Since that first play , Rod has worked both on and off stage with many theater groups in the area including Center Stage , Odyssey Theater , South Valley Civic Theater ( SVCT ), and also with Civic Light Opera and West Valley Light Opera in San José . Both he and his wife , Marion Pintello , served on the Board of Directors for GCT , which became SVCT , for 20 years .
Although Rod started out being cast in musicals , his true passion is centered around comedy . After leaving the Board of Directors for SVCT both he and Marion decided to embark on creating a venue for actors in the area to showcase their comedic talent , and Pintello Comedy Theater ( PCT ) was born in 2003 . Since then they have put on over 54 productions and have had 106 different performers from the South County area on their stage .
When asked why he wanted to do something as crazy as starting his own theater company , Rod simply responded , “ Putting on a show with great people on stage and an audience in front of you is like having a big party with friends and family in your own home .” And PCT is truly a family theater when it comes to operation . Not only husband and wife as a team , but PCT includes their whole family . Their daughter Whitney Pintello helps with every aspect of running the theater from set design to directing and producing . Also in the ranks you will find their son Simon Pintello and their sonin-law Charley Gilmore who fills the role of technical guru helping to keep their lights , sound and special effects running masterfully . Even the grandkids are involved .
One of the aspects that sets PCT apart from other local theater groups is that they are exclusively a comedy theater . Every once in a while there is some music involved , but even the musicals are comedies . Rod ’ s favorite part of being on stage in front of an audience is knowing that something funny is about to happen and anticipating the audience ’ s laughter .
Rod is not on stage very often these days focusing mostly on the very demanding day-to-day schedule of set construction and the never-ending list of demands set forth before a producer , but you can catch him starting April 14 th in their upcoming production of “ On a First Name Basis ” by Norm Foster and directed by Marion Pintello . This two-person play features Rod Pintello as a successful but cantankerous novelist who suddenly discovers that he knows nothing about his maid of 28 years , played by Ariane Borgia . She , on the other hand , knows absolutely everything about him ! He makes it his mission to learn all he can about her .
Matthew Russell Hendrickson has been involved with community theater for over 35 years . He is currently a designer ’ s assistant for Brotin Design , a founding member of a local film production company , Oscar Dante Motion , and is still heavily involved with local theater .
Now playing
On A First Name Basis
By Norman Foster
April 14 , 15 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 28 , 29 May 5 , 6
A successful , but cantankerous , novelist suddenly discovers that he knows nothing about his maid of 28 years . She , on the other hand , knows absolutely everything about him ! He makes
it his mission to learn all he can about her .
Playing At Pintello Comedy Theater 8191 Swanston Lane • Gilroy pintellocomedy . com
Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike
April 21 , 22 , 28 , 29 , 30 May 5 , 6 , 7 , 12 , 13
Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play . Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County , PA , where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives . Suddenly , their movie-star sister , Masha , swoops in with her new boy toy , Spike . Old resentments flare up , eventually leading to threats to sell the house .
Playing At South Valley Community Theater 7341 Monterey Street • Morgan Hill svct . org
Cabaret Show
Weekends April 7 to April 29 , Matenee April 23
A cabaret show featuring different artists each week . The productions are directed by Diane Milo and benefits Avon 39 : The Walk to End Brest Cancer . Featured artists are : D-Cup Divas , Morgan Dayley , Diane Milo & James Creer , Gloria
Murillo & Adrien Gleason , Kristina Nakagawa .
Playing At Limelight Actors ’ Theatre 7431 Monterey Road 408 472 3292 LimeLlightActorsTheater . com
Coming Soon !
Alice in Wonderland Jr . — May 5-7 & 11-14 This show features 80 local kids singing and dancing in a fun musical show , produced by Carol Romo . Put on by the City of Gilroy and Theater Fun at the Gilroy High School Theater
Alice Through the Looking Glass — June 16-17 A dazzling ballet production featuring local talent produced by South Valley Dance Arts , Juliet Smith and friends . Put on by the South Valley Dance Arts southvalleydance . com
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2017 gmhtoday . com
101