BWW Blogs: We Got Comedies to Classics Aplenty Here on the California Central Coast!

BroadwayWorld.com brings you theater recommendations from San Luis Obispo's own Curt Miner.

The weather prognosticators tell us we may still get wet a day or two this week - but our Central Coast theatres are warm, dry, and ready to provide you with an afternoon or evening of quality entertainment at a price that'll fit most everybody's budget!

In Oceano, The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville (www.americanmelodrama.com) presents I Hate Hamlet through March 7 (photo by Gary Adams; L-R: Bree Murphy as Lillian Troy, Megan C.C. Walker as Deirdre McDavey, Jacqueline Hildebrand as Felicia Dantine, and George Walker as Andrew Rally).

This hilarious play by Paul Rudnick is the story of Andrew Rally (George Walker), a recently unemployed television actor who has moved to New York City and been given the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park.  Trouble is, Andrew hates Shakespeare.  But then an unexpected séance, led by real estate agent Felicia Dantine (Jacqueline Hildebrand), brings back the ghost of one of the greatest Hamlets of all time, John Barrymore (Billy Breed), who is determined to convince Andrew to accept the role.  Adding encouragement are Andrew's girlfriend Deirdre (Megan C.C. Walker), who is in love with all things poetic, and his agent, Lillian Troy (Bree Murphy), who once had a brief romance with Barrymore.  But when Hollywood dealmaker Gary Lefkowitz (Chuck McLane) arrives with an offer for A New Television series, Andrew faces the ultimate question - TV or not TV?  The laughs are non-stop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, and his sword in this comedy-romance called "unapologetically silly and at times hilarious" by the New York Times. I Hate Hamlet is directed by Erik Stein, who last year directed the Melodrama's Popular Productions of Man with the Pointed Toes and The Nerd.  Set design is by Gary Adams, and costume design is by Jim Tanner.  The Melodrama has rated this play PG for some mature situations.

Following I Hate Hamlet at each performance is the Melodrama's famous and unique Vaudeville Revue.  Director Eric Hoit, musical director Jordan Richardson and choreographer Michael Jenkinson have put together a hilarious look at how technology has changed mankind in the Technology 2.0 Vaudeville Revue.  Among the highlights are a tap-dancing Morse code operator, a comedic look at what might have happened moments after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, an unexpected interaction with a GPS, and a hilarious musical parody called Web Site Story.  It's a song, dance and comedy-filled feast that you won't want to miss!

Performances are Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30 pm, and Sundays at 6 pm. (on Thursday February 4, a 2 pm matinee replaces the 7 pm performance).  The Melodrama's in-house snack bar features great food and drinks, served before the show and during intermissions.  Tickets are $18 to $22, with discount given for seniors, students, children and groups.  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.  The Melodrama has been providing professional family entertainment on the Central Coast since 1975.  Visit their website at www.americanmelodrama.com.

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org) next production will be Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, with performances scheduled for February 5-27.

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, will present William Shakespeare's Macbeth, opening on February 18.

At the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande, the legendary Shirelles will be in concert on February 6, Colbie Caillat brings her acoustic guitar and dusky vocals to the stage on February 25, the Wailin' Jennys will be in town on February 26, and then the Preservation Hall Jazz Band makes an appearance on March 5.

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org) will present a readers' theatre production of The Washing Place by Devin Wallace, who will also be directing, on February 5.  And then the next installment of the theatre's ongoing Legend Series, Swingin' with Sinatra, opens February 19 and runs through March 21.   

Kelrik Productions (www.kelrikproductions.com), also located in San Luis Obispo, will present Seussical February 20 - March 14 at Unity in San Luis Obispo.  Additionally, Bye Bye Birdie will be on stage at the Spanos Theatre on Cal Poly campus March 26 - April 3.

The God Is Still Speaking Players (check them out on Facebook or at www.sloucc.org) is proud to be working with Bent Angel Productions on a readers' theatre production of 12 Angry Men, which is being directed by Chrys Barnes, with performances scheduled for February 19-21 at the United Church of Christ in San Luis Obispo.

Performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Spirit of Uganda on February 3, Continuum, by the Orchesis Dance Company February 4-6, and Teatro Lirico d'Europa's production of Die Fledermaus on February 10.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), located in Cambria, is currently presenting a production of Finishing Touches through February 28.

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org) completed a successful remount run of their popular summer musical Always ... Patsy Cline at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly campus this past August.  Stay tuned for details concerning their next show (and where it will be held ... possibly somewhere in Paso Robles?).

And then last but not least, up Paso Robles way, the Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) have just finished a successful run of Oliver at the Templeton Performing Arts Center [PERSONAL NOTE: attended a Saturday matinee performance - HIGH energy, UP tempo, and WONDERFUL music by Stephen Tosh and his six piece orchestra!].  Rumor has it that next up is a summer musical production of Fiddler on the Roof.  Stay tuned for audition and performance dates. 

Come rain or come shine - our area live performance venues stand ready to entertain you ... so what are ya' waitin' for?!  Call and make your reservations before all the good seats are gone!

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