Santa Rosa Junior College launches new theatrical season

SVHS grad Reed Martin’s ‘Great Books’ to open in March.|

Opening Production

Up first is ‘Garcia Girls' on Oct. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 7, 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. at SRJC's Newman Auditorium. On-campus parking is $4.

SRJC performance tickets and information are online at www.santarosa.edu/theatrearts.

Santa Rosa Junior College's theater arts department has announced that its 2018-2019 season will include 'How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,' 'Shrek, the Musical,' 'All the Great Books (abridged)' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar.'

The first production of the season, 'How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,' by Julia Alvarez, traces the journey of the Garcia family's flight from a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic to their emigration to New York City. Join Sofia, Sandra, Yolanda and Carla face the challenges of assimilation, displacement and identity-confusion. Directed by John Shillington.

The play is recommended for age 14 and up because it contains strong language and adult content.

SRJC Campus, Newman Auditorium.

The show runs Oct. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 7, 13, 14 at 2 p.m.

'Shrek, the Musical' has music by Jeanine Tesori, and book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Based on the Oscar-winning animated film, 'Shrek the Musical' is a mix of romantic adventure and irreverent silliness, written for kids and grownups alike. According to the theater department's press materials, 'Shrek' features a ragtag mash-up of fairytale characters who rescue the feisty Princess Fiona from the evil Lord Farquaad, and includes songs like 'Morning Person,' 'Freak Flag' and 'I'm a Believer.'

The show is directed by Laura Downing-Lee; music directed by Rudolf Budginas.

The show is recommended for ages 6 and up.

Maria Carrillo Theatre at 6975 Montecito Blvd.

The show runs Nov. 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30, and Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 17, 18, 24, 25 and Dec. 1 and 2 at 1:30 p.m.

'All the Great Books (abridged)' by Sonoma Valley High School graduate Reed Martin and his writing partner Austin Tichenor; with additional material by Matthew Croke and Michael Faulkner. Describing himself as 'one of the bad boys of abridgment,' director and playwright Martin and the cast take the audience on a 98-minute roller-coaster ride through all the great books… abridged! Confused by Confucius? Thoroughly thrown by Thoreau? Wish Swift was swifter? The show zips through everything you didn't get around to reading in school. The Washington Post described it as, 'English class meets Monty Python.' Directed by Martin.

The show is recommended for age 13 and up.

SRJC campus, Newman Auditorium. March 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 at 8 p.m.; and March 10, 16, 17 at 2 p.m.

'Jesus Christ Superstar,' music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; lyrics by Tim Rice. The original staged rock opera is back. Jesus's meteor-like rise to renown provides, as the title suggests, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. Christ's final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought-provoking edge and explosive theatricality. Propelled by a stirring score, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart.

The show is directed by Leslie McCauley; music directed by Janis Dunson-Wilson; choreographed by Alyce Finwall; vocals directed by Joshua Bailey.

The show is recommended for age 12 and up.

Maria Carrillo High School Theatre.

The show runs April 19, 20 25, 26, 27, May 2, 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m; April 21, 27, 28, May 4, 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Information and tickets at theatrearts.santarosa.edu.

Opening Production

Up first is ‘Garcia Girls' on Oct. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 7, 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. at SRJC's Newman Auditorium. On-campus parking is $4.

SRJC performance tickets and information are online at www.santarosa.edu/theatrearts.

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