Youth theatre group receives much-needed grant

Young actors from Stanislaus County will have money for costumes, sets, and props this summer thanks to a grant from Newman's Own Foundation. Stanislaus County Office of Education's Youth Entertainment Stage (YES) Company received a $35,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation for the second year in a row.

Donation to expand arts access

Modesto businessman Dan Costa and his family have made a $1 million donation to the Gallo Center for the Arts for the purpose of increasing access to the arts among low income children and their families.

Playhouse brings back popular Patsy Cline show

The wildly well-received country drama "Always ... Patsy Cline," is returning to the Playhouse Merced with the opening show on Friday.

Chinese acrobats tumble into town

The seemingly impossible and gravity-defying acts of the New Shanghai Circus Acrobats of China will be taking the stage at the Turlock Community Theatre Saturday evening.

Local company and philanthropists give Gallo Center a much needed financial boost

Two major contributors to the Gallo Center for the Arts have made a large donation to the performing arts center and a challenge to the community.

Theatre department returns to radio days for ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

The classic Christmas story of "It's A Wonderful Life," is being retold in a new format at California State University, Stanislaus. The College of Arts Theatre Department production of "It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" moves the timeless tale of Christmas' true meaning into the venue of radio dramas from bygone days.

Turlock teen takes on sweet role in ‘Willy Wonka’

Fourteen year-old Turlock resident Leah Bateman is a brat. Well, not in real life, but up on the stage. Bateman is playing Veruca Salt in Playhouse Merced's production of "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka." Based on the book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Dahl, and the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder, this musical fantasy tells the familiar tale of chocolate maker Willy Wonka, as he hosts five lucky children on ...

Turlock native pens script for film contest

Mary De Ruse remembers the exact moment she fell in love with the movies. As a little girl, her dad took her to see a double feature at the Turlock cinema. As "Smokey and the Bandit" led into the "The Sting," De Ruse said it was as if time had stopped clicking by and everything outside of that theater had melted away.

It’s ‘Suddenly Seymour’ for Turlock performer

Turlock resident Keaton Williams says he always enjoyed singing, but when he enrolled in a voice class at Modesto Junior College, he says it was more as a lark, than a chosen career path.

Turlock ballerina to perform Juliet in Central West production

The first time Lindsay Weddle took the stage it was as a moonbeam fairy in the ballet version of "Twas The Night Before Christmas." It was a small role for the then 12-year-old budding ballerina, but it left a lasting impression.

Gallo Center names new CEO

The board of directors of the Gallo Center for the Arts announced today that Lynn Dickerson, former publisher and president of the Modesto Bee as well as vice president of operations for the McClatchy Company, has been named the new chief executive officer of the performing arts center.

Summer lovin’ comes to town

Sandra Dee and Danny Zuko are set to come to life at the Turlock Community Theater during the last weekend of August. Turlock Youth Performing Arts will be performing "Grease: The School Version" as their summer production.

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 ...