SANTA CLARITA REPERTORY THEATRE EXPANDS PRODUCTION SEASON SCHEDULE TO GROW FROM FOUR STAGE SHOWS TO SIX.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - While some small theaters are folding or barely surviving crippling financial troubles, the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre repertory theatre Production of several different plays in a single season by a resident acting company. The plays chosen may be classic works by famous dramatists or new works by emerging playwrights, and the companies that perform them often serve as a training ground for is thriving, adding two more shows to its 2002 calendar. ``We've gotten huge support from the community,'' said Craig Duswalt, producing artistic director for the theater, popularly called the Rep. Citing success in season-ticket sales, Duswalt explained that limited competition in stage productions contributes to the theater's success, with the Canyon Theater Guild as the only similar organization in the valley. Unlike Pasadena and Glendale repertory theaters that seat hundreds, the Rep seats 81. ``We only have 81 seats to fill, so it's not difficult to sell out our shows, and we do 19 shows in a run, so that's about 1,600 people, which is pretty easy for us,'' Duswalt said. The Rep is enjoying success in the months after the Music Theatre of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, closed and Glendale's Alex Theater laid off four in a reorganization attempt. After the successful 2001 season with four plays - ``Wait Until Dark,'' ``Rumors,'' ``Picasso at the Lapin Agile'' and ``Deathtrap'' - six comedies will be performed this year at the Rep. In what Duswalt considers a coup, the organization obtained the rights to the Tony Award-winning play ``Art,'' which starred Alan Alda Alan Alda (born January 28, 1936) is a five-time Emmy Award-winning, six-time Golden Globe-winning, Academy Award-nominated American actor. He is perhaps most famous for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the television series M*A*S*H. on Broadway. ``That's a big-ticket item big-ticket item Managed care A popular term for an expensive therapeutic or diagnostic procedure for us,'' Duswalt said. ``People will come from Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. to see it.'' Since actors, directors and stage managers are paid at the Rep, Duswalt said he hopes addition of two shows will help offset costs Costs for which funds have been appropriated but will not be obligated because of a contingency operation. See also contingency operation. . Among the shows planned for its 2002 season are ``Prelude to a Kiss,'' ``Murder at the Howard Johnson'' and ``True West.'' Those interested in volunteering with the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre, including working in set construction or as ushers, or those who would like information on auditions can call (661) 222-7278. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Craig Duswalt, producing artistic director for the Santa Clarita Repertory Theatre, prepares for the year's first production: Neil Simon's ``Rumors,'' which will open in March. Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News |
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