Coming Next to the Altarena Playhouse...
On Golden Pond
A play by Ernest Thompson
Directed by Richard Robert Bunker
May 30 - June 22, 2008
Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm
Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
(6/8, 6/15, 6/22)
On Golden Pond is a classic American comedy that's every bit as touching, warm, and witty today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1979. Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer spend every summer at their home on Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter visits, bringing along her new boyfriend and his 13-year-old son. The turbulent relationship between a parents and child, the gap between young and older generations, and the difficulties facing a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage all combine to give this play a unique insight into the modern family. The Altarena's intimate, in-the-round setting is the perfect place to share this beloved play with your family. [Suitable for all ages.]
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Altarena News:
Posted on April 18 2008 by Daniel Zilber
The Altarena Playhouse announces open auditions for our upcoming production of Noel Coward’s classic comedy Hay Fever, directed by Altarena Artistic Director Frederick L. Chacon. Auditions will be held at the Altarena on May 18 & 19, 2008 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Auditions are by appointment only. You can schedule an audition by emailing hayfever-auditions@altarena.org. All roles are available, and we encourage anyone with an interest in performing this very British comedy to sign up.
Click here for all the details.
If you’d like to be notified of our upcoming auditions via email, you can click here to sign up for our “Audition Announcement” email list. We’ll never share your email address, or use it for anything other than announcing auditions.
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Posted on April 04 2008 by Daniel Zilber
We’re pleased to announce three sessions of our popular Summer Theatre Camp for 2008. The three 2-week sessions are open to kids 7 - 14 years old and will be held June 16 - 27, July 7 - 18, and July 21 - August 1. We’re especially excited to have local director, actor, and teacher Richard Bunker leading the camps this year.
Conveniently located at our theatre in central Alameda, the Altarena Playhouse Summer Theatre Camp offers children of all skill levels the chance to study improvisation, acting, public speaking, directing, and audition skills. In a camp setting, the students will participate in theatre games, pantomimes, short scenes, beginning costuming and mask-making. The two-week session culminates in a fully-staged 45- to 60-minute young actor’s production of one of these classics:
- “HOOD” (Robin Hood)
- “MACBETH” (Comedic version of the Shakespeare classic)
- “MUSKETEERS” (The Three Musketeers)
- “WOLF ‘N THE HOOD” (A one-act, court-room fairytale comedy for kids)
The show chosen for each session will depend on number/age of campers per Session.
This is not an ordinary camp experience; it is designed to give your student a greater knowledge of the theater arts experience. The camp is open to all ability levels and will be a great addition to any student’s summer vacation.
Each two-week session meets Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Tuition is $475 per session. Aftercare will be available on an hourly basis. The final performance for family and friends will take place on the last day of each session at 2:00 pm at The Altarena.
Click here to download a camp registration form.
If you have any questions, please email Fred Chacon at fred.chacon@altarena.org.
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Posted on March 08 2008 by Daniel Zilber
I’m sure I’m not the only one still recovering from last night’s electrifying opening of Chicago. What an incredible night it was. The theatre was packed to capacity, the cast delivered a knock-out performance, and the reception afterward kept everyone reveling until nearly midnight. So many patrons told me that Chicago is one of the best Altarena shows ever that I’m starting to believe it might be true.
Chicago might also be one of the best-selling shows in Altarena history. We opened last night with nearly half of all performances already sold out. The phones have been ringing off the hook, and Internet sales are at record levels. At this rate, the remaining tickets won’t last long. If you haven’t made reservations yet, time is running out. Check the performance schedule for ticket availability and act fast. The phone lines have been flooded, so we strongly recommend buying tickets through our online box office. But if you insist on doing it the old-fashioned way, you can always call us at (510) 523-1553.
- Daniel Zilber, Altarena Managing Director
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Posted on February 26 2008 by Daniel Zilber
The Altarena Playhouse announces open auditions for our upcoming production of Earnest Thompson’s play On Golden Pond. Directed by Richard Bunker, On Golden Pond will open on May 30 and run through June 21, 2008. Auditions will be held on March 10, 11 & 12 and are by appointment only. For more information about the show and how to schedule an audition, go to our On Golden Pond Auditions page. If you’d like to receive future audition announcements from the Altrena, click here to sign up on our “auditions” email list.
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Posted on January 20 2008 by Daniel Zilber
What a great way to start the season!
The opening weekend of Wait Until Dark was completely sold out and our box office phone is still ringing off the hook. There was a lot of enthusiastic audience buzz around the theater after the performances, so it’s pretty safe to say that Stuart Lyle’s dark and suspenseful staging of the 1967 classic really delivered some thrills. Check out Patrick Tracy’s photos in our online gallery for a glimpse of the stellar cast and amazing set (designed by Angelo Benedetto and painted by Darrell Burson).
Opening weekend may have sold out, but (as of this writing) there are still tickets available for all remaining performances through February 16th. I’m sure that won’t be the case for long, so buy your tickets well in advance. And if you are coming to Wait Until Dark, please arrive at the theater early… Due to the nature of the play, latecomers will not be seated until intermission.
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Posted on January 11 2008 by Daniel Zilber
For over 70 years, we’ve been been producing exciting, high-quality live theater in Alameda. Generous community support coupled with strong ticket sales have allowed us to continue growing and raising the level of artistic excellence, all while balancing our operating budgets and keeping ticket prices affordable. However, as production costs continue to rise, and arts funding becomes more scarce, we recognize some serious challenges ahead.
In response, the Altarena Board of Directors are pleased to announce the creation of the Altarena Endowment Fund. This important financial resource will ensure that our theater is able to thrive for the next 70 years and beyond.
The assets of the Altarena Endowment Fund are carefully invested, while the annual interest income supports the artistic programs and operations of the theater. You can help secure the Altarena’s future by making a donation of cash or securities, or by arranging to make a planned gift. Your support of the Altarena Endowment Fund will mean that future generations of local artists and audiences will continue to be enriched and inspired by our long tradition of outstanding community theater.
Click here to read more about the Altarena Endowment Fund.
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Posted on January 10 2008 by Daniel Zilber
It’s a new year and a new season, so we figure it’s a great time to introduce a new benefit for our season subscribers: The ‘Dinner and A Show’ discount. We’ve partnered with several of our favorite local restaurants who are offering our subscribers 10% off their pre-show dinner bill. Subscribers dining at one of our partner restaurants just need to show their season ticket passes to the waiter before ordering.
Our inaugural restaurant partners are all within a 5-minute drive to the theater: C’era Una Volta, The Hobnob, Juanita’s, and Bip’s Broiler. Click here for more details, including restaurant descriptions, addresses, and maps.
If you’re a subscriber, we hope you’ll take advantage of this new and exciting benefit. If you’re not a subscriber, there’s still time to sign up!
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Posted on December 07 2007 by Daniel Zilber
What an exciting week it’s been at the Altarena!
Our highly anticipated family musical The Man Who Saved Christmas opened last weekend and the early reviews have confirmed what we’ve known all along: It’s “the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.”
Carrie Beavers of the Alameda Sun starts her review this way:
“The return of Ron Lytle’s delightful musical The Man Who Saved Christmas to the Altarena Playhouse is a real gift. The perfect way to kick off the holiday season, the musical is uplifting, deeply moving, and hilariously funny.”
Ken Bullock, in The Berkeley Daily Planet, adds:
“This year’s production [is] even more brisk and upbeat than the last.” And, “It’s a tip of the homburg to the nostalgic musicals of 50 years ago, of Meredith Willson…”
The Man Who Saved Christmas is only here for two more weekends, and must close December 16th. The good news is that there are still tickets available for most performances, including tonight and tomorrow night (Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th). You can purchase tickets through our website, or by calling our box office at (510) 523-1553. Tickets are only $20 for adults and $17 for students (under 18) and seniors (62+).
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Posted on November 30 2007 by Daniel Zilber
Christmas comes early to Alameda this year as Ron Lytle’s family musical The Man Who Saved Christmas opens this evening at the Altarena. There’s been a lot of buzz about ‘The Man’ around town recently, and ticket sales are off to a brisk start. If you haven’t picked up the local papers lately you may have missed several terrific articles about the show, like the Alameda Journal’s profile of writer/director Ron Lytle, and the The Alameda Sun’s preview. ‘The Man Who Saved Christmas’ was also featured this week as the East Bay Express ‘Critic’s Choice.’
There are still tickets available for The Man Who Saved Christmas, but with the limited 3-weekend run, they won’t last long. Buy your tickets today by calling our box office at (510) 523-1553… or use our secure, online ticketing system.
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Posted on November 30 2007 by Daniel Zilber
We’re very excited to announce that we’ve expanded our box office phone hours and will now have a live agent available to answer your calls every Tuesday - Saturday from 1:00 - 6:00pm and Sundays from 10:00am - Noon (on show days only).
If you call outside of business hours, or we’re on the phone with another customer, you’re still welcome to leave a voicemail message and we’ll return your call as soon as possible.
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