BPP Theatre News

Fare thee well

2009-09-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

It saddens me to announce this, but life goes on..... But first off, a HUGE thank you to all the folks that we have worked with since 1994. Sure, I had the idea, but it took an enormous effort to get these shows off the ground and I could not have done that without help from so many people. In the coming months, I will try to put up photos and info on all the shows we have done... and Thanks Again everyone... including my fabulous board of diretors .... for all the work you have poured into BPP over the years. I am humbled by the fact that we've been around for so long.

Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) will not be producing its quirky style of theatre anymore in Sacramento. After a series of unfortunate occurrences, the board of directors has decided that BPP has already served its mission to enrich the cultural climate of Sacramento. Personal matters coupled with dwindling arts funding expected in the near future sealed the deal to close the tent.

“We have done much to encourage new talent in the region”, said BPP Board President Greg Chow. “We feel good that we have given many young actors, directors, playwrights and designers the opportunity to grow artistically and to gain experience.”

Founding artistic director Ann Tracy agrees with Chow saying that since she founded the company back in 1994, BPP has been at the forefront of contemporary theatre - staging many new world and regional premieres by authors who may not have had work produced in the area. However, the audiences for new work, especially dramatic work, has not always been there.

“I had two goals when I started BPP”, Tracy said, “one was to expand the styles of theatre produced in town and the other was to pay the actors and other artists at least a small stipend. Now we’ve got new theatre companies, that weren’t out there in ’94, staging provocative new works by up and coming playwrights.”

In 1996, BPP brought an original one-act performance piece called Dancing with Desire: A Poetic Fandango with the Erotic and the Bawdy, based on erotic poetry from ancient Sanskrit to modern Latina writers, to the 50th Anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. The balancing act between bringing new ideas in theatre and performance to Sacramento and keeping the doors open has always been a tricky one for BPP.

Some notable examples of world and regional premieres would be BPP’s productions of Reckless by Craig Lucas (’97), Hamlet ESP by Paul Baker (’98), Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches (‘98) and Part Two: Perestroika (‘99), Orestes 2.5 - Tracy’s adaptation of Orestes (02), The Al Hamlet Summit by Sulayman Al-Bassam (06) and Symphony of Rats by Richard Foreman (08).

Tracy added that her personal life was becoming more hectic in helping to care for her 90-year old father-in-law and in the way her visual art career was becoming busier. She hopes to continue to direct for local theatre companies, as well as work in the Sacramento “indie” film scene.

Variations on Betrayal opens to rave audience reviews!

2009-06-21T22:51:00.001-07:00

Seeaplay.com offers audience reviews - these are a few that we have received!

Review: What a tour de force for these five actors! (not to mention the director/playwright)One of the actresses, Kellie Raines is fabulous, her characters are a range of American clowns all played to the hilt with astonishing brilliance. The rest of the cast is equally as talented and will give you a show you won't soon forget! I saw this show in previews and I only expect it to get better

Review: Good show, Ben Ismail was great, and held the show together. Go see this show, you will not be dissapointed.

Review: This show is a romp, plain and simple. The actors begin in hilarity and they just don't stop. The energy that these five colorful clowns posess is undeniable. The women in this show stood out for me. The array of characters that were played by the three actresses was staggering. From the hilariously erotic Andre, played masterfully by Jessica Goldman, to the playful and endearing Philip, portrayed by Kelly Raines, to the sarcastic, two faced, social climber yet delightfully charming Horatio, played by Alicia Krumm - the ladies worked hard to bring together a truly ensemble cast. Go see this show!

Review: I saw the show on opening night and was blown away! The performances were brilliant and the history lesson was superb! I truly didn't know the true story of Benedict Arnold and I can now appreciate more fully the position he found himself in. It was both a laugh out loud experience and a tragic tour de force wrapped into one! If you love good theater don't miss this show.

In Season Finale, Beyond the Proscenium Continues Commitment to Produce New Work by Local Playwrights

2009-06-02T00:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what it would take to drive a man to betray his country? or a woman to betray her company? Ever laughed at Lucille Ball, Gilda Radner, or Lily Tomlin? Ever wondered what it would be like to have Robin Williams or Steve Martin as your history teacher? Well, now's your chance to let five colorful clowns tell you a story of corporate corruption and good ol' American individualism run amok.

Starting with the little-known story of America's best-known turncoat and how he went from a celebrated Revolutionary hero to our most reviled villain, Variations on Betrayal plunks the whole history of Benedict Arnold smack in the middle of modern corporate politicking. And if that weren't funny (ironic) enough, it's a clown show with five of the funniest (ha-ha) performers around! Don't think big red noses and floppy shoes, but, rather, slapstick physical humor and a cream-pie fight. And all this is in the service of expanding a well-worn American-history factoid into a full-blown exploration of how a person struggling to get by could end up achieving legendary status -- albeit for treachery, betrayal, and treason. How far could you be pushed before you pushed back?

Variations on Betrayal: An Allegory for Five Colorful Clowns is written and directed by p joshua laskey. It also stars Jessica Goldman, Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly, Benjamin T. Ismail, Alysha S. Krumm and Kellie Yvonne Raines.

The show will play Fridays and Saturdays, at 8pm. Sundays at 2pm. The show plays from June 19th - July 19th, with no show on July 4th. The show will have two preview dates: Wednesday June 17th and Thursday June 18th.

Tickets are $15 general admission. Seating is extremely limited so reservations are advised. Please email contact@beyond-pro.org or call 916-456-1600.

There will be NO July 4th performance. A THURSDAY EVENING performance on July 2nd will be in it's place.

There will be NO July 17th performance, a SATURDAY MATINEE on July 18th will be in it's place at 2pm.

Wed. June 17 - 8pm ($5 preview price!!!!)
Thurs. June 18 - 8pm ($5 preview price!!!!!)
Fri. June 19 - 8pm
Sat. June 20 - 8pm
Sun. June 21 - 2pm
Fri. June 26 - 8pm
Sat. June 27 - 8pm
Sun. June 28 - 2pm
Thurs. July 2 - 8pm
Fri. July 3 - 8pm
NO JULY 4 SHOW
Sun. July 5 - 2pm
Fri. July 10 - 8pm
Sat. July 11 - 8pm
Sun. July 12 - 2pm
NO PERFORMANCE FRI. JULY 17th
Sat. July 18 - 2pm (added performance!)
Sat. July 18 - 8pm
Sun. July 19 - 2pm

'Rachel Corrie' plays to conflicted emotions - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee

2009-05-25T22:45:00.001-07:00

'Rachel Corrie' plays to conflicted emotions - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee

Posted using ShareThis

My Name is Rachel Corrie opens May 15th!

2009-05-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) joins forces with the Jewish Voice for Peace (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/) and the Palestinian American Congress (http://www.pac-national.org/) in presenting My Name is Rachel Corrie for the first time in California community theater. Director Karen Nylund will present this controversial play beginning May 15th at the Threepenny Theatre at the California Stage Complex at 25th and R. Local favorite Tygar Hicks, last seen in the critically acclaimed Blackbird, will portray the title role in this one woman, one act show.

My Name is Rachel Corrie is a play based on the diaries and emails of Rachel Corrie, edited by Katherine Viner and well known actor Alan Rickman, who directed it. It was originally performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where it went onto win a Theatregoers' Choice Awards for Best Director and Best New Play.

Rachel Corrie (April 10, 1979 – March 16, 2003) was an American Evergreen College student and member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) who traveled to the Gaza Strip during the Second Intifada. She was killed by a Caterpillar D9R armored bulldozer operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during a protest against the destruction of Palestinian homes by the IDF in the Gaza Strip where IDF had designated a security zone and claimed contained a network of smuggling tunnels used for weapons smuggling and as guerilla hideouts which is necessary for them to destroy while Palestinians claim the tunnels are for "food, gasoline, and household treats'" trade under Israel blockade. (http://rachelswords.org/)

Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 students, seniors, military and SARTA members. Seating is extremely limited so reservations are required. Please email contact@beyond-pro.org or call 916-456-1600.

Director Karen Nylund is an Artistic Associate with Beyond the Proscenium Productions and recent Masters graduate from Sacramento State University’s Theatre and Dance Department with an emphasis in directing and post-colonial theatre. Karen spent the last four years writing her thesis on Western Representations of the Middle East and immersing herself in research for the forthcoming Longman Anthology of Drama's chapter on Middle Eastern Theatre under the mentorship of Dr. Roberto Pomo. Her last production with BPP was the successful Nine Parts of Desire.

Women's Wit Coming to the 3-Penny

2009-03-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) presents Women’s Wit, an evening of two original one-act comedies by women playwrights: Does this Show Make my Butt Look Fat by Rocklin playwright Joni Hilton deals with middle-age spread and chocolate and Reasonable Doubt by Sacramento playwright Katie Chapman deals with female archetypes in a game show format and. Women’s Wit, opens Friday, April 3rd and plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm until May 3rd, at the Three Penny Playhouse, 1725 25th St. (behind the gray fence at 25th & R Streets), Sacramento CA. Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 students, seniors and SARTA members. Seating is extremely limited so reservations are advised. Please email contact@beyond-pro.org or call 916-456-1600.

BPP Founder and Artistic Associate Ann Tracy directs Does this Show Make my Butt Look Fat and Artistic Director Nick Avdienko co-directs Reasonable Doubt with playwright Chapman. Cynthia Burdick and Margaret Morneau will share the solo show Does this Show Make my Butt Look Fat. Reasonable Doubt cast members include BPP alumnae Justin Muñoz and Carrie Joyner.

The season ends for BPP with “My Name is Rachel Corrie” edited by Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman. This play based on the journal entries of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while working in Gaza as a “human shield” protesting the razing of Palestinian homes, opens May 15th at the Three Penny Theatre. It is directed by Karen Nylund, who last staged “9 Parts of Desire” last season.

What They're Saying about the Show Already

2009-02-17T16:32:00.000-08:00

Even though they saw the show on opening night, people are not being shy about speaking their minds about it. Here's what they're saying on the See-a-Play website (http://www.seeaplay.com/productionsReviewsJudas.htm)

audience reviews

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Beyond the Proscenium Productions

Review: Simply amazing. From the first monologue to the fading of the lights at the end, it is an emotional roller coaster. The director has pulled together a great cast to give us the laughs and the tears of this production. The language can be on the rough side, so I would recommend this for mature theatre-goers. I will be seeing this production again.

Review: Unforgettable-- if I should surmise the content of the writing, the caliber of the performers, the impression this corroboration has imprinted on me into a single word. I am not faint of heart nor am I easily moved (however, my taste may be somewhat out of sync with the rest) yet I limped out of the theatre raccoon eyed and in undeniable need of a Costco sized box of Kleenex. There is such bona fide humanity in this ensemble: using simple, common and everyday words one's eye lids may be slit open to reveal another aspect of people, morals, perspective and (that socially infamous heading) Christianity. Hailing from any creed/religion, I genuinely believe that this production shall stir something awake within you.

Review: I saw "Last Days..." on opening night. The theater was small, yet personable. While waiting for the show to start, two of the actors sat and remained motionless until the start of the play. The monologues by each of the actors help provide the factual information to set a strong foundation for the coming character exchanges. The other actors were very skilled, taping into my emotions consistently. There wasn't really "One Actor" that stood out because each of them was very strong and professional. While the play, at times, seemed to drag on (some of the exchanges seemed too long) it is well worth anyone's time to see this amazing play. It's thought-provoking, emotional, and an absolute necessity to experience!

Review: I enjoyed this show very much! The actors were able to draw me in from the first scene and keep me enthralled completely. I loved how the religious figures are modernized in a way that makes them accessible without diminishing the root of their characters. With the information given and projection of energy, I was on a rollercoaster of emotions the entire time. Standout performances were given by each actor, but I will have to give props to the fabulous St. Monica who played up the comedy in her role without harming the meaning of the words, and the monolog from St. Augustine bringing a tear, a smile, and the deep understanding of their friendships was strongly received. And to all Thank You for an Excellent Performance, I look forward to your next production

Review: An overwhelming experience of an amazing play made more memorable by fine acting. From the poignant comments by Judas' mother, the powerful depiction of Saint Monica, the smooth yet diabolical Satan, the tragedy of Judas, the comments by Freud and the gentle passion of Christ, I was deeply moved: to tears, to laughter, to hightened awareness and finally, to the direct experience of love's healig power. This is a unique, well directed, not to be missed play.
- E.

Judas is Up and Running

2009-02-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot opened last weekend. Artistic Director and video maestro Nick Avdienko was there with his trusty camera and filmed this great promo. Call 916-456-1600 or email contact@beyond-pro.org to reserve your tickets!

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot from NVA Productions on Vimeo.

Rehearsals Heating Up

2009-02-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

Nick Avdienko, BPP's Artistic Director, checks on rehearsals as they enter the final week. Opening Night is Friday, February 13th!
Renee DeGarmo, one of the lawyers and Jay Patrick, the bailiff

Justin Munoz, the other attorney, has a "moment"

Justin tries to get the goat of p joshua laskey who plays Dr. Freud.

Mark Hoffman as the Judge considers a request, while his trusty bailiff, played by Jay Patrick, keeps order in the court.

Rehearsals ...

2009-01-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

Assistant Stage Manager Alley Krumm takes notes while Michael RJ Campbell, the show's director, keeps an eagle eye on the actors.

Renee DeGarmo, Mark Hoffman and p joshua laskey (yes he wants his name lower case)
Mark Hoffman and p joshua laskey
Mark Hoffman and Justin Munoz, who was last seen in the North American premiere of MedEia. You can see a video link HERE

Since the Wilkerson Theatre (the old California Stage) is small, it might be a good idea to call BPP at 916-456-1600 to reserve tickets soon! And yes, we do have special group rates and student/senior discounts (and we don't ask for ID).

Cast Announced for Next Show

2008-12-17T12:39:00.001-08:00

BPP's next show opens on February 13th - Last Days of Judas Iscariot at the Wilkerson Theatre (formerly known as California Stage) and is directed by Michael RJ Campbell. This Broadway hit poses the philosophical question: “If God is all-forgiving, why is Judas condemned to an eternity in hell?” Live from a courtroom in purgatory, Judas’ retrial provides a comedic retake on the most famous betrayal in history.

We recently had auditions for the show and are pleased to announce that some old friends who have worked with us before are in the show. You'll also see actors from other companies and shows around town.

Renee DeGarmo plays Cunningham

Margaret Morneau plays Henrietta Iscariot

Joelle Wirth plays St. Monica

Ashley Miguel plays Mother Teresa\Loretta

Kellie Raines plays Gloria\Sister Glenna

Kristine David plays Mary Magdalene/Gentlemen

David Campfield plays Judas

Barry Hubbard plays Satan

Justin Muñoz plays El-Fayoumy

Mark Hoffman plays Judge\Caiphas the Elder

James Ellison plays Pilate

Ben Ismail plays Matthias\St. Peter

Colby Salmon plays Matthew\Freud

Jay Patrick plays Baliff\Simon

Shawn B O'Neal plays St. Thomas\Uncle Pino

Kyle Gundlach plays Jesus

P Joshua Laskey plays Butch

Nic Candito is our Stage Manager and also plays Soldier 1

Robert Phillips is our Technical Director and also plays Soldier 2

Michael RJ Campbell is our Director and also plays Soldier 3

If you can answer the following question, then you will win two tickets to the show.

What actor has worked with BPP before and what was the name of the show? This is a trick question because there are several actors who have work with us before, but you only need to name one of them. Email your answers to us at beyond.proscenium@gmail.com by December 31st.

Click on this link for the review from the Broadway production.
--

Audtions for February Show

2008-12-08T16:44:00.001-08:00

Auditions for the Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) premiere of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Michael RJ Campbell, are set for Sunday December 7th and Monday December 8th @ 7:00 pm Please come to the Sunday audition, we would like to have Monday the 8th as a callback date. If you can only make it to the 8th please come anyway. Wilkerson Theatre (previously known as California Stage), 1723 25th St. (enter the gray fence at 25th & R Streets, look to your right).

The case of Judas Iscariot is brought forth in a courtroom in a place called Hope located in Downtown Purgatory. Character witnesses are brought to the stand to testify. This is a very raw and edgy script that plays on a lot of emotions. It takes a look into humanity and how we judge others.

Henrietta Iscariot: (female 40-50) Judas's mother. Gentle, Caring, Heartbroken.

Judge Littlefeild: (male 40-50) Hard, stubborn, no nonsense.

Bailiff / Simon the Zealot: (male 20-30) as bailiff: simple, quiet.

As Simon: Militant Ghetto Thug, One of the BOYZ!

Jesus: (male 20-30) Compassionate, caring, nurturing.

St Monica: (female 20-40) Sassy, eccentric, loud, bigger than the universe. (pref.african amarican or hispanic)

Mother Theresa: (female 20-40) Your stereotypical image of her, and very Deaf.

Mary Magdalene: (female 20-30)Sweet, free spirit,

Butch Honeywell: (male 30-40) An everyman…

Saint Thomas: (male early 20's) The doubter.

Saint Mathew: (male 20-50) The tax man.

Caiaphas the Elder: (male 40-50)

Saint Peter: (male 20-30) The fisher of men, tough,

Gloria: (female 20-40) an angel

Sigmund Freud (male 40-50):

Contact director Michael RJ Campbell at thatactorguy@hotmail.com for more info.

The play opens Feb 13th and runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for five weeks, at Wilkerson Theatre (previously known as California Stage), 1723 25th St, Sacramento.

Four ****

2008-10-23T18:52:00.001-07:00

Opening weekend was great! Not only did BPP get appreciative audiences but the News & Review was there. The paper is out today and here's the review

Matt & Ben

The show runs to November 16th, which is the only Sunday Matinee

2008-09 Season

2008-10-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Matt & Ben

Opens Oct. 17th at the Wilkerson Theatre - Directed by Katie Chapman

Plays Thurs, Fri & Sat @ 8 pm until Nov 15

Sun @ 2 pm Nov 16 – closing show

Last Days of Judas Iscariot

Opens Feb. 13th at the Wilkerson Theatre - Directed by Michael RJ Campbell

This Broadway hit poses the philosophical question: “If God is all-forgiving, why is Judas condemned to an eternity in hell?” Live from a courtroom in purgatory, Judas’ retrial provides a comedic retake on the most famous betrayal in history.

Smoked Butt - An Evening of Comedic One-Act Plays

Opens April 3rd at the Three Penny Theatre

Something I Smoked Last Summer, directed by Nick Avdienko

A hilarious take off on the oeuvre of Tennessee Williams

Does This Show Make My Butt Look Fat?, directed by Ann Tracy

Playwright Joni Hilton takes on middle age and the fashion industry

My Name is Rachel Corrie

Opens May 15th at the Three Penny Theatre - Directed by Karen Nylund
This true story is based on the journal entries of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while working in Gaza as a “human shield” protesting the razing of Palestinian homes. A BPP premiere

SNR - 4 ****

2008-10-23T15:24:00.000-07:00

Matt & Ben Opens Friday, 10/17

2008-10-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

October 17th to November 16th
Thurs, Fri, Sat @ 8:00 PM

Remember the movie Good Will Hunting? It was written by Matt Damon and Ben Afleck, who also appeared in it. But what was it like to write the screenplay. This is the premise that Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers started from. Of course they decided that Matt & Ben were writing a screen version of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger until Good Will Hunting hit them (literally). Katie Chapman directs this comedy with her usual wit.

"A deftly comic take on celebrity, friendship, creativity and pizza-fueled apartment life"
NEWSDAY

"The hottest ticket in town. A twisted tale about how Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wrote the Oscar-winning movie Good Will Hunting!" US WEEKLY

"A Hit! Acidic, funny and affectionate! Matt & Ben spoofs Hollywood's best friendship!"
NEW YORK POST

"One of the most appealing male-bonding stories since Damon and Pythias, or Oscar and Felix. And within minutes, you don't even notice that they're not males."
THE NEW YORKER

Wilkerson Theatre (formerly California Stage) 1723 25th St.
(25th & R Sts., behind the gray fence)
Sacramento

to reserve tickets call

916-456-1600