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CAMILLE GAVIN: Gaslight offers seasonal delight

GAVIN: Spotlight steps away from seasonal fare with 'The Secret Garden'

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 12:09 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 12:10 PM

A variety of new embellishments have been added to this year's "Holiday Extravaganza" at the Gaslight Melodrama Theatre, which opens Friday.

"It consists of two new plays we've never produced before," said Michael Prince, artistic director. "Plus it's our first holiday show to feature Rosie Ayala in the cast."

Ayala, who's been performing in shows at Stars and other venues for more than 13 years, signed on as a member of Gaslight's resident company earlier this year. You may remember her for her role in the theater's highly successful production of "My Big Fat Oildale Wedding."

One of the new plays for the holiday show was written by a local couple, Terry Willey and Carol Baker-Willey. Other works written by the Willeys have been produced previously at Bakersfield Community Theatre but this is their first for Gaslight. Titled "Every Christmas Story Ever Told or A Quick Carol," it's made up of threads from several familiar tales, ranging from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" to the movie "It's a Wonderful Life."

First on the bill is "Santa Claus Came to Town," which Prince wrote. It concerns a down-on-his-luck department story Santa who reaches into his magical bag and transforms Christmas for everyone. As always, each performance closes with Warren Dobson's vaudeville revue.

In addition to Ayala, those appearing in both shows are Greg Ramsdell, Jay Stodder, Coryn McBride, Scott Hillberry, Katie Metz, Michael Kubik and Shaylan Trone.

Performances of "Holiday Extravaganza" continue through Dec. 23.

'Secret Garden' at Spotlight

Unlike most theaters in town, Spotlight Theatre has stepped away from the traditional seasonal fare and instead will present "The Secret Garden," a musical based on a children's classic.

"We wanted to do a holiday show for the whole family and one that was really all-inclusive, whether you're Christian, Jewish or Muslim," said Hal Friedman, artistic director.

"Secret Garden," a Tony Award-winning show by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, is an adaptation of a century-old classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The story is about an orphan, an 11-year-old English girl who formerly lived in India, played by Taylor Camarillo. She returns to England to live with her grumpy and reclusive uncle and his invalid son, played by Charlotte Smith. The estate contains a magic garden and the story is told through dream sequences, flashbacks and a chorus of singing ghosts.

Those in the supporting cast are Alex Neal, Anne O'Neil, Anne Marie O'Reilly, Jeff Malone, David Reichelt and Mickey Farley.

"We have some fantastic newcomers in the production as well," Friedman said. "Cheryl Robinson, who is playing the housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, has a ton of professional experience and her daughter, Virginia Robinson, is a high school student and one of the exciting youths who is learning the craft at our theater."

Also appearing are Joe Cannon, Angela Poncetta, Ron Fox, Carolyn Fox, Tessa Ogles, Kenneth Witchard and Deva Wiloth.

"Secret Garden" continues through Jan. 2 but there will be no performance on Christmas Day.

'Hansel and Gretel'

Saturday morning is your last chance to catch a delightful version of "Hansel and Gretel" presented by Omnipresent Puppet Theatre.

Omnipresent owners Don and Kamala Kruszka are the producers. They also write the scripts, do the voices and build the oversize puppets used in their shows.

Here's how the Kruszkas describe their updated telling of the fairy tale: "The family business is in a slump, and Hansel and Gretel must go and forage for fruits for dinner. Lost deep in the woods, they discover a wonderful gingerbread house occupied by the jolliest "evil" witch we've ever met and her broom named Whiskers. Can their parents find the kids before it's too late?"

The play runs 45 minutes and begins with a warm-up that includes songs and a face-to-face introduction to some of the puppets. The Kruszkas recommend the show for children age 4 or older but it's been my experience that adults get a kick out of the humor as much, and maybe even more, than the kids do.

'Beyond Therapy'

This is the final weekend of the Christopher Durang comedy, "Beyond Therapy," at The Empty Space.

Often referred to as one of Durang's "sunnier plays," the plot concerns a confused relationship between a bisexual man, portrayed by Ryan Watts, and a woman, played by Caroline Clark, who's not sure what kind of love interest she wants -- if any.

To sort things out, each consults a therapist. Hers turns out to be a lecherous male; played by Bob Kempf; his is a shy woman, played by Julie Jordan Scott, who speaks to her clients by way of a doll called Snoopy.

Others in the cast are Ron Warren, who also directs, and Matthew Borton.

Camille Gavin's "Arts Alive" column appears on Thursday. Write her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com