By Chris Murphy
This will be quite a month! We have great live performances, amazing stage productions and the drama departments are back in gear at our local high schools.
We start off with the Gallo Rep performance of To Kill a Mockingbird, with an excellent local cast and the final performance of long time director Jim Johnston. This is a excellently cast performance that will make you realize how fragile the concept of equality and fairness is. Oct 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 Tix at www.galloarts.org
There will be a special Q&A after the Oct 2 performance available to all tix holders.
Even our local performing arts groups get into the haunted action this year. Modesto’s Central West Ballet will be presenting Frankenstein and you wont want to miss that on October 28 & 29. (see BigView)
Opera Modesto will bring Cinderella to the stage at the Gallo Center.
This is the brilliant opera version by Rossini, LA CENERENTOLA. It is the Cinderella story we know and love, filled with charm, romance, comedy- and some unexpected twists! The role of Angelina is everything we expect Cinderella to be- sweet, lovely and kind and performed by California native, Devony Smith. She will travel from Germany to make her role debut here in Modesto.
Instead of an evil stepmother, there is an evil/comic stepfather, performed by Opera Modesto General Director, Roy Stevens! Instead of a Fairy godmother, there is a benevolent tutor portrayed by mezzo-soprano Anakira Gabriella-Graça will take on the role in a modern twist. Of course, there is a handsome prince (Michael Desnoyers), the valet who impersonates the prince (Gabriel Manro), and mean stepsisters (Alicia Hurtado and Holly Banfield). A storm, a broken carriage, and matching bracelets (instead of glass slippers) bring the two lovers together in the end.
October 14 & 16 www.galloarts.org
Modesto Symphony performs the famous Rhapsody in Blue, (United Airlines regulars will recognize this) with pianist Gabriela Martinez. The MSO will end the program with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”, which draws inspiration from American stories and songs, especially the spiritual style of Black Americans.
Oct 21 & 22 – Gallo Center www.galloarts.org
Aquila Theatre Company presents Pride and Prejudice
Published in 1813, Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice has stood the test of time. Filled with unforgettable characters including Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, this sharp social satire has it all; wit, love and lots of dancing!
October 18 www.galloarts.com
The Prospect Theatre has three main performances this month, starting off with the Ava Grace Trio album release concert October 8. There is a really cool Artist’s Lab Improv acting and training class on October 9. The Halloween season will be enhanced with the special Radio Cavalcade performance of Strangers on a Train, the Alfred Hitchcock thriller on October 29.
www.prospecttheatreproject.org
The exciting news is that the high school drama presentations are back. These are amazing performance, hours of rehearsal, sets, design and music and you should really check these out. As a parent who has worked hard to support school drama shows, I believe we should go out and check these shows out, even if you don’t have a kid in the show.
Davis High School will be performing The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. It’s a mash up of Grimm classics, like Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Cinderella. It’s a fast moving parody that keeps the audience on their proverbial toes until all the characters live happily ever after… or not all in one act! October 6-7 at the Davis High Little Theatre at 7 P.M., tickets $6-8 (available at the door) Davis High School 1200 Rumble Rd Modesto
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046272236309
Enoch’s High School Theater Department Presents And Then There Were None, A Murder Mystery, by Agatha Christie. A group of ten people gather at a mansion and someone has accused one of them of murder. If you like the game Clue, you will love this play in true who-done-it style.
Oct: 28th, 29th, Nov: 4th & 5th
Doors 6:45 pm
Enochs High School Multi-Purpose room
Tickets for sale at the Enoch’s Student Body Office or at the door
@enochs.drama
Modesto High will be presenting “EMMA! A Pop Musical.”grace
Place: MHS Auditorium
Dates and Times: October 13th, 14th, and 15th at 7:00 p.m., and October 15th a matinee at 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 Adults, $7 Students
Doors will open 30 minutes before showtime
Tickets will be sold at the door
There is so much more happening this month, from Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss, Oct 6 to Belinda Carlisle, Oct 23 and Air Supply, Oct 29 at the Gallo Center. Tix at www.galloarts.org
Check out updates and other events happening in the greater Modesto area at www.modestoview.com
