TLT's 2009-2010 Season

I'm pleased to announce Tacoma Little Theatre's 2009-2010 Season.

I believe that theatre is at it's best when it is in sync with the community and with the times we live in. So I say, "it's time for some COMEDY!"

I invite you to SHARE THE LAUGHTER by subscribing to Tacoma Little Theatre. Invest in TLT. Invest in Tacoma.

The Star-Spangled Girl, by Neil Simon
August 28 - September 27
It’s 1968 San Francisco. Andy and Norman run a radical magazine dedicated to fighting “the system.” Enter Sophie, an all-American, Olympic swimmer, who moves into the apartment next door. It’s love at first sight for Norman and his mad-cap obsession turns everything upside down in this classic Neil Simon comedy. For ages 13 and older.

Lend Me a Tenor, by Ken Ludwig
October 16 - November 8
It’s 1934 Cleveland. Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is expecting Tito Morelli, the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as Otello. Through a hilarious series of comic mishaps, two Otellos end up running around in costume with two women chasing them in lingerie. For ages 13 and older.


A Christmas Story, by Jean Shepherd (adapted by Philip Grecian) November 27 - December 24
It’s 1940, in the town of Hohman, Indiana. 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants one thing for Christmas -- an official Red Ryder BB rifle with a compass in the stock. Everyone tells him, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Between the bully at school and the Old Man’s leg lamp -- Ralphie is having a tough Christmas this year. For all ages - note the famous “Fuuuuudge” joke.


A Tuna Christmas, by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, & Ed Howard December 11 - December 20
This yuletide sequel to last year’s hit Greater Tuna with TLT Artistic Director Scott Campbell and Lakewood Playhouse Artistic Director Marcus Walker. Two Theatres, two artistic directors - twenty characters. Now that’s Christmas . . . in Tuna, Texas!
Satirical Humor for ages 13 and older.

a co-production of Tacoma Little Theatre and Lakewood Playhouse

Over the River and Through the Woods, by Joe DiPietro January 15 - February 7
Nick, a single Italian-American guy, dines every Sunday evening with both sets of hilarious grandparents. One day he breaks the news that his long awaited dream job has just arrived – across the country in Seattle. Things get as twisted as spaghetti as his grandparents plot to keep Nick in New Jersey. For ages 13 and older.

Noises Off, by Michael Frayn March 26 - April 25
A British theatre company is running through a final dress rehearsal of the farce Nothing On. After this disasterous rehearsal, the set turns 180 degrees and we see Nothing On from a back stage perspective. The final act puts the audience in its proper place – only to witness the hilarious conclusion to Noises Off. For ages 13 and older.


Major Barbara, by Bernard Shaw
May 21 - June 13
Set in London, 1906, Shaw gives us Barbara, a major in the Salvation Army, and her Machiavellian father, millionaire arms manufacturer, Andrew Undershaft. While visiting her shelter for the poor, he reveals that the shelter’s benefactor made his money by distilling whiskey. Later, visiting Undershaft’s arms factory, Barbara is further shaken to discover that her father is a model employer -- and who will inherit the family business?
A witty comedy from the inspired pen of Bernard Shaw. For ages 13 and older.

A PDF version of the subscription form is here

Subscribing to TLT is important in several ways:

1. You are investing in the OLDEST theatre west of the Mississippi. That's important cultural heritage for Tacoma.

2. Seeing lives plays is a lot of fun. It's a fun event. Go out to dinner - Invest in Tacoma.

3. Quality local theatre is even better when it costs less and you don't have to drive out of town to experience it.

4. Theatre builds community.

100th Monkey at TLT

On WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25th TLT will be the venue for a 100th Monkey Party presented by Mark Robyn. This free gathering of community will start at 7:30 and last two hours.

Visit their website www.100thmonkeytacoma.com

Come to this event and bring friends. What a fantastic way to enrich our community. See the website for details.

Lynn Geyer is masterful as Golda Meir

I've known actress Lynn Geyer for several years, and she has always amazed me with her talents, her passions, and good humor. Her portrayal of Golda Meir is nothing short of incredible - and to top it off, Lynn bears a very strong resemblance to Meir.

My thanks go out to Lynn.

Lynn, director Mike Wilkinson, and words of playwright William Gibson (The Miracle Worker) have all come together to form an amazing piece of theatre that will long be remembered.

Thanks to Mike Wilkinson, too. He's a talented and trusting director. I have known Mike for almost 20 years, - it was a real pleasure.

Golda's Balcony had a wonderful team supporting it. I am very thankful to Stage Manager Amber Johnson and Assistant Stage Manger Cynthia Lawlis for their great support of TLT and for being FANTASTIC!

Golda's Balcony by William Gibson

Deadwood Revival at TLT

UPDATE:
Click here to check out this video of Deadwood Revival on the TLT Stage!

A barn dance fundraising benefit will be held on-stage at Tacoma Little Theatre Friday, March 6th at 8:00 PM. Tickets are only $10.00 and can be purchased at Tacoma Little Theatre. Taking the stage is the hot regional band DEADWOOD REVIVAL in celebration of Tacoma Little Theatre’s 90th anniversary.

As mentioned in Rosemary Ponnekanti's blog in GO ARTS - this event is a blatant fundraiser for Tacoma Little Theatre - My wife, Julie Campbell, is the DwR fiddler. According to the band's manager, Carol Pope, "Deadwood Revival creates some of the most unassuming, honest, "feel good" music on the planet, filled with the spirit of old-time Appalachia, soulful American roots and a hint of jam-band improvisation. Their foot stompin’, banjo pickin’, spirit liftin’ original and traditional tunes are quite simply irresistible."

“It was impossible to squelch a smile throughout the set. They bring an effortlessly cheerful energy to every song.” –Performer Magazine

Jason Mogi's clean, imaginative clawhammer banjo, along with Kim Trenerry and Ches Ferguson’s driving rhythm on acoustic guitar and electric bass along with the fierce fiddling of Julie Campbell, provide the musical backdrop for Kim and Jason's powerhouse vocal harmonies that give Deadwood Revival, winners of the Northwest String Summit Band Competition, and the People’s Choice Award from Florence’s Winter Folk Festival, its unique and unmistakable sound.

"You can tell from the first note that they are crowd-pleasers. They're fun, adventurous and yet true to their roots” -Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.

This started out as a desire for Lakewood Playhouse to have a party to say farewell to me after nearly a decade with that wonderful company. TLT wanted a party to greet me, and I wanted to raise some money and build some community. Julie and the rest of the band were gracious to come on out and join in the fun.

I hope you can join the fun, too!

The TLT Barndance Benefit is sponsored by our neighbors -- The Parkway Tavern.
Drop by the Parkway before and after the show! Tickets can be purchased by calling the TLT Box Office at 253-272-2281 Tuesday – Saturday from 3-6 pm or at the door. The Show Begins at 8:00 PM. Tacoma Little Theatre is located at 210 North I Street in Tacoma’s Stadium District.

The Oldest Theatre in the West

Tacoma Little Theatre is 90 years old this season making it TLT the oldest theatre west of the Mississippi -- right here in Tacoma. The theatre has been in its current location for over half a century. During the end of my first week at TLT, I brought my daughter Sydney to the theatre and we explored. TLT has some amazing costumes stored in little slivers of rooms, a high perched hat room with ancient hats – all lovingly stacked and labeled. There is a faint sweet smell of an entire century in those rooms. The tangible remains of nearly a century of theatre by and for the community.

There is a photo display in the TLT Lobby depicting shows from the past 90 years. Those images hold lessons for us today. It is interesting to note that during the great depression the theatre seemed to be thriving. When times are hard – people still attend theatre. Folks like to go out before and after seeing a good play. That boosts the local economy with local money.

So many stories are shared here – and created here. Family stories. Stories about our community.

Just last week, Pad Finnigan walked into the theatre. Pad is on the Lakewood City Council, and I know him from my years working with the city of Lakewood as a member of the Lakewood Arts Commission. Pad and his wife Chris (also on the Arts Commission) are both great supporters of the arts.

After he congratulated me on my new position he told me, “I heard there was a picture of my mother up in the lobby. My mom acted here when she was young .. . my parents met here.”

Pad’s story is a perfect example of deep roots TLT has in this community. For nearly a century this organization has inspired our citizens to dream, walk in another person’s shoes, to form friendships, and even fall in love. This theatre is filled with stories – I look forward to hearing them all.

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