Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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Alcott’s beloved “Little Women” was hardly a labor of love for its author. When her publisher requested a “girl story,” Alcott wanted no part of it. Her writing interests were Gothics, thrillers and stage plays. Still, her own history proved that she would take on practically any chore to bring funds to her struggling family. Tutoring, sewing, and housekeeping were included and since a publisher was willing to pay her to write, Alcott accepted. Her journal reflects her initial protest....
When Monica Nadon began her quest to bring Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" to the TCT stage in 2006, she read through several adaptations to decide which one she would choose. The problem was, Nadon really wasn't happy with any one version. "None of them seemed to hold completely true to the novel's soul," said Nadon. "Much of the emotional depth you experienced in her novel, was simply missing. I wanted to highlight Alcott's amazing skill in showing how each 'little woman' morphed into her o...
At Slice of Life Enrichment School, students from 5 to 81 years old have been freed to pursue those dreams with rewarding successes. Susan Minor, owner and director of Slice of Life, has found that those who are reluctant to believe they could paint, or play the piano skillfully, or excel in any of the other disciplines offered, have continually surprised themselves once they take that first step of commitment. Susan, the eldest of nine children, was very much involved in raising her younger sib...
Join TCT's Steel Magnolias in their favorite beauty salon, Truvy's, to have the time of your life. Not just a place for a pretty hairdo, but a place where you find yourself rooting for this gang of absolutely matchless characters. Be charmed by generous-hearted Truvy (Jamie Uhtof) as she embraces her little flock with homey southern wisdom. Then root for Annelle (Ali Whitlach) Truvy's new assistant, as she makes the transition from not even knowing whether she's still married or not, into a...
Maybe we're drawn into loving "Steel Magnolias" because we see real life truth in it. Inspired in the heart of author Robert Harling after he had lost his own beloved sister, Harling found solace, then joy in writing about that part of her life. Somehow, when Harling combined cherished memories of his sister with how the town's women pulled together to support her, this soulful hit comedy was birthed. TCT's production casts some of our very finest actresses, who draw us into Truvy's beauty...
Opening night had our BeeKay audience bring in standing ovations to Tehachapi Community Theatre's presentation of "The Importance of Being Earnest", directed by Kenny Chugg and produced by David SteeleReed. Even before the show begins you'll be welcomed by a breathtaking stage; then more magic unfolds when our TCT actors (in stunning costumes) bring to life one of the most enchanting romantic stage comedies written by Oscar Wilde. Your giggles will marry intrigue as plot twists and turns keep yo...
The cast was deep into rehearsals of "The Importance of Being Earnest". I was following along with the script when I thought I heard an unknown voice chuckling at the back of the BeeKay Theatre. I turned around, then quickly back again, not wanting to believe what I was imagining. I'd read all about our famous playwright's, love for the paranormal, but was Oscar's ghost now actually seated at the back of the BeeKay? I sipped on my extra strong latte, then turned around again. Oscar was still...
Can your Tehachapi Community Theatre enhance your life? The Gockel family share some of their thoughts about being a part of TCT. "Whether you're stepping into theater as an individual, or as an entire family, there are so many important life skills you're taught in the process of putting on a good show," says Nicole Gockel. "Can you give us some 'for instances'? I asked. "For one thing," says Nicole, "you're brought into a world where people can be so different from you. They believe...
In the same manner that the crystal opal shines many colors, so TCT's real life Opal Lawler possesses a brilliant range of talent from singing, dancing, acting, writing, and choreography to set design and directing. I first saw Lawler onstage in 2015, when she starred as Lizzie Curry in TCT's production of "110 in the Shade". She captivated us as we watched her struggles with love between the mystic con-man "Starbuck" (Guy Martin) and the wholesome "Sheriff File" (Thaer Irvin). Yet Lawler's...
The Cemetery Club, directed by Brian Terpstra, will not only tickle your funny bone, but tug at your heart strings while reminding you of the gift of life itself. This performance is so real that you'll find yourself sharing in these five characters' joys and struggles. Masterfully performed, brilliantly directed. You need to see it. The Cemetery Club runs Sept. 30, Oct. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 2017. All seats will be $15, and may be purchased online at www.tctonstage.com, or at Tehachapi Treasure...
Here is lovely Melissa Billingsley from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) with her amazing service pup "Hiltie" during their visit to the beautiful BeeKay Theater. Hiltie's job? "Hearing Dog" for Melissa. After Hiltie was 'puppy raised' by volunteer Paul Sandberg, she was then trained as a hearing dog by CCI. Hiltie, and all of CCI's pups are custom trained for the special needs of those individuals who will receive these beautiful dogs. In Hiltie's case, she is Melissa's right hand gal...
TCT's next production begins August 4, 2017, presenting the hilarious musical comedy, "The Drowsy Chaperone". Directed by Christine Guarante, Drowsy begins with a 'man in the chair', (played by Jason Johnson) who is lamenting the lavish golden age of the stage. But then, instead of staying in his mournful funk, through an old-fashioned vinyl record, he lifts us out of the mundane into an outrageously fun and funny 1928 musical. It seems that a certain theatrical star, Janet Van De Graaf (played...
TCT's B.K. Bear holds SilentWolf's 2016 Playwrights' Festival Gold Quill Trophy for the top winning play, "The Tiniest Goodbye". Here we see B.K. and SilentWolf seated on Centennial Plaza's John King bench, named for the founder of Tehachapi Community Theater. So, who will be this year's winners? You could be the one to cast the deciding vote. Just join us this week for our annual festival. Friday & Saturday nights, June 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinee, June 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets online...
My interview with Alex Zonn, president of Tehachapi Community Theater (TCT), took place while Zonn was directing "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen, which opened Friday, May 5, at the BeeKay Theatre. When I first met Alex last year, we were preparing for TCT's annual Playwrights Festival. I wasn't ready to hear Zonn's voice. His distinctive pitch goes from a resounding depth reaching the furthest person in the back row of a theater to a tone that comforts the tiniest child a foot away. How did...
The setting was a memorial held for both Debbie Reynolds and Carrie at Los Angeles' Forest Lawn, March 25, 2017. Dwight, Debbie Reynolds' white Coton pup, snuggled in close between Leslie Reynolds and her dad, Bill. Forest Lawn's Hall of Liberty was being filled with family, friends and fans waiting for the memorial to begin. Pooch Dwight had his own front row seat as he and Leslie waited for Todd Fisher to present the lives of his famous mom and sister. "The first time I met Carrie" said...
Leslie Reynolds' Memoir of Her Famous Aunt, Debbie Reynolds I first met Leslie Reynolds when she played the part of "Noah" in Tehachapi Community Theater's 2014 production of "110 In the Shade" by N. Richard Nash. Leslie was dressed in macho western garb, enhanced by a mustache Tom Selleck could admire. She was fun, funny and immensely kind. If you've ever seen any of Leslie's on-stage performances, you quickly realize the family talent gene pool didn't skimp on Leslie Reynolds. Somehow she...
When Christal Wheeler accepted her role as Director for TCT's upcoming "The Best of Broadway," it wasn't exactly according to plan. Christal's love for the arts began long before she moved from Bakersfield to a small California town in the northern Sierras called Susanville. It didn't take long for boredom to set in, so Christal began looking for an outlet that might fulfill that void. Christal was always attracted to the arts, particularly music, and when she discovered Susanville's "The Best...
