CAMILLE GAVIN: 'Jekyll' draws impressive cast
| Wednesday, Aug 04 2010 05:05 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Aug 04 2010 05:05 PM
'Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical'
When: 8 p.m. Aug. 13 and 14, 2 p.m. Aug. 15; runs through Aug. 28
Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave.
Admission: $15; $12, students and seniors
Information: 831-8114
Art Walk
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: East Tehachapi Boulevard and Green Street, Tehachapi
Admission: Free
Information: 822-5242
Auditions for 'Taming of the Shrew'
When: Noon Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave.
Information: 831-8114
SCHEDULE FOR BAKERSFIELD COMMUNITY THEATRE'S 84TH SEASON: 2010-2011
Main stage series
"Bordertown," by Culture Clash --Sept. 10 to 25
"Taming of the Shrew," by William Shakespeare -- Oct. 8 to 23
"Gem of the Ocean," by August Wilson -- Feb.11 to 26
"The 24th annual One Act Festival," June 3 to 12
"The Who's Tommy," by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff -- July 8 to 23
Single ticket prices: $15 general admission; $12 students, seniors, active military
Youth series
"Gooney Bird Greene and Her True Life Adventures," by Kent R. Brown, based on the book by Lois Lowry, Nov. 12 to 21
"Bang, Bang You're Dead," by William Mastrosimone -- March 25 to April 3
"Alice in Wonderland," by Lewis Carroll, adapted for stage by Jeannette Jaquish -- May 13 to 22
"Seussical, Jr.," by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens -- Aug. 19 to 27
Single ticket prices: $12 general admission; $10, children, seniors, active military
I'm impressed with the fine cast director Sheila McClure has gathered for Bakersfield Community Theatre's "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical," which opens Aug. 13.
A majority of the 30 actors usually can be seen only at Spotlight Theatre, Stars or The Empty Space. I'm guessing that some have never before appeared at BCT.
To me, that's a good thing. It shows a spirit of cooperation among the theater community that has been growing in the past year or two.
A prime example is golden-voiced Anne Marie O'Reilly, who appears as Jekyll's fiancée in the BCT show.
Not only has she had lead roles in recent Spotlight productions, she's also the president of its board of directors.
David Lollar, who has the challenge of transforming himself onstage from the good doctor to his evil alter-ego, started out at Spotlight when he first came to town six or seven years ago and was in "Parade" last March at the downtown theater.
True, he's been active at BCT in the past year but I suspect that may have something to do with the fact he's married to McClure.
Joe Cannon, another popular Spotlight regular, appears as Jekyll's close friend. Alyssa Bonanno, who's cast as Lucy Harris, a prostitute, has performed at Empty Space.
And Kim Whitney along with both Cherylanne and Mickey Farley are often seen on the stages of Stars and Bakersfield Music Theater.
McClure, who teaches at Golden Valley High, seems to be well aware that "Jekyll & Hyde" is an enormous undertaking so she's enlisted plenty of helpers. Her production crew includes two assistant directors, Bethany Lahammer and Jessica Burzlaff, and as stage manager, Araceli Aguilar. Costumer Arin Babbick did the 1880s-style costumes; Gabriel Urena is scenic designer and technical director.
"This is the biggest musical BCT has done in years," McClure said. "I think people are surprised that BCT would take on something this big and maybe there was a time when it might not have been possible."
During its long history BCT has done many musicals, according to information provided by theater historian Steven Bradshaw. The last major musical at the playhouse was "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," which Roger Mathey directed in 2006.
As its 84th season approaches, however, McClure feels the little theater has entered a new era.
"Things are changing and the theater has experienced amazing growth over the past year; BCT is in the midst of a renaissance," she said, indicating that a show like "Jekyll & Hyde" is an example of that rebirth.
The musical, by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn, is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novel "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Performances continue through Aug. 28.
Art Walk in Tehachapi
Musical art could mean a lot of things, but in the case of Kathleen Wolf it's instruments that have turned into functional pieces. Her work, including a table made from a cello, is part of the First Friday Art Walk in Tehachapi. Wolf's pieces, along with leather art by Alisa Clapp and watercolors and acrylics by Kathleen Levenson, will be featured at Crossroads Gallery.
Several other businesses will be open for the event, local arts and crafts can be seen at Gallery and Gifts, and Oak Tree Arts and Antiques. Both art and music will be featured at Back Street Gallery as a fundraiser for the proposed Tehachapi Performing Arts Center. Photography by Bill Kinsella will be exhibited at Kohnen's Bakery; Petra's Mediterranean Deli will feature belly-dancing demonstrations and lessons.
'Shrew' auditions
I'm glad to see that Porter Jamison, who hasn't been too active in the past few years, will be in the director's chair for Bakersfield Community Theatre's upcoming production of "Taming of the Shrew," one of Shakespeare's liveliest comedies.
He's holding auditions this weekend at BCT. In announcing the tryouts on Facebook, Jamison said, "Comedic skills (are) highly desirable, as are such additional talents as juggling, unicycle riding, singing (and) banjo playing."
Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
