‘Tortoise and Hare' coming; ‘Shakespeare' continues
The Magic Theatre's production of "The Tortoise and the Hare" opens Feb. 7 at The Acting Company at 815 B St., Yuba City.
While everyone knows that the tortoise won the race, few know how he was helped along the way.
In this original play, written and directed by local talent John Trent, one learns if the tortoise really won, or if he simply prevented the hare from reaching the goal.
The show runs through Feb. 21. Shows are on Saturdays at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door and can be reserved by calling 751-1100.
Box office hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and a half-hour before posted show times.
By the way, there is something new being offered by the Magic Theatre: reserved seats. Now, one can call in and reserve the seat one prefers. Walk-up patrons will still be able to choose from the remaining available seats.
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Meanwhile, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" opened last night at The Acting Company. It continues through Feb. 22.
An early look at one of this play's rehearsals indicated this is a well done version of tongue-in-cheek snippets from all of the Bard's 37 dramas and comedies.
It ran for 10 years straight in London and is ranked as the longest-running comedy production.
The TAC version of the play is directed by Joe Moye. It stars TAC regulars Jeff Graham, Anthony Dost and Mark Johnson.
Moye has directed previous productions of "Abridged" and has brought this "over-the-top comedy" back by popular demand.
Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets are $15 and are available online at actingcompany.org or at TAC box office at 815 B St., Yuba City
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Gary Alan Wright was awarded the coveted Dr. Leland and Sally Lewis Performing Arts award at last Saturday's dinner meeting of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, held at the Miner's Foundry.
Wright has been with the Foothill Theatre Company since 1995. Before that, he was affiliated with the Sacramento Theatre Company, Fantasy Theatre, the B Street Theatre and the Colorado and Oregon Shakespeare festivals.
An actor and playwright, Wright played Father Flynn in the 2008 FTC production of "Doubt." In 2007, he wrote the play "Evermore," the story of Edgar Allan Poe, which thrilled audiences and packed the theater.
He has appeared in more than 50 local productions and adapted two novels into plays: "The Diary of a 49er" and "Dracula." Both were performed in 1999.
FTC's executive director Karen Marinovich was also inducted as a member of the board of directors at what was the chamber of commerce's 107th annual dinner.
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"My Three Angels" continues at the Theatre on the Ridge in Paradise through Feb. 8.
The captivating comedy by Sam and Bella Spewack is set near the turn of the last century in a penal colony in French Guiana, where it is 105 degrees in the shade on Christmas Eve.
In this penal colony, paroled convicts roam around in relative freedom. When three kindhearted inmates working on a roof overhear that impending disaster lies ahead for the bumbling but kindly store manager, Felix Ducotel, and his family, they decide to put their own "particular skills" to work in order to rescue the Ducotel family.
TOTR is located at 3735 Neal Road, Paradise. The phone number is 877-5760
The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with a final matinee at 2 p.m. Feb. 8. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door.
Award-winning journalist and author Tom Nadeau has written for and acted on stage, screen, radio and television. Write to him at theaterland@gmail.com.
