The Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Arts Department returns with its 2023-2024 season featuring four shows with fun and engaging stories that audiences should look forward to.
“Coming off the last five years with everything as chaotic as they were, I think we wanted to tell stories that really highlighted not only fun, but also positivity in the world, and I think you really see that in these shows,” SRJC Theatre Arts Department Chair James Newman said. “I want to see both our students and the people seeing our shows to just smile and laugh and have a good time. I think we all need a little dose of that.”
Newman also noted that all four shows happen to have fairly short run times, stating that audiences will appreciate their length.
Directed by Reed Martin, “Clue” is based on the iconic 1985 film inspired by the classic board game. Although it’s a murder mystery, Newman believes audiences will have a good time. “It’s done with flair and a certain amount of grandeur that I think will be really, really fun for audiences. A classic whodunit with a comedy spin on it,” Newman said.
“Clue” opens at the Burbank Main Theatre on Sept. 29 and runs until Oct. 8.
“A Christmas Carol,” directed by Newman, is a full-musical version of the beloved tale with music by Alan Menken, of Disney fame, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. “You get everything you think you’re gonna get with ‘A Christmas Carol’ as far as the Ghosts, Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, and all of that good stuff. It’s just a real delight for audiences and I think [it] will be really successful for us,” Newman said.
“A Christmas Carol” opens at the Burbank Main Theatre on Nov. 17 and runs through Dec. 3.
Directed by Laura Downing-Lee, “Orlando” is based on the novel by Virginia Woolf and adapted for the stage by Sarah Ruhl. The show features a non-binary lead character who explores various time periods, and experiences shifting gender roles and preferences. “It’s a period show that has very much to do with the non-binary community, and we are really proud to not only be supporting that community, but the queer community in general, and delighted to do the show for the public,” Newman said.
“Orlando” will be the only one of the four performances taking place in the Frank Chong Studio Theatre and will run March 1-10, 2024.
“As You Like It,” a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy of the same name, will also be directed by Newman. With music and lyrics by Shaina Taub, the show features a folk-pop score. “It’s got this really beautiful kind of embracing-the-world-and-the-earth, and love and compassion and community, which I think is really fantastic,” Newman said.
“As You Like It” runs at the Burbank Main Theatre from April 19 to May 5, 2024.
For tickets and more information about the 2023-2024 season can be found on the SRJC Theatre Arts webpage.
