Archibald MacLeish News

Well, the week of Christmas is upon us, we had a little more rain, highs may dip into the 50s, but they will soon be back in the 60s with plenty of sunshine here on the California Central Coast! And as you celebrate this Holiday time - why not include attending a performance at one of our area live theatre and entertainment venues?

Well, the first real winter rains have come and gone - and we're back to 60s and sunny during the day and 40s at night ... gotta' LOVE the way we do Winter here on the California Central Coast! And similarly - ya' gotta' love the variety of theatre that's available to our audiences who elect to spend their discretionary leisure time and dollars on live entertainment options.

Well guess what? Winter has FINALLY arrived here on the California Central Coast! Now, what we call 'winter' is a bit different than what that word means in many other places. 'Winter' here means highs in the 50s, lows in the 30s, and rain. In some of the higher elevations to our north and south, they may even get some snow - but here on the heart of the Central Coast, it just gets a little cooler and wetter than usual, and not much more. But warm or cool, rain or shine - our theatres are open for business and eagerly awaiting your presence at one of their upcoming performances!

As we turn the page on the calendar to December and start giving SERIOUS consideration as to what we will be getting for our friends and family for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Festivus, or whatever other Holiday you might celebrate at this time of year - why not consider giving the gift of live theatre? The selection is certainly diverse - and there are options to meet virtually every budget and taste!

All right ... I give up on trying to figure out what's going on with the weather! Last week we had some coolish days with crisp, even brisk evening temps - and now they're saying we could see 80s again early this week, but be back into the 60s during the day and low 40s (maybe even upper 30s?!) at night by week's end! However, one thing I'm NOT giving up on is the wonderful theatre offerings that are to be found in plentiful supply here on the California Central Coast - come rain or come shine!

OK ... the middle of November has come and gone ... the highs are projected to be in the 60s with the lows in the high 30s/low 40s, with 'isolated showers possible' - could Fall weather patterns FINALLY be coming to the California Central Coast? Well, regardless of what the weather does - the theatre offerings here on the Central Coast are goodly in number and warm in their welcome to their patrons!

Well ... I just got back from Chicago where I had the honor of officiating at the wedding of a college buddy of our son's over the weekend. I also had the opportunity to visit the Ernest Hemingway Museum and Birth Home in Oak Park (did you know he wrote 2 plays - one full length one and a one-act?), had probably the best cinnamon rolls I've ever eaten at Ann Sather's in the City, as well as getting to attend the Sunday matinee of Young Frankenstein at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (THANKS for the great seats Amanda - FUN show!). But as much fun as the trip was, and as amazing as the weather was (70 in Chicago the second weekend in November?!) - it was good to get back to the Central Coast and all that's happening here!

As we celebrate Halloween and All Saints' Day, the temperatures are finally starting to drop here a bit on the Central Coast to more fall like numbers - but there's no drop in the variety of live theatre and entertainment opportunities to be found here to fit most every taste and budget!

Having recently returned from 2 weeks in the Midwest - I am reminded that in many parts of the country, this is harvest time when farmers are concerned about getting the crops out of the fields in between fall rains and before the first snows arrive. But here on the California Central Coast, the temperatures are still warm - and so is the hospitality in our numerous live theatre and performance venues!

Upon returning from MN & IA where I performed a couple of weddings, preached at a friend's ordination, and caught a matinee of the National Tour of 'Wicked,' the Central Coast was hammered by a storm that dropped several inches of rain, leaving thousands of households without power (erego the late posting this week). However - the shows must go on ... and so they shall!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with The Welk Resorts Theatre are proud to present the first production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, Cathy Rigby and Michael Learned starring in the funny and moving, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, written by Robert Harling and directed by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Producing Artistic Director Brian Kite. STEEL MAGNOLIAS will begin performances on Friday, October 2 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 3) and will run through Sunday, October 18 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada.

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), now in its 20th season, presents Anton Chekhov's classic THE SEAGULL, previews began September 26 prior to an official press opening of October 1 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue) in Manhattan.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with The Welk Resorts Theatre are proud to present the first production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, Cathy Rigby and Michael Learned starring in the funny and moving, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, written by Robert Harling and directed by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Producing Artistic Director Brian Kite. STEEL MAGNOLIAS will begin performances on Friday, October 2 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 3) and will run through Sunday, October 18 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada.

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), now in its 20th season, presents Anton Chekhov's classic THE SEAGULL, with previews set to begin September 26 prior to an official press opening of October 1 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue) in Manhattan. Gia Forakis directs.

On Monday, September 14th, The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) will present a one-night-only all Asian-American performance of Terrence McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, directed by Alan Muraoka, at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) to benefit NAATCO. Joe Mantello, the original director of LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! and Stephen Bogardus, a member of the play's original cast, were honorary chairs for the NAATCO benefit performance.

The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) will present a one-night-only all Asian-American performance of Terrence McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, directed by Alan Muraoka, on Monday, September 14 with a 6:00pm cocktail reception and a 7:00pm performance at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) to benefit NAATCO.

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), now in its 20th season, presents Anton Chekhov's classic THE SEAGULL, with previews set to begin September 26 prior to an official press opening of October 1 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue) in Manhattan. Gia Forakis directs.

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with The Welk Resorts Theatre are proud to present the first production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, Cathy Rigby and Michael Learned starring in the funny and moving, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, written by Robert Harling and directed by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Producing Artistic Director Brian Kite. STEEL MAGNOLIAS will begin performances on Friday, October 2 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 3) and will run through Sunday, October 18 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada.

The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) will present a one-night-only all Asian-American performance of Terrence McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, directed by Alan Muraoka, on Monday, September 14 with a 6:00pm cocktail reception and a 7:00pm performance at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) to benefit NAATCO.

Heritage Players in Catonsville, MD is proud to announce auditions for their 2009 Fall production of Archibald MacLeish's Pulitzer Prize winning play 'J.B'.