A T-Town talent weekend

There's a new tradition in the making. Three years ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown, Chris Morales found a way to bring the essence of live theater via video streaming to Tehachapi. Working with members of the Tehachapi Community Theater Association (TCTA), the ensemble produced a marathon telethon. Chris Morales presents The Late-Night Talk Show Telethon. Because of Covid restrictions, they performed to an empty house and even with no one in attendance, every performer was masked. Yet, some 1,100 viewers saw the 3-plus hour show. It was a beginning to return productions to the BeeKay Theatre.

Last year, Chris hosted T-Town Tonight. The show had a two-day run for a live audience, raised money for charity and included members of the community in addition to TCTA performers. It was so well received that it is time to do it again.

This year marks the third annual production and is showcasing local talent in addition to TCTA actors. The weekend shows feature Allison Reynolds on electric cello, live music with Guy Martin's band the Acme Music Company, extreme magic with Anastasia Synn, stand-up comedy with Zach Cepeda, the J&M Dancers, singers including Djano and Lily Seymour, and so much more. Charitable donations will be made to Have-A-Heart Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Valley Horse Rescue. It's a variety show that is unique, high energy and great fun.

Chris Morales seems to have an extra special talent. She apparently has a 48-hour day, spending 24/7 as a local realtor and 24/7 as the executive producer on the TCTA board of directors. How does she manage it? She'll be the first to tell you, "I love theater. Every part of it. I can always find time." You can find her with a drill or a paintbrush in hand embellishing a set or been lucky enough to have seen her as Grandma Addams in TCTA's most recent, sold-out production of The Addams Family, a new musical by Marshal Brickman and Rick Elise.

Chris Morales hosts T-Town Talent: A big show in a small town and one you don't want to miss. It's a 3-performance weekend playing at the BeeKay Theater at 110 S. Green Street. Evening shows begin at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 30. Sunday Matinee at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 22. Tickets are $20, with discounts for members, seniors, military, and kids under 16. You can get tickets prior to a performance at the box office or purchase tickets in advance on the website at http://www.tctonstage.com.