Rubicon Theatre Company News

The dog days of summer arrive early this year, as Rubicon Theatre Company presents a spring production of A.R. Gurney's howlingly funny canine comedy SYLVIA, a love story about empty nesters Greg and Kate, and an irrepressible mutt named Sylvia. Written by Drama Desk, Obie and Lortel Award-winning playwright A.R. Gurney (also known for Love Letters and The Dining Room), the plot follows what happens after a man going through a midlife crisis finds a dog in Central Park and brings her home without consulting his wife.

Rubicon Theatre Company, in association with Music2Life, presents a new weeklong series of events in Ventura, California, May 8 - 13, 2017, called MUSIC FOR CHANGING TIMES: LOOKING BACK/MOVING FORWARD.

The dog days of summer arrive early this year, as Rubicon Theatre Company presents a spring production of A.R. Gurney's howlingly funny canine comedy SYLVIA, a love story about empty nesters Greg and Kate, and an irrepressible mutt named Sylvia. Written by Drama Desk, Obie and Lortel Award-winning playwright A.R. Gurney (also known for Love Letters and The Dining Room), the plot follows what happens after a man going through a midlife crisis finds a dog in Central Park and brings her home without consulting his wife.

Episode 70 is direct from Cory's kitchen and it's with Lighting Designer Paul Toben. Paul is currently in town serving as the Associate LD for the new Broadway musical War Paint, but he's with us today to do some deep excavating into the true nature of being a working designer.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues." 

It's been 80 years since Bessie Smith, the celebrated Empress of the Blues, died a lonely death, after an auto accident on a desolate Mississippi road. Contrary to legend, Smith did not bleed to death after being refused admission to a white Southern hospital. That story was related to Down Beat magazine by Columbia Records impresario John Hammond, who later apologized, saying that it was all based on hearsay. But her injuries were severe enough so that when she was taken to the nearest hospital (which happened to be one that accepted blacks), that she was beyond saving, and died at the young age of 43.

In See Rock City, the second installment of Arlene Hutton's trilogy about a post-World War II family, aspiring novelist Raleigh Brummett had left for New York to pursue his career, leaving his school teacher wife May behind in the rural town of Corbin, Kentucky. Hutton's trilogy about the Brummetts, a family struggling to stay together amid everyday challenges, concludes with the third and final chapter, Gulf View Drive, which plays through Sunday at the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura.

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates Black History Month with THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH, starring singer and actress Miche Braden of the original Off-Broadway production (named one of the 10 Best Off-Broadway productions of the year by the N.Y. Daily Times). Described by CBC as a, "bawdy, bluesy, boozy rollicking night out at the theatre," the show follows the life, loves and career of blues and jazz singer Bessie Smith, called the "Empress of the Blues."

Time to get yourself and/or your kids signed up for a fun, exciting learning experience. 

Award-winning playwright Arlene Hutton's newest play THE THREE SISTERS BRONTË receives a FREE staged reading at Rubicon Theatre Company on February 6 at 7:00 p.m. Interweaving the famous trio of literary sisters and Anton Chekhov's masterpiece Three Sisters, the play examines the complexities of feminism, art, love and family. Set against the bleak and windy Yorkshire moors in the mid-1800s, Arlene Hutton's THE THREE SISTERS BRONTË follows the lives of the sisters as they struggle to find creative prosperity while navigating the harsh realities of a male society. Faced with limited opportunities for educated women, Charlotte, Emily and Anne live in the rich worlds of their imaginations, until they are forced to face the truth that nothing is certain, and their destinies are best served when held firmly in their own hands.

Rubicon Theatre Company presents GULF VIEW DRIVE , the third and final play in Arlene Hutton's Nibroc Trilogy, directed by Indy award-winning Katharine Farmer with the same cast reprising their critically-acclaimed roles from the Los Angeles Times "Critic's Choice" productions of Last Train to Nibroc and last season's See Rock City. Lily Nicksay ("Boy Meets World"/The Wild Duck at A Noise Within) and Erik Odom ("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2"/Sons of the Prophet at The Blank) return as May and Raleigh, along with See Rock City featured cast members Clarinda Ross (Spit Like a Big Girl/Steel Magnolias) and Sharon Sharth (Waiting for Grace/ member of Actors Studio and Circle Rep in New York). Joining the cast is returning Rubicon artist Faline England (Crimes of the Heart (Indy Award)/Turn of the Screw (Ovation Nomination). The ongoing love story of May and Raleigh concludes with the Kentucky couple now living comfortably in Florida in the 1950s. But their settled life is once again rocked by the arrival of family and turbulent events that threaten their sunny existence. Their love and devotion are put to the test when they must make unconventional decisions in a rapidly changing world. GULF VIEW DRIVE opens in Ventura on Saturday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a post-show party with cast, crew and local VIPs. Low-priced previews are January 25-27. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays through February 12, 2017.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of IMOGEN SAYS NOTHING by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Laurie Woolery, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), January 20-February 11. Opening Night is Today, January 26.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of IMOGEN SAYS NOTHING by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Laurie Woolery, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), January 20-February 11. Opening Night is Thursday, January 26.

The 27th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were presented on Tuesday, January 17 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center.

The 27th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were presented on Tuesday, January 17, at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center.

Rubicon Theatre Company presents GULF VIEW DRIVE , the third and final play in Arlene Hutton's Nibroc Trilogy, directed by Indy award-winning Katharine Farmer with the same cast reprising their critically-acclaimed roles from the Los Angeles Times "Critic's Choice" productions of Last Train to Nibroc and last season's See Rock City. Lily Nicksay ("Boy Meets World"/The Wild Duck at A Noise Within) and Erik Odom("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2"/Sons of the Prophet at The Blank) return as May and Raleigh, along with See Rock City featured cast membersClarinda Ross (Spit Like a Big Girl/Steel Magnolias) and Sharon Sharth (Waiting for Grace/ member of Actors Studio and Circle Rep in New York). Joining the cast is returning Rubicon artist Faline England (Crimes of the Heart (Indy Award)/Turn of the Screw (Ovation Nomination).

Rubicon Theatre Company makes the holidays merry and musical with special concerts at the theatre for audiences of all ages.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of IMOGEN SAYS NOTHING by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Laurie Woolery, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), January 20-February 11. Opening Night is Thursday, January 26.

Last season's critically acclaimed, World Premiere hit Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL returns to Rubicon Theatre Company this holiday season with Broadway, TV and film veterans Peter Van Norden (RTC's Copenhagen) and Joe Spano ('NCIS,' RTC's Bucky) reprising their roles in this innovative retelling of the classic. Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens in Ventura today, December 10, followed by an after-party at Rhumb Line Restaurant. The show is currently in previews for a run through December 24, and BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek below!

 Last season's critically acclaimed, World Premiere hit CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL returns to Rubicon Theatre Company this holiday season with Broadway, TV and film veterans Peter Van Norden (RTC's Copenhagen) and Joe Spano ("NCIS," RTC's Bucky) reprising their roles in this innovative retelling of the classic. Adapted by Producing Artistic Director Karyl Lynn Burns and directed byBrian McDonald, the 25-member cast features many of the same actors from the original production that earned a "Critic's Choice" in the Los Angeles Times and rave reviews from Ventura County Star, CASA Magazine, VIDA Magazine and the Ventura Breeze. Presented as a play with music, this dynamic and compelling stage version is highly theatrical. Actors narrate at various times, play multiple characters, sing and contribute to the soundscape for the production in the style of the Royal Shakespeare Company's landmark production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. CHARLES DICKENS' A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens in Ventura on Today, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. followed by an after-party at Rhumb Line Restaurant. Low-priced previews are December 7-9. The show runs Wednesdays through Sundays through December 24.