California Central Coast Mid-Month Theatre Offerings

As we move toward the end of May, I trust you have made your plans to include a sampling of the several live performance and theatre productions that are presently available for your viewing pleasure here on the paradisiacal California Central Coast!

"All the world's a stage."  If you find yourself on the Central Coast and looking for some wholesome theatre, music, and cross-dressing, you should come enjoy Exit Pursued by a Bear's (follow them on Facebook) production of Shakespeare's As You Like It.   

The Bard's classic, comedic masterpiece presents the story of Rosalind, a young noblewoman banished by her usurping uncle, forced to disguise herself as a man and live in the forest.  Accompanying Rosalind are her cousin, Celia and her clown Touchstone who together spark an outrageous chain of events when encountering other banished courtiers, old romantic interests, and shepherds.  The ensuing love triangles, confusion, philosophy, and clash of country and court ultimately ask you to decide who the true fools really are.

In this special gender-reversed production of Shakespeare's classic, you will have the uncommon and enriching opportunity to experience the renowned character of Rosalind portrayed by a man and see a swash-buckling and charming female Orlando take the stage.

The show runs through May 22 at 7 PM at the SLO Space, an art gallery located on 3195 McMillan Avenue in San Luis Obispo.  Admission is pay-what-you-can, so bring your friends and enjoy a night of rustic revelry!  Contact Tyler Lopez at tylermlopez@gmail.com for more information [NOTE: Saw the Saturday night performance of this show and it was WONDERFUL - just one chance left to see it on Sunday at 7 PM ... so GO!  I guarantee you'll "like it" ... sorry - couldn't resist!]

San Luis Obispo High School Drama Department will present Gypsy through May 27.  Show times are at 7 PM.  Genral admission is $8; student admission is $5.  The school is located at 1499 San Luis Dr.  Call the school at (805) 596-4040 for more information

SLO Little Theatre's (www.slolittletheatre.org) current mainstage production, Spinning Into Butter, runs through June 12.  And be sure to check out their children's summer theatre program classes and productions at act@slolittletheatre.org.  Auditions for ACT's summer youth production of Ann of Green Gables will be May 27 & 28 (by appointment), with callbacks on May 29; rehearsals June 19-July 22; performances July 29 - August 7.

Kelrik Productions' (www.kelrikproductions.com) current show, Aladdin, runs through June 12.  Auditions for Seussical the Musical will be held on June 1 (performances July 16-24 at the Spanos Theatre on the Cal Poly campus).  Also - be sure to check out their acting classes for kids & youth!

Congregation Beth David (10180 Los Osos Valley Rd, SLO) will present The Ponemon Series #4: Stories, Tales and Plays From A Jewish Village on Sunday, May 22, at 3 PM.  For tickets or more information, call (805) 544-0760, or email office@cbdslo.org.  Adults: $20, Kids (5-18): $10.

Linnaea's Cafe at 1110 Garden St in SLO will present Gale McNeeley as "Archy, the poetic cockroach" and "Mehitabel, the toujours gai alley cat" on Sunday, May 22, at 7 PM.  Suggested donation is $10. 

The God Is Still Speaking Players (follow them on Facebook) next show will be Nunsense Jamboree September 2-5 & 9-11 (auditions July 10-12). 

Upcoming performances at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (www.pacslo.org) include The Groundlings on May 22 (Spanos Theatre), Two-Piano Recital: Thies and Spiller on May 24, Cal Poly Spring Symphony Concert on May 28, RSVP XVI: Duende on May 31 & June 2, and Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble Spring Concert on June 3.

Murder In Mind Productions (www.murderinmind.com) will present their interactive murder mystery, The Altos - Blood Is Thicker Than Wine, on Sundays at The Spyglass Inn in Shell Beach through June 5.

Sorcerer Productions (check them out on Facebook) recently closed a VERY successful run of the Tony Award winning The Drowsy Chaperone in the Clark Center Studio Theatre.  Next Up?  Little Shop of Horrors is what I'm hearing ... stay tuned for details!