ENTERTAINMENT (Continued from page 23 23))
book.com/events/323349778901650 for September 23; both stream online at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/8010350269 followed by a talkback with Giron and the actors. For the Poe story readings and to view a recording of The Better Half, visit Giron’s YouTube channel by searching “Edward Giron” on www.youtube.com.)
Rubicon’s ‘September Blitz’
Since the pandemic forced its doors to close in March, Rubicon Theatre rose to the challenge by quickly pivoting in creating digital content, including taking its summer youth programs online, but also launched the nation’s first theatrical drive-in concert series. Now, as its Rubicon Goes Retro Drivein Concert Series comes to a close this week, the Ventura company’s strategy for coping with COVID has returned to the virtual world. Over the 30 days of September, RTC is presenting more than 30 events, including live-streamed full productions of its award-winning plays, a brand new live-streamed one-act with music, re-streaming of its summer youth shows as both live streams and on demand, and a rebroadcast of its Independence Day Black Lives Matter-themed special Voices of America. The events are all part of “Rise to the Challenge,” a fundraising effort to help RTC continue through the pandemic. While the viewing window for some events have already elapsed, the Youth Theatre production of Annie, with a cast of more than two dozen, can be downloaded on demand through September 13 for $18, while free digital performances of Gulf View Drive, the final episode in the Arlene Hutton’s multi-awardwinning The Nibroc Trilogy that ran at RTC and premiered on its streaming platform from London in late spring,
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take place September 12-13. On September 19-20, Rubicon will present the world premiere of A Song, a one-act play with music that serves as a conversation about race, responsibility, hope, and belonging in these new and uncertain times. Emerging young playwright Taylor Fagins takes the audience inside the life of Gill, an artist, a son, a lover, and a young Black man in America as he fights to find his footing in society and to create his own song in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and a world wracked with civil unrest, racial injustice, and a public health crisis. Admission is free but requires reservations. After rebroadcasts of RTC’s Summer Youth Shakespeare program’s Macbeth on September 19 ($18), and Voices of America (September 16-19; free), Rubicon’s September Blitz winds up its month of online offerings with a blowout evening on Facebook Live, featuring guest appearances and giveaways every half-hour from 5 pm to after midnight. Visit www.rubicontheatre.org/allrise or call (805) 667-2900 for details and registration.
He’s Got Rhythm, He’s Got Music
For nearly 20 years, Hershey Felder has made a career out of creating oneman shows in which he portrays and plays famous artists from recent and centuries-old history, and the novel coronavirus hasn’t caused him to slow down much at all. Ensemble Theatre Company got in the mix when it presented his Hershey Felder: Beethoven in July, and now the star is back again, virtually, for George Gershwin Alone presented live from Florence. The work tells the story of America’s great composer who bridged the divide between jazz, pop, and classical music with the groundbreaking “A Rhapsody in Blue.” The show incorporates Gershwin’s best-known songs such as “The Man I Love” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” selections from his theatrical-opera productions of An American In Paris and Porgy and Bess, and a complete performance of “Rhapsody In Blue.” Felder is the only actor-musician to create the role of George Gershwin on the stage, and the self-created solo production George Gershwin Alone has had more than 3,000 performances worldwide, including on Broadway and in London’s West End, Los Angeles, Chicago, and many more. The upcoming show – slated to stream live at 5 pm on Sunday, September 13 – is being performed for the first time at Florence’s Teatro Della Pergola, one of Europe’s oldest and most famous theaters. Felder relayed his enthusiasm in a letter to listeners that notes that the theater was constructed in 1657 and has
Hershey Felder has made a career out of incarnating famous artists in a one-man show. His latest act: George Gershwin.
run nearly continuously for more than 360 years. The Teatro saw the world premiere of Verdi’s Macbeth among many other historic performances and is considered one of the most visually and acoustically glorious theaters in the world. The live broadcast of the Gershwin show will be the first time the theater is operating again since the beginning of the COVID-induced Italian lockdown six months ago, although still without an audience. But those who purchase tickets around the world can view the live show virtually on computers, iPads, iPhones and smart TVs, and/or revisit the work for extended “on-demand” viewing access of the recording of the performance for a full week. Felder is also recording videos and posting blog entries leading up to the performance, covering such areas as the very first box seats created in the world of theater. Both Ensemble and Rubicon Theatre companies are part of the network presenting the Gershwin broadcast, for which a portion of proceeds benefits the venues, so you can choose which you’d most like to support. Tickets are $55 per household and are available at www.etcsb.org or 805-965-5400 for ETC, or www.rubicontheatre.org/allrise or 805-667-2900 for Rubicon.
Lights Up!: Auditions are Due
Lights Up!, Santa Barbara’s newest teen theater company that serves
“If anyone else [deprived you of this much sleep], you’d have them up at The Hague for war crimes.” - Tom Hardy
as a professional, yet inclusive and creative home for the youngsters, is currently auditioning for its 202021 company membership. Interested actors, singers, and dancers aged 12-19 are invited to audition for admission and the opportunity to attend callbacks for specific shows with the rest of the company. Company members also get access to Lights Up! workshops, special events, and learning/performance opportunities, and become part of our community. Once accepted, members choose between acting, musical, or combo programs based on age and experience. To audition, take a video of yourself singing a song that is in a comfortable range and shows your abilities, and also record a short monologue, either dramatic or comedic of 30-60 seconds. (Ideas for monologues are available.) Submit the video to info@lightsupsb.com by September 13, and then respond to a short questionnaire that will be sent to you. Lights Up! is aiming to produce two full-length musicals live, but also has the ability to pivot to a filmed format if necessary. Musical track rehearsals resume on Sunday afternoons beginning late September, either in an outdoor location or on Zoom, in keeping with county guidelines for safety. Email info@lightsupsb.com with questions, or visit www.lightsupsb. com. •MJ 10 – 17 September 2020
