End of August California Central Coast Theatre Offerings

As we rapidly approach the end of August, there is a bustle of activity going on with children heading back to school, and college students gearing up to do the same.  And so it goes as well with the theatres and live performance venues here on the California Central Coast with their own unique style of hustle & bustle and gearing up to entertain their eager audiences!

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org) presents The Fantasticks, which will launch the theatre's 2010/11 main stage season, August 27 - September 19.

"Try to Remember" a time when The Fantasticks wasn't captivating audiences.  The memorable score by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt enlivens the heart of this passionate musical that charmed Off-Broadway for a record-breaking 42 years.  In a twist on the classic story of boy meets girl, Matt and Luisa are led by El Gallo from the wistfulness of "when life was slow and oh so mellow" to the reality that "without a hurt the heart is hollow." 

Ubu's Other Shoe, SLOLT's Readers' Theatre group, will presnt Side Man, written by Warren Leight and directed by John Battalino, for one performance on September 24.

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook or at www.sloucc.org) will present You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown the first 2 weekends in September - including a special Labor Day Monday matinee to support the ongoing work of the Prado Day Center.

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks September 24, Bill Cosby on September 26 (2 shows - 3:00 & 7:00 PM), international guitar sensation Benise September 29, Steve Martin October 6, and comedienne Paula Poundstone on October 7.

Kelrik Productions (www.kelrikproductions.com) recently closed their FINAL Central Coast production of Into the Woods as Kelrik's Artistic Director, Erik Austin, prepares to leave the area and head south to San Diego.  THANKS for all the wonderful theatre you created and shared with the community during your years here on the Central Coast Erik - you will be missed ... and CONGRATS to you and Matt on your nuptials!

The Brickyard Theatre (www.brickyardhteatre.com) is currently working on a production of Quilters, which will be presented September 2-25 in Atascadero.  Contact Bobbi Stoffel at stoffelfam@charter.net for reservations or more information.

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School (TOGS) in Cambria presents Rosann Balbontin's Bridging the Gap through September 5.  Contact Theatre Director, Jeff Mar, if you have any questions at KRKJFRZ@aol.com.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), also located in Cambria, closed their production of Finishing Touches on February 28.  The theatre will now be closed for a time while it installs a new fire sprinkler system - stay tuned for details on its reopening and next show!

The Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) finished a successful run of Oliver at the Templeton Performing Arts Center in January.  Next up was to be a summer musical production of Fiddler on the Roof, but performance rights were unavailable.  Then the plan was a production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown.  Now, I'm told they are working on a "special project" that has taken them in a different direction at this point, and they will hopefully be making an announcement soon ... stay tuned!

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org) is looking for a new place to call home ... got any suggestions?  Stay tuned for details concerning their next show (and where it will be held).

The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival (www.centralcoastshakespeare.org) recently presented its final performances of Twelfth Night at the Outside Amphitheatre at the River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles.  If you missed seeing it, or their other summer show, The Gamester - then you missed seeing one VERY talented company that performs in a WONDERFUL outside venue under the stars.  Make sure they are on your theatre viewing calendar for NEXT summer!

Murder in Mind Productions (http://murderinmind.com) presents Bewitched: De-Witched, a parody by John Logue and directed by Ron Kewish, at the Spyglass Inn, located at 2703 Spyglass Dr in Shell Beach, through September 5.  Reservations are required.

Upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande, include the A Night of Worship with Wayne & Libby Huirua September 4, country artist Darryl Worley September 12, San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition September 30, Carlene Carter October 1, Richie Havens October 11, and folk icon Judy Collins October 14.

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) will present a production of Forever Plaid September 17 - October 2 as part of their inaugural season of 4 shows.  In addition to Forever Plaid, Last Five Years is tentatively scheduled for production in November, Drowsy Chaperone in Feb/March of 2011, and Crazy for You in August 2011.

The Great American Melodrama (www.americanmelodrama.com) in Oceano is in its summer repertory season with The Crock of Gold alternating performances with their second summer show, The Tavern, through September 19, along with "The Great Outdoors (or Travel Time) Vaudeville Review" following each performance [NOTE: Attended a Saturday early show of The Tavern, followed by "The Travel Time Vaudeville Review," and the Melodrama gang, with a couple of new faces - including friend, Alan Benson, did their usual WONDERFUL job!].

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre (www.smct.org) will present their next production, The White Liars and Black Comedy, September 10 - October 2.

The Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (www.pcpa.org), the Central Coast's Resident Professional Theatre Company, located on the Allan Hancock College Campus in Santa Maria, presents Songs for a New World through September 12 at the Solvang Festival Theater [NOTE: Saw the final Sunday matinee in Santa Maria before the show moved to Solvang - you REALLY don't want to miss this one!].  And then the final production of the 2010 Summer Season is the world premiere of Invierno by José Cruz González, showing through September 19 at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria.

So ... tired of what's on TV ... don't feel like going to the movies?  Then get out of your chair and support the performing arts here on the beautiful California Central Coast by going to see a live theatre production!

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

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