FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE & BROADCAST

The Western Stage Returns to its Roots
for the 30th Anniversary Season

Salinas, California
February 20, 2004

          The Western Stage returns to its roots in 2004 with an exciting repertoire of classics that covers theatrical history from 17th Century French farce to contemporary Irish gothic. As the lights rise on the first show of the season, TWS will be celebrating 30 years since speech professor Ron Danko founded the theatre program with the opening of A Championship Season on October 26, 1974 in the newly constructed Hartnell College Performing Arts Center. It is testament to the dedication of the staff and the enthusiasm of the community that The Western Stage has enjoyed 30 years of expansion and success. Begun as a small summer repertory company comprised of local actors, TWS has blossomed into a year round program featuring talent from across the country. Yet, despite its successes and growth, TWS has never lost touch with its community. Local artists remain the bedrock of the company. Its eight month season repertory, Spring festival of classes, and youth enrichment programs have made this theatre one of the most respected cultural centers on the Central Coast. 

          There have been many milestones along the way. For the past fifteen years, The Western Stage has been dedicated to bringing classic novels to the stage. These nationally acclaimed productions have brought many notable authors and dignitaries to the Salinas Valley including Ray Bradbury, Elaine Steinbeck, Tom Steinbeck and, this past season, best selling author Victor Villaseņor. In addition, The Western Stage has launched the theatrical careers of many Salinas natives. The work of TWS scenic designer Robert Brill (East of Eden) is now often seen on Broadway. Jodie Dick (Six Character in Search of an Author and East of Eden 2000) is now in her second year at the prestigious Harvard School of Drama. Joe Niesen, who played Emcee in last season's Cabaret, is now an Equity actor who works as a performer and choreographer across the United States. These successes testify to the quality of training and work experience The Western Stage brings to the Salinas community.   

          The 2004 season is no different. As part of its Pearl Jubilee season, TWS returns to the roots of theatre with a line-up of classics that will stir the soul and stimulate the mind. The studio season, for instance, presents four pivotal dramas that capture important periods in theatre history. These include Thornton Wilder's Our Town, Arthur Miller's All My Sons, Moliere's Tartuffe, and Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan. No four plays could be more dissimilar in content, but so similar in importance. They not only represent the period in which they were written, but also speak volumes about issues affecting our world today.

          On the Main Stage, TWS offers three Broadway blockbusters: Hello, Dolly! Into the Woods, and Sweeney Todd. These are not only classic musicals: they're also just plain fun. Hello, Dolly! is the epitome of the traditional American musical comedy. There are catchy songs, show stopping dance numbers, and, of course, raucous romance. Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, on the other hand, offers audiences a look at the darker musicals that swept Broadway in the 1970s. It's a macabre revenge play that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

          However, it is not just the choice of plays that make a quality season: it is also the talent that brings these plays alive. Casting has already begun to ensure that TWS's Pearl Jubilee season is one of its very best. To usher in the season, performing in the poignant role of the "stage manager" in Our Town, is Joe Yedlicka.  Joe performed 30 years ago in the debut production of The Western Stage era: That Championship Season. His appearance launches a year peopled with many familiar faces. Local favorite Reg Huston's operatic voice has mesmerized TWS audiences in Fiddler on the Roof (1999) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2003), and now he will make your blood run cold as the legendary demon barber of Fleet Street in Sweeney Todd. Another beloved TWS veteran returns to the stage in 2004 as well. Donna Federico will belt out the tunes and tickle your funny bone as the matchmaker Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!  These roles were tailor-made for these performers.

          However, the Pearl Jubilee Season is not just about nostalgia. It is also about looking forward. The National Endowment of the Arts recently made a recommendation for funding to support The Western Stage's "Salinas Stories" project, which will get underway this season. Lorenzo Aragon, who directed last season's Rain of Gold, will lead. With the help of community partners, The Western Stage will begin the project by developing a theatrical process to preserve the oral history of residents who lived in Salinas between the Great Depression and World War II. This promises to be a very exciting venture that is sure to bring the community together.

          So, mark your calendars. The Western Stage is laying the groundwork for its Pearl Jubilee. It's not a season to be missed. Season subscriptions are the best bargain, available for as little as $14 per performance. Go to WesternStage.com for complete information or call (831)-755-6816.    

Dan Tarker, Literary Associate