2012 has been an exciting year for Valley theatre. We have seen Valley premiere's of shows like Next To Normal, Ave. Q, Spring Awakening and Ordinary Days. Fun classic shows like Fiddler On The Roof and Singing In The Rain. Fun newer shows like The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Thought provoking shows like Assassins and Baptized To The Bone, and family friendly shows like Beauty and the Beast and A Year With Frog and Toad.
Beehive, the current show from the Good Company Players at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, is a giddy, joyous review-style compilation of the great sounds of the Sixties, featuring the talents of a Magnificent Seven of wild women who take turns on the lead vocals.
I have been a fan of the movie Singin' In The Rain starring Gene Kelly forever, and had the pleasure of seeing a touring company perform the stage version at the Saroyan about 20 years ago. So I was excited when I heard that they'd be doing it this season at Roger Rocka's, and I have to say that the tap dancing was amazing! That alone is a reason to hurry on over and see this show!
I was doing one of my strolls through the Tower District the other day. Keep in mind, I do not live, work, or do much business there. I am no expert. I am a casual and enthusiastic admirer. I am also a hunter-gatherer, looking for fruits and seeds to glean transferable knowledge. I was strolling and observing. My mind went back to my first impressions. Please, do not throw tomatoes. I am being honest.
Remember the movie Calamity Jane? Doris Day and Howard Keel? The Oscar-winning song “Secret Love?” Haven’t you ever thought, “I’d love to see that on stage?”
Well, now you can. The Good Company Players have brought Calamity Jane to Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre through September 16.
You remember how it begins, that opening panorama swirling down onto Julie Andrews singing her heart out on top of a mountain, and you know it’s The Sound of Music……..but that’s the movie. The real musical is onstage at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, directed by the Good Company Players’ managing director, Dan Pessano.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is currently on stage at Roger Rocka’s in Fresno and it’s a night of rollicking fun. If you have ever seen the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels movie staring Steve Martin and Michael Caine you know the general story of the musical.
This past year I had the pleasure of seeing Emily Pessano on stage, first in The Drowsy Chaperone and then again in Legally Blonde, both at Roger Rocka’s in Fresno. As soon as I saw her on stage, I knew I had to add her to my list of local actor profiles—she just blew me away with an incredible voice, great dancing, and acting. She simply glows on stage!
This has been a great year for theatre in the Valley! I’ve been blessed to have had the chance to enjoy a great deal of it, and KRL has reviewed and previewed even more—from the more serious thought provoking plays produced by new company The New Ensemble, to fun musicals like Grease at Reedley River City and the Valley premiere of Legally Blonde at Roger Rocka’s.
The Drowsy Chaperone, currently on stage at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater in Fresno, is the dictionary definition of a big musical—it takes one back to the days of Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Ginger Rogers.
