Napa Valley Conservatory Theater (NVCT), in association with Napa Valley College, continues its upward artistic trajectory, announcing the most ambitious season yet! At home in the stunning new Performing Arts Center at Napa Valley College, the 2011–2012 season starts off with nothing but laughs in the world premiere of Christmas Abridged. Running September 29–October 9, 2011, this outrageous comedy springs from the fertile imaginations of Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor (All the Great Books (abridged), The Complete History of America (abridged), and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged). The play is directed by Reed Martin himself and stars North Bay favorites Dodds Delzell, Dan Saski and Chad Yarish.
Following in November is Tennessee Williams’ haunting and gritty drama, A Streetcar Named Desire. Playing November 4–13, 2011, this production is directed by Sharon Winegar and stars Jennifer King as the tragic Blanche DuBois.
NVCT brings in the New Year with either The 39 Steps or Cyrano!, playing January 27–February 12, 2012. The 39 Steps is adapted by Patrick Barlow and blends the Hitchcock film masterpiece with a dash of Monty Python, resulting in a fast-paced whodunit. This two-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning show is packed with non-stop laughs with over 150 zany characters played by a cast of only four talented actors. Cyrano! adapted by Jo Roets, features a cast of just three actors who compress Rostand’s classic love story into a charming, lightning-paced melodrama of duels, panache, hopeless sacrifice—and an enormous schnoz. This production of Cyrano! played last season to sold-out houses at Sonoma County Repertory Theater in Sebastopol. Either way, The 39 Steps or Cyrano!, the NVCT audiences get a winner!
Moving on to March, the tone of the laughs changes dramatically, moving to the slightly twisted humor of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, exploding on the stage March 9–25. Possibly Sondheim’s masterpiece, Sweeney Todd’s complex music, witty lyrics and sweeping story are not to be missed. Directed by NVCT Artistic Director, Jennifer King.
Closing out the season and running April 13–22, 2012, will be that perennial favorite, TBA (to be announced). Though the name is still a mystery, you can rest assured the choice will either tickle the funny bone or stimulate the ol’ brain box.
For the young ones, Schoolhouse Rock will shake the rafters October 18–26, 2011 as a Theater for Young Audience Special Event. The run will include four low-cost student matinees for local elementary schools.
All performances are in the magnificent new Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center located at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy in Napa. Tickets for all shows are available through the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center (PAC) box office. By Phone: 707-256-7500; in person: PAC Box Office. Walk up hours: M-Th, 1:30–4 p.m.
Online: www.napavalleytheater.org
In a nutshell
Who: Napa Valley Conservatory Theater
Venue: Performing Arts Center, Napa Valley College
Address: 2277 Napa-Vallejo Hwy, Napa
Season:
- Christmas Abridged by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, directed by Reed Martin. Sept. 29–Oct. 9, 2011
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, directed by Sharon Winegar. Nov. 4–13, 2011
- The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow from the Hitchcock film or Cyrano! adapted by Jo Roets from Rostand’s play, directed by Jennifer King. Jan. 27–Feb. 12, 2012
- Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Jennifer King. March 9–25, 2012
- TBA April 13–22, 2012
Ticket Prices: TBD
To Buy Tickets:
By phone: 707-256-7500
In person: PAC Box Office. Walk up hours: M-Th, 1:30-4 p.m.
Online: www.napavalleytheater.org