California Central Coast Theatre Fall Seasons Get a Jump on the Autumnal Equinox!

Well, with the first weekend after Labor Day behind us, most churches have kicked off their fall program years.  And speaking of kick-offs - the first full weekend of NFL games is in the books ... how did YOUR favorite team do?  And if you're not particularly into either the church or football scene - thank God for the numerous Central Coast theatres that offer so many live performance alternatives as they wind up their Summer Seasons or launch, or are already into, their Fall Seasons!

In Paso Robles, the Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) are gearing up for their next production - Oliver, scheduled to be presented sometime in January of 2010.  Stay tuned for specific details concerning audition and performance dates in the near future!

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org) in Cambria recently completed a remount run of their popular summer musical Always ... Patsy Cline at the Spanos Theatre (www.pacslo.org).  Stay tuned for details concerning their next show.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), also in Cambria, will be opening the first show of their fall season, The Mousetrap, on September 25, running through November 8.  Homeland Insecurity or How I Learned To Love The Patriot Act will be presented in a readers' theatre format on October 14.

The Brickyard Theatre (www.brickyardtheatre.com) in Atascadero presents Humble Boy through September 26.

In San Luis Obispo, Kelrik Productions (www.kelrikproductions.com) is currently in rehearsal for RENT, which will be presented at the Spanos Theatre (www.pacslo.org) October 15-18.

At the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org), the first production of their 2009/10 Season, The Clean House, runs through September 20.  Auditions for a staged reading of The Devil's Chaplain, a play about "the real Charles Darwin," by Alan Navarre, will be held September 20, 11 AM - 1 PM, with performance scheduled for November 29.  The Man from Nebraska will be presented in a readers' theatre format on September 25, directed by Emmy award winning actress and founding director of the Studio at Actors Warehouse (www.studioatactorswarehouse.com), Rae Stone.  The second show of the season, Rumors, will be presented October 9 - November 1.

For a wider selection of live entertainment options, the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org), is pleased to present Kathy Griffin on September 23, Bellydance Superstars on September 27, Merle Haggard on September 30, Imani Winds with special guest vibraphonist Stefon Harris on October 2, the San Luis Obispo Symphony with guest pianist Robert Edward Thies on October 3, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn on October 10.

In Pismo Beach, New Life Community Church (www.newlifepismo.com) is presenting Uncle Phil's Diner through September 20.  Call (805) 489-3254 xt. 200 for tickets.

The Studio of Performing Arts (www.thestudioofperformingarts.com) in Arroyo Grande held auditions for The Miracle Worker on September 17, with performances November 6-21.

The Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org), also located in Arroyo Grande, has a number of fun entertainment opportunities in the weeks ahead, including Gloriana on September 22, the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition on September 24, the Central Coast Follies "Love is in the Air!" October 1 - 4 to support Parkinson's Disease research, Emmylou Harris and her Red Dirt Boys on October 7, the Sons of the San Joaquin on October 10, and Pacific Repertory Opera's The Pirates of Penzance October 16-18.

In Oceano, The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville (www.americanmelodrama.com) is running 2 productions in alternating performances - Gold Fever at the Rough and Ready and Rip van Winkle through September 20.  Both shows are followed by a spirited vaudeville review that highlights the considerable singing & dancing talents of the company - which many a theatre goer says is worth the price of admission in and of itself!  The fall/Halloween production of Scary Poppins opens September 24 and runs through November 15.

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre's (www.smct.org) first production of their 50th Anniversary Season - Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. runs through October 3.  Audition dates for the second show of the season, Wake Up, Darling, are scheduled for September 21 & 22, with performances November 20 - December 12.

And then last, but not least, the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (www.pcpa.org) is wrapping up their 2008/9 Season with Distracted at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria through September 20.  And then you won't want to miss the first show of PCPA's 2009/10 season - C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which will run November 5 - December 23 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria.

Hard to believe summer is REALLY over, but there is SO much theatre to look forward to up and down the beautiful Central Coast - not to mention the beaches, wineries, shops, restaurants, and gorgeous weather to go along with it!

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