Saturday October 1 @ 7 pm. ZipLine Improv at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. Occidental native Laura Wachtel returns to OCA with ZipLine Improv, bringing you new hijinks, stories and songs all made up in the moment — led by your suggestions! ZipLine brings together some of the finest improvisers from around the Bay Area for your merriment. Tickets for this OUTDOOR event are $25 GA, $20 for OCA members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org . Bring your own seat cushion, wear layered clothing and enjoy our outdoor theater! Fine refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission. Accessible to patrons in wheelchairs. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392. Become an OCA Member for free and reduced ticket prices!
Come to the cabaret and the heady ‘anything goes’ world of Berlin in 1930. In the steamy, sleazy Kit Kat Klub on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power, is love possible? Jared Sakren, Playhouse Artistic Director, directs this daring and provocative musical in his signature style (West Side Story, Vincent, A View from the Bridge). It’s a treat for all of your senses.Expect lavish music, erotic dancing with tender and humorous moments building toward an alarming finale.
Cabaret September 15 – October 9, 2022 music by John Kander lyrics by Fred Ebbbook by Joe Masteroff directed by Jared Sakren
Come experience this latest rendition with fresh eyes!
“Playwright Kate Hamill has made a madhouse out of the Bennets’ world and it works wonderfully, filling the stage with delicious portraits of classic romance-novel characters.” —J. Peter Bergman, The Berkshire Edge
A rapturous romantic comedy, propelled by Austen’s sparkling characters and blazing wit.
Finding a husband is hardly Elizabeth Bennet’s most urgent priority. But with four sisters, an overzealous match-making mother, and a string of unsuitable suitors, it’s difficult to escape the subject. When the independent-minded Elizabeth meets the handsome but enigmatic Mr. Darcy, she is determined not to let her feelings triumph over her own good sense — but the truth turns out to be slipperier than it seems.
In a society where subtle snubs and deceit proliferate, is it possible for Elizabeth and Darcy to look beyond his pride and her prejudice, and to make the best match of all?
Pride and Prejudice
previews August 11
Monroe Stage
written by Kate Hamill based on the novel by Jane Austen directed by Laura Downing-Lee
Starring Matt Cadigan, Lauren DePass, Sierra Downey, Tim Hayes, Skyler King, Kristine Ann Lowry, Elijah Michael Pinkham, and Miranda Jane Williams
Emily Jansen-Adan stars as Alison in Left Edge Theatre’s premiere production of Fun Home, running September 3-18, at The California, 528 7th Street, in Santa Rosa. In this interview, they speak about Alison Bechdel’s powerful story and nonbinary identification.
Cheryl King: Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel was the source material for Fun Home. In your research for the role of Alison, what commonalities did you discover between the two of you?
Emily Jansen-Adan: The more I learn about Alison, the more I know there is both a lot we have in common, and not, at the same time. We are both lesbians and part of the queer community. And in that sense, almost any queer person can share in her experiences. The moments of not wanting to accept yourself for who you are. And the moments of truly realizing who you are, and coming to terms with that. We all have those moments and stories. I see a lot of myself in her. But the queer community is not monolithic, so it is important to me, as I am playing this character, based on a real life person, that I not only bring the realness that being queer does, but also, that I play it authentic to who she was, and her unique experiences in her life and this story.
CK: I note you use non-binary pronouns.. What are your thoughts regarding the cultural issues surrounding non-binary identification and have you had any personal experiences regarding that issue that you would care to share?
E J-A: I am non-binary, and I use They/she pronouns. I can only speak on behalf of myself, as every person who is part of the queer community is different and we all have our own experiences and perspectives.
I do find that a lot of people have a hard time with being able to understand what being non-binary is, both in the queer community, and outside of the queer community.
A lot of people have a hard time using they/them correctly, and that does make it really hard for me, and I am sure others as well. And I think it’s important for people to take the time to truly understand someone’s pronouns, and learn to use them the right way.
I think there is a big cultural shift, and we are seeing a lot more people being comfortable being themselves, and I think the beautiful thing about being non-binary is there is no finite way of being non-binary. Some people use only they/them for pronouns, some use only she/her, or he/him, or both, or all or none. Even the way we express ourselves is different for each person, and I find it really beautiful and inspiring.
CK: Regarding the issues of parents coming out to their children, what have you discovered about the relationship between Alison and her father (Bruce) in the course of rehearsals and homework on the topic? Can you relate any of that to your experience in life?
E J-A I think one of the most interesting things about Alison’s and Bruce’s story is the stark contrast between them. He lived a closeted and secretive life of being gay, up until his last days; and Alison came to terms with herself in college and has lived authentically since. Alison and Bruce have a very complex relationship, so there is a lot that comes into play when we are portraying this story.
I have a lot more in common with Alison specifically, as I was actually around the same age as she was when I “came out” to the world. I also grew up religious, and was a classic tomboy throughout my childhood, and find many commonalities to her life in that regard.
CK You are working with two younger actors who play Small Alison and Medium Alison. Have you done any particular work to align your interpretations of the character? What is that process like?
E J-A We just started rehearsals recently, so there hasn’t been a lot yet, but really it is just us all taking the time to really understand what Alison is feeling in each moment and stage of her life. We’ve been doing a lot of observing of each other, so we can kind of mirror each other in that regard.
CK: Left Edge Theatre has moved to a new location during the rehearsal process. Are you excited about being in the new space? What are you looking forward to?
E J-A This is actually my first performance with Left Edge Theatre. It is really cool though, to be in the rehearsal process in the new space, as they are still getting the space ready, so we are seeing the transformation of the new space day by day.
C.K. What has been your favorite experience in the rehearsal so far?
E J-A For me, this is my first time really being in a fully professional production, and my first time being the main role, so it’s all new for me. I guess my favorite thing, so far, has just been being in the same space and rehearsing with my fellow cast members and seeing the show start to come to life, as the show has a relatively small cast, so it is very important for us to all be on the same page.
CK: Is there anything you’d like to add?
E J-A: I think something cool to note is the cast has a lot of wonderful LGBTQ+ people putting on this show for everyone. I also think it is just so important to know that this show is based on a real-life lesbian person and her life, family, and her real life gay father who died by suicide. The story is very complex, and it shows the humanity in us all. Kleenex is definitely needed as this show will bring you on a roller coaster of raw emotions.
Emily has been doing theater off and on since they were a teen, making their debut on the Cinnabar Young Rep stage as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (2012).
Their most recent credits include Fantine in Les Miserables (2019; Music to My Ears), and Gargoyle in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2020; Music to My Ears).
Cheryl King is a frequent contributor to gaysonoma.com and is a producer for The California.
Saturday August 6 @ 7 pm. ZipLine Improv! at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. Occidental native Laura Wachtel returns to OCA with ZipLine Improv, bringing you new hijinks and stories (and maybe even a song or two) all made up in the moment — led by your suggestions! ZipLine brings together some of the finest improvisers from around the Bay Area for your merriment. Tickets are $20 GA, $15 for OCA members@ www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door. Bring your own seat cushion and enjoy our outdoor theater! Fine refreshments, art gallery open, special needs/access please email info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental CA. 95465. 707-874-9392. OCA is a non profit performing and fine arts organization with volunteer staffing.
The tasteless, anti-LGBTQI+ comic Dave Chappelle performed five shows at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. It is difficult to believe the LBC staff and board were unaware of Chappelle’s numerous anti-LGBTQI+ comments that are well-documented and for which he has offered no apologies. Chappelle identifies as a so-called “TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist)” joining author J. K Rawlings in such dangerous hate speech. These people refuse to accept that we are in the position to declare our gender or lack thereof.
Netflix came under fire for producing and airing two Chappelle shows that feature anti-Trans comments. LGBTQI+ Netflix employees protested – some even quit. Days before the LBC shows comenced, a Minneapolis Chappelle show switched locations as a direct result of a protest organized after Chappelle referred to Monkeypox as “a gay disease.” Chappelle mocked the members of the local LGBTQI+ Community who brought about the move. The original venue apologized to the local LGBTQI+ Community for once welcoming Chappelle and his hate. Chappelle has never backed down, apologized or even reached out to better understand the concerns of he LGBTQI+ Community. Instead, he continues to mock our Community.
The Press Democrat revealed that mere weeks before the five July shows, Live Nation approached LBC with an offer LBC appears to have found unable to refuse. The LBC staff and board claim there was considerable conversation – considerable, but certainly brief and misguided. Did they notice how few dates Live Nation had booked for Chappelle? None in San Francisco or Oakland or Los Angeles. LBC thought they could sneak this past our Community. No doubt comedy venues in big cities find Chappalle as toxic as the LBC staff and board should have.
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts found it necessary to confiscate all audience cell phones before the Chappelle shows. I have attended too many LBC concerts to count but have never had my cell phone taken away before a show. They must have done this so no footage of his anti-LGBTQI+ vitriol would find its way onto social media identifying LBC as the location. Sorry, LBC, you are now forever linked to anti-LGBTQI+ comments.
Should the North Bay’s LGBTQI+ Community allow hate speech and inflammatory comments to be staged in our backyard? Make no mistake – this is not an attack on free speech or about censorship. This is about making LBC aware that Trans people are harmed and even killed as a result of such despicable comments. 2021 saw a record number of Trans-folks murdered. So far this year 57 have been murdered in the United States alone. We once valued this venue, but it’s decision to allow Chapelle a forum for his hate is unacceptable. The LGBTQI+ Community finds Dave Chappelle comments offensive, inflammatory and even deadly.
Let’s stand up to Hate Speech and inform those in power at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts we will boycott the venue. Some shy away from boycotts. If you are amongst them, at least express your opinion by contacting the people listed below.
Let the Staff and Board of Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, its sponsors, those who share the Center’s campus, and elected officials know that such Hate results in harm to members of the LGBTQI+ Community. Email and call, as many as possible and as often as possible.
Call to Action: BOYCOTT Luther Burbank Center for the Arts for Bringing Anti-LGBTQI+ Hate to Sonoma County
The tasteless, anti-LGBTQI+ comic Dave Chappelle performed no less than five shows at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. It is difficult to believe the LBC staff and board are unaware of Chappelle’s numerous anti-Trans comments that are well-documented and for which he has offered no apologies. Chappelle identifies as a so-called “TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist)” joining author J. K Rawlings in such dangerous hate speech. These people refuse to accept that we are in the position to declare our gender or lack thereof.
Netflix came under fire for producing and airing two recent Chappelle shows that feature anti-Trans comments. LGBTQI+ Netflix employees protested – some even quit. Recently, a Minneapolis Chappelle show switched locations as a direct result of a protest organized after Chappelle referred to Monkeypox as “a gay disease.” Chappelle mocked the members of the local LGBTQI+ Community who brought about the move. The original venue apologized to the local LGBTQWI+ Community for once welcoming Chappelle and his hate. Chappelle has never backed down, apologized or even reached out. Instead, he continues to mock our Community.
The Press Democrat revealed that mere weeks before the five shows, Live Nation approached LBC with an offer they seen unable to refuse. The LBC staff and board claim there was considerable conversation – considerable, but perhaps, but certainly misguiged. Did they notice how few dates Live Nation had booked for Chappelle. None in San Francisco or Oakland or Los Angeles. LBC thought they could sneak this past our Community. No doubt comedy venues in big cities find Chappalle as toxic as the LBC staff should have.
Imagine, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts confiscated cell phones at the Chappelle shows. I have attended too many LBC concerts to count but have never had my cell phone taken away before a show. They must have done this so no footage of his anti-LGBTQI+ vitriol would find its way onto social media identifying LBC as the location. Sorry, LBC, you are now forever linked to anti-LGBTQI+ comments. Did you think this community could be so easily duped?
Should the North Bay’s LGBTQI+ Community allow hate speech and inflammatory comments to be staged in our backyard? Make no mistake – this is not an attack on free speech or about censorship. This is about making LBC aware that Trans people are harmed and even killed as a result of such despicable comments. 2021 saw a record number of Trans-folks murdered. So far this year 57 have been murdered in the United States alone. We once valued this venue, but it’s decision to allow Chapelle a forum for his hate is unacceptable. The LGBTQI+ Community finds Dave Chappelle comments offensive, inflammatory and even deadly.
Let’s stand up to Hate Speech and inform those in power at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts we will boycott the venue. Some shy away from boycotts. If you are amongst them, at least express your opinion by contacting the people listed below.
Let the Staff and Board of Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, its sponsors, those who share the Center’s campus, and elected officials know that such Hate results in harm to members of the LGBTQI+ Community. Email and call, as many as possible and as often as possible.
The tasteless, anti-LGBTQI+ comic is scheduled to perform three shows at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, July 26-29. Perhaps the LBC staff and board are unaware of Chappelle’s numerous anti-Trans comments that are well-documented and of which he has offered no apologies. Chappelle identifies as a so-called “TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist)” joining author KJ. K Rawlings in such dangerous hate speech. Netflix has come under fire for producing and airing two recent Chappelle shows that feature anti-Trans comments. Recently, a Minneapolis show switched locations as a direct result of a protest organized after Chappelle refered to Monkeypox as “a gay disease.” Should the North Bay’s LGBTQI+ Community allow hate speech and inflammatory comments to be staged in our backyard? Make no mistake – this is not an attack on free speech. This is about making LBC aware that Trans people are harmed and even killed as a result of such despicable comments. We value this venue, but should not allow them to present a show that so many members of this community finds offensive, inflammatory and even dangerous.
If you aren’t aware of this man’s exploits, check out these articles:
PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS POSSIBLE.
Let the Staff and Board of Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, its sponsors, those who share the Center’s campus, and elected officials know that such hate results in harm to members of the LGBTQI+ Community. Email and call, as many as possible and as often as possible.
Let’s stop these shows and send a message to every venue in the North Bay that anti-LGBTQI+ hate speech will not be tolerated!
The answer is simple and profoundin this one-of-a-kind theatricalexperience.It’s the story of a man who, at age seven, in order to cheer up his mom when she first tries to end her life begins compiling a list of the minutiae that make life worth living.Things like ‘ice cream’ and ‘water fights’ give way years later to ‘listening to Miles Davis’ and ‘falling in love.’ Eventually, the ever-growinglist is as much for him as it was for his mom.Since 2015, the show has captured hearts and minds as an Off-Broadway hit, a World Tour, an HBO adaptation and runs at both large and small theatres across the country. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive by audiences and critics alike.And now Every Brilliant Thing is coming to the intimate Monroe Stagefor a one-weekend run to benefit the Playhouse’s ‘Buy the Building’ fund.
Every Brilliant Thing July 29 — 31, 2022A Benefit Performance for the ‘Buy the Building’ Fundby Duncan Macmillan & Jonny Donahoedirected by Princess Kannahperformed by Craig A. Miller(Playhouse Artistic Director from 2011-2018)
Craig explores poignant and humorous themes in Every Brilliant Thing.
A Brilliant Performer
Craig helms the show, tackling a serious subject with disarming, comfortable frankness. Most interesting is that theaudience is part of the show. Craig, as only Craig can, invites participation in a warm, engaging way putting everyone at ease right from the start.The stage is bare, the lights are on, classical jazz music plays on and strangers soon become friends. Both humorous and heartrending Every Brilliant Thing is an unforgettable night of theatre!
A Brilliant Cause
Experience the BEST live theatre has to offer. AND Support the Playhouse!The VIP experience includes a receptionwith Craig right after the 85-minute performance, champagne and dessert and front-row seats, $145Reserved seats, $68 Please book your tickets today. And spread the word!
The Raven Players, resident theater company at Healdsburg’s Raven Performing Arts Theater, announced today their popular Shakespeare-under-the-stars performances will return in July and August with Twelfth Night (with a twist). These shows are free and open to the public.
What’s “the twist” in the Raven Players’ production? “I won’t spoil our spunky take on the traditional ending,” said director Steven David Martin, who is also the company’s artistic director. “But I will say I’ve always found it odd that the same person who penned, ‘To me she is married, not unto my clothes,’ also wrote plays where the female lead spends 90% of the play dressed as a man and inevitably a woman falls in love with the cross-dressed woman but drops her like a hot potato when the cross-dressed woman’s twin brother shows up because … wait for it … he is a he, not a she.”
There were a few other changes, as well. “Suffice it to say that we ‘borrowed’ a few lines from other Shakespeare plays and sonnets, then tied it all together with some verse by a lesser writer,” Martin explained. “Voilà, we have an ending that to me makes a little more emotional sense.”
If the surprise twist isn’t enough to rile the purists, Martin set the production in the roaring 1920s, whose jazz age spirit is the perfect environment for this high-spirited tale of love, lust, and misunderstanding.
Twelfth Night (with a twist) July 21-23; July 28-30; August 4-6, 7:30 pm West Plaza Park, Healdsburg, Chairs & Blankets Recommended Information: raventheater.org/twelfthnight
6th Street Playhouse celebrates 50 years of presenting quality plays and musicals. The nonprofit theatre company is a staple of the community having something for everyone. 6th Street Playhouse has a robust Education Department featuring Classes, Camps and Performances for young people. Aja Gianola-Norris, first joined the Playhouse as the Director of Hair and recently, she become the Director of Education & Community Engagement. This Summer the Education Department presents Annie Jr. and Legally Blonde Jr. featuring the enthusiastic young actors as they have the opportunity to take their performance skills to the stage.
6th Street Playhouse’s Managing Director, Anne Clark states, “I am so thrilled to welcome Aja Gianola-Norris to our team at 6th Street Playhouse as the new Director of Education & Community Engagement. Her quiet strength, kindness, intelligence and joy for theater make her the perfect fit for this role and what she contributes will be a gift for our students and the community. Her connections to the theater community in Sonoma County run deep and her passion for theater education is inspiring! We are very lucky to have her.”
The inaugural Concert Series features Shana Morrison & Caledonia on Saturday, July 30th. Shana Morrison is the daughter of Music Legend, Van Morrison. She is a talented singer with a great band. Also, on July 30th, Moondance, an after party with 3 DJ’s round out the evening for your dancing pleasure from 10:30pm to 1:30am. DJ Loisaida explains, “People love to dance to uplifting music and we are thrilled to offer the opportunity to showcase some great music from various genres.”
Every Brilliant Thing tackles a giant subject: What is it that Makes Life Worth Living?
This one-man show starring Craig A. Miller, the former Artistic Director of 6th Street Playhouse (2011-2018) deals with mental health issues in an uplifting way. It’s the story of a man who, at age seven, in order to cheer up his mom when she first tries to end her life begins compiling a list of the minutiae that make life worth living. Things like ‘ice cream’ and ‘water fights’ give way years later to ‘listening to Miles Davis’ and ‘falling in love.’ Eventually, the ever-growing list is as much for himas it was for his mom.
The production of Every Brilliant Thing from July 29-31, is a benefit for the Buy the Building fund for 6thStreet Playhouse.
The New Season has 10 great productions; including Pride and Prejudice, Cabaret, River Bride, Scrooge in Love, A Year with Frog and Toad, Little Shop of Horrors, Raisin in the Sun, Always…Patsy Cline, Smart People and Something Rotten! The 2022/2023 Season opens on August 11 with Pride and Prejudice; however, this is not the old-fashioned version but rather, an updated contemporary rendition written by Kate Hamill and based on the classic novel by Jane Austen. 6th Street Playhouse your go to place for top-notch entertainment.
For more information, visit: 6thstreetplayhouse.com
