A Summer Joy

Each summer, the public park directly across the street from our Sebastopol, (Sonoma County) California home is transformed into a site for festivals, concerts and live theater.  Ives Park is the summer home of Main Stage West, our resident theatre company, located two blocks away in “Downtown” Sebastopol.

sebastopol-signThis year, we were treated to two beautifully acted, staged, and costumed plays: a non-Shakespearean work: Carlo Goldoni’s classic comedy, The Servant of Two Masters and Shakespeare’s The Tempest.It’s hard to believe that theater can still be compelling, engaging and enjoyable when performances are carried out within earshot of nighttime Little League playoffs, but when it’s done as well as this, it is.   At its best, theater can transport an audience to another time and place, despite Billy’s cheering parents or the whoops of his teammates.

 

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This year, I took my 12 year old Granddaughter, Marley, to both performances and she loved them. An out-of-town Granddaughter, Kelly (11), joined us for The Tempest. I wasn’t sure about taking kids this young to a Shakespeare play, but they loved it — especially the scenes with romance or slapstick humor.

I know I’m lucky to live where the arts and love theater are valued and where they are made accessible and affordable.

Thank you, Sebastopol!

Shhh. Don’t tell!

If you promise to keep it quiet, I’ll share a great discovery: The Summer Rep Theatre Festival at Santa Rosa JC. This is the first year I’ve bought season tickets and I couldn’t be happier.  So far, we’ve seen Fox on the Fairway by Ken Ludwig and Shreck the Musical. Both were extremely well produced with high-quality sets, elaborate costumes, tight direction, well performed live music and terrific acting. Students come from all over the USA to participate in this 5-show season.  Next week is Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance

For $15.00 a ticket, ample, close parking and two comfortable theaters it’s a package that’s hard to beat!

The fall season of the SRJC Theatre Arts Department looks good, too.  It includes Distracted, Les Miserables, and The Cherry Orchard.

To witness a new generation of students fall in love with theatre is more than enjoyable.  It’s hopeful!

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