TAX DAY & THEATRE OPENINGS COME TO THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST!

BroadwayWorld.com brings you theater recommendations from San Luis Obispo's own Curt Miner.

As we move toward one of those two pesky days in our lives that we can't avoid - namely "dying and paying taxes," a number of our California Central Coast theatres and live entertainment venues have some newly opened, soon to open, or soon to close performance opportunities for your viewing pleasure!

Ryan Cordero (rccor385@gmail.com) and Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) proudly presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, April 16 - May 2, at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) Studio Theatre.  Tickets are available by calling 805-458-2080 or going to www.brownpapertickets.com.  Tickets are $25

When I asked Ryan "Why this show?" he said "I remember waiting outside of the Imperial Theatre in New York back in March of 2006 with my ticket in hand to see Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz play the role which garnered him his award, and Jonathan Pryce, star as the two leads.  I had front row seats and could literally see the sweat pooling off of Norbert, and I don't believe I have ever laughed so hard in my entire life.  There was no doubt in my mind why Norbert won the Tony for his portrayal of Freddy Bensen.  The energy, the timing, the comedy, the music ... rarely does a show really get (under) my skin, and this was an all around winner!  I wasn't a particular fan of David Yazbek and The Full Monty, but man did he hit a HOME RUN with this score.  It touches all genres of music and takes you to the highest of highs and lowest of lows.  So why this show?  My response ... it's perfect, it's hilarious, and it's fun!  One thing is for sure ... it will keep you laughing, guessing, and humming to the very end!"

When I enquired how rehearsals had been going, Ryan told me "Rehearsals have been so much fun!  There hasn't been one night that has passed where all of us aren't in hysterics to the point of tears because of the script, the interpretations, and the words.  I truly have been working with the cream of the crop actors/singers/dancers here on the Central Coast.  My stress level has dropped to unheard of levels and many people don't recognize me!  It certainly helps having the veteran actors that I do - people like Kaza Kahn Pearson, Jeff Salsbury, Natalia Berryman, Brian Lampert, and Greg Correia."

When asked "What is unique or special about this version of the show?" Ryan responded "Well, the best way to describe this interpretation of the show is Medieval Times meets musical theatre.  The audience will be split into two teams with one half rooting for Freddy and the other half rooting for Lawrence.  It's a totally interactive and participatory concept which allows the audience to be cast members, and their cheering can help pick the winner!  The "in the round" concept puts the challenge on the actors to convince you, the audience, that they will win.  If we had popcorn, I would encourage the audience to throw it at the actors if they felt the desire.  When the audience gets to the theatre, they will have a "choose your own adventure" questionnaire they will fill out, and their answers will help them decide whose team to be on/root for.  Yes, that means at certain points the actors will go up to audience members, sing to them, touch them, and look for responses.  It requires them to think quickly and be on their toes ... but it ensures the show will be different every night!  It's a thrilling idea that is worKing Brilliantly!"

Other upcoming performances at the Clark Center (www.clarkcenter.org) in Arroyo Grande, include the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra on April 16, Arlo Guthrie & Family on April 20, the Gold Coast Barbershop Chorus presents "We Heard it at the Movies" on April 24, and piano virtuoso Rudolf Budginas takes the stage on April 30.

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, presents the musical comedy murder mystery Curtains in the Marian Theatre through May 9 (Solvang Festival Theater June 17 - July 3).

The Santa Maria Civic Theatre (www.smct.org) recently closed their production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.  Next up is Everybody Loves Opal, April 30 - May 22.

In Oceano, The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville (www.americanmelodrama.com) is currently showing the hilarious musical Lumberjacks in Love, along with a high energy 70s Las Vegas style vaudeville revue following each performance, through April 25 (saw the Saturday early show on 4/10 - FUNNY show and GREAT musical harmonies!).

Murder in Mind Productions (www.murderinmind.com) will present The Altos: Vendetta at the Spyglass Inn, located at 2703 Spyglass Dr in Shell Beach, through May 23.  Reservations are required. 

The San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (www.slolittletheatre.org) presents Nagle Jackson's funny, heartwarming, and powerful Taking Leave through May 2.

Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) next show will be Oliver May 1-16 at Unity in San Luis Obispo. 

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include Imagen y Ispiritu - a night of dance from various regions of Mexico on April 17, and Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo's Coppelia on April 24 & 25.

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook or at www.sloucc.org) was pleased to work with Bent Angel Productions on a staged reading of 12 Angry Men, directed by Chrys Barnes, Feb 19-21.  Auditions will be held for their next production, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, July 19 & 20, with performances the first 2 weekends in September.

Atascadero High School's Greyhound Theatre (www.ahstheatre.info), one of the Central Coast's premier high school drama programs, presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella April 22 - May 2.  Call 805-610-9936 for reservations.   

The Pewter Plough Playhouse (www.pewterploughplayhouse.org), located in Cambria, closed their production of Finishing Touches on February 28.  The theatre will now be closed for a time while it installs a new fire sprinkler system - stay tuned for details on its reopening and next show! 

The Houselights Theatre (www.houselightstheatre.org) completed a successful remount run of their popular summer musical Always ... Patsy Cline at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly campus this past August.  Stay tuned for details concerning their next show (and where it will be held - they are looking for a new place to call home ... got any suggestions?).

Up Paso Robles way, the Pioneer Players (www.pioneerplayers.org) finished a successful run of Oliver at the Templeton Performing Arts Center in January.  Next up is a summer musical production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown [NOTE: this is a change from a previous announcement of a production of Fiddler on the Roof - but with the current National Tour, the performance rights were unavailable].  Auditions will be held some time in late April with performances in late June/early July - stay tuned for exact dates.

Also in Paso Robles, the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation have held auditions for its production of Twelfth Night for actors ages 8-18.  Performance dates are July 9-18.  For more information call (805) 238-5825.

The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival (www.centralcoastshakespeare.org) has held auditions for its summer productions of Twelfth Night and The Gamester.  Performances will be held July 9 - August 14.

Once again - the variety of our California Central Coast entertainment offerings has something for just about every taste and budget ... hope to see ya' at the theatre!

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