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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, May 5, 2011
Eye Street Camille Gavin CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
Artist lights up the canvas Touring, local shows crowd theaters
D
uring a preview of Monica Nelson’s solo show last week what impressed me most about her oil paintings is their radiance. She handles light in a way that creates a pleasing glow, both in her landscapes and her portraits. “I love playing with the light at different times of the day,” the artist explained, indicating a deeply shadowed desert scene of a single Joshua tree that is silhouetted against the gleaming rays of the rising sun. Nelson’s exhibit, which includes Nelson both portraits and landscapes, opens tomorrow evening at Juliana’s Art Studio and Gallery. Another distinctive feature of her work is her attention to detail. This is especially evident in four 6by-6-inch landscapes that are hung in a vertical line. The upper two show scenes along the hiking trail along the Kern River, done at midday. The lower ones reveal the freshness of the grasslands near New Cuyama late in the afternoon after a rainstorm. A Bakersfield resident for nine years, Nelson got her start at age 15 as a graphic artist in her family’s advertising company in Cincinnati. Then from 1988-90 she majored in graphic art and journalism at Kent State University and about six years ago began studying fine art with Anthony Ryder in Santa Fe, N.M., and in Los Angeles. Her exhibit can be seen at Juliana’s through May 31.
‘The Mikado’ at Rabobank I’m sure that like a lot of other Bakersfield Community Concert members I’m eager to see tonight’s production of “The Mikado” by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, or NYGASP. It’s the final show in the association’s current season and, in my view, will proba-
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAYLEIGH PEAKER
A scene from “Stage Door,” which opened last week at The Empty Space. From left: David Rock, Caroline Clark, Guinevere PH Dethlefson and James Kopp.
and Ellie Sivesind. Performances continue through May 28. CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN
Jason McClain plays the part of Franz Liebkind during a dress rehearsal of “The Producers,” which opens at the Spotlight Theatre on Friday.
Coming soon Don’t miss Camille Gavin’s look back at 75 years of the Kern women's Amateur Golf Championships, plus a preview of this year’s event.
bly be its best offering in 2010-11. But I admit I have a bias. I love both the humor and music of just about anything by Gilbert and Sullivan. And NYGASP, now in its 36th year, has a solid reputation for putting on entertaining performances. Colorful as well as comical, the operetta is filled with lively tongue-twisting lyrics and characters with such fun-to-say names like Nanki-Poo, Yum-Yum, PittiSing and Pooh-Bah. It’s set in the town of Titipu and tells the story of a wandering minstrel who falls in love with a beautiful young maiden who is engaged to someone else. After a number of twists and turns, including a pretended beheading and the revelation that the minstrel is actually the heir to the Japanese throne, all turns out well in the end.
‘Stage Door’ at The Empty Space Back in January when Bob Kempf announced auditions for
Camille Gavin’s “Arts Alive!” column appears on Thursday. Write to her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com
“Stage Door,” I questioned whether he’d be able to fill all 27 roles, especially since more than half of the characters call for females. Turns out I shouldn’t have doubted The Empty Space’s artistic director, who said at the time he didn’t foresee any problems and that his optimism stemmed from knowing “there are a lot of terrific actresses in town.” Tomorrow night the classic about Broadway wannabes written in the 1930s by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman opens with what Kempf says is the largest cast to ever fill the stage at The Empty Space. Although it’s not a musical, there is a lot of nostalgic music in the show, mainly recordings from the ’30s. Kempf said there’s also live piano music from a character called Olga Brandt, who is portrayed by Chelsea Zent, a classically trained Russian pianist who has, due to hard times, resorted to playing piano for Broadway show rehearsals. Set in a boarding house, it tells the story of young women struggling to find stage work in the midst of the Great Depression. Some find success such as dancing in a nightclub, touring in a road show or even being discovered by Hollywood. Among those starring “Stage Door” are Amy Hall, Kevin Ganger, Justin L. Brooks, Cody Ganger, Barbara Gagnon, Caroline Clark, Guinevere PH Dethlefson
Mel Brooks comedy at Spotlight Director Jarred Clowes has a personal connection to “The Producers,” which opens tomorrow at the Spotlight Theatre. “I've been a fan of the show for quite a while, and in fact owe it a debt of gratitude,” he says. “I met my wife (costume designer Kat Clowes) while working on the musical's touring production.” A zany musical, the show revolves around a pair of theatrical producers, portrayed by Alex Neal and Kenneth Whitchard, who are trying to get rich by inveigling investors to put money in a Broadway flop. In typical Brooks’ style, it features over-the-top accents, put-downs and caricatures of Hitler and the Nazis, and lots of insider jokes. Others in lead roles are Jeff Malone, Jason McClain, Carolyn Fox and John Paul Horn. The show also includes a 17-member chorus, with choreography by Marvin Ramey and vocal direction by Ashton Smith. Performances end on May 28.
Youth Theater presents ‘Midas’ The Tehachapi Youth Theater will open the curtains tomorrow evening on a nine-performance run of “The Midas King and the Miraculous Golden Touch.” Kendric Bertram plays the King in Michele L. Vacca’s play that’s inspired by an ancient Greek myth and a 19th century story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Also in the cast are Cody Steinbach, Magneto Morgan, Kennedy Caudle, Carson Bruner and Emma Grimes.
GO & DO Monica Nelson exhibit Opening reception: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday Where: Juliana’s Art Studio and Gallery, 501 18th St. Admission: Free Information: 327-7507
‘Stage Door’ When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: The Empty Space, 706 Oak St. Admission: Free, donations accepted Information: 327-7529
‘The Producers’ When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Spotlight Theatre, 1622 19th St. Admission: $20; $15, seniors and students Information: 634-0692
‘King Midas and the Miraculous Golden Touch’ When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Where: BeeKay Theatre, 110 S. Green St., Tehachapi Admission: $10 Information: 822-4037
Monica Nadon, director, said some of the young thespians in the show have gained experience by attending Tehachapi Community Theater Junior acting classes and summer drama camps.