THE QUALITY OF LIFE at The Pear Avenue Theatre

I hope you can come to see this wonderful play by Jane Anderson playing through February 23rd at The Pear Avenue Theatre.

www.thepear.org for tickets.

Donuts Are Forever

Ray Renati (Arthur) & Brandon Jackson (Franco)

So, as actors we rarely learn to savor the moments of success. Once a play, or a musical, or film is done, we tend to forget about it immediately on our quest for the next gig. At least that's my tendency. In an effort to change that habit, I decided to pay homage to my last theatre experience and to savor it for a while.

Let me first of all pay huge kudos to our director, Ann Kuchins, who had to endure the passing of her beloved sister at the same time she was directing this play. It was truly an heroic effort.

Also I would like to give huge thanks to my co-lead, Brandon Jackson who played the role of Franco. I have tremendous respect for his talent and dedication to excellence.

My dear friend Pat Tyler, who provided me with perfect costumes and a remarkably realistic fake ponytail, and moreover tons of moral support as I struggled to keep it all together.

Our wonderful cast, our fantastic set, everything just came together to create what is by many accounts a huge success. Our tiny 40 seat theatre could not accommodate the hundreds of people who heard about our show and wanted to see it. I really wish they all could have. I was also in charge of ticket sales for a while along with another Pear person, and I found it difficult to keep telling people that we just couldn't fit them in.

On the other hand, isn't that really a dream come true? Yes it is!

Playing Arthur P. was an experience I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life. I had lived with him in my heart for so many months that I feel sad to let him go. Shaving off my beard, cutting my long hair, and putting my script away for good all served as reminders that this wonderful experience has come to an end, but it will remain forever in my heart.

Thanks, to all. I love you.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Mrs. Warren's Profession Directors Note

I just finished directing the great Shaw play at The Pear Avenue Theatre. I just thought I'd share the note I wrote for the program.

From the Show Program...

There is a figure that inhabits the Egyptian wing of The Louvre in Paris called, The Seated Scribe. It was sculpted by an unknown artist sometime between 3800 and 1710 B.C. It simply depicts an Egyptian scribe sitting crossed – legged, holding a partially rolled papyrus scroll in his left hand. His right hand must have held a brush, now missing. If you were spending a day racing around The Louvre, you could easily just pass it by. However, if this scribe happened to catch your eye as you were hurrying off to see the Mona Lisa, you might just be stopped in your tracks. What appeared, from a distance to be rather ordinary, may suddenly move you to the very core of your being. For this little scribe has eyes that seem to look through you. His eyes penetrate your walls of pretense. All at once you see that he sees you, really sees you, and you become captivated, unable to look away. You might even stay there for an hour or so just staring in wonder. And so it is with Mrs. Warren's Profession. The more you hear the words spoken through the voices of talented actors, the longer they work their way into your mind, you realize that you have had the good fortune of being forever changed by something universally human and infinitely wise.

The show runs through July 15th.

www.thepear.org

 

Death of a Salesman at the Pear Avenue Theatre

John Beamer, has created a wonderful short video trailer that really captures the spirit of our production.
Death of a Salesman runs through March 20th at The Pear Avenue Theatre in Mtn. View.
Tickets are available at www.thepear.org.

A Good "Deed" is Done

Diane Tasca & Bill Jones in "No Good Deed"

The Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain View, is now showing the world premiere of Paul Braverman's, "No Good Deed". Last night's performance was an absolute blast. Bravo to The Pear for daring to do something completely different. The show is written and performed in the style of  "film noir", and surprisingly it shines. The performances were all outstanding and under the direction of Michael Champlin, the show has the perfect mix of true "film noir" mystique, and ironic humor to keep you entertained for a unique two hours of intimate theatre.
The show runs through next Sunday.

Tickets: thepear.org

Ticket Discount for The Illusion this Saturday at The Pear Avenue Theatre

SPECIAL OFFER 

For this Saturday, March 20th onlyGet 40% off the ticket price!
General Seating $15 & Students/Seniors $10
Send e-mail to tickets@thepear.org to secure your discount
Type "3/20 Discount" in the title of the e-mail

The show runs through April 3rd. 

Web site: www.thepear.org

On Line Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/6698

"Three Tall Women" at The Pear

Edward Albee, one of our greatest playwrights, wrote perhaps his most biographical play in "Three Tall Women" showing at The Pear Avenue Theatre through November 18th. The play features three strong actors - Monica Cappuccini, Rebecca J. Ennals, and Diane Tasca. The play is written in two acts. The first act features Diane Tasca as the semi-senile character of "A" who reminisces about her life, her loves, her losses, and her sexual ups and downs. Apparently she is a reincarnation of Albee's real mother. The other two actresses play her caretaker (Monica Cappuccini) and her lawyer (Rebecca J. Ennals).

In Act II the two, helpers become younger versions of "A" and we see them struggle with what they are to become as it is reflected back to them by "A". There is much sardonic whit and humor written into this script. Albee's insights into the mind of his mother is remarkable and disturbing.

This play could have been done more comically, however, because of the sensibilities of the actors it seemed to lean more toward the dark and sardonic. The performances from all three were excellent and Tasca's ability to play a 90 something woman were a joy to watch.

Plays through November 18th.
For tickets call
The Pear Avenue Theatre
650-254-1148
www.thepear.org

"Sisters" Has Only a Week Left

The Pear Avenue Theatre in Mountain View has developed quite a reputation for producing excellent classical theatre. The current production of Chekov's "Three Sisters" is no exception.
Keith Kreitman of the San Mateo County Times says,

"....As a result, director Jeanie Forte was able to gather together one of the best casts in memory."

And Kevin Kirby from the Palo Alto Weekly says,

"...Whether this is true or not -- whether the finished product is the result of canny casting choices or weeks of grueling work (or both) -- Forte deserves credit for putting together an accessible and quite moving production of this dramatic masterpiece."

I checked with the theatre and apparently there are seats left for the last weekend of performances but they are going fast. There are still seats available for Friday night, September 28th and the Sunday matinee on September 30th. Thursday and Saturday are sold out.

For tickets go to The Pear's web site or call: 650-254-1148

***Photo by Shannon Stowe***