Way, Way, Way Off Broadway brings you its 'Favorite Things'

Beginning Friday, the 10th annual Way, Way, Way Off Broadway fundraiser will look back at its "Favorite Things" in a retrospective of the best moments from the last 10 years of local community theater. The show runs through Sunday at Yuba College Theatre.

"WWWOB is a best-of Broadway revue. We decided to go with a theme that we borrowed from 'The Sound of Music' — my favorite things — because it gives us a chance to look back and think of all the favorite numbers we've done over the years," said WWWOB co-director Paul DeMeritt, who also teaches drama at Faith Christian School in Yuba City and is director of the school's FCS Players drama troupe.

"Just about every school in the area has participated in WWWOB — or a student from every school in the area has participated over the years — and it's always the highlight of the year for them," DeMeritt said.

"When I ask my students: What is one of your favorite memories from your years with the FCS Players, one that always gets mentioned is participating in WWWOB," DeMeritt said.

"It's the one chance in the year when students from the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, Yuba City High School, River Valley High School, Yuba College and Faith Christian School get to come together. Every group in the region gets a chance to really shine," he said.

"And it's not just schools and kids; it's a pretty high-level, professional production," added co-director Staci Johnson. "It's worth your money and time to come out.

"Because this is our 10th anniversary, there will be plenty of trips down memory lane – but for anyone who's never been to WWWOB before, they will feel like they've been filled in on all the past years," Johnson said.

DeMeritt said WWWOB includes many familiar pieces from musical theater, plus comedy and dance, and is hosted by several notable local talents, including Gail Carter, Jacque Dake, John Dukes, Al Durbin and Chuck Smith.

This year's performers and performing groups include The Acting Company, Amanda Blanchard, Borgamaria Lyric Opera Company, Jazzmine Brown, Alex Cesena, Ron Earl, FCS Players, Jacque's Dance Expressions, Maria Kuhn, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, Candee Parker, Rideout Physicians, the Rotary OCD Band and Studio B.

"We have a lot of special treats, and there's something in this show for everyone," DeMeritt said.

Over the years, he said, funds raised by WWWOB have gone to support Shady Creek Outdoor School, the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council and renovation of the Sutter Theater in Yuba City.

"And one of the great things we do every year is to give a major scholarship to deserving Yuba-Sutter young performing artists to continue their education in the performing arts," DeMeritt said.

Every year at WWWOB, a leading supporter of the arts community is given the Don Award, named for Don McCullough, a local businessman who was a longtime benefactor of the local arts.

DeMeritt said the Don Award would be presented again this year "to a very important Yuba-Sutter arts figure" — but there will also be a special tribute made in memory of past Don Award recipient Joaquina Johnson, who died this year. "We will be remembering all that she did for our community in the area of the arts," he said.

"We have a remarkably talented group of young people and adults in this community. We must never take it for granted," DeMeritt said.

"Do not miss the artistic event of the year in Yuba-Sutter, because this is it."

CONTACT Susan Benitez at sbenitez@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4773. Find her on Facebook at /ADFeatures or on Twitter at @adfeatures.