Mid-September California Central Coast Theatre Opportunities

As we arrive at the middle of September and continue on toward the OFFICIAL end of summer next week - the theatres and live performance venues here on the California Central Coast have a goodly number of fun and exciting entertainment opportunities for you to consider!

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) will present a production of Forever Plaid, directed by Natalia Berryman, with Musical Direction by Mark Robertshaw and Choreography by Stacy Estrada, September 17 - October 3 at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande as part of their inaugural season of 4 shows.

One of the most popular and successful musicals in recent memory, this deliciously goofy revue centers on four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in 1964 on the way to their first big concert, and now miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was.  Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the "Plaids" are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps audiences rolling in the aisles when they're not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the '50s and early '60s (L-R: Cody Pettit, Christian Clarno, Jeff Salsbury, Mark Rohner; photo by Sandra Cortez).

In addition to Forever Plaid, Last Five Years is tentatively scheduled for production in November, Drowsy Chaperone in Feb/March of 2011, and Crazy for You in August 2011.

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) include the Search for the Stars Semi-Finals and Finals on September 18, the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition September 30, Carlene Carter October 1, the Central Coast Follies World Tour October 7-10, Richie Havens October 11, and folk icon Judy Collins October 14.

The Great American Melodrama (www.americanmelodrama.com) in Oceano is winding down its summer repertory season with The Crock of Gold alternating performances with their second summer show, The Tavern, through September 19, along with "The Great Outdoors (or Travel Time) Vaudeville Review" following each performance [NOTE: Attended a Saturday early show of The Tavern, followed by "The Travel Time Vaudeville Review," and the Melodrama gang, with a couple of new faces - including friend, Alan Benson, did their usual WONDERFUL job!].  Opening September 23 and running through November 14 will be the Melodrama's annual Fall/Halloween show, which this year will be Trudy and the Beast ... or The Creature from the Black Lagoon.  

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre (www.smct.org) will present The White Liars and Black Comedy through October 2.  Auditions for their next production, Wait Until Dark, will be held on Septemeber 20 & 21 (performances Novermber 19 - December 11).

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 the final production of the 2010 Summer Season - the world premiere of Invierno by José Cruz González, showing through September 19 at the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria.  The theatre will open its 2010/11 season with a production of Peter Pan November 4 - December 23 at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria.

Murder in Mind Productions (http://murderinmind.com) will present Pirates of Pirates Cove at the Spyglass Inn, located at 2703 Spyglass Dr in Shell Beach, September 26 - November 7.  Reservations are required.

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org) presents The Fantasticks, which launches the theatre's 2010/11 main stage season, through September 19.

Auditions for Nuncrackers - the Nunsense Christmas Musical, directed by Jim Shine, will be held on September 20 & 21.

Ubu's Other Shoe, SLOLT's Readers' Theatre group, will presnt Side Man, written by Warren Leight and directed by John Battalino, for one performance on September 24.

Auditions for SLOLT's youth Academy of Creative Theatre production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be October 5 & 7 (by appointment) with callbacks on October 9. 

The God Is Still Speaking Players have just closed their production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  Next up is auditions on October 19 and 20 for a staged reading of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood, directed by Chrys Barnes in collaboration with Bent Angel Productions, with performances on November 20 & 21.

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks September 24, Bill Cosby on September 26 (2 shows - 3:00 & 7:00 PM), international guitar sensation Benise September 29, Steve Martin October 6, and comedienne Paula Poundstone on October 7.

The Brickyard Theatre (www.brickyardhteatre.com) presents Quilters through September 25 in Atascadero.  Contact Bobbi Stoffel at stoffelfam@charter.net for reservations or more information.

Actors are needed for Atascadero's annual Tent City Celebration on October 16, commemorating the town's founding nearly a century ago.  If dressing up in early 20th century period costumes and being part of this historical reenactment of sorts sounds of interest - or if attending such an event sounds like fun, go to www.colonydays.org for more information, or contact event organizer, Ken Mallett, at KMallettOnStage@Yahoo.com

The Theatre at the Old Grammar School (TOGS) in Cambria just closed Rosann Balbontin's Bridging the Gap on Septemmebr 5.  Contact Theatre Director, Jeff Mar, at KRKJFRZ@aol.com to find out what their next project will be.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), also located in Cambria, closed their production of Finishing Touches on February 28.  The theatre has been closed for a time while it installed a new fire sprinkler system - but now it's ready to open its doors again!  Just 45 Minutes From Broadway ran for a limited engagement Sept 3-5 to help the theatre retire the loan it took out to complete the installation of its new sprinkler system - stay tuned for what they'll be doing next!

The Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) finished a successful run of Oliver at the Templeton Performing Arts Center in January.  Now, they are working on a "special project."  Always ... Patsy Cline will be presented at Centennial Park in Paso Robles (600 Nickerson Dr) for 2 performances on September 17 & 18 at 6 PM with Amanda Baker as Patsy and Jill Turnbow as her friend Louise, along with a 5 piece band. 

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

The summer season may rapidly be drawing to a close - but there are still LIVE entertainment options galore here on the beautiful California Central Coast ... so get out there and support the performing arts!

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