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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009
Contact: Craig Shafer
publicity@pcpa.org
805-928-7731, 4100
PCPA THEATERFEST
TO PRESENT
PCPA’s blockbuster 45th anniversary season continues with William Shakespeare’s enchanted romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Playing in the Marian Theatre February 12 through March 1, this rhyming romp balances the discontents of civilization with the enlightening and transformative power of imagination where two pair of Athenian lovers cross into the woodland fairy world. It’s a delightful fantasy reveling in, and revealing that, “the course of true love never did run smooth.”
The cast is lead by PCPA’s Artistic Director Mark Booher in the role of Oberon and includes PCPA’s Resident Artists Michael Jenkinson as Demetrius, Vanessa Ballam as Helena, Peter S. Hadres as Puck, Andrew Philpot as Peter Quince, Corey Jones as Nick Bottom, Elizabeth Stuart as Titania, and Colum Parke Morgan as Theseus.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by Patricia M. Troxel with scenic design by Andrew Layton, costume design by Misti Bradford, lighting design by Jennifer “Z” Zornow, sound design by Monica Falatic, and Aleah Van Woert is the stage manager.
Synopsis
Helena loves Demetrius who loves Hermia who loves Lysander. Egeus, Hermia's father, wants Hermia to marry Demetrius. So Hermia and Lysander escape to the forest to elope and are followed by Demetrius with Helena hot on his heels.
In the forest, the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, are quarreling. Oberon instructs Puck to bring him a flower that contains magic that when anointed to one’s eyes, upon awakening, that person will fall in love with the first thing he or she sees. He intends it for Titania, but then happens to see Helena being rudely denounced by Demetrius and hopes to set their love right. Puck, however, mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and having been doused with the magic flower awakes to see Helena with whom he quickly falls in love.
There is also a band of thespians to be found in the forest rehearsing a play they intend to present to the Duke on his wedding day. Puck has fun with one of the actors by transforming him into an otherworldly beast and seeing to it that Titania will awake and fall in love with the mortal. In the end, all is sorted out, as true love - most assuredly - prevails.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is considered the Bard’s most magical and romantic comedy. Besides an untold number of stage productions over the last three centuries, it has spawned no fewer than 17 film productions for TV and the silver screen. A 1935 epic production featured a young Mickey Rooney as the spritely Puck, while the more recent, 1999 production, featured Calista Flockhart, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Kevin Kline as Bottom. Even Disney adapted a short starring Mickey Mouse as Lysander, Minnie Mouse as Hermia, Donald Duck as Demetrius, and Daisy Duck as Helena. Shakespeare’s story has also sparked the imaginations of composers and choreographers including Felix Medelssohn and Marius Petipa, respectively, and an operatic production which was composed in 1960 with music by Benjamin Britten and libretto by Britten and Peter Pears.
PCPA’s staging will have a uniquely mysterious and elegant charm about it. India is the inspiration for the design team which will weave an intricate and rich environment for Shakespeare’s characters to play in, as they deliver some of the most exquisite poetry ever penned.
Coming to PCPA Theaterfest this March is InterPlay: The Stage Between, a festival of new plays in a reading format March 6 – 15. (Mature language/themes.)
Titles include: Evie's Waltz, a new play by Carter W. Lewis. Amidst a family crisis, Gloria and Clay’s life is about to go from bad to worse. Their son was suspended today for having a gun at school which he and his girlfriend – Evie – bought on the Internet. During a backyard barbecue Evie shows up unexpectedly with blood on her shoulder and a gunshot rings out.
"A tense, frightening thriller, that dredges up provocative issues about life in 21st-century America." —SF Examiner
Also, Iron Kisses, by James Still. Alternately heartbreaking and funny, Iron Kisses is about the mysteries of family and about how the roles we play are as inescapable as they are comfortable. It's about people doing the best they can, how families evolve, how they grow up, and how they can surprise us - if we let them.
"It's heartbreakingly funny and tenderly observant, yet wise and complex. By the end, we inherently know 'Happiness is what you can bear.'" —Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Next up; PCPA proudly presents Les Misérables. One of the greatest musicals of all time, it’s based on Victor Hugo’s landmark novel about social change and political revolution in 19th century France. It will play in Santa Maria’s Marian Theatre April 9 through May 10 then in Solvang’s Festival Theater June 5 through July 12. Boublil and Schonber’s musical is a powerful examination of justice, change and redemption. (Recommended for 12 years and up.)
Coming this summer is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Where else could six young people struggling with puberty stand out and fit in at the same time? The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, of course. This momentous spelling championship pits the quirkiest collection of heroes against one another in the unlikeliest of hit musicals. In this charming challenge, the contestants learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. It plays June 19 – July 11 in Santa Maria before transferring to Solvang to play July 17 – August 2. (Recommended for 12 years and up.)
Also this summer is the family musical, 76-trombones strong, celebrating Midwestern American traditions and foibles. Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man features con man Professor Harold Hill who plans on cleaning up the pool halls in River City by replacing them with a wholesome marching band, or so he wants us to believe. Marian Theatre performances are July 17 through August 1, then August 7 – 23 in Solvang.
In a musical story of hope, hearth, and home, The Spitfire Grill is a young woman’s search for redemption. This prize-winning quintessential American musical fuses a poignant story of reawakening with country, bluegrass, and Broadway musical traditions. The music and book by James Valcq and lyrics by Fred Alley were inspired by the 1996 Lee David Zoloff film of the same name. The Spitfire Grill plays August 7 – 23 in the Marian Theatre, then August 28 – September 13 in the Festival Theater.
Distracted by Lisa Loomer is a modern comedy cleverly exploring parenting, analysis, and the struggle to maintain focus in this era of confusion, the Internet, and Ritalin. The story follows a mother’s interactions with teachers, therapists, and neighbors as she and her husband attempt to determine if her son’s problems are rooted in ADD. Distracted plays in the Severson Theatre, Santa Maria, August 28 – September 20. (Mature language and themes.)
In addition to single tickets, a number of season ticket – subscription– plans are available starting with a 4-play Choose Your Own series, and on up to an 8-play series. Subscribers get the best seats and lowest prices and can also purchase unlimited single tickets at their subscriber rate. (Les Misérables is limited to 2 additional tickets per subscriber at their rate). And they’ll save big this season. By taking advantage of their low subscription ticket rate, they can attend the special engagement of Les Misérables for 30% off the regular ticket price.
Visit the box office or phone (805) 922-8313 between 1 and 7pm Wednesday through Sunday to sign up for season tickets, or view the plans online at www.pcpa.org.
Information about Group Sales for 12 or more patrons may be obtained by contacting groups@pcpa.org or by calling 1-800-922-2123.
Now in its 45th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast’s Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused the national theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory.
Just the facts:
What:
PCPA Theaterfest presents William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When:
February 12, 2009 – March 1, 2009
(Feb. 12 & 13, preview performances)
Where:
Marian Theatre, Santa Maria, CA
on the Allan Hancock College campus.
800 S. College Dr.
Santa Maria Performances:
Matinees 2pm (Wed, Sat, Sun)
Evenings 7pm (Fri & Sat & Thur Preview)
Santa Maria Ticket Prices:
$26.25 - $28.25 for adults; discounts for children, students, seniors and preview performances.
Box Office: (805) 922-8313, hours from 1 to 7pm Wednesday - Sunday.
(closed Monday and Tuesday unless there is a Tuesday performance)
Online tickets and information: www.pcpa.org
Photos, calendar, casting, and notes on the production are posted at this link.
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