May 13, 2010: AUDITION NOTICE!

SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ (Leiber/Stoller; dir: Barbara J. Cannon) 5M, 4F.  Prepare 50’s-60’s pop/rock song, accompanist provided, bring sheet music in your key, headshot, resume.  Auds. 6/5, 10AM-2PM by appt.  Actors of color strongly encouraged.   Non-AEA, stipend.  Perfs. 9/2-10/2, 2010.  Rehs. begin approx. 7/19. Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. Call for appt/info (650) 941-5070.

May 11, 2010: CELEBRATE 15 YEARS WITH BUS BARN STAGE COMPANY!

Bus Barn Stage Company has announced that it will celebrate their 15th anniversary in Los Altos with a season of “best” shows from their founding year of 1995-1996.

The season opens with the Tony nominated show for Best Musical in 1995, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, THE MUSIC OF LIEBER AND STOLLER.  Smokin’, sizzlin’ or scorchin’, this tribute to the talented twosome of Jerry Lieber and Richard Stoller is a summer stroll through a legendary catalog of rock ‘n’ roll songs, 42 songs in all. Memorable melodies such as “Stand by Me,” “Poison Ivy,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Potion #9” and “On Broadway” are just a few of the great hits in this vibrant and nostalgic musical revue.  Get out of the September heat and come into the heat at Bus Barn with this acclaimed jukebox musical, playing September 2 through October 2, 2010.

It’s Christmas Eve in tiny Tuna Texas, and gallery of 22 zany citizen’s lives’ intersects as they attempt to celebrate with their traditional Yuletide activities in the holiday comedy, A TUNA CHRISTMAS by Jason Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard.  With a background of radio station OKKK offering periodic bulletins, we learn that Tuna’s Christmas Phantom is desecrating yard displays, “Silent Night” is being censored, and the town clerk is threatening to pull the plug on Joe Bob Lipsey’s Christmas play. Add a little down-home Longhorn spice to your holiday with this hilarious homage to Christmas kitsch, playing November 18 through December 18, 2010.

The New Year at Bus Barn begins when a dog finds a new home in SYLVIA by A.R. Gurney.  Empty nesters Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan where Greg finds Sylvia, a golden lab/poodle mix, in the park and brings her home. Greg is smitten by Sylvia’s unconditional love and the romantic triangle that results begins to eat a serious – and riotous- hole in Greg and Kate’s 22 year marriage.  This endearing romantic comedy about a marriage and a winsome canine is a tasty (dog) treat not to be missed!  It plays January 27 through February 19, 2011.

In 1921, three American luminaries – Warren G. Harding, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison - take to the Maryland woods to escape civilization and get marooned in this witty “factional” story, CAMPING WITH HENRY AND TOM by Mark St. Germain. Deep in the woods the great minds clash over everything from politics to personal philosophies. By the time they are rescued it becomes clear that Warren G. Harding was a man who never wanted to be President, that Henry Ford was a man who did, and that after many expeditions Thomas Edison would probably never go camping with Henry Ford again.  CAMPING WITH HENRY AND TOM is an entertaining exploration of friendship, politics and leadership in the twentieth century and winner of three 1995 Off Broadway Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Play. It plays April 7 through 30, 2011.

The 15th season closes with a brilliant comedy, MOON OVER BUFFALO, by one of America’s favorite playwrights, Ken Ludwig.  Over-the-hill repertory thespians George and Charlotte Hay are touring the backwaters in 1953 with tired versions of Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives when they learn that Frank Capra is expected at the matinee to consider casting them in his next movie. Meanwhile, a domestic crisis drives George to drink, new and ex-lovers appear, and hilarious misunderstandings and madcap adventures ensue in this comic romp.  Carol Burnett was nominated for 1996’s Tony Award for best actress in her comeback appearance as Charlotte Hay. Don’t miss the slamming doors and costume calamities in this farcical love letter to theater hams everywhere, playing May 19 through June 18, 2011.

Season tickets are now on sale for Bus Barn Stage Company’s 15th anniversary season.  Ticket prices range from $110 for preview Thursday to $160 for opening nights for all five shows.  Performances are held at the Bus Barn Theater, 97 Hillview Avenue in Los Altos.  Group discounts and subscription rates are available.  Please call the Box Office at 650-941-0551 for information and reservations, or to receive a brochure.  Visit our website at www.busbarn.org.  Free parking is available.

May 11, 2010: Job Opportunities for the 2010 - 2011 Season

SM’s, costume, lighting, props designers for 2009-2010 season. Shows include TREASURE ISLAND, A CHRISTMAS PUDDING, PRIVATE LIVES, THE ALTOS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Paid. Resume/cvr letter: Barbara J. Cannon, Artistic Director, Bus Barn Stage Company, PO Box 151, Los Altos, CA 94023 or email barbara@busbarn.org. Check show pages under "Current Season" for more information about the shows.