California Central Coast Late June Theatre Opportunities - and MORE!

As we move into the latter portion of June, I really hope you've made your reservations to see some of the GREAT shows that are presently running (or soon will be) at the various live theatre and performance venues that we have here on our beautiful California Central Coast!

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 its first summer production, Hairspray, through July 2 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria, and July 8-31 at the Solvang Festival Theater.

Say good morning to 1962 Baltimore where everything is bigger than life!  Tracy Turnblad (played by the effervescent Bree Murphy McLane) may not have a Barbie-doll figure, but the size of her irrepressible heart is matched only by the volume of her irresistible hair. She's just the girl to twist and turn the teenage television dance program, The Corny Collins Show, on its ear.  This plus-size musical features fan favorites like "Good Morning Baltimore," "I'm a Big Girl Now" and "You Can't Stop the Beat."  You'll laugh your socks off when Tracy and friends dance rings around the establishment and bring color to TV's age of black and white.  With her one-of-a-kind mom Edna (portrayed by the over-the-top talented Sam Zeller) as her agent, she finds a no-tease way to make a Link with love and be crowned Miss Teenage Hairspray! [NOTE: Saw the official opening night of this show on Saturday, June 18, and it was AMAZING ... I don't remember the last time the ENTIRE audience erupted into an IMMEDIATE standing ovation as curtain call began - but that's exactly what happened at this production, and it was WELL deserved!]   

In addition, a reprise of this past season's The 39 Steps is at the Solvang Festival Theater through July 3.  Shortly after Hairspray moves to Solvang, Shakespeare's The Two Gentleman of Verona opens in Santa Maria, running July 15-30 (August 5-21 in Solvang).  And be sure to check out PCPA's Summer Acting Camp for Young Actors (July 10-16 for ages 7-12, July 23-30 for ages 13-18).  [NOTE: Housing needed for summer theatre interns.   Contact PCPA's Company Manager, Amy Barrick at (805) 928-7731 ext. 3153 for more information].

Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org) next production, The Frog Prince of Spamalot, will be presented July 15-24.

The Great American Melodrama's (www.americanmelodrama.com) current production is Butch Cassidy and the Sunburnt Kid through September 17, which will run in repertory with Lost At Sea July 14 - September 18.  And be sure to check out Camp Melodrama for young people ages 7-17 which runs July 18 - August 15.

To help celebrate Arroyo Grande's Centennial, South County Historical Society (SCHS) is producing "100 Years of People - Stories from our Past," a series of Readers' Theatre programs, each an hour long, adapted from historic writings about the life of Clara Edwards, born in 1855 to missionary parents in Indian Territory.  Clara's childhood years turn her into an educated and adventurous woman, who arrives in Arroyo Grande in 1883. 

"Life in the New City"

Clara's continuing adventures in Arroyo Grande as a pioneer teacher and wife of the city's first permanent doctor, Edwin Paulding.

Performances: Saturdays at 2PM, July 2, 9, 16, 23.

Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) recently 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 - performances August 12-28 on the Clark Center main stage.

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include "Live, Breathe, Dance" by Coastal Dance & Music Academy on June 26, "Pink Champagne" by the Central Coast Celebration Chorus on July 9, and Mary Meserve-Miller's LEGENDS Viva La Diva July 15-31.

Murder In Mind Productions (www.murderinmind.com) will present The Beverly Hillbillies Murder Mystery, July 3 - September 4, at the Spyglass Inn in Shell Beach. 

SLO Little Theatre's (www.slolittletheatre.org) current schedule includes children's summer theatre classes and productions (get more information at act@slolittletheatre.org), a production of The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkpr (Abridged) through July 17, and ACT's summer youth production of Ann of Green Gables July 29 - August 7 [NOTE: Had the pleasure of attending final dress for Compleat Works - and this is one VERY funny show that you will NOT want to miss!].

Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) next show, Seussical the Musical, will be presented July 16-24 at the Spanos Theatre as well.  Also - be sure to check out their acting classes for kids & youth!

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook) next show will be Nunsense Jamboree, September 2-5 & 9-11, at the SLO United Church of Christ (auditions July 9 & 10). 

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include the California International Choir Festival & Competition June 24-26, Summer Drama Workshop for Children's King Arthur's Quest July 5-9, and Kelrik's Seussical the Musical July 16-24.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse's (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org) current production, Playhouse Creatures, will be presented through July 17 in Cambria. 

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School in Cambria (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.

The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival (http://centralcoastshakespeare.org) is proud to announce its 2011 summer schedule of The Comedy of Errors and As You Like It, to be presented at the River Oaks Amphitheatre in Paso Robles, July 14 - August 13.

So, whatever else may be on your hit parade of summer fun and entertainment, I hope you will include throwing some support in the direction of the varied and talented performing arts community that we are so proud of here on the Central Coast!

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