Scott Denison

The Show Must Go On

April 6, 2010 by Scott Denison

In this world, there’s ‘nice to know’ and ‘need to know’ and right now you need to know that the arts are doing well at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, but we, along with many others, have our budget challenges. The one thing we can all count on is that the shows must and will go on!

Center REP continues to garnish rave reviews for their current season with the opening of Michael Frayn’s hilarious play, Noises Off (April 1-May 1). This has got to be the funniest play ever written! Depicting the onstage and backstage antics of a fifth-rate acting troupe, it’s a sidesplitting symphony of ‘Seven slamming doors, one breaking window, 10 trips up and down stairs, 17 false entrances, 46 miscues, 22 double entendres, six regular entendres and a million laughs!” The brilliant Ms. Timothy Near has directed a stellar all-star cast in this ultimate backstage farce that will leave you wanting to come back for more.

In another not to be missed production, director Jennifer Perry joins forces with CCMT, musical director Karl Pister to bring vibrant life to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway favorite Oklahoma! (Through April 25) In fact, when CCMT polled their season subscribers, this was the show that rose to
the top for, “Yes, we want to see this!” productions. Sparked by the rivalry between cowhands and farmers this touching musical rides the bumpy road to new life in a brand new state and is a glorious reminder of just how life enhancing a musical can be. Over six decades ago, Oklahoma! caught the imagination
of wartime America, and in these current times, this great American musical is once again dazzling LCA audiences with breathtaking storytelling and joyous dancing and singing that will get your toes tapping and hands clapping time and time again.

Run, don’t walk, to get tickets to both of these illuminating productions! While at Center Tickets you can also pick up new season brochures for upcoming productions. The 2010-2011 Seasons have been announced and are ready for your viewing and selection. Center REP, CCMT, DTC and the Lesher Speaker Series subscription brochures are out and ready for you. You can also go to www.lesherartscenter.org for more information.

If you know of any young actors from 13 to 25 who are interested in studying theatre in the professional atmosphere of the Lesher Center, go to youngrep.org and learn more about Center REP’s Young REP Theatre Training Program (June 21-August 5). Now in its 37th year, this nationally recognized program offers a variety of classes and performance workshops for the more serious minded acting student. Center REP Education Directors Jeffrey Draper and Kerri Shawn are currently interviewing students through the end of May for placement in the 2010 Young REP Summer Workshop.

For more information or to purchase tickets call (925) 943-SHOW or visit us online at www.lesherARTScenter.org.

Good Theatre “Marches” On in March at Lesher

March 4, 2010 by Scott Denison

The most famous groundhog of all, Punxsutawney Phil, informed us this year that we would have six extra weeks of winter, but by mid-March spring should be upon us! So here we are, heading into the third month of this New Year and the Lesher Center for the Arts is busier than ever bursting forth with great events for people of all ages in each of the LCA’s three theatres.

With Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble presenting their classic family treat, The Wizard of Oz (Mar.5-7) and Ken Bergmann back with his smashing spectacle of drums, cowbells, chairs and a cymbal clanging monkey, Percussion Discussion (Mar. 9-13); family entertainment at it’s best will ring true for the young and young at heart all month long. Both of these productions will bring inspiration and joy to you and your children! March also brings great artists to the Center presenting several evening shows that will awaken your winter spirits and usher you gloriously into spring. Beginning with California Symphony’s Virtuosity (March 7-9) and In The Mood (Mar16) celebrating the 1940’s Big Band music in a rip roaring theatrical review, you will have much to look forward to in the days ahead.

Mark your calendars for a very special guest to arrive on March 19th! George Komsky from America’s Got Talent and Riverdance fame will return home from Hollywood to perform a live solo concert for the first time before his hometown audience. A night of opera, pop-opera, and musical surprises including classics such as Barber of Seville, The Elixir of Love and selections from Tosca will color your evening and pull you into a grand celebration of life, and timeless music. A portion of all proceeds from this show will be donated to the Wheelchair Foundation.

In the Knight Stage 3, Onstage Theatre will present a new play by Dean Harris, Glorious Sunset (Mar.5-28). Helen Means will direct this tale of love, betrayal and murder and it is a century old mystery only you can solve! On March 26th, CCMT will open with the great American musical, Oklahoma! (Mar. 26-Apr.25) The Rodgers and Hammerstein score includes such favorites as “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, “People Will Say We’re in Love”, and “The Surrey with the Fringe on the Top.”

Again, vibrant family entertainment reminding us just how life enhancing live theatre can be! Be sure to stop by Center Tickets to pick up the new 2010-2011 season brochures for all of the producing organizations that call the LCA their home. Purchasing season tickets offer many benefits including a guarantee of great seating in all three of our venues at the LCA in the months and year ahead.

For more information about any of the productions mentioned above or about the arts in general at the Lesher Center for the Arts go to www.lesherartscenter.org or call Center Tickets at (925) 943-SHOW. See you at the theatre!

A Mighty Oak Indeed

February 1, 2010 by Scott Denison

centered_arts — Lesher Center for the Arts

In the fall of this New Year we will celebrate the 20th birthday of the Lesher Center for the Arts. I am reminded of a thought by James Hillman that was batted around in the early stages of the planning of the Center, “Inside the acorn, one finds the image of the oak tree that it is destined to become.” It takes time, imagination, faith and a lot of hard work by many people for dreams to come true and all of these many years later it is evident that the LCA has certainly grown into a magnificent oak tree to harbor the arts.

With close to 900 events already booked in all three venues for 2010, we will start the New Year off with a bang! The months ahead will bring you great entertainment that will be thought provoking, moving and absolutely delightful. To begin with, Center REP has opened the second half of their current season to rave reviews with both Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree (thru Feb. 27) and Caryl Churchill’s A Number (thru Feb. 7). Hailed by the New York Times as “instantly engaging” and “a thoroughly persuasive transport to an exotic place and time, The Syringa Tree is a one woman tour de force for award winning actress Shannon Koob. This evocative story, directed by Michael Evan Haney, was the winner of the 2001 Obie Award for Best Play of the Year. Center REP is thrilled to bring this unforgettable night in the theatre to our Lesher Theatre audiences.

In the Knight Stage 3, James Carpenter and Gabriel Marin, two of the bay area’s favorite actors, are acting up a storm in A Number, the first true play of the 21st century. Directed by Center REP Artistic Director, Michael Butler, Churchill’s play asks the audience, “What would you do if you had cloned a child 35 years earlier and now the past is posing some very tough questions.”

This Valentine month is also ready to engage you in a great whodunit musical comedy in the Hofmann Theatre. DTC is proud to present Kander and Ebb’s Tony Award winning Curtains through February 28th. Starring Tom Reardon and featuring a talented ensemble, this DTC musical is directed by Daren A.C.Carollo and will tell the tale of the misadventures of wise-cracking producers, leggy chorus girls, star-struck gangsters and one lovable detective.

For more information about these great shows and upcoming productions in the months that follow call Center Tickets at (925) 943-SHOW or visit our website at www.lesherartscenter.org. Take time out to enjoy a terrific dinner at one of our many remarkable downtown Walnut Creek restaurants, and start your year off by joining us at the LCA. We look forward to ringing in the New Year with you. See you at the Center!

Shellie, and More, Return to Lesher

January 8, 2010 by Scott Denison

The great philosopher, Joseph Campbell wrote, “When the world seems to be falling apart, the rule is to hang onto your own bliss. It’s that life that survives.” As we start a new year it is this thought that rings loud and clear, as the many producing organizations at the Lesher Center color the dates in the 2010 calendar and begin again.

Art mirrors life and artists use their creative energy to help us embrace our everyday lives with all the struggles and the glory with more clarity, empathy, and understanding. Whatever happens and wherever the way of the world takes us, theatre artists are joyous and resilient and it is with great pleasure that they continue on year after year, season after season.

Saturday, January16th will mark the 31st Annual Shellie Awards honoring outstanding achievement in the performing arts for this past year. Actors, directors, designers and producers will gather together at the LCA to celebrate the fine work of thirteen vibrant producing organizations in Contra Costa County. If you are a theatre lover, beginning at 7:30pm in the Hofmann Theatre, the 31st Annual Shellie Awards is your opportunity to attend a stellar event that will be dazzling!

This super evening is open to the general public. Come and cheer on your favorite theatre companies and performers, including: Center REPertory Company, Contra Costa Christian Theatre, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company, Galetean Players Ensemble Theatre, Pittsburg Community Theatre, The Vagabond Players, Willows Theatre Company, Butterfield 8 Theatre Company, Diablo Actors Ensemble, Onstage Theatre, Role Players Ensemble, and Town Hall Theatre Company. Tickets are now on sale. Come and join in our Bay Area version of the Tony Awards!

January also cheers on Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation at the LCA on January 8th with Prodigies for Pets at 7:30pm. Please join Tony and the Doobie Brothers’ Marc Russo as they present talented young artists with finalists from ARF’s youth talent search. Many of these young artists will perform alongside Russo, donating their performances to support ARF’s lifesaving programs.

On January 9th at 7pm, Tony will add to his annual celebration by bringing us ARF’s 19th anniversary of Stars to the Rescue. This fabulous show is filled with music and entertainment will include Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes, rising country music singer David Nail, stand-up comic Chaz Elsner and the Phantom of the Opera’s Tim Gleason, plus more surprises. These great January events have become favorite annual traditions at the LCA and we hope to see you there.

As this month comes to a close, Center REP is proud to present the 2001 Obie Award Winner of Best Play of the Year, Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree.(Jan. 28-Feb. 27). This remarkable, powerful play performed by one amazing actress, Shannon Koob, playing 28 roles, will greatly entertain you as well as touch your heart deeply. Center REP assures you that Ms. Koob’s tour de force performance will be a highlight of your 2010.

Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year for us all! For more information or to purchase tickets call (925) 943-SHOW or visit us online at www.lesherARTScenter.org.

Happy Holidays

December 10, 2009 by Scott Denison

December welcomes a crisp and exciting time of year at the Lesher Center for the Arts. With glistening lights, glorious music and a huge decorated Christmas tree in our Hofmann lobby, you and your family will love spending time with us all throughout the holiday season. There is something for everyone to enjoy and all three theatres in the Center are alive with great entertainment for all ages.

Perhaps Charles Dickens said it best, “There seems a magic in the very name of Christmas.” We have certainly felt that magic these past weeks in the rehearsal hall for Center REP’s A Christmas Carol (Dec. 10-20). Back for its twelfth year, this engaging holiday classic is better than ever brimming with music, dance, love, laughter, spectacular special effects and scary ghosts! It’s no wonder critics call it “THE Christmas Carol to see!” Center REP’s cast and crew have made it a holiday tradition to join together year after year to recreate the glory of this favorite Dickens’s tale and whether you are joining us once again or for the very first time, you will be spellbound by this great theatrical adventure. Along with Mr. Scrooge, the Fezziwigs, Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, this season will once again decorate your lives with hospitality, merriment and openheartedness.

The Lesher Center has close to one hundred dazzling events to warm your winter days and nights in the weeks ahead. If you love the story of the Velveteen Rabbit, you won’t want to miss The Galatean Players Ensemble’s joyful production of Whiskers (Dec. 11-19). Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble will delight the young and young at heart with their family favorite, The Biggest Gift (Dec. 18-20). Strung brightly through the upcoming days at the LCA are colorful narrated ballets, beautiful vibrant symphonies, and lively Christmas concerts that will greatly enrich your end of the year celebrations.

For a full listing of the LCA’s December calendar be sure to check www.lesherARTScenter.org or call (925)943-SHOW(7469). Stop by Center Tickets at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek for more information regarding upcoming events in the New Year. Now is a perfect time to purchase gift certificates for gifts and stocking stuffers.

As this year comes to a close, we all have new hopes and dreams for better times in the days and weeks ahead. As we all sort through and tie up memories from these past months, I can’t help but echo Mr. Dickens’s once again and wish you all “wonderful parties, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity, and wonderful happiness” in the days and months ahead. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous New Year for everyone!

THE LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SCOTT DENISON, GENERAL MANAGER

Give the Gift of Theatre

November 5, 2009 by Scott Denison

The business of theatre never allows us to stand still. It is always moving from one show to the next; from one season to another. Charles Dickens, whose works inhabit the Lesher Center during these last weeks of 2009 (CCMT’s Oliver through November 7th and Center REP’s A Christmas Carol Dec. 10-20) was quoted as saying, “The voice of Time cries to man, Advance! Time is for his advancement and improvement; for his greater worth, his greater happiness, his better life.”

As we move forth into November, it is hard to believe that this current year is coming to a close so quickly, and yet we are reminded after the recent nineteenth birthday celebration for the LCA this past October, that twenty years come and go before we know it. Here we are entering our twentieth year at the Center, celebrating and supporting the arts, and there is no doubt that the LCA has improved the quality of life in our community and brought much happiness to hundreds and thousands of people over the years.

There are eighty-five organizations that produce quality entertainment at the Lesher Center throughout the year, and with the holidays around the corner it is worth noting that gift certificates are available at Center Tickets right now and make wonderful stocking stuffers and gifts for friends and family members of all ages. This month Center REPertory Company is offering two fabulous productions for your enjoyment. In the Lesher Theatre, Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama masterpiece Witness for the Prosecution is taking audiences on a nail-biting journey of suspense and twisty-plotting through November 21st. Often heralded as the Queen of Drama, Agatha Christie’s script is in the capable and talented hands of Center REP Artistic Director Michael Butler. His stellar cast including Bay Area favorites Ken Ruta, Carrie Paff, Mark Phillips and Mark Farrell will keep you guessing right up to its final hair-raising curtain!

In the Hofmann Theatre, Center REP is thrilled to present The Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. (Nov. 12-14). This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see what critics around the world have called “one of the funniest shows you are likely to see in your entire lifetime.” The original actors that made this show an international sensation will return to the Lesher Center for this three day must see production that you and your family won’t want to miss.

The ever popular Smuin Ballet Company will return Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 27-28) and will brilliantly decorate and usher in the start of the upcoming holiday season with their 2009 edition of The Christmas Ballet.

For tickets or more information about these great shows as well as all of the fine offerings at the Lesher Center through the end of this year and beyond see www.lesherARTScenter.org or call Center Tickets at (925) 943-SHOW!

THE LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SCOTT DENISON, GENERAL MANAGER