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.