'A Christmas Carol' and the Black Bart Theater

Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol is presented this holiday season in Murphys at 580 S Algiers Street at the Black Bart Playhouse by Murphys Creek Theatre. Directed by Cyndie Hoffman-Klorer this talented cast brings this story of light, goodness and charity to the foothills. Narrated by Sean-Pierre Wilson, the story unfolds as Scrooge (Stephen Daly), insists that Christmas is a humbug. Neither his lovable nephew, nor affable solicitors and cheerful carolers can bring the joy of the season to Scrooge's miserable heart. When his 7 years dead partner Jacob Marley, played by Allen Test, appears to warn him of his last chance for salvation, Scrooge finds himself face to face with - himself. It isn't until he sees the pure kindness of the Cratchit family and the least member of it, Tiny Tim, that Scrooge begins to understand what is at stake.

 Taylor Hunt as The Ghost of Christmas Past,
Photos courtesy of Gold & Dust Studios

Last Weekend for Murphys Creek Theater "I Hate Hamlet"

Murphys Creek Theater, 'I Hate Hamlet' an over-the-top must see performance - by Shari Schweigler

If you enjoy live theatre, you have a chance to see a master craftsman on stage with Murphys Creek Theatre.   

Don Bilotti, former artistic director at Stage 3 and teacher of theatre for Columbia College, heads a talented cast in a production of the comedy, “I Hate Hamlet."

The show takes a humorous look at the conflict between people who avoid Shakespeare in favor of more contemporary entertainment and those who consider Shakespeare the pinnacle of the arts.  A young TV star, Andrew, goes to New York when his series is canceled, and his first (and only) job offer is to do “Hamlet” outdoors in Central Park.

Murphys Creek Theter presents - Shakespeares the Twelfth Night

Director Tara Kayton is setting this summer’s production of Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies, in the1930 American Dust Bowl. Using a vagabond troupe of actors, steamer trunks, and an old truck the group will create a world in and around the audience that will be both interactive and intimate. We will engage Shakespeare’s tale of love and loss with live instruments, witty banter, and laughter. Audiences are welcome to carouse with food and wine on Brice Station Vineyards beautiful grassy hill surrounded by breathtaking views and evening stars. MCT is excited to have the return of: Ross Aldrich, Misty Amber Day, Sheila Doyle, Graham Scott Green, Mat Hepgood, Sean Lewis, Sid Marsh, Jason “Clocky” McDowell, Robert Zellars, and introduce: Emily Graham, and Taylor Hunt to the company.

 

Murphys Creek Theater presents - Shakespeares the Twelfth Night 6-13-14 thru 7-19-14

Director Tara Kayton is setting this summer’s production of Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies, in the1930 American Dust Bowl. Using a vagabond troupe of actors, steamer trunks, and an old truck the group will create a world in and around the audience that will be both interactive and intimate. We will engage Shakespeare’s tale of love and loss with live instruments, witty banter, and laughter. Audiences are welcome to carouse with food and wine on Brice Station Vineyards beautiful grassy hill surrounded by breathtaking views and evening stars. MCT is excited to have the return of: Ross Aldrich, Misty Amber Day, Sheila Doyle, Graham Scott Green, Mat Hepgood, Sean Lewis, Sid Marsh, Jason “Clocky” McDowell, Robert Zellars, and introduce: Emily Graham, and Taylor Hunt to the company.

 

MURPHYS CREEK THEATRE OPENS 20TH SEASON WITH NEIL SIMON GEM - by Shari Schweigler

                                               

The twentieth anniversary of Murphys Creek Theatre brings together founders and original cast members in the same show that launched the company in 1994.  The theatre’s current artistic director Graham Green and current cast members Tom White, Terri Wilson, and Sheila Doyle were all part of the inaugural show twenty years ago, Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” The current cast also features seasoned performers Ross Aldrich, Michael Crich, Sarah Grimes-Emmons, Sid Marsh, and Mitzi Nelson, along with newcomers Matthew Hobgood and Robert Wright.

The plot of “Rumors” could be summarized by Murphy’s Law : Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” When four well-to-do couples meet for the anniversary party of New York’s Deputy Mayor, Charlie Brock and his wife Myra, mayhem ensues.  The first couple to arrive finds the host with a gunshot wound, the hostess nowhere-to-be-found, and the kitchen full of uncooked food yet empty of cooks.  This may not seem like the prelude to a comedy, but Neil Simon calls this play a farce, and indeed, it sparkles with outrageous situations, statirical humor, bungled problem-solving that  begets more problems than solutions and broad physical comedy right on the edge of slapstick.  The cast excels at the madcap antics, comedic timing, and frantic scheming necessary to keep the story funny. 

“Rumors,” is a bit of a departure from the usual Neil Simon fare.  It has a lot in common with British “door comedies” such as “Noises Off,” with the comedy at its height when various characters  are coming and going through literal doors, trying to solve problems through deception and circumvention. 

Murphys Creek theater holding Auditions for Robin Hood, A British Panto.

Auditions for Robin Hood, A British Panto. Panto - not to be confused with the theatrical medium of mime – is a brilliant form of musical comedy designed for families and mostly performed during the Christmas and New Year season. Modern Panto includes songs, slapstick comedy and dancing, employs gender-crossing actors, and combines topical humor with a story loosely based on a well-known fairy tale. It is a delightful participatory form of theatre, in which the audience gets to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers.
Auditions will be held at the Black Bart Playhouse, 580 S. Algiers, Murphys, Ca, and consist of cold reading from the script and an optional prepared song. Roles for non singers are available. Wear clothing you can move in. It will be a blast for all involved! For more info call (209) 728-8422. 
Audition 9-22-13 at 6 pm.

Murphys Creek Theater holding Auditions for Robin Hood, A British Panto.

Auditions for Robin Hood, A British Panto. Panto - not to be confused with the theatrical medium of mime – is a brilliant form of musical comedy designed for families and mostly performed during the Christmas and New Year season. Modern Panto includes songs, slapstick comedy and dancing, employs gender-crossing actors, and combines topical humor with a story loosely based on a well-known fairy tale. It is a delightful participatory form of theatre, in which the audience gets to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers.
Auditions will be held at the Black Bart Playhouse, 580 S. Algiers, Murphys, Ca, and consist of cold reading from the script and an optional prepared song. Roles for non singers are available. Wear clothing you can move in. It will be a blast for all involved! For more info call (209) 728-8422. 
Auditions 9-22-13 6 pm.

Last Weekend to see MCT Complete Works of Williamm Shakespeare abridged/revised

 

To read the Copper Gazette review CLICK HERE

Murphys Creek Theater presents the Compleat Works of William Shakespeare

Compleat Works of William Shakespeare by MCT a Phenominal Theater Experience

"If you choose to see only one play this season this would be the play to see."

Murphys Creek Theater has never ceased to amaze theater goers with their brilliance in acting under Graham Scotts directorial prowess, yet the rendition of the Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (abridged/revised) exceeded all expectations and rocked the crowd at the Stevenot Amphitheater.

Anthony DePage, Mike Evans and Sean Lewis's high energy and spot on delivery of the tongue twisting, mind bending Elizabethan vocabulary was nothing short of exceptional. Add in their own witty repartee and acting chemistry and the combination became a volatile mix of hilarity and zingy one liners.

For those not schooled in the ways of Shakespeare, the madcap romp through 17 comedies, 10 histories and 10 tragedies all in just over an hour and a half opened a whole new world of Shakespearean delight for the audience.

DePage, Evans and Lewis brought Shakespeare to the 21st century - kicking and screaming - through some updated language and most notably a few updated and creative moves.

Characters changed as quickly as their costumes, sometimes within seconds, leaving the audience in stitches and engaged for the full performance.

To view more pictures CLICK HERE

by,
Charity Maness

Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (abridged/revised) at Murphys Creek Theater

The Compleat Wks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) Murphys Creek Theater

Three guys, one dead playwright, and thirty-seven plays, all in under two hours. The whole family will enjoy watching three talented actors, armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear and props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets) into 90 minutes of high-speed, over-the-top hilarity! This endearingly irreverent and lightning-paced romp through the greatest plays of all time will have you rolling with laughter and jumping out of your seats.

For show times and tickets visit  http://murphyscreektheatre.org/home/

Murphys Creek Theater presents The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)

Three guys, one dead playwright, and thirty-seven plays, all in under two hours. The whole family will enjoy watching three talented actors, armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear and props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets) into 90 minutes of high-speed, over-the-top hilarity! This endearingly irreverent and lightning-paced romp through the greatest plays of all time will have you rolling with laughter and jumping out of your seats.

For show times and ticket info visit  http://murphyscreektheatre.org

The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged) - Murphys Creek Theater

Three guys, one dead playwright, and thirty-seven plays, all in under two hours. The whole family will enjoy watching three talented actors, armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear and props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets) into 90 minutes of high-speed, over-the-top hilarity! This endearingly irreverent and lightning-paced romp through the greatest plays of all time will have you rolling with laughter and jumping out of your seats.

For show times and tickets visit  http://murphyscreektheatre.org/home/

Theater Under the Stars - 'Much Ado About Nothing'

'Much Ado about Nothing' is really SOMETHING!

Once again Murphys Creek Theater delivers an outstanding performance with a cast beyond compare.

Much Ado About Nothing by Murphys Creek Theater is not only for seasoned Shakespeare aficionados, it is for anyone who loves a witty, fast paced, multi-plot twisting play performed by actors rivaling those who grace the stages of Broadway.

Love at first sight, love born of witty repartee, deceit, lies, betrayal, and comedy all are interwoven through the performance of Much Ado About Nothing.

Written in the late 1500's by William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy that transcends time, yet holds the beauty of the language of old. If by chance you miss the meaning of the colorful and excessive use of Elizabethan vocabulary, not to fear, the actors of MCT have the uncanny ability to communicate their words perfectly through their actions and body language creating a theater experience you will love.

'Much Ado About Nothing' by Murphys Creek Theater

Murphys Creek Theater under the stars presents "Much Ado About Nothing'

Clean up day at the Stevenot Amphitheatre in Murphys

Tomorrow is clean up and landscaping day at Stevenot Amphitheatre in Murphys! If you have the time and a rake or some pruners, join us from 9 am till we're done! MCT would appreciate all the help it can get to make this year a special one!

For information about shows and times visit http://murphyscreektheatre.org/