South Valley Civic Theatre has had a remarkable year with
amazing challenges. The season began with secret passages and
mysteriously falling statues in
”
The Butler Did It
”
, which parodied every English mystery play ever written. The
second show,
”
Bugsy Malone
”
, featured the company’s young actors and was complete with
splurgers, New York gangsters and showgirls in the style of 1920s
and ’30s.
South Valley Civic Theatre has had a remarkable year with amazing challenges. The season began with secret passages and mysteriously falling statues in “The Butler Did It”, which parodied every English mystery play ever written. The second show, “Bugsy Malone”, featured the company’s young actors and was complete with splurgers, New York gangsters and showgirls in the style of 1920s and ’30s. Next came “Lil’ Abner”, showcasing outstanding acting and singing in a satirical recreation of Al Capps comic strip.
In April, the company staged the twisted fairytale, “Into the Woods”, directed by Kathy Tom. The cleverly choreographed set changes and beautifully executed musical numbers (artfully staged by Tom), has won the theater group one of three Artsopolis 2010 awards for small theater musical productions.
The company’s final production for the 2009-10 season, “The King and I”, directed by Berkeley student Andrew Cummings, has the makings of another award winner. The sets, costumes, acting, singing and outstanding orchestra have raised the bar. However, the show has not been without drama. The original Anna, Sharon Maxwell, whose soprano voice floated over the proscenium, came down with laryngitis during the second weekend. Her message saying she would not be able to continue (sent Monday) did not reach the director and producer, who were on vacation, until Thursday. Calls were frantically made and Edmond Kwong, who plays the King, was able to enlist Barbara Reynolds to fill in for the Friday and Saturday performances.
Reynolds played the part opposite Kwong four years ago at the Pleasanton Playhouse. Rehearsing briefly before showtime, the actress went on stage and gave a magical performance, bringing the audience to their feet.
However, the drama continued. Knowing that Reynold’s other commitments would not allow her to perform after Saturday, Cummings called friend and Festival Theatre Ensemble actress Cynthia Powell, who not only agreed to do the Sunday show but started memorizing the script. Powell spent most of Saturday with Cummings going over staging, running lines and working with the music director.
Her performance on Sunday wearing costumes quickly improvised by seamstress Terri Miles, was flawless. The audience awarded Anna No. 3 with applause and another standing ovation. As I write this, I look forward to the final weekend with Anna No. 4, Kerie Geni Darner, who came in to rehearse a few scenes mid-week. She promises to make closing weekend delightful. Darner performed the role last year in Palo Alto and her costumes, worn by Reynolds last weekend, are ready and waiting.
The theater becomes like a family to anyone involved in the staging and it takes a large extended family to make the magic happen. What better way to describe this relationship than the “drama of the four Anna’s.” What could have been a tragedy, instead turned into a celebration, thanks to the generosity of the actresses who stepped in when they heard the call for help. If you saw any of our Anna’s perform, I would love to hear your comments.
If you did attend a “King and I” performance, I’m sure you were awed by the incredible set painting. Every bit of it, from the stenciling and faux marble to the Thai-themed designs, was painted by Hollister artist Glynis Crabb. Born and schooled in England, Crabb creates amazing paintings.
Be sure to stop in at Gilroy City Hall before Sept. 15 to view Julie Franco’s display of prints and paintings. A native Northern Californian, Franco is inspired by the flora and fauna of our wonderful state. She holds an associate’s degree from Gavilan College and a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Illustration from the San Francisco Academy of Arts College. Using sketchbooks to chronicle everything from international travel to daily minutia, Franco paints and draws what she sees that touches her heart and soul.
The Gilroy Community Service’s Fall Recreation Activity Guide is currently available with many arts- and culture-related classes and programs for the coming fall months. Make a date to enrich your life.
***
– South Valley Civic Theatre Auditions for “Noises Off”
Friday & Saturday, Sept. 10 & 11, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. check-in) at 16840 Joleen Way, Bldg. F4, Morgan Hill
842-SHOW
– South Valley Civic Theatre 2009-10 award show
Sept. 18, 7:45 p.m.; Reception at 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey St.
www.svct.org or 842-SHOW
– El Teatro Campesino “Popol Vuh”
Free outdoor performances Sept. 4, 5, 6
– “Corridos”
Sept. 16 – Oct. 17 at 705 Fourth St., San JuanBautista
(831) 623-2444 or www.elteatrocampesino.com
