PCPA Theaterfest Presents CAROLINE OR CHANGE, Closes 9/18

PCPA Theaterfest concludes its 2010-2011 season with the musical Caroline, or Change by Tony Kushner (Angels in America) and Jeanine Tesori (Shrek the Musical). It plays in Santa Maria's Marian Theatre September 1 through 18. A range of musical styles fill the score; from blues to Motown, and spirituals to klezmer, and propel a story of political change, social change, and plain ol' pocket change. Caroline, or Change is a ground-breaking work which has the power to change the way audiences think about musical theatre.

It's 1963 in Lake Charles, Louisiana during the civil rights movement. The assassination of John F. Kennedy is about to happen and the Vietnam war is escalating. A divorced African American maid, Caroline Thibodeaux, is doing laundry in the basement of the Gellman's home, a Southern Jewish family. Caroline and eight year-old Noah Gellman are reluctant to get swept up in the sea of change around them. Noah has lost his mother to cancer. His father has married his wife's best friend Rose who tries to breakthrough to the boy and Caroline. Unable to give Caroline a raise, and with a plan to teach Noah the value of money -- he tends to leave change in his pockets -- Rose announces, "Caroline can keep whatever change she finds in laundry." Caroline is torn between her higher principals and the chance to improve the lives of her children. The situation becomes bitter when Caroline finds a $20 bill in the laundry.

Caroline, or Change is directed by Patricia M. Troxel (Peter Pan) with musical direction by Brad Carroll (Lend Me a Tenor, the Musical) and features Karole Foreman (Medium, Mama Mia!) as Caroline, Joanna Jones (The Sing-Off) as Emmie, Elizabeth Stuart (Pride and Prejudice) as Rose Stopnick Gellman, and Michael Tremblay (Ragtime) as Mr. Stopnick. Also, Cicily Daniels (Hairspray) as The Washing Machine, Kitty Balay (The Two Gentlemen of Verona) as Grandma Gellman, Billy Breed (Hairspray) as Grandpa Gellman, and (also from Hairspray) Kathryn McCreary, Katrina McGraw, and Nohealani Alisa Cambra as the Radio.

The artistic team includes Michael Jenkinson, Choreographer; DeAnne Kennedy, Scenic Designer; Juliane Starks, Costume Designer; Tamar Geist, Lighting Designer; Elisabeth Rebel, Sound Designer, and Aleah Van Woert, Stage Manager.

Caroline, or Change has collected nearly every award attainable for a theatrical production: the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress (along with six nominations including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Director), Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lead and Featured Actress, and Outstanding Choreography. The show captured two Obie Awards for Outstanding Performance and Special Citations for Kushner and Tesori, and in 2007 it won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

Just the facts...Santa Maria only
What: Caroline, or Change
When: September 1 - 18, 2011
Where: Marian Theatre - 800 S. College, Santa Maria
GPS: enter 1100 S. Bradley, Santa Maria, Ca 93454
Times: 1:30pm - Wed., Sat., Sun.
7pm - Thu., Fri., Sat.
Tickets: $28.00 - $30.00 for adults.
Discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances Sept 1 & 2.
Box Office: (805) 922-8313
Internet: www.pcpa.org

The 2011 PCPA Summer Season:

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
July 15 - 30 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria
August 5 - 21- Solvang Festival Theater

My Fairytale - American Premiere
August 12 - 20 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria
August 26 - September 25- Solvang Festival Theater

Caroline, or Change
September 1 - 18 - Marian Theatre, Santa Maria

Now in its 47th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast's Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused The National Theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory.

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