Of course traveling to New York nullifies the concept of taking a vacation in your own backyard, but this summer the bright lights of Broadway are coming to Brentwood through the inaugural season of Broadway Under the Stars.
Through a partnership between the Brentwood Art Society and the Streets of Brentwood, Broadway Under the Stars will feature three family-friendly shows that offer a quality theater experience without requiring East County residents to travel over the hill. A production of “Guys and Dolls” will debut on July 16 and run through Aug. 1, followed by “Auction Gallery,” which runs from Aug. 13 through Aug. 30, and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which runs from Sept. 9 through Sept. 26.
“Brentwood doesn’t have a venue for community theater,” said Brentwood Art Society President Jack Gaughan, “so we’re trying to plant the seed with Broadway Under the Stars. Instead of just one show, we’ve put together a season of three shows, so if the program is successful, we’d like to host a similar program next summer, and if the project continues to gain momentum, then we’ll push for a permanent facility in Brentwood.”
The Brentwood Playhouse, a name coined by Gaughan, will be built at the Streets of Brentwood next week. The stage will feature a saddlespan design, similar to the look of the Sydney Opera House in Australia, which allows the theater’s interior to extend over the conductor and the band, while the audience is seated under the stars for an intimate and entertaining experience.
“This has been one of the most joyful experiences I’ve had in my 17 years as a professional director,” said Steve Kinsella, who will direct all three productions. “We have an amazing cast of egoless performers, and I see lifelong friendships forming already. We have a cast of 34 (for “Guys and Dolls”) that features eight award-winning performers, but we’ve also got actors who have never performed on stage before, so this is going to be a fantastic experience. Everyone is very excited about Broadway Under the Stars.”
Streets of Brentwood General Manager Tracey Nobil agreed: “There has been a lot of support to bring community theater back to Brentwood, and we at the Streets are so excited to be a part of this new adventure. Broadway Under the Stars will be a great addition to the community and we hope it’s a tradition that will continue for summers to come.”
Shows will begin at 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during each show’s run. Tickets are $17 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. Refreshments, provided by Code Brew Coffee and More, will be available for purchase. To reserve your tickets, call 925-516-8500, ext. 203. To become a Broadway Under the Stars sponsor, call Gaughan at 925-513-3863.
“The American Association of Community Theatre says that a community that does not have its own theater program is a community that will not thrive,” said Kinsella. “Theater is the great equalizer. Where else can you see standing shoulder to shoulder a doctor or lawyer or financial planner, carpenter, plumber or architect, all working together for the common good? It’s my hope that Broadway Under The Stars will continue as an institution for many years.”
For more information, visit www.brentwoodartsociety.net.
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