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“ Into the Woods Jr.”
By Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine
After that he was approached by the Gilroy Arts Alliance about producing a show in their newly-acquired Gilroy Center for the Arts Building located at 7th and Monterey. After three productions between the two locations he and Alan put together the idea of starring their own theater company. When Kevin told Alan, who has never been involved in any aspect of theater, Alans response was simply,“ How can I help you make this happen?” And thus, in 2001, Limelight Actors Theater was born. Since that time, Kevin and Alan have produced 32 shows at Limelight.
I asked him what he enjoys most about being on stage I front of an audience.
“ The energy. The laughter. The quiet moments when you know you have the audience in the palm of your hand. The applause. The deep emotional connections the patrons share with you after a show. Making an audience cry. Having the chance to work hard at becoming a character, and feeling that support from the audience when you take the stage. For many years, I played the“ Jerry Lewis” characters and loved every minute of it. As I get older, I still love it, but I’ m also excited about playing characters that convey a variety of emotions, like roles with depth. Over the next couple of years I will take on roles that are a different direction for me, and I am looking forward to that. I won’ t ever give up the comedic roles, however. That’ s where I started and that’ s probably where I will end one day. Leave‘ em laughing!
Kevin credits his family for their support of his acting.“ My mother strongly supported my dream of the stage. To this day, she never forgets to say‘ break a leg’ on opening night. Her sister, my aunt, has always supported me, too Even in poor health, she came to Gilroy to see me on stage. They both love my connection to theater.”
You can catch Kevin on stage in Limelight Actors Theater’ s upcoming production of“ The Outgoing Tide,” which opens September 1 st. Not only is he in the show, but he’ s also producing and directing it.
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.
July 14 at 7 pm and July 15 – 4 pm Into the Woods JR. features all of your favorite characters – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack( and his beanstalk) and the Witch in this lyrically rich retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fables. The musical centers on a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’ s festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’ s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse and wind up changed forever. The cast is exclusively comprised of Brownell Middle School students.
STAR ARTS Summer Program • Brownell Middle School Academy 7800 Carmel Street • Gilroy • starartseducation. wixsite. com / star
“ A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart.
September 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23 Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus( 251 – 183 BC), specifically Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus, and Mostellaria, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity( frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The title derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story:“ A funny thing happened on the way to the theater”.
Pintello Comedy • 8191 Swanston Lane • Gilroy pintellocomedy. com
“ The Outgoing Tide” By Bruce Graham
September 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 22, 23 In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family’ s future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding-before the tide goes out. This drama hums with dark humor and powerful emotion centered around one family’ s journey with a diagnosis of Alzheimers.
Limelight Actor’ s Theater • 7341 Monterey Street • Gilroy limelightactorstheater. com
“ Follies” By Stephen Sondheim
September 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30 October 1, 6, 7 The time is 1971, and theatrical impresario, Dimitri Weissmann, hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant pastiche numbers, including“ Losing My Mind,”“ I’ m Still Here” and“ Broadway Baby.” Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present, coming face-to-face with the future.
SVCT • 17090 Monterey Road • Morgan Hill • svct. org
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2017 gmhtoday. com
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