“When can you call a play with cheesy sets, a clichéd plot, stereotypical characters and bad accents “good”?

When it’s “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” a redneck romp through white trash territory, running through Sept. 11 at the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival in Fair Oaks. The show’s a hoot. “  Read more…
Jim Carnes,  Sacramento Bee Review

“THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL”

Directed by Bob Irvin — Musical Direction by Kirt Shearer

Choreography by Sunny Smith

Music & Lyrics by David Nehls; Book by Betsy Kelso

“South Park” meets “Desperate Housewives” in this big-hearted new musical with a cheeky script and infectious music. There’s a new tenant at the Armadillo Acres- and she’s wrecking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband, Norbert, the storms begin to brew.

“More fun than a chair throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music”:  The New Yorker

2011 Cast List

Daniel Slauson — Norbert
Monica Wright — Pickles
Joseph Hart — Uncle Mutt
Jonathan Blum — Duke
Brianne Hidden — Jeanne
Mary Cob — Lin
Analise Langford — Pippi
Deane Calvin — Betty

BJ Betts — Chorus
Raymond Keller — Chorus
Kayla Camper — Chorus

NOT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY-PG13

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Spunky Annie brings joy to her fellow orphanage mates, though they are all kept virtually hostage by the mean and spiteful, Miss Hannigan. Annie, meanwhile, meets the millionaire, Daddy Warbucks, bringing joy into his life as well. Miss Hannigan plots evil things but is thwarted. Annie continues to bring joy to everyone, including the mutt, Sandy, and FDR Himself.

View Cast of “ANNIE”

Book by Thomas Meehan; Music by Charles Strouse; Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Directed by Bob Irvin

Choreography by Sunny Smith

Vocal Direction by Tracy Martin Shearer

With a delightfully familiar score and an Annie like no other,
ANNIE promised a tuneful and entertaining evening under the stars.

(Director) “Irvin starts with the great advantage of van Wesenbeeck in the title role. She is poised, sings well and brings such undeniable charm to the role that an old moneybags like Warbucks couldn’t possibly resist her. It’s to Winfield’s credit that he holds his own opposite her and makes convincing his relationship to the young girl and to his assistant, Grace Farrell (played by Brianne Hidden).”
Jim Carnes, Sacramento Bee Read more…

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Directed by Bob Irvin
Choreography by Sunny Smith
Musical Director Kirt Shearer
Vocal Director Tracy Martin Shearer

Presented June 18 – July 25, 2010

Cast:
Leonard Marx (Chico): Gabe Hermann

Adolph Marx (Harpo): Michael Bowles
Herbie Marx (Zeppo): Danny Beldi
Julie Marx (Groucho): Jonathan Blum
Milton Marx (Gummo): Brady Tait

Chorus Women:

B.J. Betts (Cindy, vaudevillian, reporter)
Claire Fischer (vaudevillian, reporter, Maxie’s chorus)
Sandra Hill (vaudevillian, harpist, Maxie’s chorus)
Analise Langford (vaudevillian, Murdock, Maxie’s chorus)
Anna Russell Madonia (vaudevillian, Maxie’s chorus)
Devon Roe (vaudevillian, reporter, Maxie’s chorus)

Chorus Men:

Aaron Bayless (Hochmeister, vaudevillian, Pop)
Ray Keller (vaudevillian, Sidebark, Robwell, stage manager, reporter)
Jacob Tucker (vaudevillian, cop, Telegraph boy, reporter)
Minnie Marx : Deane Calvin
Sam (Frenchie) Marx: Joe Hart
Al Shean: Jeff Lebowitch
Maxie: Corey Winfield
E. F. Albee: Charles Preston
Mrs. McNish: Brianne Hidden

Children:

Juliet Perry, Chance Sinerius, Elana Sogard, Thandie Van Wessenbeeck

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FOTF Capital Campaign – Take a Leading Role!

• The Capital Campaign is an ongoing effort to secure funding for the final Phase of the Amphitheatre renovation project.

• A blue-ribbon Advisory Committee has been formed, including elected officials and business leaders throughout the Sacramento Region.

• Generous individuals and businesses have donated significant financial resources.

• SMUD has donated $16,000 towards the new energy efficient lighting system that was installed on the Theatre light bridge. This system is now being tested by SMUD as an ongoing research project.

• The Festival and the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District have made the final decision on the basic design and square footage for the new stage house. The architchect, WMB Associates, has provided renderings of the project as seen above.

• Several fundraising receptions have been held featuring performances by FOTF talented actors.  These events educate community members on the programs and opportunities available through the all-volunteer Fair Oaks Theater Festival and their partners at American River College.