Mid-February Theatre Options on the California Central Coast

As we put Valentine's Day behind us and move into the second half of February, I hope you have plans to attend some of the wonderful performances that are happening in the coming weeks at any number of our California Central Coast theatres and live performance venues!

Leapin' lizards!  The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never losing hope.  Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) family-friendly musical Annie is coming to Unity, 1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo, February 18 - March 6.

"Annie is an elating piece of family theater," says the New York Times.  "One of the best musicals ever," proclaims the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times says, "Ageless Annie is as engaging as ever."

Set during the Great Depression, Annie tells the story of the ever-hopeful orphan who holds fast to her dream of family and happiness at a time in American history when looking towards "Tomorrow" was exceedingly difficult.  With her faithful dog Sandy by her side, the indomitable Annie wins the heart of zillionaire Oliver Warbucks.  Together, they foil an evil plot hatched by the villainous orphanage director, Miss Hannigan, who cares only about money and knows nothing of the power of love.  In the end, good triumphs over evil, and Annie embarks on a life of happiness and adventure as the newly-adopted daughter of her Daddy Warbucks.

Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, is directed and choreographed by Erik Austin with musical direction by Stephen Tosh, set design by Chris Skanes, and costuming by Costume Capers. 

The original Broadway production of Annie won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book and Score.  It ran for 2,377 performances, making it one of the top twenty longest running shows in Broadway history.  With subsequent productions all over the world, Annie lives on as one of the most successful musicals ever.  Boasting one of Broadway's most memorable scores, including "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C." and the ever optimistic "Tomorrow," Annie is a delightful theatrical experience for the entire family.  You can bet your bottom dollar that Annie will bring a smile to your face.

Please note the family-friendly performance schedule: Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM, Sundays at 2 PM.  Ticket prices are $14 for children and $18 for adults and may be charged by phone at 805-543-PLAY.  Annie is the second show of Kelrik's 2011 "Imagine" season which also includes Pinkalicious, Aladdin and Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  For more information, please visit Kelrik's website at www.kelrikproductions.com.   Don't miss Kelrik's all new production of this heart-warming, toe-tapping Broadway musical!

Auditions will be held on February 23 for Kelrik's next production, Pinkalicious, which will run April 2-17.

The Great American Railroad Show (www.americanrailroadshow.com) is scheduled to be presented at Unity (1490 Southwood Dr in SLO) March 18-27.

SLO Little Theatre's (www.slolittletheatre.org) next production, THIS IS ROCK n' ROLL! takes to the stage February 18 - March 20.

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook) will present a readers' theatre production of The Diary of Anne Frank the first weekend in March (SLO UCC, 11245 Los Osos Valley Rd), and Nunsense Jamboree in September (auditions early/mid July).

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Falsettos February 24 - March 5.

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org) is looking for a new place to call home ... got any suggestions?  Details concerning their next show are TBD (and where it will be held).

The Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) presented a "special project."  Always ... Patsy Cline, at Centennial Park in Paso Robles for 2 performances in September.  Stay tuned for what they'll be doing next! 

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org) in Cambria is proud to present The Glass Menagerie, directed by Nehemiah Persoff, with performances through March 5 [NOTE: saw the Feb 4 Friday evening performance of this show - and it was exceptional!].  Their next production, Becky's New Car, will run March 25 - May 8.

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School (TOGS) (http://artistsofcambria.com/cambriapac/id4.html) also located in Cambria, closed Rosann Balbontin's Bridging the Gap in September.  Contact Theatre Director, Jeff Mar, at KRKJFRZ@aol.com to find out what their next project will be.

Upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include Destination Imagination on February 26, It's Magic! on March 5, and the Best of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition on March 12.

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) recently closed their very successful production of Forever Plaid, at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande as part of their inaugural season of shows.  Next up is Drowsy Chaperone, with performances scheduled for April 1-24.

The Great American Melodrama's (www.americanmelodrama.com) current production at their newly renovated theatre in Oceano, Under the Boardwalk, runs through March 6 [NOTE: Saw the Sunday evening performance on February 20 - GREAT show!].

Doubt by John Patrick Shanley, will be performed at the Santa Maria Civic Theatre (www.smct.org) on Friday and Saturday nights through February 26 [NOTE: saw this show over the weekend and it is SOLID!].  An Evening with David Ives will run April 29 - May 21.

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, will present The 39 Steps through March 6 (later to be reprised June 16 - July 3 at the Solvang Festival Theater) [NOTE: Saw this show on Saturday evening, February 19 - and it was AMAZING!].

So, whatever your plans may be in the coming weeks - I hope they include supporting the performing arts by attending one of the several shows currently running here on the beautiful (albeit potentially soggy in the week ahead) California Central Coast!

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

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