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Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
April 11, 2014
Performing Arts
Diablo Theatre Company takes a year off to ‘retool’ Diablo Theatre Company will not be presenting a musical season next year at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. The company, who just closed their 54th season with “Guys and Dolls” and in January were honored with six Shellie Awards including Outstanding Musical Production for “Singin’ in the Rain,” can no longer afford to produce main stage musicals at the Lesher Center. “It was a banner year for us and we are very saddened to
announce that we will not have a 2014-15 season at the Lesher Center. The costs of producing main stage shows at the Lesher Center have escalated beyond our resources, compelling us to take a year off to retool and evaluate options,” states Sherry Caraballo Dorfman, Board President. She continues, “We hope to produce on a main stage again in 2015-16.” DTC began modestly in the late 1950s with a small group of musical theater fans who wanted to produce their favorite Gilbert
and Sullivan operettas. Calling themselves Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC), the founders presented shows at Walnut Creek’s old Civic Arts Center, a converted walnutshelling house. When Walnut
Creek opened its state-of-the-art performance venue, the Lesher Center for the Arts, in 1990, DLOC became one of its anchor tenants and began mounting large-scale musical productions in the 785-seat
Tiffany Bertolami-Fong and Michael Malerba
ROSSELYN RAMIREZ dances in “Great Masters” presented by Diablo Ballet May 8-10.
A.C.T. presents haunting, musical ‘Suit’ Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble
“Cinderella,” the romantic story of a girl’s dream to find her true love comes to the Margaret Lesher stage at the Lesher Center next month when Fantasy Forum Ensemble closes their 41st season. In this adaptation with original music by Florence Denison, Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters make a hilarious attempt to marry the prince. With help from the audience, Cinderella’s fairy godmother does make dreams come true. This is an original family friendly musical
that encourages audience participation from all ages. The show runs May 1-4 with several performances each day. For performance times and ticket info call (925) 943-SHOW (7469), or go to www.leshercenter.org, or buy in person at the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office located at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek or from the ticket office at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek. Go to www.fantasyforum.org for more information on Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.
Get caught in ‘The Mousetrap’
Ron Llenado Photography.
‘THE MOUSETRAP,’ AGATHA CHRISTIE’S famous mystery, opens at the California Theater in Pittsburg on May 9.
Pittsburg Community Theatre will ask “who dunnit?” as it presents Agatha’s Christie’s “The Mousetrap.” Directed by Roberta Tibbetts and featuring PCT’s founder Betty Brown, this classic mystery will have you guessing to the very end. The story surrounds a group of strangers who are stranded in a boarding house during a snow storm, one of whom is a murderer. The suspects include the newly married couple who run the house, and the suspicions that are in their minds nearly wreck their perfect marriage. Others are a spinster with a curious background, an architect
who seems better equipped to be a chef, a retired Army major, a strange little man who claims his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist who makes life miserable for everyone. Into their midst comes a policeman, traveling on skis. He no sooner arrives, than the jurist is killed. Performed at the newly renovated California Theatre, the show is scheduled over Mother’s Day weekend May 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and May 10 and 11 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call or visit the box office at 351 Railroad Ave. (925-427-1047) Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. or visit www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
enough money to begin producing large-scale musicals again. To make a donation or for more information, please visit their website at: www.diablotheatre.org.
Diablo Ballet wraps up season with ‘Great Masters’
Fantasy Forum closes season with hilarious ‘Cinderella’
IN THIS ORIGINAL FANTASY FORUM ADAPTATION of “Cinderella,” the Fairy Godmother turns to the audience for help.
Hofmann Theatre. On its 50th anniversary, the company changed its name to Diablo Theatre Company. The company will be launching a “Back to the Main Stage” fundraiser in hopes to raise
From legendary theatrical innovators Peter Brook, MarieHélène Estienne, and Franck Krawczyk, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) presents the internationally acclaimed music-infused production, “The Suit,” April 23 through May 18. Fresh from sold-out runs in New York, Paris, and London, “The Suit” is a tragic tale of betrayal and resentment adapted from the short story of the same name by South African writer, Can Themba. When a husband catches his beautiful wife in the arms of her lover, the lover flees — but leaves his suit behind. As her penance, the husband makes his wife “treat the suit as an honored guest,” to accompany her wherever she goes. From the dinner table to walks around the neighborhood, the suit becomes a whimsical yet cruel reminder of her infidelity. Traditional African melodies
CenterREP dishes on Walnut Creek’s desperate housewives Meet Joanne, Penny, Babette, Beezus, and Lulu, “The Real Housewives of Walnut Creek.” They are the ladies who have it all. Or do they? Secrets, lies and betrayal are flowing as quickly as martinis at 1515 in the latest offering of Center Repertory Company’s Off Center Series, “The Real Housewives of Walnut Creek: The Musical.” It runs April 17 through May 11 in the Stage 3 theater at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. A World Premiere new musical by Molly Bell, who was recently starred in “Sweet Charity” last season at Center REP, this hilarious romp is inspired by the infamous reality series. Set to a rockin’ score, the new musical explores the underside of climbing the social ladder and staying ahead of the pack. “Molly Bell wowed us with ‘Becoming Britney’ and showed she has a great comedic gift for cultural observation,” says Center REP Artistic Director Michael Butler. “And as a singer/dancer/actor, she always delivers a powerhouse performance. I can’t wait to see her take on this!” All performances will be held at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 925-943-SHOW or visit www.centerrep.org.
interweave with jazz standards to underscore this simple yet surprising tale, set in Apartheidera Johannesburg. Reminiscent of “The Scarlet Letter” and overflowing with the same inventiveness as “The Overcoat” and “Brief Encounter,” “The Suit” features innovative staging that integrates virtuosic musicians directly into the action, making Brook’s haunting production of this heartbreaking fable sing. “The Suit” will perform at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater , 415 Geary Street, San Francisco. Tickets ($20 $120) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.
Diablo Ballet concludes its landmark 20th 2013-14 Season at the Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium in Walnut Creek on May 9 and with Great Masters, featuring Val Caniparoli's passionate duet, “Fade to Black,” set to the legendary songs of Nina Simone. The duet, demonstrates fireworks between a couple in a sassy, sultry and rough-love dance work. Also on the program is George Balanchine’s celebratory Concert Version of
“Who Cares?” set to the Broadway music of George Gershwin. This joyful ballet brings to the stage the exuberance of city life through swift group dances and dreamy duets. Performances are May 9 at 8 p.m. and May 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Shadelands Arts Center Auditorium, 111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 . Purchase tickets online at www.DiabloBallet.org or by calling (925) 943-1775
The Story of Indie Rock Icon Kristin Hersh comes to the Stage
Kristin Hersh’s
Adapted to the stage by Stuart Bousel
Thur., Fri., Sat., 8:00 pm. May 1-24, Tickets $15 EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St., S.F. (Two blocks from Powell St. BART)