky, author of "American Furies," and Charlie Fennessey of "Yes on Prop. 6" will speak Friday, Oct. 24, and Jay Hansen, senior representative, California Building Trades Association, and Kathay Feng, executive director, California Common Cause, will be featured Friday, Oct. 31. The events are from noon-1:30 p.m. in the UCCS Lower Level Conference Room, 1130 K St., Suite LL22, Sacramento. More information is on the Web site, and you must RSVP. Today's event, "California Water Policy and a Peripheral Canal," drew a diverse group of about 60 attendees, ranging from students to legislative staffers and other policy makers to journalists and members of the general public. In the photo are the center's Executive Director Gary Dymski, and Rita Schmidt Sudman, executive director, Water Education Foundation, who moderated the Oct. 17 event.

Tomorrow's "Food for Thought" Event Features Reception, Movie, Conversation

2008-10-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

You're on stage for this event, space is still available, and it's free, but it's tomorrow evening, Thursday, Oct. 16. The California State Library will hold its second event in its new cultural evening series, "Food for Thought, Thinking and Talking at the California State Library." The evening will feature the movie, "Pay it Forward," and the post-movie, facilitated conversation among audience members will focus on the definition, role and importance of strong communities in a democracy. A wine and appetizer reception, sponsored by the California State Library Foundation, is included. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the movie begins at 6 p.m., and the event is over at 8:30 p.m. It happens at the historic Room 500 on the 5th floor of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building, 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m. Attendees must RSVP to akwong@library.ca.gov.

Wild West drama - some serious gunfights

2008-09-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Wild West gunfights were staged by the Blue Canyon Gang Western Action Drama Group at Gold Rush Days during Labor Day Weekend in Old Sacramento. These real-life gunslingers are for hire - they've got a variety of scripts (some that end without gunfire) for conventions, festivals, fairs, and other events. Photos courtesy of Mark Dong Photography. (His gallery section features more photos from the day's shoot.)

California Lectures Series' Single Tickets on Sale Monday

2008-09-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

Single tickets ($27) go on sale Monday, Sept. 29, for the following California Lectures Series' speakers: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Julia Glass; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, John Updike; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, Daniel Handler; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, Richard Price in conversation with Phil Isenberg; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, Jim Lehrer; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, Rita Dove. Tickets are available through tickets.com or at The Crest Theatre box office at 1013 K St. in downtown Sacramento. Andrew Sean Greer will speak at 1 p.m. Monday, April 20, at a free community event in partnership with California State University, Sacramento, at the University Union Ballroom. Featured in this exceptional cast of speakers are best-selling authors, Pulitzer Prize and Emmy award winners, and a former U.S. poet laureate. Detailed bios on the speakers are on the California Lectures Series' Web site.

SARTA, Longtime Sacramento-Area Theater Source; Its 26th Annual Elly Awards Ceremony is Sunday

2008-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

SARTA, the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance, has an amazing membership of more than 60 theater organizations, ranging from B St. Theatre to the Rio Americano High School to Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre, and sponsors the Elly Awards, honoring the late Eleanor McClatchy, who studied playwriting and loved theater. The 26th Annual Elly Awards Ceremony is 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at The Crest Theatre, 1013 K St., in downtown Sacramento. General admission is $22. A list of nominees is here. SARTA also offers a weekly E-Update, which includes theater news, current auditions, workshops, and job opportunities, and a members-only E-TheatreLetter. The E-Update is posted once a week, by noon on Friday.

A Recap of Last Night's Masters Thesis Play, and a recommendation to try to find a ticket

2008-09-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Scott M. Adams on his Masters Thesis Play, which opened last night at the Sac State Studio Theater, for showing us in the most vivid way possible how Alzheimer's affects families. We met 11 individuals, through Kim McCann-Lawson and Blair Leatherwood, who spoke the words and acted out the mannerisms verbatim from interviews Adams conducted over the last year. Adams played Dr. William J. Au, a neurologist with the Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group, who specializes in Alzheimer's, and was also interviewed. In a talk after the performance, the actors described the documentary acting style as very challenging and technical. Audience members described the performance as "so very beautiful" and "sincere." A slide show introduced the performance, with photos of Dr. Alois Alzheimer, brain scans comparisons, patients and families. Film clips from the real interviews completed the play. Throughout the performance, cellist Katherine Dudney performed. Performances are scheduled for tonight, tomorrow night and then a matinee on Sunday. Maybe tickets are still available. Last night's had a waiting list. What's next for this amazing project? Adams said first he'll finish his thesis, and then seek opportunities to produce "Reflections on Alzheimers: Sweetening the Broccoli." Web site links and more information are included in an earlier post.

Sacramento Ballet's $10 Brown Bag Lunches, $5 Fridays, $6 Saturdays

2008-09-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Ballet studio, 1631 K Street in downtown, is the location for what's called $10 Brown Bag Lunches, $5 Fridays and $6 Saturdays. They're informal, preview-type events held prior to the ballets being performed at the Community Center Theater or Sacramento Theater Company. Just several rows of plastic chairs separate you from the dancers. Not only do you see them dance, you see them sweat and huff-and-puff. You hear an introduction and learn background from Co-Artistic Director Ron Cunningham. If you know where to look in the audience, you can see Co-Artistic Director Carinne Binda furiously taking notes, watching intently and clapping wildly. The Brown Bag Lunch includes lunch and excerpts of the ballet, while the Friday and Saturday events feature previews of the performance. For Alice in Wonderland, here's what you need to know: The $10 Brown Bag Lunch performance starts at 12:30 Thursday, Oct. 16; the $5 Friday starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 17; and the $6 Saturday starts at 5 p.m. Oct. 18. For the general public, tickets for these special events go on sale Oct. 2, starting at 10 a.m. If you're a season ticket holder, you get to make your reservations a week ahead. It's a limit of four tickets per performance, and you'll need to have your credit card in hand. Call early, as the events fill up fast. These events last year were free, but as it was so nicely explained to me today, the Sacramento Ballet needs to cover its costs.

P.S. I mark my calendar so I know when to call for what events. However, I'll post reminders for the other ballets on this blog.

You're signed up with seeaplay.com, aren't you?

2008-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

To be in the know about Sacramento region theater productions, auditions, employment opportunities, special events and more, sign up at The League of Sacramento Theatres to receive its notifications. When you're on its page, scroll way down, and the four individual sign-ups are on the bottom left. Also, there's a big ad on the right of the home page for free theater tickets, which I haven't checked out yet.

Alzheimer's - Topic of Masters Thesis Play in a Documentary Theater Style

2008-09-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

The four performances of "Reflections on Alzheimer's: Sweetening the Broccoli" are close to full, said Scott M. Adams, who conceived the Masters Thesis Play, set for 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18; 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19; 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Studio Theatre at California State University, Sacramento. An excerpt on the postcard reads: "Inspired by the work of Anna Deavere Smith, this production presents a documentary style of theatre to tell the stories of 11 individuals who deal with this disease on a daily basis by mirroring their voices and mannerisms from personal interviews." The interviewed subjects are from Northern California, including Sacramento. Following the 90-minute play (no intermission), there will be a Q&A. Adams, whose grandmother had Alzheimer's, said he mentions her and his struggles to deal with her disease as a young man. He has included a questionnaire in the program, and there will also be an on-line link, so he can receive feedback for his thesis research. Tickets are free. Call 916.524.3108 or e-mail sadams@csus.edu for reservations. For more information on this event, please click on the link above.

"Noises Off" - More than a laugh a minute

2008-09-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

"Noises Off," by Michael Frayn, is a very funny "play about a play," and it goes like this: Act 1 - the dress rehearsal of "Nothing On"; Act 2 - a backstage version; and Act 3, well, an even funnier take. Not knowing what "noises off" referred to, I looked it up: "sounds made offstage to be heard by the audience." On stage through Sept. 21 at the Chautauqua Playhouse in Carmichael, it's about two and one-half hours, including two 15-minute intermissions, where candy, sodas, chips and the like are sold. After the performance, there's a "meet-and-greet" with the actors. If you haven't ever been to this theater, it's very easy to find - right off of Fair Oaks Blvd. and Engle in the La Sierra Community Center. Free parking too. Tickets can be ordered online and printed at this Web site.

How to see "I'm Showing Up" - even if like me, you didn't.

2008-08-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Just watched excerpts of "I'm Showing Up," a musical review performed during last month's Second Saturday by students from "Staging a Miracle." You can't help but snap your fingers, clap your hands and sing along with the children. And their T-shirts are creative works of art also. "Staging a Miracle" is the five-week arts education program by First United Methodist Church in midtown Sacramento developed to offer music and arts education to the children of the city of Sacramento, regardless of their ability to pay. The program was directed by Michael Miller, formerly director of River City Theater Company. I'm asking Mark Dong Photography, who has the video on his blog, to share a photo.