University drama production chosen for national festival

The California State University, Stanislaus staging of "Debris," an unflinching drama dealing with the consequences of lifelong abuse, has been selected for a performance in the national spotlight.

Turlockers help bring fairytale to Merced stage

Turlock resident Kelsey Verschelden is making her stage debut in the Playhouse Merced production of "Cinderella."

Death By Chocolate

The theater arts are once again thriving at Denair High School as the newly-formed drama club debuts their inaugural play "Death By Chocolate."

Turlocker brings new life to Joseph and his colorful coat

Playhouse Merced is opening their new season with a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," starring Turlock native Keaton Williams.

TYPA tells the story of Annie Oakley

Turlock Youth Performing Arts Senior Company will revive the classic story of sharpshooter Annie Oakley this weekend with their production of "Annie Get your Gun."

Turlock High grad nominated for Emmy

Bayard Stryker, a 1996 Turlock High graduate, was nominated for a 2010 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Short-Form Picture Editing." Stryker's nomination was entered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of a three-minute montage - a "Horror Tribute" - he prepared for the 82nd Academy Awards. The montage, which begins with the ominous, pulsating cellos of "Jaws," is an ...

Merced Shakespearefest opens ‘A Comedy of Errors’

Heike Hambley is promising a few beatings, a theft and even a possible demonic possession at Merced's Applegate Park on Saturday. However, park-goers need not worry since it will all be happening up on the stage as the Merced Shakespearefest stages "A Comedy of Errors.""It's going to be a lot of fun to watch," said Hambley, the founder and director of Merced Shakespearefest. ...

The sun is coming out for Denair’s ‘Annie’

The story of little orphan Annie and her faithful canine companion Sandy is opening at the Denair Gaslight Theatre Friday night.The well-known musical stars 12-year-old Mary Curry as Annie; former Turlock City Councilman Kurt Vander Weide as the billionaire tycoon Daddy Warbucks; Esther Herrera as Miss Hannigan, the miserly matron of the orphanage; Carly Berich as Grace, Warbuck's secretary; and Henry, the golden ...

TCT brings diverse line-up to upcoming season

The Turlock Community Theatre is bringing in some headlining shows for the upcoming season that managing director Kit Casey says, "Hit all the bases."

Local youth theatre programs offer a variety of shows

Summer is here, but the kids aren't done with the books yet … well, at least when it comes to scripts.

CUPS dancers bring Jonah’s tale to life

The Center for Urban Performance and Service will bring the biblical story of Jonah to the bright lights and big stage of the Turlock Community Theater this weekend.

Shakespeare returns to outdoor amphitheatre

The popular Shakespeare under the stars show is returning to California State University, Stanislaus with the upcoming production of "A Midsummer's Night Dream."

Follow the White Rabbit to TYPA’s newest production

The Turlock Youth Performing Arts is opening the curtain on their production of "Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr.," on Friday for a three-day run.

Turlock woman makes strides toward ballet dream

Some gifts truly do keep on giving, no matter the passage of time. For Turlock's Brittnie Cudo, 21, a gift she received as a little girl has opened a door of possibilities for her and helped her identify a lifelong dream.

Turlock teen takes on iconic character for second go around

For the second time in his short musical theater career, Turlock's Aleq Bateman is taking on the role of the quick-witted and unruly Huckleberry Finn.

The Scottish play on outdoor stage at Stanislaus

California State University, Stanislaus' production of "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare opened Tuesday and will run through May 5, with free admission to students and the public. The gates will open at 6:30 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheatre and pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30 p.m. The play will start at around 8:30 p.m. each night. The play is directed by CSU Stanislaus Professor of Theatre Jere O'Donnell with special guest, Chicago-based professional actor ...

The Scottish play on outdoor stage at Stanislaus

TYPA ISLAND LOVE

Turlock Youth Performing Arts' newest show, "Once on the Island Jr.," will transport audience members to a tropical paradise through colorful costumes and songs. An adaptation of the popular fairy tale "The Little Mermaid," "Once on the Island Jr." tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the ...

Playhouse highlights upcoming season

Playhouse Merced's "Season Preview Party and Show" will be presented on the Playhouse Merced Mainstage, at 7:30 p.m. April 6. At the "Season Preview," fully rehearsed, produced and costumed musical numbers and scenes from next season's shows will be performed on the Playhouse stage, with artistic director Rob Hypes acting as master of ceremonies. In addition, drinks, desserts and chances to win prizes will be part of the fun for those in ...

Classic rock opera tells story of the last days of Jesus Christ

"Jesus Christ Superstar," the rock opera that tells the story of the last days of Jesus Christ, begins a three-weekend run on the Playhouse Merced mainstage Friday. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is based loosely on the New Testament account of the last week of the life of Jesus Christ. The story is told mainly from the perspective of Judas, the disciple who eventually betrays Jesus and turns him in to the Roman authorities. With music written ...

Profanity takes center stage

With a title like "American Buffalo," spectators would most likely be expecting a corny western, but in reality, they'd be introduced to an adult feature that professes profanities just as easily as blinking. David Mamet's "American Buffalo" looks into the life of three small time crooks living in Chicago during the 1970s who have a plan to pilfer a man of his coin collection for the valuable "Buffalo nickel." The rugged dialogue ...

‘Annie’ opens ‘Tomorrow’

Merced Arts showcases 'Dearly Departed'

"Dearly Departed," a two act comedy about an eccentric Southern family gathering together for the funeral of the patriarch, begins a two-weekend run at the Merced County Arts Council Friday. "Dearly Departed" is written by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, and tells the story of the dysfunctional Turpin family. After the death of Bud Turpin, Bud's wife Raynelle tries to juggle her complicated life with her sons Ray-Bud and Junior and daughter Delightful. The Turpins turn for comfort ...

Holiday cheer on offer through cinematic classics

Still not quite in the holiday spirit? The State Theatre in downtown Modesto has just the thing; two traditional Christmas films - one modern and one classic. Tim Burton puts the ghosts back into Christmas with his 1993 animated film "The Nightmare Before Christmas." This visually delightful mix of fun and fright is filled with wit, clever songs, funny gags and genuine pathos - making it a true classic, and probably the greatest ...

CUPS takes on 'City Lights, Country Nights'

This year Christmas is coming into town with a little bit of twang, as the Center for Urban Performance and Service and Westside Ministries stages "City Lights, Country Nights." The full-length musical comedy is an original production written by Westside Ministries Director JoLynn DiGrazia and stars a cast of more than 200 dancers and actors from preschool age on up. The Christmas pageant is an annual tradition for Westside Ministries and CUPS, ...

Magic comes alive in Sierra Rep's 'Cinderella'

The beloved classic fairy tale of a beleaguered maid who became a princess is coming to life on the stage as the Sierra Repertory Theatre performs Rodger and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia through Dec. 22.

'Angels!' gives insight into life after death

What originally started as a basic workshop in Los Angeles has now reincarnated into a production that portrays a sensational, comedic manifestation of life after death. California State University, Stanislaus' Theater Department will present "Angels!" an original musical written by the visionary veteran of the stage, Sean Abley. Within this tale, the audience will be transported from Earth, and rise to the heavens with the help of angels. These angels, as performed by ...

Theatre troupe plays tribute to Day of the Dead

A night of the dead was brought to life on Friday as performers from Teatro Los Hijos Del Campo (The Sons of the Field) delivered an emotional performance in memory of the Mexican celebration, Day of the Dead at the California State University, Stanislaus Event Center. The skit was based on Chicano playwright Luis Valdez's anti-war play, "Soldado Razo," that recounts the story of a young Latino's last night with his family and ...

'Double, double toil and trouble'

Three witches, a prophesy and murder. Sounds like any modern horror tale, but this "Scottish play" has been fascinating audiences for at least 400 years. William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is being brought to life again at the Patterson Repertory Theatre - but this time with a distinctly 1980s feel. Director Joshua Morriston believes the central themes in "Macbeth" are as relevant and thought-provoking today as they were in Shakespeare's time. "Initially, I ...

YES Kidettes to stage Winnie the Pooh

More than 90 children from the Stanislaus County area are in the midst of their final rehearsals as the Youth Entertainment Stage Kidettes get set to perform Disney's "Winnie the Pooh, Kids!" The cast of first through fifth graders from schools all over the county will be performing the show at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4. All shows will be in the Downey High School Auditorium at ...