SRT Summer Repertory Theater…as if the Santa Rosa Junior College’s Theater Arts department wasn’t busy enough, they also offer full scale repertory during the summer. You will not be disappointed here. Huzzah! Huzzah!
1501 Mendocino Ave
Santa Rosa
707-527-4011
707-527-4343 Box Office
Postscript:
2008 Season
Well! Now we have seen them all and it’s time for my review. First of all, let me say that SRT is doing it’s job. They begin in the spring auditioning across the state looking for the best talent they can find. This year’s crop is among the best for sure – especially The Women! The Women, a comedy by Claire Booth Luce is a period piece that had the audience howling! Of course, the writing was superb to begin with, but the direction was flawless and the whole production just rang with perfection. Obviously the bulk of the female talent was used. I LOVED it!
Those in The Women were not cast in The Producers, the musical by Mel Brooks. The Producers was another great show, thoroughly entertaining in every way. I liked it so much that I went home and immediately watched the movie. The two leads played off each other with the precision of a finely timed watch. I must say that I enjoyed the SRT performances of William McNeil and Nathan C. Crocker as Bialystock and Bloom just as much as Nathan Lane and Mathew Broderick in the 2006 movie version. In the 11:00 number, “Betrayed”, McNeil knocked it out of the house! On the night I was there they received a well deserved standing ovation. Huzzah!
The Crucible, a serious drama by Arthur Miller, was expertly staged. I did have some trouble hearing some of the actors, but the subject matter (a witch hunt) makes us think twice about some of the under currents in present day politics and government.
The charming Charles M. Schulz musical, Snoopy!!!, brought a tear to my eye as I remembered with fondness our local boy done good, Peanuts!, dogs I have owned who don’t come when I call, and my own childhood play yard friends. I was in the front row and stole a glimpse of the audience sitting behind me during one of Zach Reino’s (Snoopy) numbers. I saw nothing but pure smiling joy on all their faces. This cast surely did enjoy themselves as well.
Finally, Cole Porter’s play within a play, Kiss Me, Kate, topped off the season with memorable songs and dance numbers like “Too Darn Hot” and “So in Love”. My personal favorite this season was Julia Goretsky as Lois/Bianca singing “Always True to You, Darling (In My Fashion)”. Goretsky also gave an outstanding performance as Sylvia in The Women. I’m sure we’ll see more of her as her career grows. She is a very gifted comedian.
I’m sorry it’s over, but “Marvelous! Just MARVELOUS!” I can’t wait until next year.