Late April Theatre Opportunities on the California Central Coast

As the end of April arrives, my hope is that you received word that you'll be getting a nice sized tax return - and that you are planning on using some of those funds to support one of our numerous California Central Coast live performance and theatre establishments by attending a show (or 2)!

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook) are hosting a production of The Fourth Wall by A.R. Gurney in collaboration with the RadioActive Players on April 30 & May 1 at 2 PM at the SLO UCC, located at 11245 Los Osos Valley Rd.  General admission is $10.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time online at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Peggy is a middle-aged housewife in an upper New York state small town who is experiencing what could be called a 27-year itch.  But in her case, the itch is not sexual; it's existential.   

She begins rearranging her house to facilitate a possible escape into a new dimension.  But, is she experiencing "second sight" or simply losing her marbles 

Her unorthodox actions at home are starting to worry her now very nervous husband.  Outside help, he decides, is needed to bring Peggy back to her senses.  But, can this rescue team help him to "save" Peggy?  

The Fourth Wall features David Norum, Jean Miller, Jenny Shaheen and John Carroll, and is directed by Gene Strohl.  Check out this week's edition of New Times for a preview review of what you can expect at this show ... sounds like a good one!  

TGISSP's next show will be Nunsense Jamboree in September (auditions early/mid July). 

SLO Little Theatre's (www.slolittletheatre.org) current mainstage production, The Gin Game, runs through May 1.

SLOLT is also looking for a white male, last I heard, to play a college senior with an "All American" look in their upcoming production of Spinning Into Butter which opens May 20.  And be sure to check out their children's summer theatre program classes and productions at act@slolittletheatre.org.

Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) next show, Aladdin, will run May 21 - June 12.  Auditions for Beauty and the Beast are scheduled for May 25 (performances July 16-24 at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly campus).  And if you want to help support Kelrik - they're having a Karaoke Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, Saturday, May 7, 8-10 AM at Applebee's at 305 Madonna Rd.  Also - be sure to check out their acting classes for kids & youth starting the first week of May!

The Cuesta College Performing Arts Department (http://academic.cuesta.edu/performingarts) presents RENT May 6 & 7, and 12-15.

Exit Pursued by a Bear (follow them on Facebook) is proud to announce their upcoming production of As You Like It (performances May 13-15, 19-21) at The SLO Space (3195 McMillan Ave, Unit C).  I understand that the "twist" for this production is that it will be entirely gender reversed with men playing the women's roles and, well ... I think you get the idea.  Contact Tyler Lopez at tylermlopez@gmail.com for more information.

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players' The Mikado on May 3, Mock Rock talent competition on May 4, SLO Symphony's Season Finale of Beethoven's Ninth on May 7 & 8, Jim Brickman: Beautiful World on May 10, and the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei on May 12.

Ryan Cordero (sorcererproductions@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) have just closed a VERY successful run of the Tony Award winning The Drowsy Chaperone in the Clark Center Studio Theatre.  Next Up?  Little Shop of Horrors is what I'm hearing ... stay tuned for details!

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include A Ticket to Ride: A Musical Biography of the Beatles on May 7, California Theatre Center's The Ugly Duckling on May 9, and Piano for Six Hands on May 13.

Murder In Mind Productions (www.murderinmind.com) will present their interactive murder mystery, The Altos - Blood Is Thicker Than Wine, on Sundays at The Spyglass Inn in Shell Beach, May 1 - June 5.

The Great American Melodrama's (www.americanmelodrama.com) current production, Soup du Jour, will run through June 12, followed by yet another Vaudeville Revue to tickle your musical senses.  And be sure to check out Camp Melodrama for young people ages 7-17 which runs July 18 - August 15.

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 Pride and Prejudice through May 8.  The 2011 PCPA graduating class will present their Senior Showcase Conservatory Repertory productions of Hair May 12 & 14 and Twelfth Night May 13 & 14.  Their first summer production, Hairspray, will run June 16 - July 2 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria, and July 8-31 at the Solvang Festival Theater.  And be sure to check out their Summer Acting Camp for Young Actors (July 10-16 for ages 7-12, July 23-30 for ages 13-18). 

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org) current production, An Evening with David Ives, will run through May 21.

The North County Dance & Performing Arts Foundation (www.northcountyperformingarts.org) will present DreamWeaver: The Journey Continues through May 1 at the Templeton Performing Arts Center.  Call (805) 286-7883 for tickets.  

The Pewter Plough Playhouse's (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org) current production of Becky's New Car runs through May 8.  Their next production, Playhouse Creatures, will be presented June 3 - July 17.

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School (TOGS) (http://artistsofcambria.com/cambriapac/id4.html) is pleased to announce that Allied Arts Theatre has been revived and will be presenting The Octette Bridge Club July 29 - August 21, and Dearly Departed October 21 - November 20.

So, whatever else you may have on the ol' recreational entertainment calendar - I trust, after seeing the amazing variety of live entertainment opportunities here on the beautiful Central Coast, that you will be wanting to add a couple of these to your calendar of things to see and do in the next few weeks!

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