October Theatre Happenings on the California Central Coast

As we say goodbye to September and hello to October (and all the Halloween trimmings in the stores that go with it!) - we also say hello to a number of shows that have started, or soon will start, their production runs here on the California Central Coast, along with a couple whose runs will soon come to a close.

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.

A "tale as old as time" is given a complete makeover as The Great American Melodrama presents this hilarious musical spoof.  Written by Eric Hoit and Jordan Richardson, Trudy and the Beast puts a new spin on everybody's favorite fairy-tale by blending it with a sci-fi classic, updating it to the present day and mixing in song parodies and pop culture references.  A strange creature - half-man, half-fish - has reportedly been spotted near the lagoon on the 13^th hole of the Black Lake Golf Course in Nipomo.  Trudy (Katie Worley), an avid golfer, dismisses these stories as urban legend, but the self-centered local pro, Gerard (Chuck McLane), and his shy caddy, Felix (Daniel Self) skip the 13^th hole just in case.  When Trudy's silly friend Minnie (Leah Kolb) joins them all on the course one day, the group is surprised and horrified when the Creature appears and takes a particular interest in Trudy.  In a cavern deep below the lagoon, we learn that the Creature (Andrew Beck) was a professional golfer, now transformed into this hideous amphibian, while his caddy, Cartsworth (Billy Breed), and his agent, Mrs. Putts (Bree Murphy), are suffering similar fates.  What did this trio do to deserve this punishment, and can they be restored to their normal lives?  Does true love contain the transformative power, and is Trudy the key?  All these questions are answered as this hilarious new musical makes it way along the golf course en route to a happy ending.  Written in the style of last year's hit Scary Poppins, and put together by the same production team of director Eric Hoit, musical director Jordan Richardson, choreographer Michael Jenkinson, technical director Gary Adams, and costume designer Jim Tanner, this show is sure to hit a 'hole-in-one' with all ages.
 
Following Trudy and the Beast at each performance is the "Zombie Vaudeville Revue."  It's nighttime in the cemetery and the undead are breaking out and cutting loose for a party full of song and dance.  You haven't lived - or died - until you've seen zombies 'trip the dark fantastic' to "You and the Night and the Music" or rock out to the "Zombie Rap."  Written and directed by Erik Stein, with musical direction and arrangements by Jordan Richardson and choreography by Michael Jenkinson and Daniel Self, this revue is sure to set your toes a-tapping.  Just be careful they don't fall off! 
 
Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30pm, and Sundays at 6pm.  (On Thursday October 14 a 2pm matinee will replace the 7pm performance).  The Melodrama's in-house snack bar features great food and drinks served before the show and during intermissions.  For more information or to make reservations call the Melodrama Box Office at 805-489-2499.  The Great American Melodrama is located on Highway 1 in Oceano, just three miles south of Pismo Beach.  Now in its 35^th year, the Melodrama has been providing professional family entertainment on the Central Coast since 1975 [Photo by Gary Adams, Bree Murphy in the Zombie Vaudeville Revue]. 

Dimensions in Dance will be presented by the Allan Hancock College Dance Program at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria October 7-10.  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, has just 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.

The Nipomo High School Drama Department, one of the premier high shool theatre programs on the Central Coast, presents Nunsense October 6-9 at 7:30 PM.  Call (805) 474-3300, ext. 6 for tickets and more information.

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) present Forever Plaid, directed by Natalia Berryman, with Musical Direction by Mark Robertshaw and Choreography by Stacy Estrada, through October 3 at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande as part of their inaugural season of shows [NOTE: I attended the special Monday night performance of this show, and these guys are really good ... I mean REALLY good!  I had the pleasure of having the Four Lads in my dinner theatre in the late 70s, and these guys have a blend on a couple of Lads' standards that I think would bring both a smile to their faces and a nod of approval].

In addition to Forever Plaid, Drowsy Chaperone is scheduled for production in Feb/March of 2011, and Crazy for You in August 2011.

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include the Central Coast Follies World Tour October 7-10, 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.

Auditions for SLO Little Theatre's youth Academy of Creative Theatre production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be October 5 & 7 (by appointment) with callbacks on October 9.

SLOLT's next mainstage production will be Leading Ladies, directed by Leticia Velex, October 8-31.

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 Steve Martin October 6, comedienne Paula Poundstone on October 7, 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 Septemmebr 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).

The Fall theatre season is off and running ... so help support the performing arts here on the beautiful California Central Coast and head on out to see a show!

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

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