theater

For the last decade, the goal of the Old Town Temecula Community Theater staff has been to bring the best in arts and culture to the Inland Empire and, as their reputation of being a coveted performance space continues to grow, the quality of the entertainment each year always seems to exceed the one prior. Celebrating their 10th anniversary on October 4th, the 2015-2016 theater season is shaping up to be the best yet.

Stephen King’s novel “Carrie,” the haunting tale of a teenage outcast using her telekinetic abilities to exact revenge on her vicious classmates, has been adapted into numerous genres including film and stage plays, but you might be surprised to learn that the morbid and controversial subject matter of King’s prom night fright actually fest lends itself well to music.

First published by Random House in 1992, the Junie B. Jones children’s book series illustrates the challenges faced when navigating the harrowing halls of elementary school. A new musical brings author Barbara Park’s beloved characters to life in “Junie B. Jones: The Musical,” at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

It’s “Grease” meets “Night of the Living Dead,” as the comedic, off-Broadway musical “Zombie Prom,” comes to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater this week, presented by the Fine Arts Network. Originally produced at the Red Barn Theatre in Key West, “Zombie Prom” premiered off-Broadway in 1996.

When Director Joseph Arreola of the Fine Arts Network was choosing a production for the theater students at Temecula Prep, he was immediately drawn to one of Disney’s most award-winning and critically-acclaimed Broadway musicals, but it wasn’t The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, or Beauty and the Beast.

When Cabaret at the Merc Producers, J. Scott Lapp and Jordan Beck, were planning their first Summer Series, they wanted to end their hugely popular season with something extra special. After exploring the work of numerous contemporary artists, Beck and Lapp chose Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum recording artist, John Mayer.

When the Temecula Valley Players chose to produce the award-winning musical, “West Side Story,” Director Allisan Whitman was presented with the tremendous challenge of casting the iconic roles of star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria; theatrical parts that require a trilogy of performance abilities: singing, dancing and acting.

When Detroit-based filmmaker and actor, Jonathan Stanley, explored compelling stories to bring to the big screen, he didn’t have to look further than his own past.

With their first non-ballet production, the Ivy Players bring to life the classic story of the lovable curly-haired moppet and her quest to find a home. Though it retains the songs and spirit of the original musical production, Annie Jr. has been modified to appeal to a younger cast as well as viewers of all ages.

The drama, The Tempest, is widely believed to be the last play William Shakespeare wrote alone, which makes it a fitting end to another successful season of “Shakespeare in the Vines.”