Theater organizations continue virtual events
Three Santa Cruz area theater organizations are putting together virtual events in the coming month. One is already available for viewing either via YouTube or the Mountain Community Theater website.
Mountain Community Theater
MCT has been offering several “Ghost Light Theater” digital presentations, the latest being “Love Our SLV Musical Tribute.” It features a wide variety of local musicians and vocalists singing in many San Lorenzo Valley settings.
Produced by MCT stalwart, Scott Deal, it was made to raise funds for the nearby residents affected by last summer’s disastrous CZU Lighting Complex fire that destroyed more than 900 homes.
Local performers who donated their time and talents for the musical tribute include Patti Maxine, Andy Fuhrman, Alex Lucero, Kate Figone and many others. Deal also wrote the lyrics, and music was created by Townes Van Zandt. Deenie Rose did the video editing and vocal recordings.
For more information on MCT’s “Ghost Light Theater” productions and how to donate toward the CZU fire, visit www.mctshows.org or call 831-336-4777.
African American Theater Arts Troupe
A public gala to celebrate the 30th anniversary of UC Santa Cruz’s Cultural Arts & Diversity Resource Center’s flagship theater ensemble, the African American Theater Arts Troupe (AATAT), was held Saturday.
The two-hour online event, titled “Honoring Our Roots, Uplifting Black Voices,” featured live performances, storytelling about the history of Black theater and playwrights, and a short film depicting the history of AATAT. Don Williams, the troupe’s founding director who is still at the helm, was one of the keynote speakers.
Other speakers included renowned film and television actor Danny Glover; Cameron Rivers, a fourth-year history major at UCSC; Dr. David Anthony, professor of African history at USCS and co-director of an African research project at Howard University; Niketa Calame-Harris, an award-winning actress and producer best known for her role as the voice of Young Nala in Disney’s original animated classic, “The Lion King,” and Dr. Ekua Omosupe, the first African-American tenured professor in the English Department at Cabrillo College. She read poetry selections.
The film, “Uplift Others” was shown, and an excerpt from AATAT’s upcoming (in March) featured production, “School Girls or The African Mean Girls Play,” was presented.
Originally the event was expected to attract about 250 attendees, but instead close to 400 RSVPs came in.
Jewel Theatre Company
As part of its “Virtual Theatre” series, Jewel Theatre in Santa Cruz will debut “Women on Fire” by Irene O’Garden beginning on Friday through March 14.
Directed by Susan Myer Stilton, “Women” features Diana Torres Koss, Hannah Mary Keller and Julie James.
O’Garden has written for the stage as well as written poetry, hard-cover books, children’s books, literary magazines and anthologies.
When “Women” was produced off-Broadway, it starred acclaimed actress Judith Ivey who was nominated for an award as “Best Solo Show” (Ivey played all 12 roles)
In the play, O’Garden celebrates a dozen diverse women, each of whom is “on fire” in one way or another — some burn with pain, passion, fear or wisdom, while others sear with a sense of justice, with faith — and even with the desire to shop!
For Jewel’s production, James takes on six of the roles, while Koss and Keller play three apiece.
”Women on Fire” tickets are offered on a sliding scale from $10 to $35. This production will be available online for a specified amount of time with a donation. Ticket information: www.jeweltheatre.net/ streaming-series or call 831425-7506.
Contact Joanne Engelhardt at features@santacruzsentinel.com.