An epic parable that transformed modern theatre, Bertolt Brecht’s music-filled The Chalk Circle is an inspiring tale of love, justice and sacrifice. During a violent insurrection, a young servant, Grusha, reluctantly rescues a baby abandoned by his mother, the preening wife of the Governor. Pursued through the mountains, Grusha comes to love the boy while on the adventurous quest to escape the war, and sets aside her own hopes to protect the child. After the war the Governor’s wife challenges Grusha for the child’s guardianship and the question comes to an unexpected end before Azdak, a most unusual judge. The Chalk Circle plays the intimate Severson Theatre February 15-March 11.

George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s comedy masterpiece The Man Who Came to Dinner produces belly laughs with their classic American blend of sentiment and satire, basic optimism and gleeful anarchy. Critic, wit and radio personality Sheridan Whiteside slips on an icy doorstep while dining at the Ohio home of a prominent family and injures his hip, leaving the erudite urbanite confined to the house for a six-week period. Mayhem ensues with Hollywood visitors, cockroach farms, an Egyptian mummy, a dinner with ex-convicts, love affairs and penguins. This razor sharp romp runs April 12-May 13, 2007 in the Marian Theatre.

The Summer 2007 Season will feature rotating repertory for select shows at the Solvang Festival Theater. It begins with a concert-style production of the Tony Award-winning musical Company opening on June 14. Phone rings, the door chimes and in comes Robert, a 35-year-old introspective bachelor. He muses on his friendships with five married couples whose wives crowd him and whose husbands envy him, while he explores his relationships with several girlfriends. Featuring the intelligent and acerbic humor of book-writer George Furth, Company, in Concert is a ground-breaking musical highlighted by the innovation, artistry and excitement of its Stephen Sondheim score which includes such numbers as “Another Hundred People,” “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “Being Alive.” (Adult language/Mature themes)

Oscar Wilde’s delectable wordplay and astute social satire are at the forefront of his sublime “trivial comedy for serious people,” The Importance of Being Earnest. Jack Worthing and Algernon Montcrief bend the truth of their identities in order to win their loves’ hearts by assuming the name Ernest. Gwendolyn and Cecily are certain they could never be happy married to a man who was named something other than Ernest. The dilemma triggers confusion, hilarity and the most delightful tea party in the history of theatre! This classic comedy of mis-manners plays in repertory with Company June 22 through July 14 at the Festival Theater.

A temperamental stage diva and an egotistical leading man battle it out on and off the stage in Cole Porter, Bella and Samuel Spewack’s Golden Age musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate. During a pre-Broadway tryout of a new musical based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the once married Lilli and Fred attempt civility towards each other for the production’s sake, but all too soon old passions and jealousies resurface – threatening the fledging show’s success. Cole Porter’s immortal score includes the ravishing “So in Love,” the sizzling “Too Darn Hot” and the mischievous “I’m Always True to You in My Fashion.” Kiss Me, Kate plays the Marian Theatre July 5-15, 2007 and then transfers to the Festival Theater July 20-August 12. This production will not play in repertory.

Their life-long friendship was born out of tragedy, and their struggle to cling to life itself makes for gripping theatre in the award-winning Lifeboat by Nicola McCartney. In the wake of World War II, “The City of Benares” sailed from Liverpool for Canada with 90 young evacuees trying to escape the bombings of war-torn London. During the crossing, the ship was torpedoed and sank with only 11 survivors. Lifeboat is the true story of Bess Walder and Beth Cummings, whose spirits kept one another alive while they held on to an upturned lifeboat for 19 hours. This special engagement runs July 19-28 in the Severson Theatre.

An architect’s living room, a temporary passport and an Alpine snow globe are elements of a delightful modern romance from the pen of playwright Henry (the autobiographical creation of comedic genius Tom Stoppard). Or do they hold a deeper meaning? Rich and poignantly witty, The Real Thing is an exploration of love, art, music and reconciliation in which marital infidelity leads to faithfulness, compassion and joy. This Tony Award-winning masterpiece plays the Marian Theater August 2-11 then opens at the Festival Theater August 14 and runs in repertory through September 14. (Adult language/Mature themes)

The season concludes with greed, romance and revolution over “public facilities” in the uproariously funny musical, Urinetown. In its Central Coast premiere, this Tony Award-winner for its score (Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann) and book (Greg Kotis) takes place in a Gotham-like metropolis, where a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Citizens are forced to use public amenities regulated by a single corrupt company until a hero emerges to lead the people to freedom. Songs include such cheeky gems as the title song, “Don’t Be the Bunny,” “It’s a Privilege to Pee,” and “Run Freedom, Run.” This hilariously irreverent satire runs August 17-26 at the Marian Theatre, then transfers to the Solvang Festival Theater where it runs in repertory with The Real Thing August 31-September 23. (Rated Pee-G)

2006-2007 Season Subscriptions are now on-sale. The box office opens for single ticket sales in October 18. For more information call the box office at 805-922-8313 (Wed-Sun 1-7pm) or go online at online at www.pcpa.org. Information about Groups Sales for 15 or more patrons may be obtained by contacting groups@pcpa.org or by calling 1-800-PCPA-123.

Celebrating its 43rd season, PCPA Theaterfest is 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 from its conservatory.