Clayton troupe takes center stage at Shellies
Small but mighty is one way to describe the Clayton Theatre Company.
Or possibly, the little engine that could.
Now, award-winning would have to be in there somewhere.
With a modest budget compared to many of its competitors, Clayton Theatre won two of the top awards at the 39th annual Shellie Awards at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts in January. Clayton Theatre co-founder La Tonya Watts received the best director award and Teresa Grosserode the best actress award for “Moon Over Buffalo.”
Watts, an Antioch resident, and Clayton resident Roxanne Pardi founded the Clayton Theatre Company, a relative newcomer to Bay Area performing arts. Transforming the city-owned Endeavor Hall into a theater, they presented their first season in 2013 and have been bringing enthusiastic and entertaining community theater to local residents ever since.
Judges for the Shellie Awards took note of the newcomer. In 2016, the little company won its first coveted Shellie award: best choreography for Watts for the musical revue “A Trip Down Broadway,” conceived by Watts and Pardi, who also directed.
At the 2017 Shellie Awards, Clayton Theatre Company presented a special contribution to the performing arts award to board member Cara Bent, and Don Stone received a Shellie for his lighting design for “Rumors.”
This year, the company soared to new heights with the best director and best actress awards.
“I heard my name and for a split second, I didn’t move,” recalls Grosserode.
“It took a minute to sink in, but there was Ms. Shellie standing next to me and the spotlight was on me. It was quite a moment,” says the first-time Shellie Award winner. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities of community theater and to La Tonya and Roxanne for entrusting me with such interesting roles.”
Watts expressed equal amazement at hearing her name called, which just happened to follow the best actress category.
“I was so excited when Teresa won that I forgot my category came up next. Then they read my name and my mouth dropped,” Watts explains.
“I think I was in shock and just sat there until my sister gave me a nudge. I didn’t want to go running up on stage in case it wasn’t really my name they had called,” she adds with a laugh.
Watts and Pardi couldn’t be happier about the company’s latest awards. “Winning solidifies you within the community of your peers, who are all so talented,” says Watts. “This was so unexpected and so appreciated. It’s wonderful that other people see the hard work.”
Not only do people recognize the hard work, many support it – including Clayton Theatre’s loyal audiences, the city of Clayton and the Clayton Business and Community Association (CBCA).
“We provide assistance to the theater in several ways, including the rental of Endeavor Hall,” says Mayor Keith Haydon, who also attends the company’s productions. “It’s a wonderful community resource and gives local performers and crew a chance to work close to home.”
Haydon says he wasn’t surprised that Clayton Theatre brought home two of the top awards at this year’s Shellies. “They have an excellent theater with good quality productions. We’re very proud of them. This is one of the benefits of living in a small community,” he adds.
“Keeping live theater open for the general public is definitely a challenge,” says Watts. “We couldn’t do it without the support of the city and the CBCA, which contributes regularly to help keep us going.”
Up next at the Clayton Theatre Company is Ken Ludwig’s hilarious “Lend Me a Tenor,” winner of three Tony awards and four Drama Desk Awards. Ken Ludwig’s show is set in September 1934, as the Cleveland Grand Opera Company is primed to welcome world famous Tito Merelli, the greatest tenor of his generation, for a one-night appearance. Things go terribly wrong in a series of hilarious mishaps.
A sensation on Broadway and in London’s West End, the madcap, screwball comedy is guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter. Watts directs, with Grosserode playing the part of Diana.
“Tenor” runs March 8-24 at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. For tickets, go to www.brownpapertickets.com.
Other local theater companies winning Shellies this year included Pittsburg Community Theatre (Tiana Paulding for best choreography for “Hairspray”) and Brentwood Theatre Company (Amanda Maxwell for best supporting actress in a musical for “Crazy for You”).
For its next show, Pittsburg Community Theatre turns to Shakespeare for “Taming of the Shrew.” The romantic comedy runs March 9-11 at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave. Call 925-427-1611 or go to www.pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com for tickets.
If you love the songs of Rodgers and Hart, you won’t want to miss Brentwood Theatre’s “Beguiled Again,” playing March 2-4 at the Mt. Diablo Event Center, 1700 Trilogy Parkway, Brentwood, and March 9-18 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr. Go to www.thebrentwoodtheater.org for ticket information.
Meanwhile, the talented young people of the Grant Street Players will get you in the spirit with the classic pop-rock musical “Godspell.” Running Feb. 9-18 at St. Michael and All Angels church, 2925 Bonifacio St., Concord, the high-spirited show follows the gospel according to St. Matthew and includes such songs as “Day by Day.” For tickets, call 925-864-9435 or visit the website www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3321917.
Also in Concord, B8 Theatre presents the world premiere of “Jubilee” by local playwright Susan Sobeloff. The show tells of a brutal civil war that ends in a fragile peace. Determined to rebuild a democratic government, two generations of a family struggle to love one another, keep each other safe and navigate conflicting political loyalties.
Peet Cocke directs the passionate new work Feb. 15-March 3 at B8 Theatre, 2292 Concord Blvd. For tickets, call 925-890-8877 or go to https://m.bpt.me/event/3235571.
Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is also the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com