Theatrical Treats Offered on the California Central Coast

As we continue on into October, along with all the Fall and Halloween decorations, a goodly number of our Central Coast theatres are offering a "spooktacular" lineup of shows for you to enjoy (sorry ... couldn't resist!).

The Nipomo High School Drama Department, one of the premier high shool theatre programs on the California Central Coast, presents Nunsense through October 9 at 7:30 PM each evening. 

If you don't know the show, Nunsense is a musical comedy about a group of nuns putting on a variety show as a fundraiser.  The theme is appropriate since that's exactly what the students are doing with this performance: It's a fundraiser for their trip to the American High School Theatre Festival that runs in conjunction with the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Call (805) 474-3300, ext. 6 for tickets and more information.

The Great American Melodrama (www.americanmelodrama.com) in Oceano is proud to present its annual Fall/Halloween show, which this year will be Trudy and the Beast ... or The Creature from the Black Lagoon, through November 14 with each performance followed by the "Zombie Vaudeville Review."

Dimensions in Dance will be presented by the Allan Hancock College Dance Program at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria through October 10.  Call (805) 922-8313 for tickets and more information.

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, recently closed the final production of their 2010 Summer Season - the world premiere of Invierno by José Cruz González, based on Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.  The theatre will open its 2010/11 season with a production of Peter Pan November 4 - December 23 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria.

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre (www.smct.org) will present Wait Until Dark Novermber 19 - December 11.

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) just closed their very successful production of Forever Plaid, directed by Natalia Berryman, with Musical Direction by Mark Robertshaw and Choreography by Stacy Estrada at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande as part of their inaugural season of shows.  Next up is Drowsy Chaperone in Feb/March of 2011, and Crazy for You in August 2011.

The Arroyo Grande High School Theatre Department presents Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice at the Clark Center October 21-24. 

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include the Central Coast Follies World Tour through October 10, Richie Havens October 11, folk icon Judy Collins October 14, JIGU! Thunder Drums of China October 19, and Direct from Vegas - The Rat Pack on October 23.

Murder in Mind Productions (http://murderinmind.com) presents Pirates of Pirates Cove at the Spyglass Inn, located at 2703 Spyglass Dr in Shell Beach, through November 7.  Reservations are required.

Callback auditions for SLO Little Theatre's youth Academy of Creative Theatre production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be October 9.

SLOLT's next mainstage production will be Leading Ladies, directed by Leticia Velex, through October 31.

The Poetic Justice Project (http://poeticjusticeproject.org/) presents Off the Hook through October 10 at Unity Church of San Luis Obispo (1490 Southwood Dr).

The RadioActive Players radio presentation of Oblomov, a play adaptation by Julia Britton of an Ivan Goncharov 1859 novel, directed by Gene Strohl, will air on KCBX on Monday, October 11, at 7:30 PM. 

The God Is Still Speaking Players recently closed their production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  Next up is auditions on October 19 and 20 for a staged reading of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood, directed by Chrys Barnes in collaboration with Bent Angel Productions, with performances on November 20 & 21.

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Esperanza Spalding October 8, Ellis Marsalis October 9, Diane Schuur & the SLO Symphony October 10, Drumline Live October 12, and Hal Holbrook's Mark Twain Tonight! October 15.

Actors are needed for Atascadero's annual Tent City Celebration on October 16, commemorating the town's founding nearly a century ago.  If dressing up in early 20th century period costumes and being part of this historical reenactment of sorts sounds of interest - or if attending such an event sounds like fun, go to www.colonydays.org for more information, or contact event organizer, Ken Mallett, at KMallettOnStage@Yahoo.com

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School (TOGS) in Cambria closed Rosann Balbontin's Bridging the Gap on September 5.  Contact Theatre Director, Jeff Mar, at KRKJFRZ@aol.com to find out what their next project will be.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), also located in Cambria, closed their production of Finishing Touches on February 28.  The theatre was closed for a time while it installed a new fire sprinkler system - but it reopened its doors with Just 45 Minutes From Broadway for a limited engagement Sept 3-5 to help the theatre retire the loan it took out to complete the installation of its new sprinkler system.  Auditions for their next production will be announced in the near future.

The Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) finished a successful run of Oliver at the Templeton Performing Arts Center in January.  Recently, they presented a "special project."  Always ... Patsy Cline, at Centennial Park in Paso Robles for 2 performances on September 17 & 18 with Amanda Baker as Patsy and Jill Turnbow as her friend Louise, along with a 5 piece band.  Stay tuned for what they'll be doing next! 

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

So there you have it ... no tricks, but a WHOLE lot of theatrical treats awaiting your patronage on the beautiful California Central Coast - so get out there and support the performing arts!

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

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