B Street Theatre Announces 2010 Spring Productions

The B Street Theatre has announced its spring line-up. On the mainstage will appear Gina Gionfriddo's new comedy Becky Shaw. The B-3 Series offering will be the American classic, I AM A CAMERA by John Van Druten. The Family Series will finish its season with Charles Way's exciting and moving version of the classic French tale, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

The Mainstage will feature Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo. Becky Shaw follows the efforts by newlywed couple Suzanna and Andrew to fix up two romantically challenged friends. When an evening calculated to bring happiness takes a dark turn, crisis and comedy ensue in this wickedly funny play that asks what we owe the people we love and the strangers who land on our doorstep.

Becky Shaw premiered at Actors Theatre of Louisville's 2008 Humana Festival of New American Plays. In 2009, the play enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway run at the Second Stage in New York City.

Playwright Gina Gionfriddo has received the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Helen Merrill Award for Emerging Playwrights, a Lucille Lortel Fellowship, and a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship. Her work includes AFTER ASHLEY (Vineyard Theatre in New York and Actors Theatre of Louisville); U.S. Drag (Clubbed Thumb in New York and Connecticut Rep; published by Smith & Kraus in Women Playwrights: The Best Plays of 2002), and Guinevere (Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference).

Previews for Becky Shaw begin April 17 at 5:00 p.m. The production has a scheduled opening of April 18 at 7:00 p.m. Performances take place Tuesday and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and Wednesday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Becky Shaw plays through May 30. Tickets for the production range in price from $18.00 to $30.00.

The B-3 Series will feature I AM A CAMERA by John Van Druten. The B-3 Series will close its fourth season with an American Classic: John Van Druten's I AM A CAMERA. Based on the novel the BERLIN STORIES by celebrated writer Christopher Isherwood, I AM A CAMERA glimpses the tumultuous, uproarious and, ultimately, empty lives of young Berliners and ex-patriots in pre-World War II Berlin. Seen through the photographic eye of writer Chris, the characters ache and yearn for all they desire, but find life to be more puzzling than fulfilling. Of keen interest to Chris is the mercurial and beguiling cabaret singer Sally Bowles, the same character who became the focus of the hit musical CABARET, book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander.

John Van Druten was born 1901 in London, England. His first successful play was YOUNG WOODLEY, produced in 1928. His best-known plays, primarily light comedies, include Old Acquaintance (1940), THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE (1943), I REMEMBER MAMA (1944), BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE (1950) and I AM A CAMERA (1951). After several years and considerable success in the U.S., he became an American citizen in 1944. He passed away in 1957.

I AM A CAMERA will feature B Street Acting Company members Jason Kuykendall (Chris) and Kurt Johnson (Clive). Also appearing will be Julie Granata (Sally); Stephanie Altholz (Natalie); Tamara Walters (Frau Schneider); Eason Donner (Fritz) and Nisa Davis (Mrs. Watson). Peter Story directs.

Previews begin March 27 at 4:00 p.m. The production opens March 27. Performances take place Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Thursday matinees at 2:00 p.m. (except April 8), and Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. on March 28 and April 4 only. The production closes April 24. Tickets for the productions range in price from $18.00 to $30.00.

The family series will see a production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Charles Way. The B Street Theatre Family Series will complete its 8th season with Charles Way's lively adaptation of the classic French tale BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A non-musical play, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST follows the plight of young Belle as her father exchanges her freedom for his life. Magic, mourning and memory intertwine to teach Belle, her father, and cursed prince, the meaning of true love.

Charles Way began writing plays professionally in 1978 when he joined Leeds Playhouse TIE team. He has now written over forty plays, many of them for young people, and his work has been produced all over the world. These include Sleeping Beauty, The Search for Odysseus and A Spell of Cold Weather - which were all nominated as Best Children's Play by the Writer's Guild of Great Britain. Charles has won several awards and was last years recipient of the 'Children's award' given by the Arts Council of England for 'Red Red Shoes' [Unicorn Theatre and The Place] as best play for young people 2004. His play 'Merlin and the Cave of Dreams', for Imagination Stage, was nominated for a Helen Hayes award for the 'Outstanding New Play of 2004'.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will feature Katie Walters (Belle); Kristin Wolf (Cassandra); John Lamb (Jan); Richard Kleber(George); Ryanne Lee (Housekeeper). The role of the Beast is not yet cast. B Street producing artistic director Buck Busfield directs assisted by B Street directing intern Tony Poston.

Previews for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST begin April 10 at 1:00 p.m. with a scheduled opening on April 10. Performances take place Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The production runs through May 23. Tickets for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST range in price from $15.00 to $22.00.

All tickets may be purchased through the B Street Box Office for Tickets and Information (916)443-5300. The B Street Theatre is located at the corner of 27th and B Streets in Midtown Sacramento behind Stanford Park Baseball Field at 27th and C Streets.

For more information, visit www.bstreettheatre.org.

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