Early September Theatre Happenings on the California Central Coast

As we make our way on into September, I trust you will want to plan on seeing at least a couple of the theatre and live performance productions that are being presented at any one of the numerous entertainment establishments that call the Central Coast of California home!

The God Is Still Speaking Players (https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/92718528887) is proud to present Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree, September 4 & 5 and 9-11, at the SLO United Church of Christ (11245 Los Osos Valley Rd).  Friday curtain time is at 8 PM, with all other shows at 2 PM - with a special Labor Day Monday matinee on September 5 to benefit the medical costs of Baby Ella Beckstead.  General admission is $15 - with a Family FUN-Pak option that will admit a family of 4 or more for $50.  Tickets may be obtained online at www.brownpapertickets.com, at Boo Boo Records (SLO), Volumes of Pleasure (Los Osos), Coalesce Bookstore (Morro Bay), or at the door on the day of the performance

The New York Times reports that "with the NUNSENSES - I, II and III, Dan Goggin has made millions laugh ... he has raised the human spirit!"  In Nunsense I, when a wacky nun known as Sister Mary Amnesia regained her memory, she recalled that she had always wanted to be a country singer.  In Nunsense II, her dream became one step closer to a reality when Reverend Mother landed a recording contract for her.  In Nunsense III: Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree, her dream is realized as she headlines a brand new show promoting her debut album, "I Could've Gone To Nashville."  Cheered by audiences and critics alike as the funniest and fastest paced show in the first 3 Nunsense plays (there are nine at this point!), this hilarious hoe-down is Nunsense fun with a Laugh-In-Hee-Haw-Grand-Ole-Op'ry slant.

You say you're not a country music fan?  Don't worry - this country music is "Nunsense Theatrical Style," guaranteed to please any Nunsense fan.  And you don't have to be a Nunsense veteran to love the Nunsense Jamboree.  Its story stands on its own.  But if you are a fan, you'll appreciate being able to meet two brand new characters!  You see, since Mother Superior couldn't leave the convent for this "promo tour," she has assigned Sister Mary Wilhelm (Sandy Schwarer), Superintendent of Nursing, to supervise the tour.  Along with Sister Mary Amnesia (Debora Schwartz), Sister Robert Anne (Danielle Mendoza), and Sister Mary Leo (Taylor Peters), you'll also meet Sister Leo's brother, a country singing Franciscan priest: Father Virgil Manly Trott (Curt Miner) - the first man to appear in a Nunsense show (Virgil that is ... not Curt).

The show is Directed by Danielle Dutro and Music Directed by Lacey McNamara [photo of Debora Schwartz as Sister Amnesia by Danielle Dutro Photography].

SLO Little Theatre's (www.slolittletheatre.org) current schedule includes The 1998 Tony Award Winning ART which will run through September 18.

PLUS - on September 5, 6 & 12, Reach the Sky, an evening of songs by what may well be some of Broadway's future songwriters, will be presented.

Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) was proud to present From Main Street to 42^nd Street on August 13, featuring Jacque Carnahan.  Stay tuned for what's next (I'm hearing rumblings about a production of Avenue Q)!   

Espressivo! Chamber Theatre's (http://espressivotheatre.com) next production: LUNATICS IN LOVE!, or Singing in the Reign (of Terror) have performances scheduled in various venues September 21 - October 2.  Call David Hance at (805) 550-7656 for more information.

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include La Guitarra California Festival September 9-11, Chanticleer: Love Story on September 25, Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys on September 30, and Come Together: The Beatles Concert Experience on October 1.

The Brickyard Theatre (www.brickyardhteatre.com) in Atascadero will present The Clean House through September 18.  

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School in Cambria (TOGS) (http://artistsofcambria.com/cambriapac/id4.html) and Allied Arts Theatre will present Dearly Departed October 21 - November 20 (auditions August 16-18).

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org) is proud to present a special 3 performance engagement of Sylvia September 2-4, featuring Tanna Frederick in the title role.

The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival's (http://centralcoastshakespeare.org) 2011 summer schedule of shows in Paso Robles brought us two comedies, in repertory: The Comedy of Errors and As You Like It, at the River Oaks Amphitheater.  And so, in the words of the Bard himelf, "Good night, good night!  Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow" (R&J, Act 2, Sc 2).

The REC Foundations and City of Paso Robles is sponsoring 2 FREE performances of Broadway Goes Country (https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279039182111827) at Centennial Park in Paso Robles at 6 PM on Friday & Saturday, September 16 & 17.

Murder In Mind Productions (www.murderinmind.com) is presenting The Beverly Hillbillies Murder Mystery through September 4 at the Spyglass Inn in Shell Beach.  The Addams Family Reunion will run October 2 - November 6.

Sorcerer Productions' Little Shop of Horrors (https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137142626372228#!/event.php?eid=219102174797618) has just closed their run on the Clark Center main stage in Arroyo Grande.  Next up?  Arsenic and Old Lace October 7-23 in the Studio Theatre.

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include Rudolf Budginas in Concert Featuring Kenny Lee Lewis on September 17, America the Beautiful presented by Central Coast Follies October 1-9, and the Kingston Trio on October 9.

The Great American Melodrama (www.americanmelodrama.com) is proud to present Butch Cassidy and the Sunburnt Kid, which is running in repertory with Lost At Sea through September 18.  Both productions are, or course, followed by a high energy Vaudeville Revue - which many theatre patrons say is worth the price of admission in and of itself!

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, is proud to present Caroline, or Change through September 18 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria, and My Fairytale, a new musical about Hans Christian Andersen with music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked) through September 25 at the Solvang Festival Theater  [NOTE: Saw a matinee of this show at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria before it departed for its Solvang run - and it is absolutely MAGICAL ... you will be hearing MUCH more about this show as more people see and hear about it, of this I have NO doubt!].

Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org) next production, Blithe Spirit, will run September 16 - October 8.

The Lompoc Civic Theatre's (www.lompoccivictheatre.com) next endeavor will be a reading of a new play called Saints of My Own Design as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Fund.  The play is the story of a family each touched by breast cancer.  It will be done October 8 at the Grossman Gallery in the Lompoc Public Library located at 501 E. North Avenue, Lompoc CA 93436.  There will be a silent auction as well.

So, whatever other plans you have in the weeks ahead to fill your entertainment calendar, I hope you'll want to include at least one or two (or three?) of the theatre and live performance options that are currently available (or soon will be) here on the California Central Coast!

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

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