Extra, Extra! A List of San Diego Area Theater Productions – January Through June, 2020

Here is a 2020 NEW YEARS ‘Gift’ from SJF Communications to Celebrate San Diego Area Theater! Compiled by Susan J. Farese, President of SJF Communications and many thanks to Julien Des Pres. Julien is a senior at SDSU majoring in Public Relations. He has a passion for all things sports and is pursuing a career in sports media and is Susan’s mentee.

Shows, Shows and More Shows!!!

Whether we score comp tix, buy discount tix (Goldstar, or the San Diego Performing Arts League -ArtsTix https://www.sdartstix.com/ or purchase at full price, theatre inspires!!!

This list is our NEW YEARS present to our San Diego Community! Why? Because we wanted to know what the upcoming shows were PLUS we believe in SHARING and GETTING THE WORD OUT! So take a gander!

We have listed (alphabetically) the Theatre/Production Company, Title of Show(s), Dates of Shows and Website links. It’s quite comprehensive! Let us know if there are any additions, corrections etc. We aim to please!

Here we go!

San Diego Area Theatre Productions

 January Through June, 2020

Compiled by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications and Julien Des Pres*. 

Key: P: Professional Theatre C: Community Theatre 

Backyard Renaissance (P); The Dazzle May 7th – 30th; The 4th Annual LIVE LIP SYNC FACE OFF! May 18th; Steel Magnolias June 11th – 28th http://backyardrenaissance.com/tickets/

Broadway San Diego (P); The Simon and Garfunkel Story Feb 18th – 19th; Frozen March 26th – April 12th; The Office! A Musical Parody April 8th – 9th; RENT 20th Anniversary Tour May 8th – 10th; Mean Girls June 9th – 14th; Come From Away June 23rd – 28th http://www.broadwaysd.com/

Broadway Vista (P); At Wits End Jan 23rd – Feb 9th; The Glass Menagerie March 5th – 22nd; Beau Gest April 9th – 26th; Brighton Beach Memoirs May 14th – 31st http://www.broadwayvista.biz/adult-shows.html

Community Actors Theatre (C); Bojo’s Place: A Musical Revue Jan 31st – March 1st; No Turning Back March 13 – 20; A Place in Time April 10-26; RANTS May 1st – 3rd http://www.communityactorstheatre.com/

Coronado Playhouse (C); Matilda Jan 17th – Feb 23rd; Moon Over Buffalo March 20th – April 19th; Closer than Ever Song by Song  April 23 – 26; Anything Goes May 22nd – June 28th http://coronadoplayhouse.com/

Cygnet Theatre (P); The Great Leap Jan 22nd – Feb 16th; La Cage Aux Folles March 11th – May 2nd; Two Trains Running May 20th – June 14th http://www.cygnettheatre.com/

Diversionary Theatre (P): A Kind of Weather Feb 6th – March 8th; Plot Points in our Sexual Development March 26th – April 26th; Head Over Heels May 21st – June 21st  http://diversionary.org/season32/

La Jolla Playhouse (P): FLY Feb 18th – March 29th; Emily Driver’s Great Race Through Time and Space Feb 29th & March 1st http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/tickets-and-subscriptions/buy-tickets

La Jolla Theatre Ensemble (C); America 2016-2020: Same As It Never Was Jan 26th – Jan 27th https://www.facebook.com/ljtheatreensemble/posts/878064212371334

Lamb’s  Players (P); Babettes Feast Jan 10th – Feb 16th; Alice Feb 29th – April 12th; The Belle of Amherst April 25th – June 7th https://www.lambsplayers.org/2020-shows

Lamplighters Community Theatre (C); God of Carnage Jan 10th – Feb 9th; The Hollow Feb 28th – March 29th; Company April 17th – May 17th https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/

Moonlight Stage Productions (P); An American in Paris May 13th – May 30th; Something Rotten June 10th – 27th http://www.moonlightstage.com/

Moxie Theatre (P); Red Bike Jan 18th – Feb. 16th; Shiv April 25th – May 31st http://www.moxietheatre.com/shows/

New Match Collective Boozin’ with the Bard: Romeo & Juliet Feb. 7th & March 6th; Fete Noir Festival Feb. 17 – 23; https://newmatchcollective.wixsite.com/homesite

New Village Arts (P); Murder for Two Jan 24th – March 1st; Little Women: A Concert Reading Feb 16th – 17th  http://www.newvillagearts.org/

North Coast Rep (P); Bloomsday Jan 8th – Feb 2nd; The Outsider Feb 19th – March 15th; The Homecoming April 8th – May 3rd; Human Error May 27th – June 21st https://northcoastrep.org/

Ocean Beach Playhouse (C); The Rocky Horror Show Jan 17th – March 1st; Into the Woods March 13th – April 5th  http://www.obtheatrecompany.com/

Oceanside Theatre Company (C); Sweet Charity March 6th – 29th; Good People May 15th – 31st http://www.oceansidetheatre.org/

Onstage Playhouse (C); Going to a Place Where You Already Are Jan 17th – Feb 16th; Real Women Have Curves March 20th – April 12th; Always… Patsy Cline May 8th – June 7th https://www.onstageplayhouse.org/

Patio Playhouse (C); Fun Home Jan 17th – Feb 9th; When We Were Young and Unafraid May 1st – 24th  http://patioplayhouse.com/

Pickwick Players: (C); Freaky Friday Feb. 28 – March 15; Honk Jr. May 1-2; http://www.pickwickplayers.net/currentseason

Playwrights Project (C); Plays by Young Writers Jan 29th – Feb 1st  http://www.playwrightsproject.org/index.php

Point Loma Playhouse (C); Making God Laugh Feb 21st – March 15th; If We Are Women May 17th – June 2nd  http://www.pointlomaplayhouse.com/

PowPac Theatre (C); Nuts Jan 24th-Feb 23rd; Murder on the Nile March 20th – April 19th; Arsenic and Old Lace May 15th – June 14th  http://www.powpac.org/

San Diego Musical Theatre (P); She Loves Me Feb 7th – March 8th; Rent April 17th – May 3rd; Catch Me If You Can May 29th – June 28th  sdmt.org

San Diego Repertory Theatre (P); The Humans Jan 9th – Feb 2nd; House of Joy March 5th – 29th; Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story May 7th – 31st  http://www.sdrep.org/

Scripps Ranch Theatre (C); Italian American Reconciliation Jan 17th – Feb 16th; Love Song March 27th – April 26th; I Hate Hamlet May 29th – June 28th   http://www.scrippsranchtheatre.org/

Star Theatre Company (C); Lend Me a Tenor Feb 14th – 23rd; The Newsies  May 1st – 10th  https://www.startheatreco.com/box-office

The Old Globe (P); August Wilson’s Jitney Jan 18th – Feb 23rd; Hurricane Diane Feb 8th – March 8th; Little Women March 14th – April 19th; Faceless March 28th – April 26th; The Gardens of Anuncia May 8th – June 14th; What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank May 28th – June 28th  https://www.theoldglobe.org/

The Roustabouts Theatre Company (P); gUnTOPIA March 8th – 29th; Senorita Julia March 16th; Twelve Angry Men April 6th   http://www.theroustabouts.org/onstage

Trinity Theatre Company (C); Seussical Jr. Jan 30th – Feb 1st; Clybourne Park Feb 14 – March 8; https://www.trinityttc.org/

Vanguard Theatre (P); Nunsense March 20th – April 5th  http://vanguardsd.org/

Welk Resort Theatre (P); A Chorus Line Jan 10th – March 22nd; Nunsense April 3rd – June 14th; Elvis – The Early Years April 8th – May 27th;  https://welkresorts.com/san-diego/theatre/

Universities/Colleges

City College; TBA   https://www.sdcity.edu/

CSU San Marcos; Dream Hou$e Feb 26th – 29th   https://www.csusm.edu/sofa/events/index.html

Grossmont College; Inside the Actor’s Process: Love Scenes Jan 31st – Feb 1st; Clybourne Park March 12th – 14th and 19th – 21st; Golden Boy May 14th – 16th and 21st – 23rd https://www.grossmont.edu/academics/programs-departments/theatre/2019-2020-season.aspx

Mira Costa College; Into the Woods May 6th – 15th; Coming Home April 24th – May 3rd  http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/dramaticarts/index.html

Mesa College; TBA  http://www.sdmesa.edu/academics/schools-departments/dramatic-arts/

San Diego State University; Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead Feb 21st – March 1st; Metamorphosis April 10th – 19th; Till Death Do Us Part April 24th – May 3rd https://ttf.sdsu.edu/events/events_calendar

Southwestern College; TBA  http://www.swccd.edu/index.aspx?page=3277

UCSD Graduate Theatre productions; Much Ado About Nothing Feb 12th – 15th; Orestes 2.0  Feb 26 – 29 and March 6-7 http://theatre.ucsd.edu/season/

University of San Diego; TBA   https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/theatre/productions/

Youth Productions

Broadway Theatre Arts Company – Lion King Jr. April 3-5; https://www.btaakids.org/

Blue Rose Theatre Project Matilda  Jan 24th -26th https://www.bluerosetheatreproject.org/

Carlsbad Community Theatre Frozen Jr. Feb 28-29, March 1 http://www.carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com/

Center Stage Children’s Theatre Aladdin Jr. March 6, 7, 8, 13. 14, 15; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee April 17-19;  TBA May 29 – 31, June 5 – 7. https://www.centerstagechildrenstheater.org/

Center Stage Productions  Big Fish April 3-5; https://www.centerstagesd.com/

Christian Youth Theatre (CYT)  Tuck Everlasting (South County) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Matilda (East County) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Mary Poppins (Central/Clairemont) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Seussical (North County Inland/Escondido) TBA; Tri-City (Oceanside) Camp Rock The Musical Feb. 29, March 1, 7, 8. Spring, 2020 – TBA https://www.cytsandiego.org/

Community Players Theatre The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Jan. 17-19, 24 – 26. Shrek The Musical April 24 – 26, May 1 – 3. http://www.clcfamily.org/theatre/

J Company Mamma Mia Jan. 10 – 26; Shabbat Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Feb 7-8; Matilda March 6 – 22; Fireflies The Story of the Artists of Terezin Featuring The Original Children’s Opera Brundibar May 8 – 17; https://www.sdcjc.org/jc/

Kids Theatre Network The Addams Family TBA; 13 The Musical TBA  http://www.kidstheatre.org/

Mini Theatre Troupe Honk Jr. May 16 – 17 (Several Locations) https://www.minitheatretroupe.com/musical-theatre-performance-class—honk.html

Moonlight Youth Theatre Little Women April 3 – 5  https://www.moonlightfoundation.com/mytseason

Patio Playhouse The North Wind & The Vain Princess  March 6th – 22nd; 

Pickwick Players Freaky Friday Feb. 28 – March 7;   Honk Jr.  May 1-2;  http://www.pickwickplayers.net/

San Diego Junior Theatre Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience Feb. 28 – March 8; Wake Up, Brother Bear March 14 -15; Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical April 24 – May 10;  https://juniortheatre.com/seasons/

Star Repertory Theatre Carrie The Musical March 20 – 29 https://www.starrepertorytheatre.com/

Star Theatre Company Lend Me a Tenor Feb. 14 – 23; Newsies the Musical May 1-3, 8 -10  https://www.startheatreco.com/

The Theatre School at North Coast Rep Beat Bugs JV March 26 – 29; https://northcoastreptheatreschool.org/

TYPA Theatre Company Company March 26 – April 5. http://www.typatheatrecompany.org/#/

Young Actor’s Theatre Freaky Friday Feb. 6 – 16 https://www.yatsandiego.org/

Meet Devon Hadsell – the ‘Kind’ Mean Girl on Broadway

By

Susan J. Farese

SJF Communications

 

Devon Hadsell as Caitlyn Caussin in ‘Mean Girls’ Photo Courtesy of Devon Hadsell

We are thrilled to share this interview with equity Broadway performer Devon Hadsell,  who plays Caitlyn Caussin in the ensemble of the Broadway mega hit – Mean Girls! Devon is also a principal role understudy (Gretchen, Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George). She made her principal debut as Gretchen on July 24th.

I have known Devon since 2015 when she performed as Velma (and I was Director of PR/Marketing) in the regional professional production of West Side Story with San Diego Musical Theatre .

The Broadway production of Mean Girls was created by the team of Tina Fey (Book), Jeff Richmond (Music) and Nell Benjamin, (Lyrics), based on the 2004 Mean Girls film, starring Lindsay Lohan.

Female Ensemble – ‘Mean Girls’ – Courtesy Photo – Devon Hadsell

And now…enjoy our interview with Devon Hadsell

SJF: Thanks so much for this interview Devon! I know how busy you’ve been with the ‘Mean Girls‘ whirlwind of multiple nominations, awards, enduring the hectic schedule of eight performances a week, and then some!  Let’s begin with you telling us about where you’re from, etc.

DH: I was born in Santa Barbara and moved to Napa when I was 5. I’m the oldest of 3 and have a younger sister and brother.

SJF: When did you first get interested in performing?

DH: My mom said I was singing before I could talk and dancing before I could walk. She put me in my first musical when I was 5 years old. I played Gretel in The Sound of Music at our community kids theatre which was called Broadway Bound Kids!

SJF: Why did you choose performing as a career?

DH: Since I was a kid, I’ve loved being on stage. There’s nothing quite like performing in front of an audience. My mom put me in dancing, singing, and acting lessons starting when I was 5 years old and I never wanted to stop. Nowadays, I do it because I love inspiring people.

SJF: Anything to mention about your college program at Cal State Fullerton ? Positives, challenges?

DH: I’m so glad I went to college for performing and that I found Cal State Fullerton. I grew in ways I never would have been able to if it wasn’t for their Musical Theatre BFA program. Because of the showcase that the seniors got to do in New York, I found my amazing bi-coastal agent and got a taste of the city before actually moving here! The biggest challenge was managing classes, shows, rehearsals, AND homework all at once, but because I had to do all that at CSUF, I can manage any schedule thrown my way now!

SJF: What do you think your strengths are as a performer? What are you developing/strengthening?

DH: I think my biggest strengths as a performer are that I’m versatile, I’m great to work with, and I’m a fast learner. I’m constantly improving my technique and ability in all fields of performing as well as building up the proper stamina for getting through 8 shows a week for at least the next year!

SJF: Would you like to obtain Master’s degree in the future?

DH: I think a Master’s degree is something I would definitely be open to because I see myself teaching at the college level one day.

SF: Besides your Broadway debut in Mean Girls, Any National Tours? Highs and Lows of touring?

DH: Highs and Lows: I was in the national tour of The Little Mermaid a couple years ago and I absolutely LOVED it! It’s actually what got me my Equity card and gave me enough money to move to New York! What was hard was always packing and unpacking your suitcase after a week or two, but I really enjoyed visiting so many different cities around the U.S.

SJF: Explain the Mean Girls’ Story in a Nutshell…

DH: Cady Heron is a homeschooled student who moves from Africa with her parents (who are biologists) to a public high school in Chicago, Illinois. She befriends the “Plastics”, the three popular, “mean girls” of the school, and quickly finds herself becoming one of them. In the end, she realizes that it’s okay not to like someone, but that we should always be kind and treat people with dignity.

Devon Hadsell ‘Mean Girls’ Courtesy Photo – Devon Hadsell

SJF: Tell us about your interview process- when/where, how competitive it was, how many callbacks? Was Tina Fey present?

DH: I went to 5 callbacks for this role. At the first audition, there were over 400 girls who attended. For the callbacks, we did a dance combination and eventually had to sing. At the fifth and final callback, they had narrowed it down to 20 girls, and Tina Fey was present. We had to do the dance combo three at a time and then come in and sing and read sides for all the creatives by ourselves. It was the craziest and most amazing experience!

SJF: I can just imagine the stress and tension with the audition and then those multiple callbacks! Wow!

SJF: Tell us about your ‘Mean Girls’ role(s), Understudying? Etc.

DH: I play Caitlyn Caussin, a high school girl in the ensemble. I also get to understudy Gretchen AND all of the roles played by the Broadway star, Kerry Butler, which are Cady’s mom, Regina’s mom, and Ms. Norbury! I actually made my Broadway principal debut as Gretchen on July 24th of this year and it was AMAZING!!! It was so incredible to get to perform in a lead role on a Broadway stage and to know that the producers and members of the company believed in me too. My family also happened to be in town so they got to see me perform in the role as well! It was one of the best experiences of my life!

Devon Hadsell as Caitlyn Caussin in ‘Mean Girls’

SJF: That is so amazing! So thrilled that you made your Broadway principal role debut!

All photos courtesy of Devon Hadsell

SJF: Any advice for BA, BFA, etc. students and others?

DH: Broadway is hard and the work doesn’t stop once you get there. You have to realize that there will be pros and cons just like any other job. You also have to figure out ways to nurture your passion of performing because there are a lot of hard things you have to deal with in this business. Never give up, always push forward with your goals in mind, and never stop training.

SJF: How has it been adjusting to living in NY- roommate(s)? Safety, etc.

DH: Oh my goodness. I am NOT a fan of New York! Haha. Even with a Broadway contract, I miss California every day… It’s a VERY different way of living and it was a hard adjustment at first. When I first moved to NY, I was living deep in Brooklyn and it took me at least an hour to get into Manhattan for auditions, but it was cheap and I had my own room and a lovely roommate. Now that I’m on Broadway, I was able to move to a studio just outside the city along the water that’s only a 20 minute commute. When you move to New York, you have to get used to a different way of living. You have to deal with public transportation, insanely high prices for everything, people being stressed and in a rush most of the time, everything being dirty, and being cramped in small spaces for a lot of your day. This city is not very glamorous unless you have a lot of money haha.

SJF: Ah! But I love going to NY to see shows when I visit my family in NJ! Despite the humidity, crowds etc.!

SJF: Any pre-show rituals? Post show events?

DH: I always have a pre-show Starbucks next to me as I do my makeup. I also have a little space backstage where I always do my warm-ups. After the show, a lot of us go to a restaurant/bar across the street that just opened up called Haswell Green!

SJF: Do you have (or have you had) fears? Doubts?

DH: Yes! Even once you get to Broadway, you have fears and doubts. EVERYONE is talented so you have to continue to believe that you ALSO have something special to bring to the table with your talent.

SJF: Well said Devon! What Motivates you?

Devon Hadsell

DH: I am very motivated by the fact that my performance has the ability to inspire others. Whether it makes people think about their lives, inspires them to live out their own dream, motivates them to want to change the world, or encourages them to connect with people, I think it’s a gift to have that ability.

SJF: That’s so astute! Hopefully I’ll get to see you perform on Broadway. I’m definitely inspired by your recent success!

SJF: Do you have any spare time hobbies, interests?

DH: I do! I love walks along the water, finding a new coffee shop, seeing other Broadway shows, and playing with puppies and kittens!

SJF: Cool! The last part about the puppies and kittens really brought the ‘AW” out in me!

SJF: Any particular role models in your life?

DH: I have many teachers who have been role models throughout my entire life. They have inspired me with their passion for performing and their love of their art whether it was acting, dancing, or singing. I am fortunate enough to still be in contact with most of them through Facebook and still ask for their advice when I need some guidance.

SJF: What was it like the first time with an audience for ‘Mean Girls’?

DH: It was UNREAL! My adrenaline was so high and everyone in the show was so excited! Our energy was unmatched! It was maybe even a little too heightened haha. It was a blast though. This show is so fun to share with family and friends.

SJF: Spill the beans about Tina!

DH: She’s extremely sweet! And surprisingly, she’s very quiet and reserved unlike her TV personalities. She’s so smart and kind and has such a wonderful and loving dynamic with her family.

SJF: Tell us about your Website

DH: It’s all updated with current photos and my resume as well as a couple of videos of me singing and dancing!

SJF: Who are your Idols?

DH: Some of my idols are Michelle Obama, Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jimmy Fallon, and definitely Tina Fey!

SJF: Top values in life?

DH: My top value in life is kindness. It always makes the world a better place when you can act out of love and kindness than out of fear, hate, or jealousy. It takes a strong person to be kind, but I’ve found it’s always worth the effort.

SJF: Dream Role (besides the one you have now)!

DH: I’d actually love to play the lead in Mean Girls, Cady Heron, one day. I’d also love to play Christine in Phantom of the Opera and Clara in Light in the Piazza.

SJF: If you had to do it all over again…

DH: I honestly wouldn’t do anything different except to make sure I made a little more effort to stay in contact with friends and family. It’s so easy to get caught up in career stuff and forget about the things that really matter.

SJF: What 3 things don’t we know about you?

DH: 1) I am a cancer survivor! When I was 3 1/2 I was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumor which is a child’s form of kidney cancer. They removed the tumor along with my right kidney and now I am deemed cancer free! 2) I am extremely organized and tidy and I weirdly think cleaning is fun. 3) I’d love to get into TV/film one day!

SJF: I am glad I asked that question. I would have never known about your surviving cancer at such a young age. Thanks for sharing that. As for the tidyness…interesting tidbit! Regarding TV/film, I have no doubt that you will pursue and be offered those creative endeavors!

SJF: Any difficult decisions throughout your life?

DH: The most difficult decision I ever made was to move to New York. I had no idea what I was doing, but just that I felt like I needed to do it. Needless to say, I am VERY glad I made that leap.

SJF: Thank you so very much Devon, it was such a pleasure to be back in touch and am so excited to hear all about Mean Girls and what’s in store for you in your future!

Devon Hadsell’s Website

Social Media for Devon: Follow @devonhadsell on Instagram and on Facebook

More Fun: Videos about ‘Mean Girls’:

Video: Journey to Broadway

Video: First Look: Mean Girls on Broadway

Video: I’d Rather be Me

Episode 1: Too Grool for School: Backstage at MEAN GIRLS with Erika Henningsen

 

Thanks for stopping by!

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Contact SJF Communications for your PR/Marketing/Writing/

Social Media/Photography, or Coaching Needs!

EXTRA EXTRA! A List of Theater Productions in San Diego January Through March, 2018

 

San Diego Theater Productions

 January through March, 2018

Compiled by: Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications 1.12.18

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A NEW YEARS ‘Gift’ from SJF Communications to Celebrate San Diego Area Theater!

Besides enjoying the heck out of consulting for and working with theatre company clients as a public relations professional/publicist, (and as an actor), I am an avid theatre-goer and attend many San Diego theater productions throughout the year!

$$$$$$! 🙂

Our extensive collection of Playbills and programs (and bill statements) confirm it!

Also, our daughter is majoring in theatre arts performance/acting & musical theatre, so I have been attending university shows and recitals, adding to my mix. Plus, I’m an adjudicator for high school musical theatre production awards.

Shows, Shows and More Shows!!!

Whether I get comp tix, discount tix (Goldstar –  or the San Diego Performing Arts League and   and  ArtsTix  or the   San Diego Actors Alliance ) or purchase at full price, theatre inspires!!!

Don’t forget about San Diego Theatre Week February 15 – February 25, 2018! Great deals and discounts! Dozens of arts organizations are participating!

I have always wanted to write a post listing all the wonderful theater productions in the San Diego area.  SO…….

There’s an abundance of productions this quarter between January and March. This list is my NEW YEARS present to our San Diego Community! Why? Because I wanted to know what the upcoming shows were PLUS I believe in SHARING and GETTING THE WORD OUT! So take a gander!

I’ve listed (alphabetically) the Theatre/Production Company, Title of Show(s), Dates of Shows and Website links. It’s quite comprehensive! Let us know if there are any additions, corrections etc. We aim to please!

What more could you ask for???

Well, I can ask for something in return:

(Please subscribe to my website, comment, like, and share the link away on social media, via emails, however YOU get the word out)!

Here we go!

Happy New Year from SJF Communications!

San Diego Area Theatre Productions January Through March, 2018

Key: P: Professional Theatre C: Community Theatre

Backyard Renaissance (P) Bachelorette March 15 – April 1; http://backyardrenaissance.com/tickets/

Broadway San Diego (P) Hamilton January 6 – January 28; Dirty Dancing February 9 – February 11; Stomp March 2 – March 4; The Magic of Adam Trent March 24; http://www.broadwaysd.com/

Broadway Vista (P) Tuesdays with Morrie January 18 – February 4; Women in Jeopardy March 1-25; http://www.broadwayvista.biz/adult-shows.html

Community Actors Theatre (C) Bojo’s Place February 2 – February 18; He Was a Slave: February 23, 24, 25; http://www.communityactorstheatre.com/

Coronado Playhouse (C) The Addams Family January 19 – February 25; King Charles III March 23 – April 22; Songs for a New year: An Evening of the Works of Jason Robert Brown March 2 – March 3; http://coronadoplayhouse.com/

Cygnet Theatre  (P) The Last Wife Jan 17 – Feb 11; Musical Monday: Bacchanal Jan 29;  A Little Night Music Mar 7 – Apr 22; http://www.cygnettheatre.com/

Different Stages (C) Building the Wall (Co-Produced with Point Loma Playhouse) January 13 – January 21;

Diversionary Theatre (P): The Cardboard Piano January 25-February 25 The Happiest Place on Earth March 15-April 15; http://diversionary.org/season32/

La Jolla Playhouse (P): Mike Birbiglia: The New One January 9 – 14; The Cake February 6 – March 4; POP Tour Home of the Brave Public Performances at the Playhouse March 10 & 11; La Jolla Playhouse’s Gala March 17; http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/tickets-and-subscriptions/buy-tickets

La Jolla Theatre Ensemble (Staged Readings) (C) Kim Cromwell’s one-act, CATFISH; a pair of ten-minute plays, one by Jeanette Farr called “Gray Matter” and the second, “A Lease on Life” by Liz Coley; and Werner Hashagen’s “Yes! January 28, January 30; https://www.facebook.com/ljtheatreensemble/posts/878064212371334

Lamb’s  Players (P) (Coronado) Smoke on the Mountain January 11-28; Freedom Riders January 15; Sunday Night Sing, January 21; Lambs Cabaret: Songs of Love and Laughter February 11; Camping With Henry and Tom: February 16 – March 25; http://www.lambsplayers.org/index.php

Lamplighters Community Theatre (C) Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap January 12 – February 4; Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Staged Reading) January 14; Judith Merel’s One-Woman Show The Cantor’s Daughter January 28;  Night, Mother March 2 – March 25; https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/

Moonlight Stage Productions (P): Bets Malone  at Club M (with Elan McMahan Musical Director and Pianist) January 13 Lucie Arnaz at Club M February 10; Daebreon Poiema with Lyndon Pugeda, Musical Director and Pianist  March 3; Rebels, Raiders and Supermen: The Music of John Williams March 24; http://www.moonlightstage.com/

Moxie Theatre (P): BLISS (or Emily Post is Dead ) January 28 – February 25 / Opening Night: February 3; http://www.moxietheatre.com/shows/

New Village Arts (P):  Cloud Tectonics Jan 26 – Feb 25; Men on Boats Mar 23 – Apr 22; http://www.newvillagearts.org/

North Coast Rep (P) Around the World in Eighty Days January 10 – February 4; Seeger January 29; The Year of Magical Thinking January 22 – 23; This Random World February 21 – March 18; An Evening with Robert Dubac February 26 & 27 https://northcoastrep.org/

Ocean Beach Playhouse (C) (OB Playhouse): Comedy Hypnotist January 26 – January 27; I Love You Because February 2 – February 25; Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert Dates Pending http://www.obtheatrecompany.com/

Oceanside Theatre Company (C): Outside Mullingar (with Scripps Ranch Theatre) February 23 – March 11 http://www.oceansidetheatre.org/

Onstage Playhouse (C) As Bees in Honey Drown  January 12 – February 10; Spike Heels March 9 – April 7; https://www.onstageplayhouse.org/

Patio Playhouse (C) Pygmalion January 5- January 28; I Ought To Be in Pictures February 16-March 11; Sweeney Todd March 23-April 8; http://www.patioplayhouse.com/wp/

Pickwick Players: (C): Diary of Anne Frank February 16-25; http://www.pickwickplayers.net/currentseason

Playwrights Project (C) Plays by Young Writers Festival January 18 – January 27; http://www.playwrightsproject.org/index.php

Point Loma Playhouse (C): Building the Wall (Co-Produced with Different Stages) January 19 – January 28 http://www.pointlomaplayhouse.com/

PowPac Theatre (C): Your Cat is Dead January 12 – February 11; http://www.powpac.org/

San Diego Musical Theatre (P) (SDMT) The Full Monty January 25 – February 26, sdmt.org

San Diego Repertory Theatre (P): Vietgone January 25 – February 18 http://www.sdrep.org/

Scripps Ranch Theatre (C): Outside Mullingar (with Oceanside Theatre) January 19 – February 18; Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery March 23 to April 22 http://www.scrippsranchtheatre.org/

Star Theatre Company (C) Nunsense February 16 – February 25; https://www.startheatreco.com/box-office

Talent to Amuse (P) Hope February 17 – March 5; http://www.talenttoamuse.com/

The Barn Stage Company  Little Women  January 11 January 21; The Music of Cole Porter January 28; Till There Was You (Cabaret) February 25; The Secret Garden in Concert March 1 – March 4; Motown (Cabaret) March 25;  http://thebarnstagecompany.com/js_events/little-women/

The Old Globe (P): The Importance of Being Earnest January 27 – March 24; Uncle Vanya February 10 –  March 11; https://www.theoldglobe.org/

The Roustabouts Theatre Company (P) A Jewish Joke March 14 – 17 (Previews) March 18 (Opening) – April 8 (Closing); http://www.theroustabouts.org/season.html

Trinity Theatre Company Macbeth March 2 – March 18; http://www.trinityttc.org

Vanguard Theatre Lend Me a Tenor March 9 -March 25; http://vanguardsd.org/

Vantage Theatre (P): The Color of Light (in Association with Talent to Amuse) January 11 – February 3; http://www.vantagetheatre.com/

Welk Resort Theatre (P): Next to Real Neil January 17, 24, 31; https://sandiegotickets.welkresorts.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=10&_ga=2.237199680.1125590379.1515783778-1431898865.1515783778

 

Universities/Colleges

City College https://www.sdcity.edu/SavilleTheatre

CSU San Marcos I and You February 7-10; https://www.csusm.edu/sofa/events/index.html

Grossmont College Inside the Actor’s Process March 2- March 3; The Heir Apparent March 15 -24; https://www.grossmont.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/theater-arts/2017-2018-season.aspx

Mira Costa College TBA

Mesa College http://www.sdmesa.edu/academics/schools-departments/dramatic-arts/

San Diego State University: Foxtails February 16 – February 21; Company March 9 – March 17; http://ttf.sdsu.edu/index.php/season_calendar/season_calendar_performances

Southwestern College American Idiot March 13 – March 18;  http://www.swccd.edu/index.aspx?page=3277

UCSD Graduate Theatre productions: A Raisin in the Sun February 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17 @ 7:30pm, February 10 @ 2pm; Othello Previews: February 21 @ 7pm Show dates: February 23 & 24, March 1, 2 & 3 @ 7:30pm, February 24 @ 2pm; Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. Previews: March 6 @ 7pm Show dates: March 8, 9, 10, 16 & 17 @ 7:30pm; Undergraduate Theatre Production: The Skriker March 13, 14, 16 & 17 @ 7:30pm, March 17 @ 2pm March 10 @ 2pm; http://theatre.ucsd.edu/season/

University of San Diego The Nina Variations March 9 – March 11; https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/theatre/productions/

 

Other San Diego Theatres (No productions posted through March, 2018)

Above Board SD (C) http://www.aboveboardtheatre.com/

fruitlessmoon theatreworks (P): http://www.fruitlessmoontheatreworks.org/

Ion Theatre (P) Pending http://iontheatre.com/

Innermission Productions:  Pending http://www.innermissionproductions.org/

Intrepid Theatre (P): Pending http://www.intrepidtheatre.org/

New Fortune Theatre Company http://www.newfortunetheatre.com/

Rag Lady Productions https://www.thegeezeandme.com/#rag-lady-productions

San Diego Actors Theatre http://www.sdactorstheatre.net/theatre/

Teatro Mascara Magica http://teatromascaramagica.org/

Turning Tydes (C)  https://www.turningtydes.org/

 

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Update: Win a Family 4 Pack to “Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas” (San Diego)!

Update: As of 12/16/17 at 4:32 p.m. p.s.t, SJF Communications has a winner for the Family 4 Pack to “Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas” (San Diego)!

Thank you to those who responded! We will let you know if anything opens up for more complimentary tickets.

Guess who’s flying in to San Diego?

PETER PAN!

No kidding!

Plus, WENDY, CAPTAIN HOOK, TINKER BELL, SMEE AND TIGER LILY too!

So…..

Peter Pan and Tinker Bell A Pirates Christmas Logo

Want to be the winner of a Family 4 pack of tickets for Opening Night December 21 (7:30 p.m.) of Lythgoe Family Panto presents PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego?

YOU DO???

Read on!

There will be one lucky winner!

What’s the show all about????   Well….

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS,  is a flying, singing, and swashbuckling holiday show performed in the style of British panto. Pirates plan to kidnap Peter Pan as a Christmas present for Captain Hook. Can Peter, Wendy, and Tinkerbell foil their scheme?

And look who is starring in it!!!

ASHLEY ARGOTA OF ABC FAMILY’S “THE FOSTERS” (Tinkerbell)

RILEY COSTELLO OF NBC’S “HAIRSPRAY LIVE!” (Peter Pan)

CLARICE ORDAZ OF FOX’S “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE”  (Tiger Lily)

MARK RYAN OF STARZ’ “BLACK SAILS” (Captain Hook)

DAVID F.M. VAUGHN OF BROADWAY’S “SHREK THE MUSICAL” (Smee)

AUDREY WHITBY OF NICKELODEON’S “THE THUNDERMANS” (Wendy)

How do I win?

Be the first person to:

1. Click on and complete our  Contact Form  ( between 9 a.m. p.s.t. Saturday, December 16th and no later than 11 a.m. p.s.t. Sunday, December 17th) to WIN a family 4 pack of tickets for Opening Night, December 21st  at The Balboa Theatre! Add name, email , phone and then comment: Peter Pan and Tinker Bell Tickets. Thank you!

The catch:

Winner must post on Social Media

that they attended the Opening!

More info below:

Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A  Pirates Christmas is Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Mario Mosley, with book by Kris Lythgoe, Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor, and Andy Street serving as Musical Director. Chris Wood will serve as Associate Producer and Chris Wilcox will serve as Lighting Director. Casting is by Executive Producer Becky Lythgoe.  This will be the second holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in San Diego, and their first in this larger venue.

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS is a flying, singing and swashbuckling holiday adventure performed in the style of a British panto. Step into the Balboa Theatre and embark on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy and Peter Pan, as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to the Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.

PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS will play a strictly limited engagement of 12 performances from December 21 through December 31, with the official press opening on December 21, at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased in-person at San Diego Theatres Advance Sales Windows located at 1100 3rd Ave (corner of 3rd & B St) across from the Civic Theatre, via phone at (619/760/858) 570-1100 Mon-Fri 10a-6p, or anytime online at http://sandiegotheatres.org/peter-pan-tinker-bella-pirates-christmas/. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticketholder (children ages 4 – 12 only) a special on-stage experience during the production, are available for an additional $60.00 each.

“I am so excited by the great cast of Broadway and television performers we have assembled for our second San Diego production,” says Kris Lythgoe, the show’s author and President of Lythgoe Family Panto. “San Diego is a huge supporter of the Arts and we are proud to once again expand panto productions with San Diego Theatres.”

“We are thrilled to be expanding to The Balboa Theatre this season allowing even more families in San Diego and the surrounding communities to share in the magic of Panto!” says Becky Lythgoe, Producer and Co-Founder of Lythgoe Family Panto.  “Ages 3-103, children, parents, and grandparents all coming together to sing, dance and share in the joy of LIVE theatre.  This for us encapsulates the spirit and beauty reflective of the holiday season!”

Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids.

The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together.  This December, Lythgoe Family Panto will offer their largest season yet, with 4 different productions playing concurrently in Laguna, Pasadena, San Diego and Houston.

Lythgoe Family Panto established their reputation with productions at Pasadena Playhouse including A Cinderella Christmas starring Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell and Morgan Fairchild, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O’Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota – and A Snow White Christmas (the original of this production) starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris.

Thanks and hope to see you at PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS!

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Q & A with Artistic Director, Cast and Stage Manager of San Diego Actors Theatre’s ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

San Diego Actors Theatre presents a site-specific theatrical production of Edward Albee’s THE ZOO STORY, October 28 -November 12, 2017 (Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m.) at Pioneer Park in Mission Hills, San Diego. Of note: 2018 will mark the sixtieth anniversary of The Zoo Story.

TICKET LINK

More info: CALL: 858-268-4494

or VISIT  San Diego Actors Theatre

Watch the Promo Video:

Hope you enjoy this Q & A with the Artistic Director & Cast

San Diego Actors Theatre’s ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

BY

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Patricia Elmore Costa
Director
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Patricia Elmore Costa (Producer/Director)

SJF: Please tell us about San Diego Actors Theatre
PEC: When I founded the San Diego Actors Theatre in 1985 with a lot of help and support from my late husband and many theatre artist friends, I was one of only 2 women directors in San Diego.  Directing in legitimate theatre has traditionally been a male-dominated profession.  When I founded the SD Actors Theatre, I put that out of my mind and just went after what I wanted to do.  Thirty-two years later, however, I see that there still is gender inequality.  A woman director needs to persevere, be strong, and quietly fight for what they need and want in the theatre.  Chip chip chip at the glass ceiling.
SJF: Why did you choose to direct  TZS?
PEC: I’ve always loved this play.  I admire Edward Albee.  Themes and language are philosophically intelligent and provocative of thought and emotion.  Simple and economically viable to produce –I Hope.  In the natural park setting as the setting in play.
SJF: Any challenges with directing this show?
PEC: I enjoy directing.  It has gone beautifully well.  It is always about the director’s choice in casting.   I’m working with two talented pros.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes?
PEC: My favorite moments in the play are when these two actors are at their most vulnerable.  That is the strength of the play – when we are able to see man’s humanity and sometimes man’s inhumanity to man.  There is a lot of that in our political climate and political culture.  Man and woman need to do better each and every day.
SJF: Best shows you have directed or best roles to date in your career?
PEC: Best shows directed – Eleemosynary by Lee Blessing was my professional directorial debut in SD.  Performed in some good roles in The Miss Firecracker Contest & The Perfect Party.  Have really enjoyed roles played in many staged readings SDAT has produced over the years.  Directed a staged reading of Dinner With Friends recently that was beautiful.
SJF: What don’t we know about you
PEC:  I’m currently in grad school for another degree.  Was an associate with the Sisters of Providence order for a short time.
SJF: Dream role or show to direct?
PEC: Dream Role:  Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf – told you I liked Edward AlbeeLady Macbeth & Hamlet.  Every show I work on is a DREAM ROLE as a performer or Dream Show to direct!
SJF: Advice to other directors, new directors etc.
PEC: Advice – collaborate is key.  Makes everyone happier.
SJF: Pet Peeves
PEC:  Pet peeves – not listening.  Monologists in social conversations.  Lack of empathy or compassion.
SJF:  Inspirational quote?
PEC:  Inspirational quote from a Nigerian priest at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France –  “try to do better” and another favorite is  “your life is not about you.”
SJF: Anything else?
PEC:  I’m crazy about my 2 handsome, smart, and talented sons – Matthew and Nicholas.  They are the LIGHT of my life.

Byron La Due (Jerry)
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Byron LaDue (Jerry)
SJF: Why did you choose to audition for  TZS?
BLD: Patty texted me to do what I thought was a reading of Zoo Story. Turned out to be live, in the park and playing the crazy guy.
SJF: Any challenges to your role?
BLD: Lines, lines, lines.
SJF: How do you identify with your role personally?
BLD: How?   I never answer questions like this. I’ll use one of Jerry’s Lines. “I have no feelings about any of it that I care to admit to myself.”
SJF:  Favorite moments/scenes
BLD: The whole thing is a gas. Fred as Peter getting all worked up over a bad thing to call Jerry. All he comes up with is, “You’re a …..Bum.” Cracks up me and Jerry.
SJF:  Best roles to date in your career
BLD: Paul Gauguin in The Musical Paul Gauguin
SJF: What don’t we know about you
BLD: I collect Motion Picture Soundtracks beginning with Hercules with Steve Reeves in the early 50’s.
SJF: Dream role?
BLD: Harold HillMusic Man
SJF: Advice to other actors, new actors etc.
BLD: Don’t give up your day job.
SJF: Pet Peeves?
BLD: Actors who don’t learn their lines.
SJF: Inspirational quote
BLD: “I won’t ask of myself to become someone else, I’ll just be me.”

Fred Harlow (Peter) ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

Fred Harlow (Peter)

SJF: Why did you choose to audition for  TZS?
FH: I really didn’t audition. Patricia called me last year to do a staged reading and it snowballed from there.
SJF: Any challenges to your role?
FH: Listen like I’ve never listened before.
SJF: How do you identify with your role personally? How?
FH: Peter doesn’t like to make waves. He also follows the rules, however tell me the rules and I’ll find the loopholes.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes
FH: Favorite moment must be the ending, it should appear that it comes out of the blue.
SJF: Best roles to date in your career
FH: That is a difficult question, it’s like asking my favorite movie. I love all of the roles I’ve played and can’t single out any one of them.
SJF: What don’t we know about you?
FH: My cell phone is just a cell phone. I don’t text, tweet or post pictures of my dinner or cat.
SJF: Dream role?
FH: If I could sing it would be Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. What a story, what a journey!!!
SJF: Advice to other actors, new actors etc.
FHL Have fun at auditions. It’s your time to play and have FUN! If you need to get nervous save that for opening night but never for an audition. Believe me they can smell fear.
SJF: Pet Peeves?
FH: People who don’t use their turn signals. Trust me it’s not a sign of weakness.
SJF:  Inspirational quote
FH: If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

Josh Guicherit
Stage Manager
‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee

 Joshua Guicherit (Stage Manager)
SJF: Why did you choose to stage manage  TZS?
JG: I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved in San Diego theatre, I knew it was a role I was capable of filling and I appreciated the team that worked on the piece.
SJF: Any challenges to stage managing?
JG: There are many challenges of stage managing and few rewards, so I’ve been told. For me the most difficult part is simply keeping track of everything all at once.
SJF: Favorite moments/scenes
JG: My favorite scenes involve Byron, playing Jerry, making strange noises and accents. I laugh every time he does his dog-eating-food impression.
SJF: Best shows you have been part of as actor or technical staff in your career
JG: My favorite show as an actor was probably playing Don Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost.
SJF: What don’t we know about you
JG:   You probably don’t know that I once volunteered for the Special Olympics and got to stand in for the singer performing the iconic song “Let It Go” from Frozen.
SJF:  Dream role or show to act in etc.?
JG: My dream role is Iago from Othello.
SJF: Advice to other stage managers etc.
JG: It’s a lot of work. Just take everything in chunks and get to know what your director wants. The rest changes with every show. Find a way to relax at the end of the night.
SJF: Pet Peeves
JG: Chewing with your mouth open.
SJF:  Inspirational quote
JG: Do whatever makes you happy.
SJF:  Anything else?
JG: There’s always something else isn’t there?
Thanks to Patricia Elmore Costa, Byron LaDue, Fred Harlow and Josh Guicherit
Hope to see you at THE ZOO STORY!
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‘The Beautiful Machine’ – A Sci-Fi, Pop/Rock Musical at 2017 San Diego Fringe Festival

 

San Diegans… do you have about an hour??

 

The Beautiful Machine

Catch the last two performances (June 30th at 9 p.m. and July 1st at 4 p.m.)

of  Pop Theater’s  first act of

‘The Beautiful Machine’ – 

A Sci-Fi, Pop/Rock Musical

at the 5th Annual San Diego International Fringe Festival

 Centro Cultural de la Raza, Balboa Park, San Diego

The Beautiful Machine is set in a dystopian, futuristic enclosed city. The government has turned to inhumane population control techniques, exterminating those who do not qualify as “complete” or “viable” specimens for procreation. Ben Phoenix, a newly promoted engineer has recently been exiled to the dark fringes of society. Alone and distraught, he has been left with nothing, and yet he is the most talked about person in the city. Why is his name on so many tongues? Why is everyone fighting to recruit him? Is he the one with the key to bringing down the regime? 

THE FIRST THREE PERFORMANCES WERE FILLED TO CAPACITY!

ONLY 2 MORE CHANCES TO SEE THIS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION!

The Beautiful Machine is produced, co-written and composed by Mike Neumann (Pop Theater), co-written by Josh Switzer and Directed by Domonique Evans, a graduate student in the SDSU MFA Musical Theatre program, one of only two such programs in the United States. Neumann, a math teacher at San Ysidro High School, calls The Beautiful Machine  “Sci-Fi and Pop Music – a recipe for fun!” and his inspiration was “wanting to make musical theater “non-believers” into fans of the genre, by connecting theater to a musical style that is easily accessible by everyone”.  Pop Theater is an up-and-coming theater group debuting its first production in the San Diego International Fringe Festival! Their vision is to expand the genre of the Sci-Fi musical and bring more fans to musical theater.

‘The Beautiful Machine’ Production/Creative Team Left to Right:

 Mike Neumann – Lyrics/Music; Josh Switzer – Story;

Domonique Evans – Director;  Jeannee Hogan – Manager

The inspiration for Director Domonique Evans “came from my previous directors in both high school and the collegiate level. Without them I wouldn’t be the man or performer I am today. I would love to impact, inspire, and guide our next generation as I was.” Domonique’s view on The Beautiful Machine is “A story about evolution and a government that is afraid of any kind of change”. 

The Beautiful Machine Cast includes: Chris Chiles as Ben Phoenix, Brent Roberts as Roman Valice, Kimberly Moller as Clarity Providence, Lindsey Denham as Xandelle Jackson,  Jillian Jackson as Anna Phoenix and Kitty Baton Rouge, Leo Chang as Jimmy Philadelphia,  Emmy Farese as Charlotte (and Understudy Clarity), Terence J. Burke as President, Riece Johnson as Dibbs, Alexandra Lee as Sydney Bismarck (Understudy Xandelle), and Thomas Reasoner as Conway (Understudy Ben).

The Beautiful Machine wishes to ‘give back’! Fractured Atlas Crowdfunding Page, a portion of ticket sales will go to Limbs for Life Foundation.

‘The Beautiful Machine’ extends thanks to their generous DONORS – without whom this would not be possible : Vicky & Bill McGinnis, Gina & Mike Farhar, Michael & Ruth Neumann, Jennifer Feddish, Kendra Tracy, Simon Schwartz, Carlos “Senpai” Luna, Ashley McCann, Joyce Inzunza, Ann & Rafael Montiel, Joey Thompson, Marie Thompson, Randa O’Connor, Miriam Haughey, Mike Byrne, Amy Walsh, Nina Stoddard, Elaina Scott, Richard Ho, Jennifer Lane, James Hall, Lucas Williams, and Thomas Nielsen.

Special thanks from ‘The Beautiful Machine’ to: Imran Shiekh – ‘The Beautiful Machine’ heart logo design; Shannon van der Reck- Prop Design; San Diego Steampunks – Promo photos; Jenny Lane and New Works Studio– Invaluable help and advice; Joe DeMers – Pianist; Susanna Vaughn- Assistant Choreographer; SJF Communications– Promotion & Media; Chloe Clark- Light Board Operator; Michael Short Photography-Videography; Chris Armstrong-transporting & moving props; and Hans Neumann- For believing in his Dad.

Here’s a video from ‘The Beautiful Machine’ appearance on ‘Tonight in San Diego‘:

TICKET INFORMATION: General Admission tickets are $10 (Plus $5 Fringe Tag): https://sdfringe.ticketleap.com/beautiful-machine/dates 

SCHEDULE of REMAINING PERFORMANCES:

Friday, June 30 – 9:00 pm; & Saturday, July 1 – 4:00 pm 

Look for ‘The Beautiful Machine’ Album release in July on Spotify!

LOCATION: Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., (Balboa Park) San Diego, CA 92101

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact poptheater@gmail.com or call 619-672-4644.

The Beautiful Machine Website; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifulmachine/

For press info, interviews, photos or press comps, please contact:

SJF Communications: 408-398-5940;  sjfcommunications@gmail.com

 

Extraordinary People: Meet ‘The Geeze & Me’ Creators: Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Shared Misanthropy Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers
“Shared Misanthropy” circa 1996 at home in Benedict Canyon
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers

La Jolla, California couple Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers are truly an extraordinary couple!  They are married co-creators and co-writers of The Geeze & Me an original “boomer” musical about aging…which will have it’s World Premiere March 31 – April 29, 2017 in San Diego at The Tenth Avenue Arts Center.

Hedges, formerly of the folk duo Hedges & Donna (with ex-spouse Donna Carson, during the late 1960’s-early 70’s), is  The  Geeze & Me  Composer/Lyricist and also plays several characters in the production (David, the Soap Boxer and Beat Poet) and Nancy, a member of the Director’s Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA  is the Producer & Director.

According to Hedges and Nancy:

The Geeze & Me is a funny, irreverent, and poignant original musical. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by innovative choreography. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse group of people.

Think “Hair,” after it’s gone.

THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF BEWARE OF US

(Read more about The Geeze & Me below following the interviews)

Connecting with Hedges and Nancy for SJF Communications to provide PR/Publicity for The Geeze & Me has been a total joy and is never dull! Hedges is truly a master wordsmith and composer/lyricist/musician and Nancy, Actress-Psychotherapist, is warm, open, nurturing and very astute. They are equally excited about The Geeze & Me!

I am so proud to interview this “chill” dynamic duo, partners in personal life-and in the biz!

Without further ado….introducing our interview with Hedges Capers followed by Nancy Locke Capers!

Meet Hedges Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Photos courtesy of Hedges  Capers and Nancy Locke Capers

 

Q & A with Hedges Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

SJF: Tell us about yourself, where were you born? Where have you lived?

HC: My father was a Navy Chaplain …the longest time I spent in one location was two years…until I was 50 – then I was stable for three years. It has been four years now and I’m planning on more in the San Diego/La Jolla area.

I was born in Princeton NJ…I lived in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Virginia, New York, Guam, California (Monterey, San Francisco, La Jolla, L.A., San Diego, Whittier, Beverly Hills, Benedict Canyon, Laurel Canyon, Hollywood, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach), Japan, Washington State & Washington DC and Hawaii. And some I don’t remember !

SJF: You have certainly lived EVERYWHERE! When did you first perform?

HC: My first performance was 1959 on board ship to Japan…I sang Endless Sleep and Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop. I began writing lyrics at age 11 and started composing music when I was 15.  I received my BA at Whittier University and Masters of Arts at the University Without Walls, a tutorial program out of U.C. Berkeley. Private lessons: I’ve never had a music lesson, I tried a vocal lesson 5 years ago when I was unable to sing at all. The lesson was unsuccessful, but it led to my vocal cord surgery which thankfully was successful and instrumental in the content of our show.

SJF: Tell us about you as an actor

HC:  I did theatre shows in college; Pajama Game –  Playboy Of The Western World – Zoo Story –  Rashomon and a few others… but I just wanted to be a singer I never thought about acting. … I went to college because I didn’t know how to get into the music industry (even after having signed a recording contract in 1961 at age 16). I didn’t want to pump gas or marry Leigh Deane Larson… I formed a trio my first week of college- we were hired to sing at a hotel dining bar 2 days after we met and sang together for four years at Whittier. We signed with Dot Records in 1966 and released a single in Japan which we were told made the charts there to #7.

In 1970 I had the title role in The Legend of Hillbilly John. The producers didn’t know whether they should get an actor they hoped could sing or a singer they hoped could act… the final two choices were Arlo Guthrie and myself… a stunning cast of amazing character actors Denver Pyle, Harris Yulin, RG Armstrong, Susan Strasberg and more.

SJF: Any low times?

HC: Hearing a group of kids ask Donna (my ex-wife and former duo partner) if she knew me? She said “Yes he’s my husband” – they looked at her then back at me then back at her and said “He doesn’t look at all black” but in their world it was not possible that a white man and a black woman could be married.. the only possibility was that I must be black… that night I wrote

 “No child of mine’s gonna have to plant no god damn cotton. No child of mine ever gonna harvest up the rain No child of mine’s ever gonna have to know that pain. Steeple people twisted children God’s almighty bent and broken they went to Little Rock all alone and God went home”.

Anger and hurt were the emotions…Donna was pregnant and I was wondering are we doing to this child-any favors bringing him into THIS?

SJF: Tell us about your duo Hedges and Donna

HC: We opened for Nina Simone, Judy Collins and Bobby Hebb, Harry Belafonte, Neil Diamond, Oscar Brown Junior and Jean Pace, Ritchie HavensGroups that opened for us? Jackson Browne, Blood Sweat and Tears, James Taylor, Ritchie Havens, Hoyt Axton, Joni Mitchell and lots more…

SJF: Highs of your career?

HC: Too many highs to list them all …Headlining the Philadelphia Folk FestivalThe Smothers Brothers Show, Carnegie Hall, The Tonight Show three times.

SJF: …and Lows?

HC: Lows… for a sad reason. At the Atlanta International Pop Festival 1970… the crowd estimates vary even today between 200,000 and 600,000 people… 750,000 was the count the artists were given…much larger than Woodstock.  This was deep South… we had played The Hungry I in SF with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and were told by them ”You all can come”…it was their nod of approval to our music… as we performed  on stage at the festival  we were buzzed repeatedly by a series of Lear and larger jets… no other act  had that happen… We were told later that Lester Maddox had orchestrated that as a show of his objection…

SJF: What differentiates you as a composer, writer, performer, former therapist, corporate biz guy?

HC: I don’t have a clue….but maybe? I’ve always loved lyric and loved word play… as a 5 year-old, I went to a school with first thru eighth grade in the same classroom and above the black board the alphabet and numbers were written out … I stared and then saw U R N U 2 B 4 U 4 U R 1 U C A B U T U Q U 2 B U. U 1 2 B 4 U? I 1 2 B 4 U 2! OG.

Language in Thought and Action by S.I Hiyakawa was my English book in high school. Albert Upton was my freshman college English professor and he was Hiyakawa’s chief semantic rival.  I was partnered with the original Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) research team and was the first person certified to train for the Process Communication Model (PCM), the only two process models for human interaction…

All that to say I have had an extraordinary exposure to how words affect people, and I am pretty sure I’ve never looked at a phrase with that lens consciously.

SJF: Tell us about The Geeze & Me

HC: I would love to see The Geeze & Me on Broadway… In Vegas, and Branson and touring groups in regional theaters all over… I would love folks to feel that passion of “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings and there ain’t a lady fat enough to sing for this generation …” I would like people to hear the research regarding aging and feel empowered. I’d like to stand outside a theater in NY and hear people humming or singing “HOW OLD DO YOU FEEL?”

SJF: I am singing that tune all the time already!

SJF: What is your strongest asset?

HC: I love people! And I think I understand their worth.

SJF: Tell us two wonderful things and two difficult aspects of being YOU

HC: 1. I love the way my mind works especially with words… as they flutter by like Butterflies…Or like the way I hear Guilt and my mind says “it’s just decorative stuff that goes around mirrors (gilt) unless you put U in it… or being ‘now and here’ is really being ‘nowhere’ where you know where you are… I have developed a patience in my late 60’s that I never dreamed I’d have…2. Difficult aspects… my grief is way too close to the surface… I see it too clearly in too many places too much of the time.

SJF: Tell me what makes Hedges “TICK”

HC:  I use to say “I’m just moving slide to slide and sucking on the main stream… but I think I was just being flippant… I think I just want to see my kids headed to something that might be full with enough joy  to be really worthwhile and I still want to see a bit of tomorrow.

SJF: If you had to do it over again…how would you choose what do in life as a career/profession?

HC: I have been blessed to have done exactly as I dreamed.

SJF: What two things don’t we know about you?

HC: I don’t know what you do know so it’s hard to know what you don’t but…If you have asked me something I will tell you.  I haven’t found it useful to hide

SJF: What are your fears??…

HC: I’ve had anxiety attacks at different times in my life that were debilitating… I think as a result of several years of drug experimenting… sniff, swallow or smoke without question…a really stupid period. Fortunately for me the era of designer drugs had not arrived then or I may have died as my son did.

I think I also fear I was not the father I should have been… my kids deny this but how can we ever really know?

SJF: Any regrets?

HC: 1- Not having been able to prevent my son’s death. 2- Not being cleaner with how I separated from Donna… I didn’t want to be the “bad” guy and so I drug things out instead of saying “I won’t do this, I’m leaving you.” Explanations can just muddy the water and invite attempts to change ones mind.

It is hard to have regrets when you are given the opportunity to live a life long dream. At 7 or 8 that’s what I wanted. At 7 we went to the Grand Canyon and my folks put my sister and me on the mule ride at the bottom of the canyon. It seemed like my mule wanted to nibble on things growing on the fall and you die side of the path. I was in tears but the path is too narrow to turn around or dismount and walk back so I had to go all the way… I cried until I realized my fear was unfounded… but my parents could hear me singing filling the Grand Canyon with joy for 45 minutes before the mules reached the top.

… if I reach for one regret, it’s that I didn’t do a better job of keeping clippings and songs  and the journal writing I sometimes did… Moving as much as I did I never kept “things”- I would love to have been able to share those with my kids.. but … And the songs that were written that have been forgotten.

SJF: An ideal week for you would be…

HC: Watching The Geeze and Me on Broadway with my family and friends- playing golf (well!) with my buds.. singing … eating Swiss enchiladas.. swimming in warm water, walking on the beach at sunrise and again at sunset… hearing the world laugh … discovering that there really is an afterlife that works well enough to make any pain of this life irrelevant … KNOWING that  I did what I was here to do, knowing, without  a doubt.

SJF: What have been your life hurdles?

HC: 1. I was told at 16 my sibilance was so bad I would for sure never be able to be a recording artist…2. My height: I was 4’11” as a Junior in high School 3. I can’t sing the way I want to sing… ( I like the way I sing… it’s that there are ways I can’t that I’d love to but I think men don’t have the tool women have…).

I don’t think there have really been any hurdles because my life is evidence that I haven’t been stopped. There are things I haven’t done but the choice to not pursue has been mine, I have stopped.

 

Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers in 1999
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers in 1999

Meet Nancy Locke Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Photos courtesy of Hedges  Capers and Nancy Locke Capers

Q & A with Nancy Locke Capers  by  Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, family, siblings, schooling, etc. 

NLC: I was born in the SPAM capital of the world – Austin, Minn.  We were solid middle-class.  I grew up in Minnesota & Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh.  Came to Glendale, California when I was 11.  My Mother was a singer and housewife and my Dad was a businessman.

I have an older brother who is an international trade Attorney  and previously worked in the White House as Legal Counsel under former Presidents Nixon & Ford.  My sister, ordained in the Episcopal Church, was a Chaplain at San Francisco General Hospital in the 80s, during the A.I.D.S. epidemic.   I returned to school at age 40 and have my Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology.  (Still think about going for my PhD.  I’m a knowledge-hound.)

SJF: When did you begin acting?

NLC: I began acting when I was tapped for a Kimbie’s diapers hidden camera commercial with my baby son.   Shortly thereafter, Geoff Lewis (Juliette Lewis’s wonderful dad) walked into my kitchen and asked me if I wanted to be in a movie.  I said, “Sure.”  He coached me on how to audition on the way to the meeting at Sunset Plaza, with the director, Floyd Mutrux.  I auditioned, and when it was clear I was a terrible actor, he said “I have a waitress part with 11 or 12 lines. Do you think you could handle that?” and I was off to the races.   A friend of mine, Robert F. Lyons, began teaching acting around this time and thought I might enjoy taking classes.  I studied with him for two years before going on my 2nd audition.

SJF: Who have you taken private lessons with?

NLC:  In acting:  Milton Katselas, Robert F. Lyons, Joan Darling, John Voight.  In Producing:  Ron Schwartz, Jim Aubrey.  Directing:  Garry Marshall, Ulu Grossbard, Dwight  Little, etc.  You pick up a lot just being around a set.

SJF: Were you always enthused about acting?

NLC:  Not at all.  I didn’t really begin until I was 30. My son was a baby and so I didn’t start seriously auditioning until I was 30.

SJF: What are some highlights of your acting career?

NLC:  “Pretty Woman” of course was so much fun to work on.  I learned a lot from Garry Marshall and how he handled actors.  True Confessions with Robert Duvall and Robert De Niro – I worked in a scene (later cut), but he was the kindest, most generous man. He completely normalized any nerves I was feeling.  By the way, Milton Katselas used to say that “nerves are our talent trying to get out.”  He put a positive frame on having nerves.  He also said, “If you’re not nervous then you should be concerned.”  That might be a tip-off that you’ll give a flat performance.

SJF: Have there been any low times?

NLC: I was previously married to an actor/director/writer and so we were each doing our separate jobs.  The low times were really when the jobs weren’t coming in and the bank account was running out. Ninety-nine percent of SAG members don’t make a living at acting.  We were able to live nicely and reap the benefits of being working actors.  I made a decision not to do on-location work, which definitely impacted my hire-ability.  I wanted to be a mom to my son and step-daughter.   I’m not sure that I experienced “low time” because of it, but I felt it was more important to have a responsible adult at home, and my former spouse was working actively during that period and wasn’t able to provide childcare.

SJF: Any Pretty Woman stories?

NLC: Yes, but not sure I’d want to go public with them.  Richard Gere was a perfect gentleman and quite kind.  Jason Alexander was hilarious.  Julia was like a fresh colt, very excited to be working on the film, along with everyone else.

SJF: Jane Fonda stories?

NLC:  I was a spokesperson for Jane Fonda Work-Out Wear in the ’80s.  They chose 3 women out of 700, so I felt incredibly lucky.  We met. She congratulated me on getting the job.  She was very kindhearted.

SJF: What differentiates you as a director, performer, person, actor, therapist, corporate biz person?

NLC: Hmmm.  My humor?  My curiosity in all things? My experiences with tragedy.  I’m not sure.  But I lost my parents at ages 18 & 26, so all three of us (me, sister, brother) have fairly wicked senses of humor as a coping mechanism.  I think it’s a survival mechanism for those struck with tragedy as a young person.  All my life I’ve found most people endlessly interesting.  This, of course, reflects the kind of work I’ve chosen as an actor, writer and psychotherapist.

SJF: Tell us about The Geeze & Me

NLC:   It began as a lark.  Hedges had some unrecorded songs that were fantastic. I’d been missing the theatre world, so I thought maybe I could fashion a love story around those existing songs.  But then, I (or he, one forgets who brings what to the table in collaboration)  decided to do something about aging.  We’re the largest demographic of elders in the history of the world.

So, Hedges went to bed at night and would wake up with this wonderful, funny, deep music that surprised both of us.  It just came rolling out of him.  He used to be a staff writer at A & M, so he knew songwriting structure.  And so then I had to actually learn how to write a musical.  This was tortuous and enchanting, but I don’t have a musical bone in my body.  Thank goodness he was so prolific.   At some point, we both began collaborating on the book.   Somewhere (when it was still a little theater idea) it became clear that I would direct it-which was and is terrifying.   It would be terrific if it had legs and went on to tour in regional theatres, etc.

SJF: What is your strongest asset?”

NLC:  My publicist.

SJF: LOL!!! Thanks, Nancy! You make my work easy!

SJF: Tell us two wonderful things about being a Psychotherapist.

NLC: Two wonderful things:

1. It is an honor to do the psychotherapeutic work I do. When people say, “Ugh, how can you stand listening to problems all day” I don’t understand why they think this is difficult or depressing. In fact, it’s the opposite.  It’s energizing when someone talks with you on a deep, intimate level that does not often happen outside of the office.  It’s invigorating to give another the space to explore safely.  It’s a privilege.

2. Seeing suffering in all its disparate forms is humbling.

SJF: And two difficult aspects as a Psychotherapist?:

NLC: 1.  I can’t fix them in 10 minutes.  I have to let them take the time they need to heal and arrange their life differently or get out of a bad relationship. 2. There’s a chronic sense of loss in my job. People move, people don’t need you anymore, people have a hard time staying in therapy when they should – so, one learns to deal with it, but you invest YOURSELF in your clients.  That’s a big part of the job. It’s in the relationship, the trust, the consistency, the non-judgmental dialog that allows a patient to heal.

SJF: Tell me…what makes Nancy “TICK”?”

NLC: I’m alive.  That, and sheer terror. Joking.  Kind of.

SJF: If you had to do it over again…how would you choose what do in life as a career/profession?

NLC: Well, primarily, I would not join a cult (Scientology). That was really an attempt to grab ahold of something, anything that gave me structure and the appearance of answers at that point of my life. I could have studying for my PhD.  But I think you have to be allowed to explore and pay attention to what turns you on.  Go where your passion leads you, if you’re lucky enough to have the time and financial support to do so.  I think “following your bliss” just is not an option for most people, but that changes with age.  For me I’ve been allowed to return to the world of the theatre which I’ve been away from for 20 years.

SJF: What two things don’t we know about you?

NLC: That I know how to make a delicious Hartquist Spring Salad Sandwich.  And that I was on TWA flight 840 that exploded in mid-air over Greece.as a result of a terrorist bomb in 1986.  I was on my way to Greece to meet my former husband on a film he was making.  Ten days later I had to fly to South Africa as the lead in a film (Hostage) about terrorism,  shooting in the fuselage of a plane for six weeks.  We then had to go to Dallas to shoot a film we’d written.

SJF: What are your fears?

NLC:  I think I have the usual fears that all parents have.  I fear something happening to my son. Losing my stepson at age 20 was, and is, indescribably sad. Oddly enough, I don’t fear flying.

SJF: How do you “give back”?

NLC: We’re donating 50% of The Geeze & Me revenues to:  A New Path, PATH, LGBT Senior Care, and The Unbattle Project.  We’ve also given to the UCSD Center for Healthy Aging.

SF: Any regrets?

NLC:  Of course.

SJF: Enough said!

SJF: Ideal week for you would be…NLC: Travel to Maui, read a great novel, swim in the ocean with mi amoré.  (Kind of what I do here anyway….)

SJF: What have been your life hurdles? Successes?”

NLC: Overcoming panic disorder.  Feeling like I’m not “enough”.  Not being thin enough.  Not being pretty enough.  You know, typical American woman  hurdles.

Successes?  As I look back on  my life, I’m aware that I’ve felt chosen by casting directors, by a director, by the producer.  But I am also aware that it’s a roll of the dice.  I’m not sure I take any particular pride in being chosen.  I think the successes also had to do with persistence.  You just kept doing it.  And I was able to keep doing it because of nepotism or having a good day at that audition, or knowing  the right person. I learned at some point that the confidence game is really about acting “as if.”   I’ve seen major actors get squeamish if they have a crying scene coming up, whereas I’d worked with “lesser” actors who could cry on a dime.  If one chooses a profession in theatre/films, you have to love doing it.  It’s terribly hard on people because of the rejection rate.  But, Mark Ruffalo went on 600 auditions before being chosen.  You have to be good enough when you stumble upon an opportunity.

I tend to be a risk-taker.  For example, this is my first time directing a musical.  I have great support from extremely talented others – BJ (musical director), Hedges, having a great staff, fantastic cast.  Feeling the fear and doing it anyway.  That’s how we grow.

SJF: Who is your inspiration?

NLC:  My mother.  I’ve gotten to live the life she would have loved.

SJF: What are your 5 year and 10 year goals?

NLC: Seriously?  That goal setting never works for me.  Even when I’ve been diligent.  I never said, “I’m going land a part on Dynasty in 5 years!”   So much of my life has been being in the right place at the right time. I’m not sure I ever really consciously set a goal.  Perhaps I should have. You know, I’d decide to take a class in screenplay writing (from Syd Fields) and then I’d write a couple of mediocre scripts, then I’d work on something and someone would show interest in it.  So much of acting, writing, selling a script, getting my masters degree – it was all so pleasurable, with just the right amount of challenge.

SJF: Describe your dreams.

NLC: VIVID.  I know you’re talking about BIG DREAMS, but I’m talking about nightly, very vivid, wild, entertaining dreams since I’ve begun directing The Geeze & Me.  What subconscious?

SJF: Describe three pivotal events in your life.

NLC: My Father’s death.  My Mother’s death.  Marrying mi amour.

SJF: Role models- male and female?

NLC: Hmmm, well, I tend to be suspicious of role models, of idealizing an individual and projecting onto them all of my ideas about who they are.  But you know who comes to mind?   Béyoncé.  I know.  I’m a 68-yr. old white woman, but watch  Drunk, In Love and tell me she’s not got it going on.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc)   It’s hard to do overt sexuality and not feel used at the end of the day.  And she’s brave enough to go for it. Hillary Clinton.  President Obama’s grace and elegance.  Jon Stewart’s genius.  Stephen Colbert’s limitless mind.

SJF: Where are your favorite La Jolla/San Diego places? Your favorite places for a vacation?

NLC: In La Jolla – George’s; A small Greek restaurant called Cafe Athena in Pacific Beach, La Valencia Hotel for breakfast,  Come On In’s cornmeal pancakes.    My ideal vacation:  on a beach anywhere.  Paris, like most everyone.  Lisbon.  London.  Monemvasia, Greece.  Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs.  I’m not a Trump Tower person, and I like small, manageable, places that feel personal. It’s a feeling I get in a place.   But Jerusalem would be good, too.

SJF: Any memorable live performance experiences (or other), and why?

NLC: Anthony Hopkins in Equus.  Raw power.  I was sitting in the front row and I was certain that Anthony Hopkins delivered his monologue to me.  Which is how great actors make you feel…

I also saw a recent production of The Normal Heart at the Diversionary Theatre that about ripped mine out of my chest.  I can’t remember being so deeply struck by anything like that in a long time.  Really visceral.  The play is about the A.I.D.S. crisis hitting in the 80s in San Francisco.  My sister was a Chaplain at San Francisco General at that time, and I recall vividly our conversations about what they were seeing then.  About all the men who were dying.  She saw it firsthand.  The production, directed by Kim Strassberger and Claudio Raygoza was superb.

Many thanks,  Hedges and Nancy for giving us a peek into your lives! It’s been a pleasure interviewing you! 

The Geeze & Me

What if there was a musical – simultaneously serious and hilarious, that explores the wild ride of life’s later years, addressing the good, the bad and the ugly of aging? The Geeze & Me is a musical production about the aging process, upsides and down. The World Premiere of The Geeze & Me will be presented in San Diego, March 31 – April 29 at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center.

The Geeze & Me Production/Creative Team includes: Original Music/Lyrics by Hedges Capers and Book written by Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers. Produced and Directed by Nancy Locke Capers. Musical Direction by Will (B.J.) Robinson,  Choreography by Joanne Lovejoy,  Sound & Video by Joe Huppert, Costume Design by Max Cadillac, Lighting Design by Cynthia Bloodgood,Script Consultant Dilip Jeste, M.D., and Danielle K. Glorioso, L.C.S.W., in consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging at UCSD,  PR/Media/Press by Susan J. Farese, SJF CommunicationsCasting by Samuel Warren & Associates, ,  with Brendan Hill as Assistant Director and Beonica Bullard as Stage Manager.

THE GEEZE AND ME CAST: Devlin (Kay), Hedges Capers (David), Kent Brisby (Bob), Byron La Due (Howard), Gabriela Nelson (Sherry), Jesse MacKinnon (Dwight), Lorraine Devon Wilke (Helen), Lolly Boroff (Mrs. Dingler), Susan Benninghoff (Miranda),  Kiera Mersky (Bobbi & Margo), Lauren Preski (Margret), Erin Vanderhyde (Homeless),  Susie Singer Carter (Science & Ginger) and Scotty Billion (Undertaker).

The Geeze & Me is a funny, irreverent, and poignant show about surviving aging. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by electric choreography and state of the art projections. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse

TICKET LINK

THE GEEZE & ME Promo Video

The Geeze & Me is thrilled to give back! Over 50 % of proceeds from ticket sales of The Geeze & Me will be donated to the following charities: Path, A New PathThe Unbattle Project and  The Center LGBT Senior Services as well as the UCSD Center for Healthy Aging

What audience patrons of The Geeze & Me staged readings are saying:

“So life-affirming. Even just seeing a reading was fantastic. Look forward to seeing it mounted!”

“…the story, writing, and music are stunning.”

“…intimate dialectic you achieved between characters/story/music is amazing. So well done!  Really smart.”

“…your inclusion of socio-scientific-political realities re: aging and society are never forced, always brief, and work. This is very hard to do. But you did it.”

“I’m in awe of the music/lyrics…”

Methusalah said, “It’s the best musical I’ve seen in 800 years!”

TICKET LINK

General Admission tickets are $30: http://www.sdartstix.com/the-geeze-and-me/ or http://www.thegeezeandme.com. For Group Discount rate ($20 for 10 or more) contact thegeezeandme@yahoo.com or call 858-232-9696. 

SCHEDULE: Previews/Pay what you can with a cast talkback following the preview performances March 29 & 30th. Performances: March 31 – April 29, Thursdays at 7:30  p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees  at 2:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: The Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave, San Diego 92101

For press info, interviews, photos or press comps, please contact: Susan J. Farese,

SJF Communications: 408-398-5940 sjfcommunications@gmail.com or thegeezeandme@yahoo.com.  LIKE The Geeze & Me on Facebook; FOLLOW The Geeze & Me on TWITTER,  FOLLOW The Geeze & Me on Instagram

Feel free to subscribe, like, comment, & share!

Thank you for visiting SJF Communications!

 

Rag Lady Productions Announces World Premiere of ‘The Geeze & Me’- March 31 – April 29, 2017

Original Musical Brings Humor

to the Truth about Aging…

 

WE GET HAPPIER

with the World Premiere of

THE GEEZE & ME

March 31 – April 29, 2017

Tenth Avenue Arts Center, San Diego

TICKET LINK

What if there was a musical – simultaneously serious and hilarious, that explores the wild ride of life’s later years, addressing the good, the bad and the ugly of aging?

Rag Lady Productions is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of THE GEEZE & ME, a new musical featuring a troupe of baby boomers who sing, dance, and hobble their way through issues of retirement, mobility, and more. At THE TENTH Avenue Arts Center downtown, San Diego, March 31st through April 29th 

THE GEEZE & ME Production/Creative Team includes: Original Music/Lyrics by Hedges Capers and Book written by Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers. Produced and Directed by Nancy Locke Capers. Musical Direction by Will (B.J.) Robinson,  Choreography by Joanne Lovejoy,  Sound & Video by Joe Huppert,  Costume Design by Max Cadillac, Lighting Design by Cynthia Bloodgood, Script Consultants Dilip Jeste, M.D., and Danielle K. Glorioso, L.C.S.W., in consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging,  PR/Media/Press by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications,  Casting by Samuel Warren & Associates, ‘Invisible People’ portrait by Artist Neil Shigley with Brendan Hill as Assistant Director and Beonica Bullard as Stage Manager.

THE GEEZE & ME is a funny, irreverent, and poignant show about surviving aging. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by electric choreography and state of the art projections. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse group of people. Think “Hair,” after it’s gone…THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF BEWARE OF US! 

THE GEEZE & ME Promo Video

Creative Team

Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers

HEDGES CAPERS – (Music/Lyrics and Book; Playing David, Soap-boxer and Beat Poet)  Capitol Records recording artist, singer/songwriter with 8 albums as Hedge & Donna in the late 60’s, early 70’s. A&M staff songwriter. Actor- Title role in The Legend of Hillbilly John. Hundreds of clubs and concerts internationally including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, National Arts Center. Every television variety show of the late 60’s (Smothers Brothers, Mike Douglas, the Tonight Show and more.)  He later became a Marriage and Family Clinical Counselor, a behavioral consultant and patent holder in the corporate sphere.

Quote from Hedges Capers: “Have you ever done what you wanted in life? If you have, hats off to you. If not, best get busy…living the gift.”- Hedges Capers

NANCY LOCKE CAPERS (Producer, Director, Co-wrote Book) a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, SAG, CAMFT.  After 25 years in the film industry as an actress in film (Pretty Woman & 23 film projects), TV, commercials, and theater, as well as theatre producer & director, screenwriter (having one co-written script produced by an independent film company and another bought by Paramount Studios and in development for 2 years.)  Capers returned to school and passed the boards to become a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in La Jolla for almost two decades.   She also worked as a behavioral consultant in the corporate sphere, both domestically and abroad.

Quote from Nancy Locke Capers: “We both have performing, script writing, show biz backgrounds, so it’s a delight to be able to create a meaningful/hilarious project about aging which we’re both experiencing.  Can’t wait to open the show!”- Nancy Capers

Meet THE GEEZE & ME Creative Team/Crew

 

WILL (BJ) ROBINSON (Musical Director) is a musician, educator, composer, director, and performer, BJ has worked with the vocal dept. of Southwestern College since 2009; is host of KPBS Spectrum (airing every Saturday at 5:30PM), a program about arts and culture in San Diego; serves as baritone soloist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hillcrest since 2010 and as an instructor/music director for J*Company Youth Theater since 2012. Composed original scores for San Diego-based short films (Mustang Love, The Fad and Furriest: A Documentary) with Cane Toad Productions, starred in short film Meetchu In Machu Picchu: A Musical Journey, by Larry Zieger. The voice of a character in the soundtrack to Dinner for God, a novel & CD by Rayme Sciaroni. In addition to having a private vocal studio, BJ is a vocal instructor at Francis Parker School and a frequent guest performer with the music ministry at the University of San Diego.

JOANNE LOVEJOY (Choreographer) Dancer, teacher, choreographer. As a teen Joanne performed along side the Bright Side Singers in Bob Hope’s USO shows in California; singer and dancer for Cabaret Review” produced by On The Town Productions, numerous productions with the Rhythm-Aire Players, including Rhythm is our Business and Final Encore. She choreographed Annie and Little Shop of Horrors at the Lyceum. For the past twelve years she has been on the teaching staff at several local dance studios including S.D. Danceworks and Culture Shock Dance Center. Please see more at: https://www.metrodancesd.com/joanne-lovejoy/.

JOE HUPPERT (Sound and Video Designer) Previously at San Diego Repertory Theater, The Oldest Boy (Craig Noel Award). Other local video designs include This Wonderful Life for North Coast Rep, Glengarry Glen Ross for La Jolla Playhouse and The Elephant Man with Backyard Renaissance. As sound designer, shows include Blueprints to Freedom, Peter and the Starcatchers (La Jolla Playhouse); Scott Joplin, Extraordinary Chambers, Yellow Face, Stick Fly, Kita Y Fernanda, 26 Miles (Mo’Olelo); Urinetown, Over the Tavern, King O’ The Moon (Mercury Theater); Mr. Burns (UCSD).

MAX CADILLAC (Costume Designer) Working on such an exciting new show brings Max the greatest joy. He recently finished costuming for 9 to 5: The Musical at San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) as well as their holiday classic White Christmas. Working closely with Janet Pitcher, he has also costumed My Fair Lady at The Welk Resort, and looks forward to continue working with Janet. Max loves all aspects of costuming and fashion, including recently modeling for San Diego Opera.  Performing throughout his home town of San Diego at Cygnet, SDMT, Moonlight, and The Welk Resort, Max is thrilled to play Lillias Pastia in San Diego Opera’s upcoming The Tragedy of Carmen, March 10-12. BFA, Musical Theatre (AMDA). A big OLD thank you to the cast and crew, his incredible geezer parents, and of course Susan Farese for making this happen.

CYNTHIA BLOODGOOD (Lighting Designer) Freelance Designer and Technician, Technical Theatre Teacher at La Jolla Country Day School, Technical Director San Diego Junior Theatre. BA from BYU, 1999.

DILIP JESTE, M.D. (Script Consultant) is a geriatric neuropsychiatrist, who specializes in successful aging, neurobiology of wisdom as well as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in older adults. He is the Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Director, UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging, Estelle and Edgar Levi Chair in Aging, and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry & Neurosciences in consultation with UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging. Watch his excellent TED Talk: http://tedmed.com/talks/show?id=526815Quote from Dilip Jeste: “It’s wonderful to see our Research turned into art.”- Dilip Jeste, M.D.

DANIELLE K. GLORIOSO (Script Consultant) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a member of the UC San Diego Division of Geriatric Psychiatry since 2001. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.

SUSAN J. FARESE (PR, Media/Press) Owner, SJF Communications in San Diego. RN, MSN, SAG-AFTRA. Provides personalized Marketing/PR/Social Media/Writing/Photography/Video Services /Coaching/Legal Nurse Consulting.  www.sjfcommunications.com

SAMUEL WARREN (Casting) Samuel Warren International Casting Services Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a Casting Society of America Member and affiliated with the Better Business Bureau http://www.samuelwarren.com/

NEIL SHIGLEY (Artist) Fox television story on Neil’s portrait of a homeless man won a 2013 Emmy. His most recent work consists of large-scale portraits of homeless people near his studio in San Diego. His work has been exhibited internationally. We are honored that he will be doing a portrait of our Homeless woman which will be on display in theatre lobby. http://neilshigley.com/

BRENDAN A. HILL (Assistant Director) BFA in Dramatic Writing from Purchase College, SUNY. Company Manager at Food for Thought Productions/Cause Celebre for 6 yrs., plays produced at Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC, semi-finalist for the O’Neill Natl. Playwrights Conference and Clubbed Thumb’s Biennial Commission. Three plays produced in Paris. Eight years in NYC theatre community receiving readings, workshops and small productions from 2012 – 2016. 

BEONICA BULLARD (Stage Manager) is completing her BA at San Diego State University in General Theater. As a stage manager, she has worked with the SDSU School of Theater, Television, and Film on shows such as Julius Caesar, Into The Woods and The BFG. Also worked with Intrepid Shakespeare Company, Quality of Life, Comic-Con and the Plays By Young Writers Festival 2015 & 2016. 

 

TICKET LINK

Meet THE GEEZE & ME Cast

THE GEEZE & ME CAST

DEVLIN  (KAY) Recently appearing in Sunday in the Park with George after years of extensive stage work and cabaret/concerts. Appeared in Into the WoodsFrankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Women Behind BarsA Christmas Carol, and The Devlin Show. Devlin will be performing in The Spitfire Grill at North Coast Repertory Theatre in May, 2017. For morehttp://www.ma4sd.com/service/devlin/.

HEDGES CAPERS  (DAVID, SOAPBOXER and BEAT POET)  formerly of Hedge & Donna  in the late 60s, Hedges performed in Carnegie Hall, the Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, on the Smothers Brothers Show and many others.  Starring in The Legend of Hillbilly John, he returns to the stage as co-author of the book and writer of all music and lyrics.

KENT BRISBY (BOB) Kent focuses mainly on original work, appearing in 2015 in The Pitch starring Paul Rodriguez and the upcoming Three Kings/Tres Reyes this holiday season. Toured nationally, appeared on more than a dozen local stages as an actor. As a playwright and director he has many more local credits, including projects at the Old Globe and San Diego Zoo. He currently serves as Artistic Director for Asian Story Theater, as well as Radio Theater for KPBS, AirStage and Radio Lunch. (Just down the street he is a co-author and director of a new play Halo-Halo at the Lyceum Space through April 9. Bring your GEEZE & ME ticket stub for discount admission).  KLBrisby.com.

BYRON LaDUE (HOWARD) Byron LaDue is a veteran performer at many San Diego area theatres, including recent productions as Paul Gauguin in Prick (San Diego Fringe Festival), Gauguin in The Musical Paul Gauguin (Asian Story Theatre), and Willum in The Nerd, (Coronado Playhouse). Byron also has notable credits at The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Rep,  and the former Starlight Theatre, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, Hahn Cosmopolitan Theatre and Marquis Theatre. Byron has a BA in Drama from San Diego State University.  Extensive improv experience. Winner of the Best Actor Atlas Award as Big Harp in Robber Bridegroom and Winner, Comedy Festival  as Duke Ladoo in The Piparoos Live at the Globe

GABRIELA NELSON  (SHERRY)  Considerable stage, screen and recording artist who has worked nationally and internationally. She’s a former 80’s icon (NBC TV series regular of KIDD VIDEO). Recent San Diego appearances include SD Rep, 10th Ave Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, Black Box Theatre, The Horton Grand and Spreckels. Gabby also writes for the Latin Performing Arts Community. 

JESSE MacKINNON (DWIGHT)  Jesse is the recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award and The San Diego Playbill Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama as Eddie Carbone in A View From The Bridge (Renaissance Theater). Other regional credits include: Jules in Sunday in the Park With George (ION Theatre); Roy Cohn in Angels In America (ION Theatre); Henry Peabody in Tobacco Road (La Jolla Playhouse); MacDuff in MacBeth (Intrepid Shakespeare); Polymester in Hecuba, (6th@Penn), Renee Gallimard in M. Butterfly (Diversionary); Horace Vandergelder Hello Dolly (Lambs Players); Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (North Coast Rep); Henri Fontannes The Magic Fire (Moonlight at the Avo); Pharoah in Aida (Starlight); Emil De Becq in South Pacific (Lambs Players); Pop in Pajama Game (Starlight); Pat Denning in 42ndStreet (Welk Theatre) and Major Ed Lansdale Dooley at Diversionary Theatre.

LORRAINE DEVON WILKE (HELEN) Writer, photographer, singer/songwriter, actress – a true “Renaissance woman” who brings the sum total of her eclectic career to everything she does, whether indie films (To Cross the Rubicon), original music Somewhere On the Way  or her Huffington Post Column. Most recently she’s put her energies into fiction: her debut novel, After The Sucker Punch, and short story, “She Tumbled Down,” were 2014 publishing successes; 2015 saw the launch of her latest novel, Hysterical Love, and her current book, A Nice White Girl, is hoping for a 2017 release. Details and info can be found http://www.Lorrainedevonwilke.com

LOLLY BOROFF (MRS. DINGLER)  Actress/writer/director, Lolly is the daughter of the late George Boroff of The Circle Theatre, and niece of Academy Award winning actress Shelley Winters. Her acting credits include the original Broadway cast of The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, films Blue Thunder and Star 80, and TV’s I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant1000 Ways To Die, and America’s Court With Judge Ross; has appeared on stage in All My SonsThe Dixie Swim Club and The Vagina Monologuesrecently directed A Long Way To Midnight, at the Lyceum Theatre. Wrote, directed and produced her first film, Think Tank. She has appeared in several commercials, and loves performing improv and stand-up.

SUSAN BENNINGHOFF  (MIRANDA) Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Susan is currently director of the legendary San Diego Playwrights development group, Scripteasers  as well as musical and stage work including the Phoenix Performing Arts Center.

KIERA MERSKY (BOBBI & MARGO) Having worked in live shows (Universal Studios), theatre productions as a dancer and actress and in commercials, Kiera received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Temple University.

LAUREN PRESKI (MARGRET) Natl. Assn of Singing Teachers – 2nd place, NC, Back to the 80sMoronga Casino, Last Chance Romance, Property of the Dallas Cowboys, Don Giovanni, Legoland – live shows, Six Flags, America – Wonder Woman.

ERIN VANDERHYDE (HOMELESS) Presently at San Diego State University (SDSU) Erin is pursuing her Bachelors of Arts Degree in General Theatre. Entertainer at Legoland. Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (SDSU), Hairspray, Godspell, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Footloose and Ragtime at Young Actors Theatre (YAT). Associates Degree in Music, Grossmont College.

SUSIE SINGER CARTER (SCIENCE & GINGER) As well as an acting history, Sue has also had success as a writer and is a talented singer as well. Also playing Ginger, here’s more about Sue:   http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802053/ Sue has recently completed shooting a short film she wrote and directed, My Mom and The Girl, with Valerie Harper and Liz Torres.

SCOTTY BILLION (UNDERTAKER) Scott became involved in music at a young age.  He sings vocals in Madman SD, a cover band for Ozzy Osborne.  He is making his acting debut in The Geeze & Me.

TICKET LINK

THE GEEZE & ME Video Promo 

THE GEEZE & ME is thrilled to give back! Over 50 % of proceeds from ticket sales of THE GEEZE & ME will be donated to the following charities: Path, A New PathThe Unbattle Project and  The Center LGBT Senior Services as well as the UCSD Center for Healthy Aging

What audience patrons of THE GEEZE & ME staged readings are saying:

“So life-affirming. Even just seeing a reading was fantastic. Look forward to seeing it mounted!”

“…the story, writing, and music are stunning.”

“…intimate dialectic you achieved between characters/story/music is amazing. So well done!  Really smart.”

“…your inclusion of socio-scientific-political realities re: aging and society are never forced, always brief, and work. This is very hard to do. But you did it.”

“I’m in awe of the music/lyrics…”

Methusalah said, “It’s the best musical I’ve seen in 800 years!”

TICKET LINK

General Admission tickets are $30, ($20 for groups of 10 or more): http://www.sdartstix.com/the-geeze-and-me/ or http://www.thegeezeandme.com.  Questions?: Contact thegeezeandme@yahoo.com or call 858-232-9696. 

SCHEDULE: Performances: March 31 – April 29, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees  at 2:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: The Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave, San Diego 92101

For press info, interviews, photos or press comps, please contact:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications: 408-398-5940 sjfcommunications@gmail.com or thegeezeandme@yahoo.com.

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