Jan. 13, 2005

What a year awaits us!

by ELLIN BELTZ

EVERY JANUARY I SIT DOWN AND PUT THINGS TO do on a calendar. This year is no different, except I get to share it. We have an impressive and ambitious theater lineup ahead -- perhaps the most far-reaching is the news that Dell'Arte has been chosen as the host of the Network of Ensemble Theaters festival in June. Photo of Joan Schirle of Dell'Arte

Dell'Arte is combining its annual Mad River Festival with the NET event, which will bring nearly 100 artists from 15 companies, international presenters, agents, donors, critics and fans to Humboldt County for a whirlwind, nonstop event June 21-26. Seven companies, including the San Francisco Mime Troupe and Dell'Arte, will perform on the main stages. The other five will come from around the United States to perform as part of the event funded by the Ford Foundation, the Flintridge Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Expect to see some heavy hitters and some fabulous theater in Blue Lake and thereabouts, including Dell'Arte's latest work, Golden State, and the Redwood Park outdoor version of Paradise Lost.

[Joan Schirle in Dell'Arte Company's "Golden State". Photo by Robin Robin.]

Next week, an incredibly clever musical, Forever Plaid, opens at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre. Its goofy premise is that four young singers are given the chance to return from heaven to do the show of their dreams, and this is it. The show, featuring 90 minutes of comedy and classic songs from the '50s and '60s, has been packing houses all over the United States since it premiered very off-Broadway in 1989. It runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 20 to Feb. 12 with the gala opening Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.

Get your tickets early for the very best reserved seats. This show has so many great songs, and I know the performers are a blast because I enjoyed listening to them joke and harmonize when Director Claire Yarrington brought them to perform for the College of the Redwoods Foundation League. The group raises money for scholarships and "bought the house" at the Rep for a benefit matinee performance on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Hope to see you there!

The year ahead in Humboldt County theater

JAN. 20-FEB. 12
Forever Plaid FRT musical
JAN. 27-FEB. 19
Two Gentlemen of Verona NCRT comedy
FEB. 4-5
Students' Commedia Finals DA
original physical comedy
FEB. 17-MARCH 12
The Underpants RC comedic farce
FEB. 18-20
Masters Students' Mask Projects DA original works
MARCH 3-6
Shadow of Giants DA drama
MARCH 3-12
Annual Teen Show FRT
MARCH 18-19
Students' Melodrama Finals DA
original melodrama
MARCH 24-APRIL 16
The Wasp and The Bald Soprano NCRT
two absurd comedies
APRIL 7-30
Deathtrap FRT dramatic thriller
APRIL 21-MAY 14
Enchanted April RC sentimental drama
MAY 26-JUNE 18
Sunshine Boys FRT sentimental drama
JUNE 23-JULY 16
Wonder of the World RC adult comedy
MAY 26-JUNE 18
Dancers NCRT sentimental comedy
JUNE 20-JULY 16
Young Actors Workshop FRT
JUNE 21-26
Mad River Festival: Golden State and Paradise Lost DA, NET Ensemble Theatre Festival
JULY 4
Celebrate America FRT
JULY 28-AUG. 20
The Foreigner NCRT
comedy of miscommunication
SEPT. 1-24
The Drawer Boy RC sentimental comedy
AUG. 4-SEPT. 3
Seussical: The Musical FRT musical
OCT. 27-NOV. 19
Going to St. Ives RC drama

Abbreviations & Contact Information:

DA - DELL'ARTE
131 H St., Blue Lake
668-5663 ext. 20 www.dellarte.com

FRT - FERNDALE REPERTORY THEATRE
447 Main St., Ferndale
786-LIVE www.ferndale-rep.org

NCRT - NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
300 Fifth St., Eureka
442-NCRT www.ncrt.net

RC - REDWOOD CURTAIN
Eureka Mall, 800 W. Harris St., Eureka
443-7688 www.redwoodcurtain.com

Comments? Write a letter!