Archive for the 'Shows' Category
The reviews are in for our production of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever,” and everyone seems to agree… it’s a hit!
Alice Chalip, writing for the Alameda Journal, opens this way:
“Politely sexy, magnificently costumed and produced, and downright hilarious are apt descriptions of “Hay Fever,” the wild show currently gracing the 70-year-old stage of Altarena Playhouse.”
Ken Bullock, in the Berkeley Daily Planet, writes:
“Hay Fever, an ensemble show if ever there was one, is put on with panache at Altarena Playhouse, with a cast of nine—four ravenous and infighting family members and four increasingly gun-shy weekenders, plus the redoubtable Clara—directed by artistic director Frederick Chacon, all of them working together to make the pieces fit in a hilarious jigsaw puzzle of a pristine day in the country reflected in a sideshow mirror.”
And Gabriella Centurion’s review for the Alameda Sun can be summed up by its headline:
“Howls of Laughter for Hay Fever”
“Hay Fever” runs through August 9th, but shows are selling out quickly. Get your tickets before they’re all gone.
July 25 2008 | Reviews and Shows | No Comments »
Tickets are selling briskly for our production of Noel Coward’s delightful comedy Hay Fever; in fact, the opening night performance weekend is completely sold out. Frederick L. Chacon directs this very British “comedy of deliciously bad manners,” and the cast features a mix of favorite veteran Altarena performers and exciting newcomers. It has all the makings of the “must see” show of the summer, and judging from ticket sales, we’re not the only ones who think so. You can purchase tickets for Hay Fever from our secure online box office (no service fees!) or by calling (510) 523-1553. But don’t wait; you can only catch Hay Fever through August 9th.
July 11 2008 | Shows and Tickets | No Comments »
Ron Lytle’s Cinderella-with-a-twist musical “Oh My Godmother” - which began its life at the Altarena - has opened in a new production at San Francisco’s Zeum Theatre. Lytle is once again at the helm as director, and brings back several original cast members from the Altarena’s sold out 2005 and 2007 productions.
“Godmother” is scheduled to run through July 26, but don’t wait to buy tickets; It was featured prominently in Sunday’s SF Chronicle Pink section and word is sure to spread fast. Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets or by calling 1-800-838-3006. [Altarena is not selling tickets to Oh My Godmother.]
Congratulations to Ron and the entire Oh My Godmother company from all your friends at the Altarena.
June 30 2008 | Shows | No Comments »
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
March 08 2008 | Shows | No Comments »
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.
February 26 2008 | Shows | No Comments »
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.
January 20 2008 | Shows | 1 Comment »
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+).
December 07 2007 | Shows | No Comments »
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.
November 30 2007 | Shows | No Comments »
The reviews are rolling in for our current production of Morning’s At Seven, and we’re thrilled to see that the critics love this play as much as our audiences.
Ken Bullock, in his review for the Berkeley Daily Planet, writes:
“…Morning’s at Seven gives audiences a chance to see a finely tuned ensemble show and to witness a compelling interpretation of a prewar family stage comedy.”
“…Morning’s at Seven holds hidden delights and entertainment, thanks to the sensitivity of Sue Trigg’s direction and the wonderful ensemble’s ongoing discovery of their characters’ true interrelationship.”
“It’s a great evening, a great celebration of seven decades of Altarena Playhouse and of a perennially pleasing American comedy.”
Alice Chalip’s review for the Alameda Journal can be summed up by the headline:
Cast does ’superb’ job in ‘Mornings at Seven’
Morning’s At Seven runs through November 11th. Be sure to buy your tickets soon, before word gets out about this hidden gem of a comedy at the Altarena.
October 26 2007 | Shows | No Comments »
Attention all Bay Area singers, dancers, and actors: We’ve just announced auditions for the first two shows of our 2008 season. Auditions for the thriller Wait Until Dark will be held on November 14th, with callbacks on the 18th. Auditions for the musical Chicago will be held on December 9th & 10th, with callbacks on the 12th. Click the links for all the details.
October 25 2007 | Shows | 3 Comments »
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