Presenting professional theatre since 1964 in Santa Maria and since 1974 in Solvang, PCPA Theaterfest, The Central Coast’s only resident professional theatre company, is proud to present a block buster anniversary season of old favorites, new works, and of course the most popular musical of all time, Les Misérables.
The summer season begins with the re-mount of Les Misérables following its triumphant run in Santa Maria.
It’s the journey of a man devoid of hope after serving 19 years in prison. He breaks parole to begin a new life while being pursued for the next 20 years by Inspector Javert.
Under the direction of Roger DeLaurier, it features TV/Film/Broadway actor Sam Zeller in the leading role of Jean Valjean and a Central Coast favorite, Erik Stein, as the relentless Inspector Javert. Also featured are Elizabeth Stuart and Andrew Philpot as the Thenardiers, and Michael Jenkinson as Marius. The gripping score includes“One Day More,” “I Dreamed A Dream,” “Stars,” and “Do You Hear The People Sing?”
“Prepare to be moved to tears,” wrote Tom Jacobs of the Santa Barbara News Press, adding, “Sam Zeller is a compelling Valjean; he conveys the tormented character’s anguish while successfully navigating the part’s enormous vocal demands. Erik Stein is an equally impressive Javert, portraying the character as tightly wound rather than overtly sinister.”
Les Misérables plays in the outdoor Festival Theatre June 11 through July 12. Following many sold out performances in Santa Maria, it’s recommended to purchase tickets early.
(Recommended for ages 12 and up)
The three following shows of the anniversary season will first open in Santa Maria and then transfer to the outdoor Festival Theater in Solvang, beginning with the new Tony Award-winning musical, 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.
Time magazine called it “The joy of nerdiness;” “Funniest thing in seven consonants,” raved The Washington Post.
At each performance four audience volunteers will be able to match their spelling skills against the cast on stage insuring a unique evening of theater, night after night. The production runs under two hours without intermission.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee plays in the Marian Theatre from June 19 through July 11, and then performs in Solvang from July 17 through August 2.
The cast includes Bree Murphy (Hot Mikado) as Rona Lisa Peretti, Kiera O’Neil (Ragtime) as Olive Ostrovsky, and former resident artist Eric Bishop as Vice Principal Panch; it’s directed by Roger DeLaurier.
(Recommended for ages 12 and up)
Next up is the family pleasing musical, 76 trombones strong, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.
Resident artist Michael Jenkinson makes his directorial debut and also serves as choreographer assisted with musical direction by Brad Carroll (Hot Mikado). Featured is resident artist Andrew Philpot as Professor Harold Hill who plans on cleaning up River City by forming a boys marching band. Also featured are Erik Stein as Marcellus Washburn, Elizabeth Stuart as Mrs. Shinn, Kitty Balay Genge as Mrs. Paroo and Corey Jones as Charlie Cowell.
The Music Man was the sensation of Broadway when it opened in 1957 and went on to score five Tony Awards including Best Musical (beating out West Side Story). Grammy winning songs include, “Till There Was You,” “76 Trombones,” “Pick-A-Little,” and what started out as dialogue and became the show-stopping tuner, “You’ve Got Trouble.”
The MusicMan plays in the Marian Theatre from July 17 through August 1 then in the Festival Theater from August 7 through the 23th.
Based on the popular movie by David Zlotoff, The Spitfire Grill comes to the stage as a delightful musical brimming with Americana charm infused with Bluegrass and Broadway musical traditions. The folksy score propels its story of hope and redemption with such tunes as “Something’s Cooking at the Spitfire Grill,” “Coffee Cups and Gossip,” and “Into the Frying Pan.”
Percy, a young woman looking for a new beginning in a small Mid-West town, will be played by guest artist Lexy Fridell (Avenue Q, Finding Nemo), also Phoebe Moyer (Last Night at Ballyhoo) as Hannah, Michael Jenkinson as Joe, and Colum Parke Morgan as Caleb. It’s directed by Valerie Rachelle.
The L.A. Times wrote, “This tale of renewal is like a pair of arms, waiting to wrap its audience in a hug.” The Spitfire Grill plays August 7 through the 23rd in Santa Maria, then August 28 through September 13 in Solvang.
The 2009 summer season closes in Santa Maria with a new play by Lisa Loomer, Distracted, directed by Patricia M. Troxel.
Amid a whirlwind of distractions, the play is alternately, funny, touching, sad, and wonderful. A mother wants to do what’s right for her son and must decide between all the advise she’s offered, and wonders if medicating him is the answer. The play explores parenting, analysis, and the struggle to focus in an era of confusion, the Internet, and Ritalin. It premiered in Los Angeles in 2007 and made its Off-Broadway debut this past February.
Distracted plays only in the Severson Theatre on the Allan Hancock College Campus, August 28 through September 20.
(Contains adult language)
Tickets for Summer 2009 are on sale now. Call 805-922-8313 between 1 and 7pm Wednesday through Sunday, or purchase tickets online anytime 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-PCPA-123. The Solvang Festival Theater Box Office opens on June 3 with regular hours Wednesday through Sunday, 4 to 7pm, and on Tuesdays with performances.
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. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the Solvang Festival Theater.
Just the facts:
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What: PCPA Theaterfest presents Les Misérables
When: June 11 – July 12, 2009
Where: Festival Theater, Solvang, CA
420 2nd St.
Times: Evening Performances Tuesday – Sunday, 8pm
Tickets: $36.00 - $39.75 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
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What: PCPA Theaterfest presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
When: June 19 – July 11, 2009
Where: Marian Theatre, Santa Maria, Ca
On the Allan Hancock College campus
800 S. College Dr
Times: Matinees 2pm (Wed, Sat, Sun)
Evenings 7pm (Fri, Sat, & select Thursdays)
Tickets: $26.25 - $28.25 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
When: June 17 – August 2, 2009
Where: Festival Theater, Solvang, CA
420 2nd St.
Times: Evening Performances Tuesday – Sunday, 8pm
Tickets: $29.25 - $33.00 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
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What: PCPA Theaterfest presents The Music Man
When: July 17 – August 1, 2009
Where: Marian Theatre, Santa Maria, Ca
On the Allan Hancock College campus
800 S. College Dr
Times: Matinees 2pm (Wed, Sat, Sun)
Evenings 7pm (Fri, Sat, Thursdays)
Tickets: $26.25 - $28.25 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
When: August 7 – August 23, 2009
Where: Festival Theater, Solvang, CA
420 2nd St.
Times: Evening Performances Tuesday – Sunday, 8pm
Tickets: $29.25 - $33.00 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
____________
What: PCPA Theaterfest presents The Spitfire Grill
When: August 7 – August 23, 2009
Where: Marian Theatre, Santa Maria, Ca
On the Allan Hancock College campus
800 S. College Dr
Times: Matinees 2pm (Wed, Sat, Sun)
Evenings 7pm (Fri, Sat, select Thursdays)
Tickets: $26.25 - $28.25 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
When: August 28 – September 13, 2009
Where: Festival Theater, Solvang, CA
420 2nd St.
Times: Evening Performances Wednesday – Sunday, 8pm
Tickets: $29.25 - $33.00 for adults;
discounts for children, students, seniors, and preview performances.
____________
What: PCPA Theaterfest presents Distracted
When: August 28 – September 20, 2009
Where: Severson Theatre, Santa Maria, Ca
On the Allan Hancock College campus
800 S. College Dr
Times: Matinees 2pm (Wed, Sat, Sun)
Evenings 7pm (Fri, Sat, select Thursdays)
Tickets: $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, open for Tuesday performances)
Online tickets and information: www.pcpa.org |
