8th Annual Evening to Remember slated for Friday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Imagination Theater is excited to be hosting our 8th Annual Evening to Remember on August 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the theater located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

There will be a live and silent auction during the evening as well as entertainment and a show preview from the the theater's holiday musical, Mary Poppins.

Enjoy an evening of local wines and food while bidding on items donated by local businesses and individuals.

Proceeds will benefit Imagination Theater to provide quality, creative, live theater in the foothills. A personalized, all-inclusive weekend in Ashland, Oregon, wine tours, themed gift baskets, season theater tickets are just a few of the many items that await.

Mark your calendar now!  Also, if you are interested in helping with the fundraiser, please contact the box office at 530-642-0404.

One of the beautiful handcrafted
 jewelry items from last years fundraiser.

It's a Tasty Contest! Enter your recipe using Spam and you could win two tickets to Spamalot!

Spam sushi?  Spam stir fry?  Get those spam juices flowing to win two tickets to Spamalot at Imagination Theater opening weekend.

It's easy and quick!  Simply email your recipe to the theater.  Be creative and have fun!  Winners will be notified March 24.

The History of Spamalot

SPAM (noun) 1 a canned food product by Hormel consisting primarily of pork formed into a solid block:

2 a distruptive commercial message posted on a computer network or sent as e-mail; 3 a brief irrelevant joke in the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” that has found itself in the title of a ridiculous twists of fate (including the whims of a billionaire casino owner), gets its local theater premiere at the most imaginative and beloved theaters in the Sierra Foothills. 

First there was “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” a sketch comedy that aired on the BBC from 1969 to 1974. The “Pythons,” as the six cast members are known, are oxford alums Michael Palin and Terry Jones, Cambridge grads John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Eric Idle, and Minnesotan animator Terry Gilliam. (Gilliam attended Occidental College, making it arguably the Cambridge – or Oxford - of California.) The Pythons wrote everything and performed almost all roles, male and female, accompanied by Gillian’s eccentric animation.

The first Python film was “And Now for Something Completely Different,” which was released in 1971 and was basically retreads of favorite “Flying Circus” sketches directed by an outsider. So although it was called “And Now for Something Completely Different,” it wasn’t, actually, different at all. When the Pythons next decided to make a film, they thought best to do less of a rip-off. The movie would be all new material, be a complete story from start to finish instead of a collection of sketches, and be co-directed by Pythons Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones, although neither had directed a film before. That film, considered by many the first true Python movie, was “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

But we don’t have room to prattle on about the movie or TV show. You’ll have to go to Wikipedia. Perhaps if you are really interested you could order “Monty Python: Almost the Truth- The Lawyers Cut” from Netflix. It’s a six-part documentary that ran on IFC network in 2009. It’s got all the juicy gossip. …

Idle is also the mind behind Monty Python’s Spamalot, which brags that is “lovingly ripped off” from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Although adapted from the film, with all of the good bits included, Idle takes full advantage of the entire Python canon, including the absurdist yet fan-favorite Fish Slapping scene from the TV series and lifting the song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from the film “The Life of Brian.” And while the musical fully embraced theatrical conventions and Broadway traditions, it mines them mercilessly for new jokes and outrageous sight gags.

Spamalot opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran for 1,575 performances before closing in 2009. The original New York cast included a host of tourist bait including Hank Azaria (Sir Lancelot), Tim Curry (King Arthur) and David Hyde Pierce (Sir Robbin). The production was directed by Mike Nichols, the Tony, Grammy, Oscar and Emmy Award winner (one of only 12 people to win all four). The production received 12 Tony Award nominations, winning three including best musical.

The first national tour of Spamalot opened in spring 2006 and wound around the country playing all the major cities – except L.A., San Francisco, Phoenix, Sacramento … and Placerville. Las Vegas casino operator, Steve Wynn secured the exclusive rights to present a 90-minute version of the show and blocked the complete production in the southwest. The Vegas production closed after 16 months which cleared the way for the national production to be produced regionally. Spamalot made its regional premier at Music Circus in Sacramento in May of 2010 as it’s 500^th production presented in the round.

Imagination Theater is thrilled that we are able to present this wonderfully funny show to you, locally, in the rectangular.  Tickets are now available for this zany Python comedy!   Order them today!

Final Weekend of Red, White and Tuna

Vera (Jeffrey Lathrop) and Pearl (Richard Gaylord)
"Now it's been awhile since I've driven a standard, but it
should be as easy as driving off a cliff!"

This is your last chance to see a very funny comedy.  Four more shows. . . and with you in the audience, it will be that much better!

Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. ($12)

Friday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m.   Kiwanis Night.  ALL proceeds go to #TheEliminateProject 

Saturday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m.  It's a Sweetheart Deal.  All tickets are 2 for the price of 1 ($15).  Bring a date, friend, neighbor, co-worker, long lost relative, etc.

Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m.  You never know what will happen at the closing show of this fun production.

Get your tickets online and at the door.  Prepare for some fireworks and fun during the final weekend.

Are You an IT! Alum? Come to the IT! CAST Party. Fun for ALL ages!

No Stress, 

All Fun

A no-theme C.A.S.T. Party

(Committed Alumni Supporting the Theater)

at Imagination Theater!

Saturday, March 7th 

7pm-10pm

All casts, crews, and production teams from all shows at IT! are invited

Guests are welcome

Members under 14, please bring an adult or responsible older sibling

Please bring a light snack and beverage to share

Eat dinner at home and bring an after-dinner snack or treat.

If you wish to partake of the bar offerings, please contribute a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer as well.  

Soft drinks will be provided.

Anyone under 30 wishing to partake should be prepared to show ID.

Wear your favorite T-shirt (or come as you are) 

(talent show costumes ok, but not required)

Socializing * Theater Games 

* Talent Show * and More!

Talent Show sign ups now begin at 7pm the night of the party!

Open to anyone. Space may be limited. Any talent appreciated (juggling?  poetry?  impressions?)

Volunteers Needed: Set up/clean up, Food arranging, Bartenders.

Join our Facebook Group: IT! CAST

(closed group, invitation needed, ask a friend)

Michelle Harwell * Marc Bonham * Kate Barba * Jerri Myers * Ali LaVanway

Audition Notice: Mary Poppins (April 14-20)

Imagination Theater Audition Notice for 2015 Holiday Production: MARY POPPINS

Adult Women (Age 18+): Tues. April 14, 2015 7:00-9:00pm
Vocal Auditions

Adult Males, Teen Boys and Girls (13+): Wed. April 15, 2015 7:00-9:00pm
Vocal Auditions 

Children (Boys & Girls Ages 8-12): Sat. April 18, 2015 9:00am-Noon
Vocal Auditions & Cold Reading
(Some adult women may be called back for the children’s auditions to read with the children)

All Auditioners: Dance & Movement Sun. April 19, 2015 7:00-9:00pm

Call-Back Auditions: Mon. April 20, 2015 7:00-9:00pm
Cold Readings & Vocals as necessary

Additional Information

1. For all vocal auditions, auditioners must provide their own electronic accompaniment (backing) track on a cd, computer, ipad, mp3 player, ipod, or cellular phone. A player with connecting cables will be available. A keyboard accompanist will not be available. Backing tracks must be without accompanying vocals.

2. All auditioners must be prepared to sing a musical theater type of song of their own choosing (from the show or not from the show). Rock and pop songs are discouraged. All singers must sing with accompanying music. Lyrics must be memorized.

3. Auditioners for the role of Mary Poppins must prepare two audition songs: (1) a musical-theater type of song of their choice not from the show and (2) the song from the show, “Practically Perfect.” (An instrumental version without backing vocals is available at www.Karoke-version.com).

4. For Dance Auditions, auditioners are encouraged to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing and shoes. Tight skirts, pants, and blouses should be avoided. Dancing bare-footed or in sandals is not allowed. Auditioners are encouraged to improve their tap dancing skills prior to auditions.

5. Auditioners are encouraged (but not required) to provide a resume and a recent photo. Elaborate resumes and expensive head-shot photographs are not required.

Performance and Rehearsal Schedules

Rehearsals for the company will be primarily from July-November, 2015.

Actors in the roles of Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Banks children will have a light vocal rehearsal schedule during May and June, 2015.

Imagination Theater’s Holiday Production will have 18 performances on the following dates:

November 21, 22, 28, 29
December 3, 4 ,5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23


Roles
Notes: (1) Ages listed are approximate only. Casting of specific roles will be based upon appearance within the ensemble and cast.

(2) Male and female teenagers are invited and encouraged to audition for ensemble roles.

Women
MARY POPPINS. Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key. Role requires strong movement and tap dancing skills. Female, 20-35 yrs. old in appearance. Range: Gb3 - C6

WINIFRED BANKS. George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be a model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has a great warmth and simplicity to her tone. Female, 30-40 yrs. old. Range: A3 - D5

BIRD WOMAN. Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passerby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life. Female, Older appearance. Range: Gb3 - C5

MISS ANDREW. George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with the range. Female, 40-60 yrs. old. Range: Gb3 - F5

MISS LARK. The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if he were her child. Female, 30-50 yrs. old

MISS SMYTHE. The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary. Female, any age

MRS. BRILL. The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer. Female, 50-60 yrs. old. Range: F#3 - D#5

MRS. CORRY. Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic). Female, 35-50 yrs. old

Men
BERT. The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist, and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent, and is a song-and-dance-man. Strong movement and dancing skills required. Male, 25-40 yrs. old. Range: B2 - F#4

GEORGE BANKS. The father to Jane and Michael Banks and is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary. Male, 40-45 yrs. old. Range: Bb2 - Eb4

JOHN NORTHBROOK. An honest businessman seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England. Can also be Ensemble. Male, 25-60 yrs. old

ADMIRAL BOOM and BANK CHAIRMAN. ADMIRAL BOOM is a retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. Male, 50-70 yrs. old. BANK CHAIRMAN is the head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lyrics if necessary. Male, 50-70 yrs. old Range: Baritone

VON HUSSLER. A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent. Male, any age. Can also be Ensemble

ROBERTSON AY. The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy, and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. Male, 15-30 yrs. old. Range: F3 - G#4

Children
JANE BANKS. The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Strong dance skills required. Female, 11-13 yrs. old in appearance. Range: A3 - F#5

MICHAEL BANKS. The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents. Strong dance skills required. Male, 10-12 yrs. old in appearance. Range: A3 - E5


Male and Female Ensemble Roles
NELEUS. The statue of a young boy or girl posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his/her father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he/she is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. Strong movement and dance skills required. . Male or female. 14-20 yrs. old. Strong dancer

PARK KEEPER. Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood. Male, 40-60 yrs. old

POLICEMAN. A neighborhood fixture who is respected by, and observant of, the households on his beat. Male, 30-50 yrs. old

QUEEN VICTORIA. A statue in the park. Female, 40-60 yrs. old

ADDITIONAL ENSEMBLE DANCE, VOCAL, AND SPEAKING ROLES: Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Bankers, Customers, Park-Goers. Played by children and young teens through adults

Meet the Cast of Red, White and Tuna

Jeffery Lathrop and Richard Gaylord reunite in Red, White & Tuna
Shows run through February 15.  Tickets can be purchased online and at the door.

Performed by Richard Gaylord

Star Birdfeather - A flower child

Thurston Wheelis - A radio disc jockey 

Elmer Watkins - A veteran Klan member

Bertha Bumiller - A widowed housewife and mother

Joe Bob Lipsey - Director of the Tuna Little Theater

Pearl Burras - Bertha’s aunt, a chicken farmer

R.R. Snavely - Estranged husband of gun shop owner, Didi Snavely

Inita Goodwin - The half owner of Hot-to-Trot Catering

Leonard Childers - Tuna’s mayor and owner of radion station, OKKK

Reverend Sturgis Spikes - A Baptist preacher

Richard Gaylord -  Owner of Rick Gaylord's TeleFiX, comedic actor and private pilot, Rick loves the reminder, "Levity is the only way to fly."  Rick said playing these 4 1/2 women and 5 1/2 men (allowing for Joe Bob) is his greatest vocal and dramatic challenge since his 1980 debut in San Jose Civic Light Opera's Paint Your Wagon.  Rick thanks his theater partner, Jeff, costumer, Diane Palmer as well as dressers, Janet & Adeline for keeping him clothed and in character. 

Rick is grateful to Lanny Langston, for his patience and for his dedication (along with Peter Wolfe) to our community's performing arts.  Rick's recent IT! appearances have been Mr. Kirby in You Can't Take It With You, Bobby in Run For Your Wife, Froggy in The Foreigner, 10 characters in Greater Tuna along with many others dating back to IT!'s beginnings. In addition to performing many principal roles, Rick has served in dozens of shows over the decades from backstage technician to Assistant Director.  Rick is most proud to be the first recipient of IT!'s Rodney Roberts Theater Achievement Award. 

Rick has deep respect and gratitude for the Tuna playwrights saying "They have masterfully painted hilariously entertaining scenes within the dialogue.  Hopefully Jeff and I can do it justice." Rick wishes to express his love and gratitude for his wife, Marsha Myers, and for her constant support for endeavors like this.

Performed by Jeffery Lathrop

Amber Windchime - Star’s friend, another flower child

Arles Struvie - A radio disc jockey

Didi Snavely - Used gun store owner

Petey Fisk - Head of Tuna’s Humane Society

Charlene Bumiller - Bertha’s pregnant daughter

Stanley Bumiller - Bertha’s son, reformed juvenile delinquent, artist

Vera Carp - Head of the Tuna society

Helen Bedd -  The other half-owner of Hot-to-Trot Catering

Garland Poteet - A soda pop delivery man

Jeffery Lathrop – A high school special education teacher and co-owner of Foothills Dance and Performing Arts Studio, theater has been a lifelong pastime and has had a tremendous  influence on his life.  He has been involved in many Imagination Theater! Productions including featured roles in The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and Big River.  His first lead role at IT! was in L’il Abner as Marryin’ Sam followed by Man of La Mancha where he played Sancho Panza.  In 2009, he played ten parts in Greater Tuna with Rick Gaylord.  He was the assistant director for White Christmas.  Most recently, Jeff played Mr. Sowerberry in Oliver! 

Lathrop says “I am excited to work with both Lanny and Rick again.  When a show has only two actors, there’s not a lot of downtime during rehearsals.  Luckily Lanny makes the experience as positive as possible, and I couldn’t ask for a better, more professional partner than Rick.” 

See How They Run Audition April 11

Imagination Theater is pleased to announce the upcoming audition for See How They Run, a British farce directed by Lanny Langston.   Auditions are scheduled at the theater on Saturday, April 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Parking will be in the upper tiers due to the Kids Expo event on the fairgrounds.  Call backs will be held on Sunday, April 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.   The cast calls for six men and three women. 

IDA - a maid, 20-30 years old.  Cockney accent
MISS SKILLON – a pious churchgoer
THE REVEREND LIONEL TOOP – Local vicar, age 30-40, married to Penelope
PENELOPE TOOP - Reverend Toop's American wife.  Age 35-40
CORPORAL CLIVE WINTON – American serviceman.  Age 25-40
THE INTRUDER – Escaped from prison. Age 35-50
THE BISHOP OF LAX – Age 35-50
THE REVEREND ARTHUR HUMPHREY – Age 35-55
SERGEANT TOWERS – Age 25-40

Galloping in and out of the four doors of an English vicarage are an American actor and actress, a cockney maid who has seen too many American movies, an old maid who "touches alcohol for the first time in her life," four clergyman in suits presenting the problem of which is which, for disguised as one is an escaped prisoner, and a sedate Bishop aghast at all these goings on and the trumped up stories they tell him. 

The production dates September 11-October 4, 2015 and scripts are available for check out at the theater.  For questions, please contact the theater at 530-642-0404 or boxoffice@imagiationtheater.net.   Imagination Theater, located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, brings quality, live, local community theater to Placerville and El Dorado County.  

Red, White and Tuna opens January 30 at Imagination Theater

Imagination Theater is proud to present the comedy satire, Red, White and Tuna, opening Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 15.  Shows are held on Thursdays through Sundays.  Ticket prices are $15 and Thursdays and Groups are $12.  All tickets for the 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 1 are two for the price of one ($15)!  Tickets can be purchased online through the theater website at www.imaginationtheater.net or during box office hours.  The show is recommended for older teens and adults. 

The roles in Red, White and Tuna are reprised by theater veterans, Richard Gaylord and Jeff Lathrop, who first appeared in IT!’s Greater Tuna in 2009.  Directed by Lanny Langston, Red, White, and Tuna, the much anticipated third installment in the Tuna trilogy takes the audience through another satirical ride into the hearts and minds of the polyester-clad citizens of Texas' third smallest town. Along with Tuna's perennial favorites, some new Tuna denizens burst into the 4th of July Tuna High School Class Reunion. This sets the stage for a show full of fireworks and fun from the land where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies.   

Imagination Theater, located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, brings quality, live, local community theater to Placerville and El Dorado County.  

Tuna Surprise! - Friday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Imagination Theater is planning a special evening for those who want to learn more about the Greater Tuna Trilogy. Meet Rick Gaylord and Jeff Lathrop who play all of the citizens of the town. Lanny, the director, will also share his thoughts about the upcoming show, Red, White and Tuna. Plan to attend this free event at the theater. No RSVP necessary.

Free Audition Workshop February 21

Imagination Theater is pleased to announce a free audition workshop on Saturday, February 21 at the theater.  The morning session (9:00 to 12:00 p.m.) is for youth, ages 8-17 and the afternoon session (1:00 – 3:00 p.m.) is for adults.   The workshop  includes: audition skills, stage etiquette, preparing a monologue, cold script reading tips, improvisation, preparing songs and dance, and an opportunity to ask the directors questions.  The workshop will help those auditioning for Imagination Theater’s upcoming productions, See How They Run and Mary Poppins.   Those auditions will be held in April and information is available on the theater website at www.imaginationtheater.net.  

Announcing 2015 Shows at IT!

 2015 Shows

Red, White and Tuna – January 30 - February 15, 2015

IT! is pleased to present the much anticipated third installment in the Tuna trilogy, Red, White, and Tuna. Join us as we take the audience through another satirical ride into the hearts and minds of the polyester-clad citizens of Texas' third smallest town.  Rick Gaylord and Jeff Lathrop reprise over twenty roles of the town’s “unique” citizens in this crazy comedy.

Spamalot - March 27 - April 26, 2015

The Tony Award-winning production of Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail. The show features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits, a flying cow, a flying enchanter, and a legless knight.   Spamalot pokes fun at the conventions of musical theater and popular culture as it lovingly "rips off" the internationally famous comedy team's movie production of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 

Warning: May cause uncontrollable laughter and guffawing.  Show may contain irreverent references, badly performed accents of unfathomable locations, bizarre British humor, incredibly bad wigs and a plethora of cross-dressing.   Intended only for immature audiences!    But, seriously:  Rated PG-13.

See How They Run – September 2015

Galloping in and out of the four doors of an English vicarage are an American actor and actress (he is now stationed with the air force in England), a cockney maid who has seen too many American movies, an old maid who "touches alcohol for the first time in her life," four men in clergyman suits presenting the problem of which is which, for disguised as one is an escaped prisoner, and a sedate Bishop aghast at all these goings on and the trumped up stories they tell him.   So swift is the action, so involved the situations, so rib tickling the plot in this London hit that at its finish audiences are as exhausted from laughter as though they had run a foot race.

Disney’s Mary Poppins  – November/ December 2015

The jack-of-all trades Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."   Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft. 

Tickets for our shows and events are available at: www.imaginationtheater.net

Announcing Spamalot Dates

Performances March 27, 2015 – April 26, 2015 

Friday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. (Kiwani's Night)
Friday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets Available Online Here.

The Tony Award-winning production of Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail. The show features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits, a flying cow, a flying enchanter, and a legless knight. 

Spamalot pokes fun at the conventions of musical theater and popular culture as it lovingly "rips off" the internationally famous comedy team's movie production of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle
Directed by Peter Wolfe


Warning: This show is not intended for those with no sense of humor. May cause uncontrollable laughter and gaffawing. Show may contain irreverent references, badly performed accents of unfathomable locations, bizarre British humor, incredibly bad wigs and a plethora of cross-dressing. Intended only for immature audiences!  But seriously though: Rated PG-13

Oliver continues through December 21

Don't miss out on Lionel Bart's lively musical, Oliver!  this holiday season.  Ticket sales have been brisk and several shows are close to selling out!  The show runs through December 21.

Show dates are listed here.  

Make your reservation today at www.imaginationtheater.net or call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006.  Our box office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as well.

The box office opens a half hour prior to show time and tickets may be available at the door.

Courtesy Listing from QuestTheatreworks

Calling all lively artists!!!

Introducing,

An eclectic and exciting collection

of performances from all genres

 

  

We want your art!

The Nugget Fringe Festival was formed to encourage the production of new and established works that might not otherwise enjoy a commercial run on their own.  Through collective marketing, equal attention is afforded to pieces stretching the boundaries of their genres, as well as to the tried and true.  It is our wish that The Nugget Fringe Festival will serve as a home for new, unusual, bold and exotic works of all forms of live entertainment that may fall well beyond the bounds of the conventional in a way that will feel welcoming and expansive to all.

We've already scheduled over seventy different performances of eight different and unique shows.  There are many ways to get exposure and share your lively art with the world. Whether your art is dance, music, theater, comedy, spoken word, experimental or indescribable performance art, we'd like to talk with you.

Tims is short. This festival runs January 29 to February 8.

We need to make final plans in just a couple of weeks.

For more information on presenting your art at the festival,

please email Scott Ewing at Scott@QuestTheaterworks.com

We would love to include you in this inaugural year.

Poetry Out Loud Update

Dear Poetry Out Loud lovers, judges, volunteers, and aficionados,

Get thy poem on! Poetry Out Loud season will soon be upon us! This will be the Arts Council’s sixth year sponsoring this wonderful literary event! Yowza! Can you believe it?

We never forget that this program’s success is in large measure due to the generous, lively cadre of POL community volunteers who’ve immersed themselves in poetry and in judging (or tallying) at our participating high schools since 2009! Thank you for helping out all these years! You guys rock! Naturally, I’m hoping that all of you are still game to participate again for our 2016 Poetry Out Loud competition!  Please say YES!—that you wouldn’t miss it for the world!

Since I recognize that you are all awash in emails and holiday solicitations, I’ll do my best to be brief and to the point here:

First, if you wish to participate in Poetry Out Loud this year, please fire off a quick email to me saying that you’re on! Or you can call me at the Arts Council: 530.295.3496.

Second, if you want to sign up for a refresher training course, or if you’ve never participated in Poetry Out Loud before but wish to do so, please sign up for one of the following training dates & times:

1.       Monday, December 15, 2:30 to 5:00 pm @ the Fausel House, 772 Pacific St., Placerville.

2.       Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2:30 to 5:00 pm @ the Fausel House, 772 Pacific St., Placerville.

3.       Monday, Dec. 22, 6:30 to 8:30 pm @ the Fausel House, 772 Pacific St., Placerville.

As of today, four high school programs have committed to this year’s Poetry Out Loud competition—Oak Ridge High School, Charter University Prep, El Dorado High School, and Golden Sierra. I’m waiting to hear back from Ponderosa, South Lake Tahoe, and Union Mine. The juvenile hall facilities—Golden Ridge in Placerville and Blue Ridge in Placerville—are also on board, but they recruit their judges from the inside. And thus far, El Dorado High School has been the only school to sign up for a date: Tuesday, February 4, probably from 1:45 to 3:00 in the afternoon.

As soon as I hear back from the other schools, I’ll let you know!

Third— our county final will be held on Tuesday, February 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Imagination Theater! Come one! Come all!

Fourth—our California state POL competition will be Sunday-Monday, March 15-16 in Sacramento, probably in the Senate Chambers.

Fifth—the National Finals will be Saturday-Sunday, April 28-29, in Washington, D.C.

And there you have it, all the Poetry Out Loud news that’s fit to print!

Do let me know if you wish to participate and if you wish to sign up for a Poetry Out Loud training. And, if you’ve any friends or family who might be interested in participating as well, send them my way!

Poem on!

Moira Magneson
Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
El Dorado Arts Council

Poetry Out Loud Season Here

Calloo! Callay! Poetry Out Loud season comes our way once again! The Arts Council is seeking out judges, tabulators, and prompters for California's 2015 Poetry Out Loud competition.  If you wish to learn about poetry, poems, and participate as a judge in our local high school and county Poetry Out Loud contests, we invite you to sign up for one of our FUN 2 ½ hour workshop trainings at the Fausel House in December:

Monday, December 15, from 2:30-5:00 pm

Tuesday, December 16, from 2:30-5:00 pm

Monday evening, December 22, from 6:00 - 8:30 pm

And . . . save the date-the Poetry Out Loud 2015 County Competition-our sixth year--will be on Tuesday, February 10, 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Imagination Theater! Woot!  Vintage Poetry Out Loud judges looking to refresh their poetry chops are also invited to these workshops. 

To sign up for the POL workshops, please call or email Moira Magneson @ 530.295.3496 or edac@eldoradoartscouncil.org 

Poem on, people!

Make Oliver part of your plans this holiday season

Imagination Theater is proud to present the musical Oliver! coming to Imagination Theater this holiday season.  Set in London in 1853, Oliver! tells the story of a young orphan who falls into a gang of thieves.  He meets several larger-than-life characters who aren’t always looking out for his best interests. Along the way, he encounters a man who just might be able to help unlock the secrets of his past.  “Food Glorious Food” and “Where is Love?” are just two of the popular songs from this Tony Award-winning lively musical by Lionel Bart. 

Shows are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays, December 6 and 13, and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.  There are two evening shows on Saturday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. (due to two shows that day) and December 20 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15.  Thursday shows and groups are $12.  

Tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at www.imaginationtheater.net, or at the theater box office (530-642-0404) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

The theater is also offering a fundraising Gala event on Saturday, November 22 at 5:30 p.m.  This full preview show includes dinner, wines from Madrona Vineyards and Cantiga Wineworks, and elegant desserts for $75.  A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible and can also be purchased at www.imaginationtheater.net.    Make some memories this holiday season and join us at the theater!

Get over the holiday hump at 36 Handles in El Dorado Hills.

You know it is coming soon. . .the holidays!  Some would say we're already there with red and green decorations displayed well before the back to school clothes during the heat of the summer.

Take a deep breath and take the afternoon or evening off on November 19 to enjoy time with your family and friends before the hustle and bustle.  Dining out at 36 Handles would be a great opportunity to try one of their specialty brews (you know you want to) and make your lists for the upcoming festivities.   Print this flyer and show your server for the theater to receive 20%.  Thanks!