Bako theatre thrives and dives in 2007
Bako theatre thrives and dives in 2007
By: Julie Jordan Scott
Description: Local stages were busy all year long, much to the envy of outsiders
Topics: Theatre 2007, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, Julie Jordan Scott, theater, Empty Space, bct, Spotlight, stars
Posted by JulieJordanScott Thu Dec 27, 2007 14:20:30 PST
Viewed 318 times
0 responses 3 comments Bakersfield theatre thrives and dives in 2007
Local stages were busy all year long, much to the envy of outsiders
By Julie Jordan-Scott, Bakotopia.com contributor
I publish e-zines that reach throughout the world.
Readers in larger, more high profile “artistic meccas” tend to be surprised when they hear of theatrical productions being produced right here on stages in little ol’ Bakersfield.
“Shocked” wouldn’t be too harsh a word to use. Usually the jaw drops, the head tilts to the side and a breathy, “I had no idea that Bakersfield had such a thriving arts scene,” is the most common reaction.
It isn’t just companies touring in and out of the Rabobank Arena that I speak of here. It is very talented local artists staging local productions of new works of art - the classics, edgy-untried pieces or restaging other works in new, evocative ways.
Our local theatre scene had moments to be proud of this year and some moments that weren’t so great, but here are some of the more memorable moments in 2007.
The Empty Space put up several controversial plays - as we would expect - but two of my favorites both included themes that included themes involving Jesus and Judas. “Corpus Christi,” a late-night production last spring, was seen as uber-controversial. I watched it and wondered what upset people in a script so much about love? “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” included gripping performances that will stick with me for a lifetime.
“Song for Vanya,” an original musical by John Shillington, Bret Martin and Robin Eschner, the latter being a composer native to Bakersfield and West High School graduate, was produced locally at Spotlight Theatre and then taken to Los Angeles and produced at Theatre Theater by an entirely Bakersfield-based cast. This gave local actors and playwrights the chance to spread their wings in Los Angeles. All involved found that Los Angeles definitely wasn’t Bakersfield, yet it wasn’t much different after all.
Cal State Bakersfield put on “‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore,” by John Ford, a not often produced 17th century play dealing with incest and violence. It was a gutsy move and one to be respected.
The 20th Annual BCT One-Act Festival - a program with diversity, diversity, diversity through and through - allowed first-time directors and local playwrights to have their work produced on stage. Four of the six short plays featured African American actors and one had an African American director.
There were also Latino directors and actors. The set was simple with huge canvases by local artists. Again, diversity expressed.
The Bakersfield College production of “Top Dog/Underdog,” written by Suzan Lori-Parks, the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer for this poetic, tragic and comedic script, proved to be a cultural force with an all African American cast.
The most regrettable theatre moment - or fact - of 2007 is the absence of Roger Mathey from our little slice of Bakersfield. He is still in Bakersfield, just electing to not be involved in directing any shows or being connected to a specific theatre. A multiple award winning director, Mathey is an artist who grabs onto a vision and goes for it with gusto. Unfortunately for the Bakersfield theatre scene, that is not happening right now - and there isn’t anyone else who can fill that void he left.
Local thespians wait for 2008 and are universally hopeful for another memorable year.
May Bakotopians enjoy local theatre from on the stage and in audiences during 2008. Happy new year!
Printed in Bakotopia Magazine, Issue 18, 12-27-07
| Send to a Friend | Report a Violation |
Thu Dec 27, 2007 20:02:36 PST
Julie! May local theater continue to grow and grow in Bakooooo!!! Thanks so much! Matt :-)
Thu Dec 27, 2007 23:19:44 PST
Great Piece! Power to the Theatre!
Tue Jan 1, 2008 10:21:20 PST
Great article! And now I feel like I really missed out this past year. I don't think I seen any of these!
Bakotopia helps people in Bakersfield, California find cool events, meet up, buy and sell stuff, find jobs and more. Learn more about us.
| Peeps to Meet | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meet More People
|
||
|
|
||
|
Who Knows Who?
Dizzyfingers
- 1464 friends
captainmorgan
- 988 friends
firebrats
- 921 friends
thenovelist
- 887 friends
matt
- 865 friends
>> Invite friends
to move up!
|
||
|
|
||
|
Meet People Who Like ...
bakersfieldbands, reading, good food, beaches, Travel, Bakotopia, traveling, shoes, Computers, sex, Guitar, cars, music, The Beatles, writing, sleeping, painting, mento buru, cooking, Shopping, camping, friends, Football, family, chewing gum, Tattoos, Beer, live music, movies, local music, walking, I love music in general. I range from outlaw country to Hip-hop , art, Fishlips, mexican food, talking, funk, Photography, hiking, concerts, local bands, Wine, singing, laughing, comedy, Poetry, Dancing, Classic Rock, the beach, piercings.
|
||
| View Them All | Add Yours! | ||
Local time is currently Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:54:44 pm PST
Bakotopia is 100% local to Bakersfield, CA, USA
