Montecito Miscellany

New Vic Turns Ten

by Richard Mineards

Santa Barbara’s iconic New Vic theater celebrated its 10th anniversary in energetic style with a Play It Forward on-stage gala starring a colorful cavalcade of talent as the resident Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) prepares for its 45th season in the West Victoria Street venue.

After 25 years at the rustic 140-seat Alhecama Theatre and a $12.6 million renovation, ETC moved to the new 300-seat venue in 2013 under talented artistic director Jonathan Fox, who reigned at the helm for 17 years until his departure in June.

The gala bash, benefitting education and outreach, was directed by Brian McDonald, with musical direction by John Enrico Douglas and the band with David Hunt on drums, Randy Tico on bass, and Ben Wilmore on guitar.

Principal artists, all with Great White Way credentials, were Joan Almedilla , whose credits include Miss Saigon and The Lion King , David Burnham with Wicked and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , Deedee Magno Hall from Wicked and Miss Saigon , and Jennifer Paz , whose credits include Les Misérables .

The 90-minute rave review included

Miscellany

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