Holidays roll around with much success for area shows

As Christmas approaches there are some good things to see and hear.

But first, let's talk about the play I missed: Borgamaria Lyric Opera's production of the "Hansel and Gretel" opera.

"Hansel and Gretel" was directed by Joaquina Calvo Johnson. It starred Wendy Cooper as Hansel, Kelly Barber Cunningham as Gretel, Brant Bordsen as the father, Helen Jackson as the mother and Karen Trefzger as the witch.

Some 20 kids from the Yuba-Sutter Youth Chorus, ranging from 6 years old and upwards, played the gingerbread children.

The kids were perhaps most of the trouble putting the show together, but they also proved much of the reward, it seems.

"The opera was, in my opinion, the best we have ever produced. The performance values were terrific! The last three performances were completely sold out, and we had to issue Lotto tickets in order to seat all of the audience. However, we managed to seat everyone," Johnson reported.

That said, here's the best news, according to Johnson.

"We also ended up in the black, which is always good."

That last is testimony to the rising good taste of Marysville-Yuba City residents. Moreover, the box office tally there may one of the best signals as to how local people are gravitating toward better theater.

Johnson continued: "We seem to be building an audience base for the opera company. Of course, people love it when we have children in a production. The children ended up doing a wonderful job and sang beautifully."

I peeked at a rehearsal and, frankly, I had my doubts about the children. They were individually talented, no doubt about that, but they were not necessarily well behaved.

What they needed was a director, as even the oldest and most experienced and professional do.

But when the volume and action of the children increased, Johnson would speak up and all quieted.

I don't recall if Johnson said "Children!" or if she said, "Cast!" What I do remember is the authority in her voice and how her straight talk (and probably the kids' good manners) immediately resulted in a subdued cast.

You see, talent and discipline are the secret to success.

• • •

Another event — the Master Chorale Christmas concert comes up 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 1390 Franklin Road, Yuba City.

"The Chorale is a little smaller then the spring group, but sing very well," Johnson said.

It will include several Christmas selections including two works involving the brass choir Johnson has assembled doing the Pinkham "Christmas Cantata" and the Randall Stroope "Hodie!"

"Both of them are really exciting and wonderful choral works. The brass players are from Chico and very fine players," Johnson said.

I have no ticket information on this one, but the church events are very inexpensive and in the past Johnson has left it up to attendees what they wish to pay. (See story on E5.)

Experience tells me that this is likely to be a good venue and the show the chorale puts on well worth it.

• • •

And here's some more area theater news.

By early November, Foothill Theatre Company had raised an additional $44,000 toward the $145,000 needed by the end of the year in order to proceed with the 2009 season and beyond, marketing director Stacy Butler reported.

The original amount of $90,000 needed to produce the balance of the 2008 season was met at the end of August, she said.

Most of the money came from fundraisers at Mindy's Homemade Ice Cream, the FTC Costume Shop Sale at the Miners Foundry, "An Evening with Ernest Thompson," playwright of "On Golden Pond," and other efforts by fans.

The best news is this.

Plans for a fundraiser starring Cara Burgoyne as Patsy Cline are in the planning stages, but no date can be set until scheduling conflicts are resolved.

I've personally witnessed Burgoyne in this best-of-Patsy Cline musical and it is something to take home with you and cherish for a lifetime. If they can put it together, you'd be a fool to miss it.

Still, it's a dicey situation.

As Foothill Theatre Company executive director Karen Marinovich put it, the company is coming into the stretch of trying to make its fundraising goal of staying alive and kicking.

Otherwise, it's curtains. The decision is likely to be made today at a special meeting of the FTC board of directors.

"If we have not made the (fundraising) goal by then, they will decide if the amount of money needed to fulfill the goal is attainable by the end of the year. If they agree the amount is out of reach, steps will be taken to close the Foothill Theatre Company on Dec. 29, the day after the last performance of 'Little Women'," Marinovich said.

To make a donation to the Foothill Theatre Company, please mail: FTC, P.O. Box 1812, Nevada City, CA, 95959, or go online at www.foothilltheatre.org.

FTC will also accept a pledge payable when the decision is made to continue the company, Marinovich said.

Tom Nadeau has written for and acted on stage, screen, radio and television. Write to him at theaterland@gmail.com.