Holiday Countdown at North Coast Rep to Feature Art by John Finkbiner

North Coast Repertory Theatre is celebrating the holidays with a bounty of shows to spread the cheer, along with an eye-catching display of artwork by its resident scenic artist, John Finkbiner, who has been on staff for four years.

Visitors to the North Coast Rep's Café & Gallery are certain to be dazzled and delighted by his always colorful, often whimsical artwork. Finkbiner describes his art as an eclectic assemblage of reclaimed objects. Dedicated theatre-goers may spot remnants of the materials he used when designing sets for North Coast Repertory productions. He takes the salvaged parts of deconstructed sets, builds the frames, and paints on the wooden frames with acrylics and spray paint.

"What is fascinating about this process is that the art of theatre is transformed onto a canvas. In a sense, he is not only recycling objects, but recycling the artistic process, and because of this, one art form is metamorphosed into another," observes Marketing Director Sandra Schwarzmann. "John's art is unique. However, his paintings remind me of the work of Jasper Johns, and his collages, of pieces by Louise Nevelson, two of my favorite artists."

A laid-back kind of guy, Finkbiner was born and raised in Los Angeles, a place he describes as "nowhere." He went to high school with his wife, Judi, and they eventually moved to Nashville, with the intention of his pursuing a career as a songwriter. Their house flooded, and they happily returned to the west coast. Home is now Leucadia. Their son, John Gibson, is eight and attends Paul Ecke Elementary, across the street from the old train station and the big yellow Pannikin Coffeehouse, which is a favorite haunt, along with the Rhino Art gallery.

"I've been making art as far back as I can remember," Finkbiner says. "I relate in a big way to the non-traditional aspects of the Dadaists, probably my biggest influence. I like the way they went against the norm.

"Spontaneity is the key. My grandmother always said you have to turn things upside down and have fun with things. I believe it's also important to be in tune with and fall in love with all aspects of your life, whether it's listening to your bathwater or appreciating how your sofa looks in your living room."

In addition to his work as a scenic designer and artist, Finkbiner continues to write songs and play guitar with The Stereotypes, an acoustic folk rock group.

Charlotte's Web by the talented youngsters of The North Coast Repertory Theatre School kicks off the holiday festivities. Performances are Dec. 1-4.

Next up is Mistletoe, Music and Mayhem!, a line-up of original comedy scenarios written by Phil Johnson and Matt Thompson, and mixed with a bevy of holiday inspired songs that will melt your heart and tickle your funny bone. Shows are Dec. 8-11 and 15-18.
New York City based actress/singer/songwriter Merideth Kaye Clark is bringing her spectacular voice to North Coast Rep for one night only Dec. 12. Merideth recently finished over two-years as Elphaba (Standby) on the Broadway National Tour of Wicked and this spring played Eva Peron in Evita. This special performance will combine show tunes and her original songs.

Dickens aficionados will applaud An Unscripted Christmas Carol, presented by the nimble-witted actors of the Improv Theatre of Los Angeles. It's never the same show twice. Catch it on Dec. 19 and 20.

Back by popular demand Dec. 21-24 is the irrepressible Sister's Christmas Catechism, a side-splitting, thoroughly original investigation into the disappearance of the Magi's gold.

For more information about the North Coast Repertory Theatre's holiday shows and to purchase tickets, call the box office at (858) 481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org.

North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in the Lomas Santa Fe Shopping Center in Solana Beach.