Dear
Readers: I
hope you are able to watch some live theater from home this month, as YouTube
and Facebook are serving up numerous challenging theatrical experiences.
However, if you feel the need to get out of the house for a bit, there is a benefit
concert series starting in Ventura that you can attend in your car - and
children under 12 are FREE!
LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY: THE MUSICAL - on YouTube.
If you are locked down at home with the grandkids,
here is a charming 45-minute show, taped live at the Staten Island Children’s
Museum in 2007, that will be fun for all. Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson
Burnett (“The Secret Garden”) this is about 7-year old Cedric, a gentle
kind-hearted boy, living in New York City in 1901, who learns he is heir to the
Earldom of Dorincourt in England. When he
meets his grandfather, the Earl, his challenge is to melt the heart of this
crotchety old man who doesn’t like children! Music and lyrics are by Ralph
Martell, and I wrote and directed this production, with David Yourke as Cedric,
Nancy Yourke (who really is David’s mother) as his Mother, Richard Bartels as the
Earl, Diane Fisher-Flores as the Solicitor, and Staten Island favorite Kevin
Lobat as Mr. Hobbs. This show was made possible by a grant from the Arts
Council of Staten Island and funding from the NYC Dept of Cultural Affairs. Go
to: https://youtu.be/NmLnz_Jejug
DEAL – also on You Tube
Here is a delightfully funny and surreal
10-minute play where a housewife (Sarah Drew) is addicted to watching “The
Price is Right” and imagining herself a super winner. Meanwhile her husband
(Sean Astin) patiently humors her, until she actually makes it on to the show
with startling results. This was originally a published short story by award
winning journalist Barbara Isenberg, and director Sonia Malfa cleverly brings
it to life without changing a single word. In fact, even while keeping safe
distancing, the actors perform the story, word for word, in a creative new way
that infuses it with an infectious vitality. Produced by L.A. Theatre Works
with support from Good Company. Enjoy at: youtube.com/watch?v=o8xe86id40w&feature=youtu.be.
SAFE-DISTANCE
DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONCERT SERIES – LIVE!
Rubicon
Theatre Company patrons will be able to enjoy live 75-minute concerts from the
safety and comfort of their cars (parked 6’ apart) in the parking lot of the
Ventura County Fairgrounds. Performers from Broadway, Pop and Rock, will
perform on an elevated stage with live video projected on large screens. All
CDC guidelines are observed for attendees, singers and musicians. Artistic
Director Karyl Lynn Burns says it will be “…a cross between a drive-in
theatre experience and a live concert.”
July
6-8. Christian
Hoff and Travis Cloer celebrate the era of Drive-Ins, Muscle Cars and Music in
‘DRIVE-IN HITS’ with songs from icons such as Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers,
Smokey Robinson, Brian Wilson, Little Richard, the Beatles, Frankie Valli and
The Four seasons –for example there’s oldies - “Sherry” and “Can’t
Take My Eyes Off You.”
July
20-22. Baritone
Andrew Samonsky sings Sinatra favorites in “2 AM AT THE SANDS” with a humorous
musical trip back to Las Vegas in the late 60’s when the Rat Pack ruled. He’s
backed by a nine-piece swing band performing arrangements by Quincy Jones with
songs such as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” “Fly Me To The Moon” and “Amore”!
At
The Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor, Parking Lot A, Ventura. To buy tickets: (805)
667-2900 or www.rubicontheatre.org - they will not be available
for purchase onsite.
