Page 65 - Sonoma County Gazette Oct. 2019

Comedies Galore!
A Merry Musical of Murder & Mayhem
Spreckels Theatre Company brings us the North Bay premiere of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, a delightful and hilarious new musical comedy. The show earned a slew of Tony Award nominations when it first
hit Broadway in 2014,
winning four, including
Best Musical. It has gone
on to win laughter and
acclaim all over the
world, and now it’s our
turn locally to enjoy this
frothy entertainment. We
can witness with both
horror and glee as Monty
D’Ysquith murders his
way through nine relatives
to the top of his lineage in
order to inherit the family
fortunes and avenge his
mother.
The ocean is sparkling. The sun is bright
By Mo McElroy
The coolness of the water keeps me on the shore for an hour or so. Walking
with my toes in the sand brings that familiar yummy feeling to the surface: contentment, home, belonging, eternal youth. My orange boogie board and I finally wade into the water that isn’t too cold after all, and the salty sea washes over me like the love of a dear friend. I catch wave after wave flying
Book and lyrics by
in the white sea swirl washing up on shore laughing and giggling like a child. That feeling of completeness and gratitude that I had come to my ocean makes it so that
Robert L. Freedman
Oh, what a murderous web! L-R: Tim Setzer, Andrew Smith, Madison Genovese, Maeve Smith. Photo by Jennifer Griego.
a little skill, a borrowed board, and my healthy body to play, bring me pure joy.
and music and lyrics
by Steven Lutvak, the
musical was inspired by Roy Horniman’s novel Israel Rank, also the source for the classic film Kind Hearts and Coronets. In the film Alec Guinness played all the doomed members of the privileged D’Ysquith family, and in Spreckels’ production, local favorite Tim Setzer will reprise the Guinness role, portraying each of the victims regardless of age or gender. Andrew Smith plays the clever rogue Monty. Veteran and award-winning director Michael Ross takes the helm for what is sure to be one of the season’s musical hits. Runs October 11 - 27—Spreckels Theatre Company, Spreckels Performing Arts Center 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94928—707) 588-3400 spreckelsonline.com
Gazing up and down the beach I see a young couple sit on the sand and never get wet, middle-aged women wade in the water to take selfies, a family walk along the shore fully dressed and holding their shoes. Why don’t you jump in? You’re so close, I think.
Last Show in the Newman
Catching the smaller waves near the shore, I jealously watch a dozen surfers skillfully glide down the big waves bobbing on their boards, part of the ocean horizon, merged not separate, looking so at home. I’m so close, I think.
One of America’s greatest comedic playwrights, Neil Simon, based his play The Good Doctor on the short stories of one of Russia’s greatest writers, Anton Chekhov. It’s a gem of a comedy, using the device of a young writer working his way through writer’s block by telling a series of stories— funny, poignant, and oh so human and familiar.
Hours later walking barefoot,
SRJC’s Theatre Arts department mounts this charming piece as a gift to the community, saying farewell to and honoring the use of the Newman Auditorium on campus while the Burbank Auditorium undergoes renovation. It’s the last show in the Newman before Theatre Arts resumes its residency in the newly-remodeled Burbank. Enjoy the comedy and celebrate with the SRJC theatre arts program, a true treasure in our local theatre scene.
Hollis, and Katarina Flores, Lorelei Voegels, and Declan Hackett, and includes live music. Recommended for age 13 and up due to some adult content. Runs October 4 - 13, Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Arts, Newman Auditorium, Emeritus Hall on the Santa Rosa Campus: 1501 Mendocino Ave,, Santa Rosa 95401—(707) 527-4307—theatrearts.santarosa.edu/
surfer coming down with his board. The look in his eye is both exciting and anticipatory as he scopes out the waves. I almost say, “ Don’t worry, there are plenty, they never run out,” but I hold
Riley Craig as The Writer, Lorelei Voegels as The Wife, and Declan Hackett as The Husband (with violin). Photo by Thomas Chown.
My friend patiently listens as I chatter in his ear and pout all the way back to the car. “Why didn’t I take up surfing when we were teenagers? What was I so afraid of? Why didn’t I graduate past a boogie board? I wish I had the skill to surf, so I could ride those big waves!”
Directed by Wendy Wisely, the show features Riley Craig, Haley
As I hear myself full of the usual regrets, I stop, look at him, and smile. “Hey, I know how to boogie board though. I just gotta get some fins so I can swim out a little farther!”
sticky and sandy back to my car, I pass a
my tongue, stop and follow his gaze to the ocean. Then, I get this alchemical knowing standing next to him about our shared love of the sea.
Not only does he long to be in it, but he also has the means to experience his passion because of the Big Three; his desire, skill, and commitment to show up and ride these waves.
I’m not a world-class surfer, a Broadway actor, a Grammy-winning singer or bestselling author but I can get to those same feelings by singing in the chorus, being in community theater and riding my little boogie board to small waves of happiness.
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