Contenders

The Valley has had an upswing in productions this winter of highly acclaimed scripts, and so far none have let me down.

First, Chris Mangels directed Conor McPherson’s The Weir at the Ice House Theatre in Visalia, which was a beautifully rendered piece and some of the best work I’ve seen from Visalia talent in a long time.  This show has just edged out Irene Morse’s Two Rooms as the best production of the season at the Ice House (so far). 

The ART in Fresno put up David Lindsey-Abair’s Rabbit Hole, an amazingly fraught piece staged with wonderful intimacy and balance by Julie Ann Keller.  The performances from Mike Peterson and Jennifer Hurd-Peterson are some of the best work I’ve ever seen from them. 

And finally, The Spotlight Theatre in Bakersfield is running The Goat, or Who is Sylvia in previews this weekend.  A very difficult play to stage with any beauty because of its subject-matter, the cast of this production really puts its heart into it, never looking down their noses at their own characters, and deliver a moving performance with tremendous grace.  Highly recommended. 

The Spotlight’s I Am My Own Wife was also sold out and had great word of mouth, so I’d watch out for their non-musical productions in the future.  Tickets to them could be increasingly difficult to get!

Check out San Joaquin Valley Theatre Bulletin Board for postings on “The Goat” and other upcoming shows.