Live Summer Shakespeare Both Outdoors and In in Suisun City Waterfront

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - The Solano College Theatre presents Shakepeare's "Love's Labour's Lost," directed by Carla Spindt as a modern-day version of a classic comedy complete with a "Glee" moment. Produced outdoors in the Harbor Square Courtyard (700 Main Street) and in the Harbor Theater (720 Main Street).

Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of the bard's earliest comedies, in which four bachelors who have dedicated themselves to chastity and scholarly pursuits soon encounter the women of their dreams.

In the University of Navarre live a King and his three fellows, who make a 3-year vow to fast to study and to see no women. Soon after this vow has been made a Princess from French Canada arrives with three of her ladies in hopes to see the King to speak of “serious business”. When the eyes of the King and Princess meet, will it be love at first sight? And, will the others want to break their vows? Join us in unraveling the mystery of this comedic performance brought to you by students of Solano Community College of the modern day, Loves Labour’s Lost.

DETAILS

• Harbor Theater (720 Main Street) performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday August 5 & Aug. 12
  
• Harbor Square Courtyard (700 Main Street) performances:
  2 p.m. Aug. 6, 7, & 13
  7:30 p.m. Aug. 10, 11 & 12
• Tenbrink Winery Performance: 2 p.m. Aug. 14
  
• Admission is FREE
• Please bring chairs or blankets for Harbor Square Courtyard performances. Seating not provided in the paved courtyard.

Loves Labour’s Lost features some of the following fresh faces:

• Aris-Allen Roberson of Vacaville is the King of Navarre.
• Rebecca Lewis and Robin Murray of Solano County as the Princess of France.
• Mikkel Simons of Solano County is Boyet.
• Michael Reardon of Vacaville is Don Adriano De Armado.
• Conner Watson, Levi Duncan and Chris Raymond of Solano County and Esparto as Berowne, Longaville, and Dumain.
• Jaina Frank, Janessa Mosqueda and Meghan Pence as Rosaline, Maria and Katherine.
• Aaron Flores and Amanda Widick of Vacaville and Solano County as Moth.
• Brianna Hester and DeShae Thorton of Vacaville and Suisun as Jaquenetta.
• Jim Jones of Napa is Holoferenes.
• David Shuster of Solano County as Sir Nathaniel.
• Beth Choy of Benicia as Dull.

For more, go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com

Live Summer Theater Outdoors in Suisun City with "The Visit"

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Solano College Theatre proudly presents The Visit, a timeless tale of justice and redemption at the Suisun City Waterfront District at 7:30 p.m. on July 25^th – 28^th, August 3^rd &4^th .

Under the direction of SCT Artistic Director George Maguire, the cast brings to life this classic tale by Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

The town of Gullen is in a state of disrepair, and the residents are suffering considerable hardship and poverty while preparing for the arrival of famed billionairess Claire Zachanassian. They hope that Claire, a native of the small town, will provide them with much-needed funds. Claire takes the opportunity to announce that she will make a donation of one billion dollars, half for the town and half to be shared among the families - under one horrifying condition.

The Visit features both veteran actors and fresh faces to the SCT stage;

• Carla Spindt of Suisun City is Claire Zachanassian
• Jon Hale of Walnut Creek is Anton Schill
• Terry Rucker of Vallejo is the Mayor.
• Barbara McFadden of Fairfield is the Teacher.
• Jim Jones of Napa is the Pastor
• Bobby Ellison of Vacaville is Bobby
• Faustino Cadiz of Vallejo & Princess Washington of Suisun City are The Two Blind Men

The Visit plays at the Waterfront in Downtown Suisun City, opening 25^th and running through July 28^th, and August 3^rd and 4^th at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free. Chairs, warm coats, and blankets are highly recommended.

For more information, go to www.VisitSuisunCity.com

Solano Community College Celebrates 65th Anniversary

Solano Community College has been a key part of the local higher education system for 65 years. Suisun City has long supported the College and its programs, including the Theater Arts program housed at Harbor Theater in the Suisun City Waterfront.

Here's the College's announcement regarding its upcoming gala celebration:

SCC CELEBRATES 65 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Solano Community College Foundation (SCCF) announces our 65th Anniversary Celebration on May 20, benefitting the SCC Osher Scholarship Endowment.

The anniversary celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a wine reception and gourmet dinner by Alex’s Catering. Featured keynote speaker is Ed Rollins, former White House political director and Class of 1962 alumni.

Following dinner, jazz and blues legend, Barbara Morrison, will kick off a musical tribute to the evening’s theme, “Celebrating the College’s history; Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” The musical tribute will include performances from the SCC Jazz Band and the Social Dance Club.

Peter Bostic, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement said that this musical reunion is going to be a fun way of raising $65,000 for student scholarships. The monies raised will be matched by the Bernard Osher Foundation through June 2011.

The anniversary event begins at the Ulatis Community Center for the reception and dinner, and then the musical concert will take place next door at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. This will be an evening of gathering, food, and entertainment that will be remembered for years to come.

For more information on tickets and sponsorship, call 707-864-7141 or go to www.solano.edu.

About Solano Community College

Solano Community College is celebrating its 65th Anniversary this year! The College has been an icon in the county since 1945 when it started as Vallejo Junior College. In the early 1970s, the College moved to its present Fairfield site. The College serves over 12,000 students every semester and over 20,000 over the academic year. In addition to the campus in Fairfield, the College has two Centers at Vallejo and Vacaville, and offers courses at Travis Air Force Base. The College operates a School of Aeronautics at the Nut Tree Airport. The College offers Associate Degrees and Certificates in various disciplines and provides training in several trades. For more information, please visit us at www.solano.edu.

SOLANO COLLEGE THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR SUMMER SHOWS

Summer Production Classes Give Everyone a Chance to Experience Theatre

Fairfield, CA – March 22, 2011 – Solano College Theatre announces auditions for two upcoming summer productions, The Visit and Love’s Labour’s Lost. Unlike other SCT productions, everyone who auditions for these summer classes will receive a part. Both productions are completely student produced, and design and technical skills are needed as well.

Auditions for The Visit, directed by George Maguire, are April 25 and 27 at the Harbor Theatre in Downtown Suisun City. Callbacks are May 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Actors are asked to prepare a one-minute contemporary monologue. All roles are available, except the role of Claire Zachanassian, which will be played by SCT Conservatory Director Carla Spindt. Please see our website at www.solanocollegetheatre.com for a complete listing of available roles. Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment. Written by German playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, The Visit takes place “somewhere in Central Europe” and tells of an elderly millionairess who, merely on the promise of her millions, swiftly turns a depressed area into a boom town…but with what macabre condition? Rehearsals for The Visit begin June 13, 2011. The play performs outside on the Suisun City Waterfront July 26-28 and August 2-4.

Auditions for Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, Directed by Carla Spindt, are April 29 from 6-10 p.m. and May 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the Harbor Theatre in Downtown Suisun City. Callbacks are May 9 from 6-10 p.m. Actors are asked to prepare a one-minute monologue from Shakespeare and be prepared to read from the script. All roles are available. Please see our website at www.solanocollegetheatre.com for a complete listing of available roles. Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment. Love’s Labour’s Lost is one of the bard's earliest comedies, in which four bachelors who have dedicated themselves to chastity and scholarly pursuits soon encounter the women of their dreams. Rehearsals for the play are June 6 to August 4, 2011, from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. It performs at the Harbor Square Courtyard in front of the fireplace on August 5-7 and 10-13.

Both of these shows are summer production classes. All actors are required to assist with technical and design support. Actors will also be required to register for four units at Solano Community College to participate in either production (or eight units to participate in both).

Solano College Theatre Opens Auditions for 'Wizard of Oz'

Solano College Theatre will hold auditions for the upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz on January 31st and February 1st, 2011, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Harbor Theatre, 720 Main Street in the Suisun City Waterfront District. Callbacks will be February 5th from 1 to 5 p.m.

This beloved musical is based on the classic book by L. Frank Baum. Director Edward Hightower, Musical Director Renee Oakes and Choreographer Tom Segal will bring The Wizard of Oz to the SCT stage.

All roles are available. Non-equity actors only, please. Actors should prepare one uptempo and one ballad, 1920-1965 legit musical theatre. Please do not sing anything from The Wizard of Oz. Actors should come prepared to move and should also bring a photo and resume.

Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment.

Rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz begin March 14th, 2011. Performances begin May 12th, 2011 and run through May 28th, 2011 at the Campus Theatre in Fairfield.

Swept up in the turbulent core of a tornado, Dorothy Gale is transported from her home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz. There, she meets the steadfast friends that will help her find her way back home. The Wizard of Oz is rated G.

"Dracula" to Haunt Harbor Theatre This Halloween

SUISUN CITY, Calif. - Plan to catch the classic retelling of Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula" this Halloween season at the Harbor Theater in the Suisun City Waterfront District.

Presented by Solano College Theatre under the direction of Daren A.C. Carollo, this dramatization by Steven Dietz is the truest version to Stoker's classic novel, and bring suspense and seduction to the stage.

As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances – in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate.

Rich with humor, horror and sensuality, Dracula is rated PG-13.

Dracula opens at the Harbor Theater, 720 Main Street, Suisun City, on October 21 and runs through November 7 with shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and a Sunday matinee.

>> Click for more information >>

Theatre Touring Company Auditions Announced

SUISUN CITY, Calif. – Solano College Theatre announces auditions for the fall semester Theatre Touring Company.

Solano College Theatre Touring Company is often described as Solano College’s goodwill ambassadors providing entertainment and community service wherever they appear. Currently under the musical direction of Vivian McLaughlin, former star of Disney Television’s "Out of the Box," and award-winning choreographer Staci Arriaga, this diverse and talented ensemble performs a fully choreographed Broadway style musical revue throughout Solano County and the state of California.

They have made appearances for An Evening with Tom Hanks, a benefit fundraiser for the theatre hosted by the actor and in Sacramento at the Community College League Centennial Dinner and California State Fair. Other venues in which they regularly perform are Disneyland in Anaheim, Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, Solano and Napa County Fairs, local libraries, parades, schools and retirements communities.

AUDITION DETAILS:

• When: Saturday August 14th, 2009. 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Where: Harbor Theatre – 720 Main Street, Suisun City >> Click for Map >>
  
• What: Please prepare 32 bars of a musical theatre song that shows off your vocal range & personality. Bring clearly marked sheet music in your key. Accompanist will be provided. Wear clothes you can move in and jazz shoes/dance sneakers for the dance portion of the audition.
• Details: Rehearsals begin September 18, 2010. Rehearsals are held Saturdays from 9:30a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Involvement with the company means performing on average once a week for 12 weeks.
• Contact: Call Stage Manager, Sue Cavazos to schedule your audition appointment. (707) 592-1549
  

Solano College Theatre Announces an Evening with Tom Hanks

Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks will make a one-night only fundraising appearance at Solano College Theatre in Fairfield on February 6, 2010. Mr. Hanks’ visit will include a presentation on the Campus Theatre stage, as well as a dinner with guests.

An Evening with Tom Hanks will begin with a special meal at 4:30 p.m. with Mr. Hanks in the Solano Community College dining hall. The dinner will feature entertainment by past and present SCT Actor Training Program students as well as a catered dinner and wine exclusively provided by Green Valley Cellars of Suisun Valley. Tickets for the dinner are $100.

After the fundraising dinner, Mr. Hanks will move into the Campus Theatre to give a first-person exploration of non-fiction film entertainment, utilizing clips from his movies as well as from other documentaries. The presentation will also include an exclusive preview of Mr. Hanks’ newest project, The Pacific, a ten-part miniseries executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman and set in the Pacific Theatre during WWII, which will premier on HBO in March 2010. An audience-interactive question and answer period will conclude the evening’s presentation. Tickets for the presentation are also $100.

Sponsors of the event include Advocates for the Arts, NorthBay Healthcare and Copart.

Tickets for both the dinner and the theatre presentation go on sale to the general public on January 14th at noon. SCT subscribers can begin buying tickets to the event on January 7th at noon. Tickets can be purchased by calling (707) 864-7100 or in person at the Harbor Theatre Box Office at 720 Main Street in the Suisun City Waterfront District. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will go to support the Tom Hanks/Rita Wilson Endowment Fund which was established by the actor and director earlier this year. The fund is a living legacy from Mr. Hanks and honors students as well as his long friendship with SCT Artistic Director George Maguire. The endowment will support the programs and students in the Solano Community College Theatre Arts department.

Mr. Maguire met Mr. Hanks at Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland, OH, 32 years ago and the two have maintained a close friendship ever since. Mr. Hanks is a strong supporter of the arts and arts education. The Theatre Arts Department at Solano Community College is one of the few schools Mr. Hanks is kind enough to support.

For further information, contact Amy Lenahan, Marketing Associate, at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4541 or amy.lenahan@solano.edu. Press passes are available to the stage presentation only, but are extremely limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

Solano College Theatre Casting "Our Town"

Auditions December 7 & 8, 2009.
Callbacks December 9, 2009.

Fairfield, CA – November 4, 2009 – Solano College Theatre announces auditions for our upcoming production, the American classic Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. George Maguire will direct this non-traditional quasi-contemporary look at the play.

Auditions will be held Dec. 7 and 8, 2009 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Harbor Theatre, 720 Main Street, Suisun City. Callbacks will be Dec. 9, 2009, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. With a cast of 18-20, all roles are available and all ethnicities are welcome; all actors are encouraged to audition. Auditions will consist of a reading from the script. If the director does not know you, you may use a simple contemporary monologue. No accents or regionalisms will be used in this production, although the time period and placement of New Hampshire will not be altered.

Please see www.solanocollegetheatre.org for more information and a complete listing of roles available.

Call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518 to schedule an audition appointment.

Rehearsals for Our Town begin Jan. 19, 2010. Performances begin March 4, 2010 (preview March 3) and run through March 21, 2010 at the Harbor Theatre.

In the tiny town of Grover’s Corners, love, disappointment, joy and heartbreak transform ordinary lives into something extraordinary. With a set by conceptual designer Nina Ball, whose magical work for Shotgun Players recently included Jon Tracy’s provocative The Farm, Maguire and his team of collaborators will take a fresh and new look at this seminal American play. Rated G.

To schedule an audition appointment, please call (707) 864-7000, ext. 4518.

For further press information, contact Amy Lenahan, Marketing Associate, at (707) 864-7000 x4541 or Amy.Lenahan@solano.edu

'Bye Bye Birdie' Auditions at Suisun City's Harbor Theatre

AUDITIONS TO BE HELD SEPT. 13 &14 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY WITH CALLBACKS ON SEPT. 17

Solano College Theatre announces auditions for Bye Bye Birdie. This beloved musical features music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams and a book by Michael Stewart. The production is directed by Holli Hornlien with musical direction by Vivian McLaughlin and choreography by Staci Arriaga.

Auditions will be held September 13th and 14th at the Harbor Theatre, 720 Main Street in Suisun City's Waterfront District. Callbacks will be September 17th. All roles are available including many ensemble roles. Non-equity actors only, please. Actors should prepare 32 bars of a traditional musical theater song and provide sheet music for the accompanist. Please call the Solano College Theatre production office at (707) 864-7199 for information and to schedule an audition appointment.

Rehearsals for Bye Bye Birdie begin November 9, 2009. After a winter holiday break, performances begin January 14, 2010 and run through January 30^th at the Solano College Campus Theatre in Fairfield.

Director Holli Hornlien is a professional teaching artist, director and actress. For Solano College and Solano Youth Theatre, she directed the award winning productions of A Year with Frog and Toad, High School Musical, and Footloose. Other professional directing stints include Stones in His Pockets, The Final Twist and A Complete History of America (Abridged) for interPLAYERS in Washington, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Jungle Book, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for Pistarkle theatre in the Virgin Islands, and The Taming of the Shrew for Chicago’s Shakespeare’s Herd. Her regional theatre acting credits include Chicago Shakespeare Company, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, and Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC. Film and television roles include the title role in The Pilot's Wife for the Oprah Winfrey Show on CBS; Primal Fear and leading lady appearances in several independent feature films.

Musical Director Vivian McLaughlin is best known for her role in Disney Channel’s television series, Out of the Box. Vivian was chosen from hundreds to sing at the annual Broadway on Broadway concert in New York’s Times Square and her Broadway debut at Madison Square Garden followed soon after. Since then she has recorded several audio books for Scholastic, Random House, and Bantam Doubleday, has appeared in industrials, commercials and is a member of AFTRA, SAG and AEA.

Staci Arriaga is an award-winning choreographer, actress and director in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been honored with the prestigious Dean Goodman Award for her choreography of Jekyll and Hyde and The King and I at Solano College Theatre. She has also received Arty Awards for her choreography of Jekyll and Hyde, The Sound of Music, Guys And Dolls and Broadway Bound. Recently, the Theatre Bay Area Critics lauded Ms. Arriaga’s choreography with a nomination for Into The Woods at Crossroads Theatre. As an actress, Ms. Arriaga has also received Sacramento’s Elly Award for Anita in West Side Story and Princess Winnifred for Once Upon A Mattress.

In Bye Bye Birdie, Conrad Birdie is the latest and greatest rock and roll phenomenon in the country. He won’t be America’s most eligible bachelor for long however. He’s about to be inducted into the army. Before he ships out, his press agent has set up one last Birdie-Mania moment. One lucky teen-age girl will receive “One Last Kiss” from him, live and in person in The Ed Sullivan Show. Bye Bye Birdie received the 1961 Tony Award for Best Musical and features such songs as "Put on a Happy Face," "Kids," "The Telephone Hour" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do.”

Solano College Theatre Touring Company Auditions

AUDITIONS MAY 2, 2009, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

The Solano College Theatre Touring Company members are considered important “Ambassadors to the Community.”

College and High School students that excel as triple-threat performers work with a professional musical director and choreographer to create a thirty-minute touring show. They share their exceptional talents by appearing at bookings across the region such as Disneyland, San Francisco Theatre Festival, Solano and Napa County Fairs and Vacaville Fiesta Days to name a few.

We are thrilled to announce that Vivian McLaughlin will return as the Artistic Director, and celebrated choreographer Staci Arriaga shall also return to share her talents and energy.

AUDITION DETAILS

• Saturday May 2nd, 2009. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Harbor Theatre – 720 Main Street, Suisun City
• Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song that shows off your vocal range & personality. Bring clearly marked sheet music in your key. Accompanist will be provided. Wear clothes you can move in and jazz shoes/dance sneakers for the dance portion of the audition.
• Rehearsals begin May 30th, 2009. Classes meet Saturdays from 9:30a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
• Call Stage Manager, Sue Cavazos to schedule your audition appointment. (707) 592-1549

Suisun Valley Review Seeking Fiction Submittals

From the Suisun Valley Review, the literary magazine of Solano College:

Do you want to be published?

Would you get a thrill out of seeing your name and hard work in print?
These days the printed word is more of a novelty than anything, as it's so easy to get anything published online. All you need is the right forum and you've got something the public can see.

Our deadline is close; April 1st!
We'd love to see what you have to say. Short fiction should not exceed 2500 words, Poems should come in packets of 5-7 pieces.

Please submit to:
suisunvalleyreview@gmail.com

or if you prefer to submit via standard mail:
The Suisun Valley Review
English Department/Humanities
Solano Community College
4000 Suisun Valley Road
Fairfield, CA 94534-3197

For more information, visit http://myspace.com/suisunvalleyreview

Reviewers Love "Mr. Ripley" at Harbor Theatre

The reviews are in & they love Solano College Theatre's staging of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" at Suisun City's Harbor Theatre.

The Daily Republic's Tony Wade said:

"The actors were absolutely phenomenal.

Jonathon Grout is an amazing talent. As in other roles he's played on local stages, he embodies whomever he is portraying. Grout infused the character of Ripley with a barely-controlled frenzied rage that bubbled underneath the surface and exploded all over it from time to time.

In short, he completely creeped me out, in a good way."

L. Pierce Carson of the Napa Valley Register said:

"With this staging of “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” Solano College Theatre adds to its well-deserved reputation for presenting first-rate theater in the North Bay.

While this psychological drama may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that it’s well acted, superbly directed and been given a first-class staging.

With so little regional theater available in this neck of the woods, it’s comforting to know that audiences can count on SCT for quality productions."

Don't miss this terrific production running at the Harbor Theatre now through March 22.
Performances are at

• 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
• 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday
• 2 p.m. Sundays

For tickets, call 707-864-7100 or go online to www.solanocollegetheatre.org

DINNER & A SHOW

Eight terrific restaurants in the Suisun City Waterfront District offer dining discounts the night of the show! Just show your play tickets and get a discount at

• La Cabana Restaurant, 325 Main Street
  
• Athenian Grill, 750 Kellogg Street
  
• Padthai Thai Cuisine, 603 Main Street
  
• Puerto Vallarta, 301 Main Street
  
• Tasuke, 314 Spring Street
  
• Main Street Bar & Grill, 627 Main Street
  
• Uncle Bong's Pizzeria, 203 Main Street
  
• Taqueria Tepa, 501 Main Street #D
  

'Talented Mr. Ripley' Comes to Suisun City's Harbor Theater

Starting on March 5, 'The Talented Mr. Ripley' will begin a nearly month long run at the Harbor Theater in Suisun City's Waterfront District. It's a great play, so plan on joining us.

The Vallejo Times-Herald ran a short interview this morning with Lee Ann D'Amato, one of the leads in the Solano College Theatre production.

Actress plays evil Dottie in 'Ripley,' believe it or not

By RICH FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 02/13/2009 01:01:22 AM PST

There just may be a little Aunt Dottie in Lee Ann D'Amato. And for those familiar with "The Talented Mr. Ripley," that can't be a good thing.

"She's not the nicest person in the world," D'Amato said of her character. "She's really evil. I think she's the reason Tom Ripley became a serial killer."

Though the Vallejo actress has never provoked anyone to murder, "I'm sure I have a dark side," she said.

Not that she needed to look inside herself to bring Dottie to life in the Solano College Theater's production that opens March 5 at the Harbor Theater in Suisun.

"I have a relative who is similar to Aunt Dottie," D'Amato said.

The actress is excited about the role and working again with director George Maguire.

"George is an actor himself, so he totally can relate to what you go through to do a part," D'Amato said.

The director gives direction, "but doesn't direct you to the point where you think it's his vision of the part," D'Amato said. "You feel you're able to explore what you want to do and that the part is truly your own."

Besides, she added, "I think he's hysterically funny. That helps a lot. I giggle all the time during rehearsals. I enjoy a director who's a hoot. He has great stories. I'm having a blast."

The admiration is mutual.

"I've known her for almost 18 years, and she is a kick to be in a room with," Maguire said. "A lot of humor and simultaneous depth, and above all friendship and familiarity."

Whatever the role, the reasons D'Amato takes to the community theater stage hasn't changed in 20-plus years.

D'Amato's fresh off her performance as pirate in "Pirates of Penzance" for the Vallejo Music Theatre last October. She laughed that, as a 48-year-old, "I was a little long in the tooth to play a maiden. So I said I'd do it only if I played a pirate."

"I do it because I love to act," she said. "It's my thing. Everyone has their love. I'd act in my living room if I could get people over. And my friends know this. That's why they say, 'Meet us in a public place.'"

Despite her experience, there's always the jitters no matter what the play, D'Amato said.

"I'm always nervous with every part," she said. "Every single show. I believe that's what gives me energy and hopefully makes me portray roles well. I always feel nervous. I don't care how smoothly it's gone in rehearsals. Until I walk on stage. Then it vanishes."

It's just fine if loved ones are in the audience, D'Amato said, as long as it's not the front row.

"I actually like knowing people come to see me. I like to know friends, family and loved ones care enough to come," D'Amato said. "But I almost prefer not knowing, of course. But that's impossible. They usually call and tell me they're coming. I just want to go ut and do the part and not be thinking about that kind of stuff. As long as they're not in the front row. I try to ask, 'Please don't sit too close.'"

A 26-year Vallejoan, the actress said she might take a shot at directing some day. All the better if it's Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile."

"I if can get a venue and put together the money and cast to do that particular play," D'Amato. "I would kill to direct that."

She thought for a minute. Aunt Dottie, perhaps, would kill to direct.

"I would maim to direct that play," D'Amato said.

Suisun City Soccer Player Named All-American

The Vallejo Times-Herald ran a story this morning announcing that Katie Knopp of Suisun City was honored this past weekend as a Junior College All-American.

This from the article by Derek Wilson:

Whether it's crunch time, show time, or time for a change, Katie Knopp doesn't rattle easily.

The Suisun native was a stalwart forward with the Solano Community College women's soccer team for two years, leading the Falcons to a 30-10-4 record and back-to-back Bay Valley Conference titles. Solano lost to Modesto on penalty kicks in the second round of the 2008 regional playoffs.

She celebrated that accomplishment Saturday by calmly taking the stage in St. Louis along with all the other junior college All-America honorees to accept her award. Knopp was a second-team selection.

"Thank goodness I didn't have to give a speech," Knopp joked.

She begins a new segment of her life this week, but Knopp is cool as ever as she moves from her parents' home to on-campus housing at San Jose State University. She'll join a rebuilding Spartans program under second-year head coach Jeff Leightman for the fall season while she works toward her business degree.

>>Here's the link to the whole article>>
>>Here's the press release from the National Soccer Coaches Association>>

Media: Corsets and conversation -- 'Intimate Apparel' a 'people play'

By Amy Maginnis-Honey | DAILY REPUBLIC

SUISUN CITY - The story of a 35-year-old unmarried African-American woman who makes a living sewing women's undergarments is the focus of 'Intimate Apparel,' which opens next week.

The woman, Esther, has customers from all walks of life. And, for some reason, helping them adjust their new corset breaks down the traditional barriers of propriety and she becomes privy to all sorts of private information.

'Intimate Apparel' was penned by Lynn Nottage. The SCT production is directed by Robin Stanton.

Cast members are from around the Bay Area, including Vallejo's Millee Holliday as Mrs. Dickson and Justin DuPuis as Mr. Marks; Fairfield's Mayme Morgan Frazer as Mrs. Van Buren and Vacaville's Stewart Evan Smith as George Armstrong.

Rounding out the cast are Karen Aldridge, of Richmond, as Esther and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, from Alameda, as Mayme.

Nottage brings together a cast ranging from Mrs. Van Buren, a wealthy white woman in an unhappy marriage, to Mayme, an African-American prostitute.

While Esther visits both worlds, she seems most comfortable in that of Mr. Marks, a Romanian Jew, from whom she buys her fabric.

This is just the background. The main plot is Esther's attempt to find love. While Nottage's story addresses the difficulties faced by unmarried black women in the work force circa 1905, it also looks at the gender roles at the time.

'Granted, the main character is a woman,' said Smith. 'And the cast is four women as opposed to two men. But the show transcends gender. It transcends race. It transcends class. It's really a people play.'

While Smith bashfully said, 'being in a play with a bunch of women in underwear is nice, I guess,' he added: 'It's really more of a secondary thing with me.'

He has spent most of his time focusing on his character George Armstrong. 'He's a guy who wants to dream big. He's ambitious. He's just trying to establish himself.

'But he gets caught up in this vicious class and race struggle going on at the turn of the 20th century. That hardens and embitters him. At his core, he's a pretty decent guy. He gets frustrated when things don't go his way,' Smith said.

This is his fourth show with SCT. Smith was in the ensemble for 'Seussical the Musical' and 'Beauty and the Beast.' He was also in 'Raisin in the Sun.'

He's a graduate of the Actor Training Program. While doing 'Comedy of Errors' someone approached him with the script and suggested he try out for the show.

'I like it because it's subtle, but not in the sense you can't tell what goes on,' Smith said of 'Intimate Apparel.' 'There are a lot of undertones. There are a lot of things said and a lot of things that are not said.'

The 2003 Will C Wood High School graduate began his acting career as a junior when he played the Mad Hatter in the school's production of 'Alice in Wonderland.'

This is Holliday's first SCT show. She likes her character, who is Esther's landlord for many reasons. 'She has an elegance about her,' Holliday said. 'She's not what you would consider a traditional woman of color for that era. She is a woman of substance.'

Holliday wanted the role. 'The characters are strong and true to life,' she said.

Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net.

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'Intimate Apparel'

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 ($12); 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 6; 8 p.m. Feb. 22, 23 and 29 and March 1, 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Feb. 24 and March 2 and 9

Harbor Theater, 720 Main St., Suisun City

$12-$20 adults; $12 seniors and military and $10 students with valid identification and children

864-7100; www.solanocollegetheatre.org