A 'World Communion' Theatrical Feast on the California Central Coast!

In churches around the World, Sunday, October 4th, was World Communion Sunday - that one Sunday out of the year when churches set aside their theological and philosophical differences and celebrate that which they share in common ... what a novel idea!  And up and down the Central Coast, theatres continue to celebrate what THEY have in common - a feast of quality live entertainment to fit every budget and taste!

Kelrik Productions (www.kelrikproductions.com), located in San Luis Obispo, is currently in rehearsal for RENT, which will be presented at the Spanos Theatre (www.pacslo.org) October 15-18.

You don't have to be around Erik Austin for very long, Kelrik's Artistic Director, to sense the energy, enthusiasm, and passion he has for the theatre - a passion that has been a part of his life since childhood.  As we sat at Linnaea's Cafe (GREAT giant chewy ginger cookies!) in downtown SLO the other day, Erik shared with me that he had probably seen RENT 20 times or more - and that when the performance rights recently became available, he knew he HAD to do the show! 
 
RENT is a contemporary rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini's opera, La Boheme.  It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of AIDS.  This life-affirming musical tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.  "We are thrilled to be the first to offer RENT to our local community, a musical that celebrates love, diversity and the power of friendship," Erik said.  The original Broadway production earned a Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  The exuberant rock score remains among the most musically beloved in recent Broadway history: "Light My Candle," "You'll See," "La Vie Boheme," "Goodbye Love" and the show's signature "Seasons of Love".  

Erik co-directs the production with fellow AMDA graduate Kristin Towers-Rowles.  Together with Choreographers Melissa Smilow and Madi Murphy, they have magically meshed an amazing cast of actors from both Los Angles and San Luis Obispo for Kelrik's premiere production further expanding the theatre group's repertoire. 
 
Music Director Stephen Tosh leads the band and includes guitarist Don Dally, percussionist Dave Arend and bassist Wayne Gamble.  The amazing ensemble cast is played by Matt Ambrose, Brady Becksted, Danielle Dutro, Jenn Haase Lacey McNamara, Madi Murphy & Cobin Vickers.
 
James May plays the role of Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of Roger Davis, an HIV-positive musician recovering from a heroin addiction played by David Marchesano.  Dominique Paton is Mimi Marque, a sexy HIV-positive stripper and dancer who is also a heroin junkie and Roger's love interest.  Dana Shaw plays a spunky performance artist Maureen Johnson, Mark's ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne Jefferson, a tough, headstrong Harvard-educated lawyer played by Alissa-Nicole Koblentz. Tom Collins, an HIV-positive philosophy teacher, friend and former roommate of Roger, Mark, and Maureen is played by David LaMarr.  Jacob Nixon is cast in the role of Angel Schunard, an HIV-positive Drag Queen with a heart of gold and Tom Collins' love interest.  Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, played by Jeremy Fillinger is the former friend and landlord of Mark, Roger and Mimi's apartment.

The musical was first seen in a sold out, limited three-week workshop run at the New York Theatre Workshop.  This off-Broadway theatre  was the musical's initial home for its official January 25, 1996 opening.  Tragically, the show's creator, Jonathan Larson died suddenly in the early morning of the off-Broadway premiere.

The mission of Kelrik Productions is to educate and provide quality theatrical experiences for performers through the production of shows now including expanding to include those with contemporary social relevance.
RENT has changed Broadway forever and transformed how a generation feels about musical theatre.  Whether it's your 1st or 100th time, you won't want to miss this production of RENT.

Recommended for Mature Audiences, RENT contains adult language and situations.  
 
Kelrik's RENT LOTTERY tickets and how it works?
A select number of front row orchestra seats will be on sale for $20 per seat on the day of each performance.  Kelrik will conduct a lottery make the tickets available via a rush policy (first-come, first-served).  There is a limit of two tickets per person, cash only, and these tickets will be sold one hour before performance time.  The producers want to provide good seats to those who otherwise can't afford them just as Jonathan Larson, RENT's creator, a struggling artist wanted to make theatre accessible to everyone.   
Kelrik Cares
Help us support The AIDS Support Network
Kelrik Productions is excited to partner with The AIDS Support Network (ASN), a United Way Partner Agency, founded in 1984 by a small group of county residents as a grassroots response to the AIDS pandemic.  ASN remains the sole community based, non-profit organization in SLO County that provides supportive services to residents living with HIV disease and AIDS, their families and friends.  The agency strives to improve the quality of life and independence of its clients by providing support on an individual basis.   At each performance, cast members will provide educational brochures and AIDS Support Network information as well as ribbons to show  your support.  All money donated to ASN stays in SLO County, helping residents of this county in their struggle with HIV disease and AIDS.  The support of individuals and businesses is vital to the continuing ability to provide comprehensive services to  growing number of clients.

WHEN: October  15  - 18
WHERE: Spanos PAC, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA
TIME: Thursday, Saturday  and  Sunday  @ 8PM
PRICES: $20.00 - $27.50
RESERVATIONS: (805) 756-ARTS or pacslo.org

At the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org), the second show of their 2009/10 season, Rumors, runs through November 1.  A readers' theatre production of The Visit, written by Friedrich Durrenmatt and directed by Stewart Moss, will be presented November 6 and 7.  Auditions for The Children's Theatre production of A Little Princess will be October 20 and 22, with performances scheduled for January 15-31 in 2010.  A staged reading of The Devil's Chaplain, a new play about "the real Charles Darwin," by Alan Navarre, will be presented on November 29.  How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying will run November 20 - December 20.

Laramie Project - Ten Years Later: An Epilogue, written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber; directed by Jeffrey Azevedo, will be presented October 12th, 8pm, in the Chumash Auditorium at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  This performance will be one of over 100 staged readings taking place on the same night across the country as part of a nationwide event.  Please contact Jeffrey Azevedo (415-328-3582 or JeffreyAzevedo@gmail.com) with any questions.

In Paso Robles, the Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) are gearing up for their next production - Oliver, scheduled to be presented sometime in January of 2010.  Stay tuned for specific details concerning audition and performance dates in the near future!

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org) in Cambria has opened their fall season, with The Mousetrap, which runs through November 8.  Homeland Insecurity or How I Learned To Love The Patriot Act will be presented in a readers' theatre format on October 14.

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org), also in Cambria, recently completed a remount run of their popular summer musical Always ... Patsy Cline at the Spanos Theatre (www.pacslo.org).  Stay tuned for details concerning their next show.

The Studio of Performing Arts (www.thestudioofperformingarts.com) in Arroyo Grande will present The Miracle Worker November 6-21.

The Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org), also located in Arroyo Grande, has a number of quality entertainment opportunities in the weeks ahead, including Pacific Repertory Opera's The Pirates of Penzance October 16-18, Smokey Joe's Cafe October 24, and Inga Swearingen on October 25 - featuring music from her upcoming album as well as old favorites and feature performances from special guests.

In Oceano, The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville (www.americanmelodrama.com) presents Scary Poppins through November 15.  Following Scary Poppins at each performance is the "United Swing Organization Vaudeville Revue."  Set in a USO dance hall during World War II, this song, dance and comedy revue features the same cast singing great jazzy harmonies and dancing up a storm to some of the most popular tunes from the height of the swing era.

At the Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org), auditions for the second show of the season, Wake Up, Darling, were held recently, with performances scheduled for November 20 - December 12.

And at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (www.pcpa.org), the Central Coast's resident professional theatre company, they are busily preparing for its 2009/10 season - which opens with C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, November 5 - December 23 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria, followed by Macbeth February 18 - March 7.

What a fabulous fall feast of performances ... I trust you will want to indulge in several of these offerings and help support live theatre entertainment here on the Central Coast!

Curt Miner ... your BroadwayWorld.com guy on the ground with the California Central Coast theatre "news & views"

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