Ghostlight, Pittsburg theatres preparing October runs
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Sept. 16, 2021) — Is it safe for theaters to open? Do I need proof of vaccination? Do I need a mask to attend?
So many questions – with answers that change depending upon the number of COVID cases –have theater companies and audience members feeling rather stressed as we all long for more normalcy in our lives.
Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble catches the mood of many with the title of its upcoming play, “12 Angry Jurors.” Adapted from a 1954 teleplay by Reginald Rose and later produced as a feature film called “12 Angry Men” starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb and Jack Klugman, the show has once again been adapted (by Sherman L. Sergel) and the name changed to “12 Angry Jurors.”
The play opens with a 19-year-old man standing trial for murder. What looks like an open-and-shut case becomes something much more complicated as one juror questions the evidence.
Salim Razawi directs the Ghostlight production, which runs Oct. 1-10 at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. Everyone age 12 and older must show proof of vaccination. They will not accept negative COVID tests. Masks required regardless of age. For tickets, go to ghostlightte.org/12-angry-jurors.html.
The Real Inspector Hound
Pittsburg Community Theatre finally opens its new black box venue PCT@Steeltown, which was just about to debut when COVID closed everything. This intimate setting at Steeltown Coffee & Tea in Old Town Pittsburg will launch with Tom Stoppard’s farce “The Real Inspector Hound.”
Think Agatha Christie on steroids. This will give you have an idea of how crazy this whodunit can get as Stoppard pokes fun at theater critics, murder mysteries and more.
Two theater critics, Moon (Jason Berner) and Birdboot (Kevin Burns), figure prominently as Stoppard infuses the show with many levels of deception, satire and absurdism, and a touch of reality. Other cast members include George Doerr, Denise Eberle, Amy Hart, Sam Logan, Atessa McAllenan-Morrell and Lisa Marie Taylor.
“The Real Inspector Hound” runs Oct. 1-9. Masks and proof of vaccination required. Due to limited seating, you should plan to buy tickets in advance. Call 925-439-7529 or go to pctca.org.
Clayton Theatre cancels show
Sadly, Clayton Theatre Company must cancel its October show, “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” for the fourth and final time.
“This was a difficult decision, but the health and safety of our valued patrons, artists, crew and staff is of the utmost importance,” said managing director Roxanne Pardi. “The actors had continued their commitment to the show and had started rehearsing on their own in the hopes of performing in October. The CDC, state, county and city COVID mandates was not conducive to producing a show. CTC hopes to reopen soon when it is safer to do so.”
The cancelling of last season and now this season has placed a financial burden on the small company, which has ongoing financial commitments. If you would like to help, tax-deductible donations can be made at claytontheatrecompany.com.
Sally Hogarty
Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com