2019-2020 Season

Sustaining art… while staying apart

By |2020-04-28T23:26:54-07:00April 28th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Photos, Video Link|

How I would love a time-travel machine To return us to life before COVID-19. As we wait for a treatment or proven vaccine, How I cherish the freedoms that once seemed routine! If there’s a silver lining to the current health and economic crises gripping California and the rest of the U.S., perhaps it’s a renewed appreciation for the fundamental ideals spelled out in our Declaration of Independence—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We are fighting for all three. At South Bay Musical Theatre, we gratefully acknowledge the medical and scientific community as they work to save lives. We likewise [...]

2020 Members Meeting video highlights

By |2020-04-20T20:33:27-07:00April 19th, 2020|2018-19 Season, 2019-2020 Season, Awards, Board meetings, Video Link|

On April 11, 2020, the South Bay Musical Theatre Board of Directors conducted its annual Members Meeting. The event was held online over Zoom, due to the shelter-in-place restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic. We have edited the video recording (see below) to provide a quick summary of the key topics that were discussed. The meeting normally takes place in January, along with a formal unveiling of the slate of shows for next season. The date was delayed this year, however, due to a number of unusual circumstances combining to throw obstacles in the way of our plans. Each of these obstacles [...]

Maskmaker, maskmaker, make me a mask

By |2020-04-08T17:27:00-07:00April 7th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Video Link|

In the current pandemic environment, as shows from Broadway to the Bay Area are on hold, theatre costumers find themselves with no costumes to sew. But that doesn’t mean they are letting their talents go begging. Since they can't create costumes, they have found an even more pressing need and are building DIY cotton face masks for the local community. South Bay Musical Theatre artists Mae Heagerty-Matos (costumer), Patricia Bilello (props), and Elyse Cook and Barbara Heninger (performers), have all been creating masks to help fill the urgent need. “Right now, I’m donating masks to all first responders and at-risk people [...]

South Pacific and Fabulous 40s cancelled due to pandemic

By |2020-03-29T20:18:13-07:00March 29th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Announcements, Fundraising|

March 29, 2020 Dear SBMT patrons, On behalf of the Board of Directors at South Bay Musical Theatre, we hope that you and your family are safe and healthy in the current pandemic environment. We are committed to doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and of course will continue to comply with all of the recent restrictions on group gatherings. Sadly, these restrictions have so disrupted our rehearsal schedule that we are forced to cancel our upcoming spring productions, "South Pacific" (May 16 to June 6, 2020) and "The Fabulous 40s" big band concert (May [...]

Coronavirus impact on SBMT productions

By |2020-03-14T17:52:56-07:00March 14th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Announcements|

March 13, 2020 Dear SBMT Patrons and Members, You’re undoubtedly aware of the turmoil all local theatre companies are facing with the current coronavirus pandemic, which includes cancellation and postponement of performances. Our local government has also issued strict guidelines by which South Bay Musical Theatre will abide in order to help protect our community. At this time, we have not cancelled or postponed performances of our upcoming spring productions, “South Pacific” (May 16 to June 6, 2020) or “The Fabulous 40s” big band concert (May 30 - 31, 2020). However, as a precaution to reduce the impact of any potential [...]

Spotlight on: Alexandra Teixeira, Stage Manager for She Loves Me

By |2020-02-07T21:12:47-08:00February 7th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Video Link|

During a busy tech week rehearsal for She Loves Me, we caught Alexandra Teixeira, the show's stage manager, in the theater lobby to ask her about her role and how things were coming along with the show's opening just a few short days away. Over the din of the orchestra playing in the background, she talked to us about her backstage assistants, her favorite parts of the show, the challenges they have discussed, and why people should attend. The show continues through Feb. 15, 2020, at the Saratoga Civic Theater in Saratoga, CA. Tickets at southbaymt.com/shows/ticket-sales/she-loves-me/ or 408-266-4734. Watch the five [...]

Spotlight on: Daniel Hughes, Vocal Director for She Loves Me

By |2020-01-31T21:18:09-08:00January 31st, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Meet The Cast, Photos, Video Link|

Vocal Director Daniel Hughes is interviewed for the latest installment in SBMT's series on "The Art of Theatre." He discusses his involvement with the musical SHE LOVES ME, answering questions about the composers and their music, specific songs from the show, the use of harmony, and the role of a Vocal Director. He says he loves this production because of the talented cast, the transformational stories, the clever lyrics, and the satisfying escape it provides from the harsh realities of today's world. SHE LOVES ME continues its run at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA now through Saturday, [...]

Spotlight on: Joe Kelly, Music Director for SHE LOVES ME

By |2020-01-23T06:33:37-08:00January 23rd, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Photos, Video Link|

Joseph Kelly, whose past work as Music Director for South Bay Musical Theatre has twice been nominated as a Theatre Bay Area finalist, tackles another tuneful score with the show SHE LOVES ME, running January 25 through February 15, 2020 at the Saratoga Civic Theater. In this interview, Joe shares his thoughts on the show's composers, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (better known for Fiddler on the Roof). He reveals his favorite song from the show (which may surprise you!) and talks not only about the show's journey to Broadway but also his own journey from French horn player to Music [...]

Martín Rojas Dietrich, director of SHE LOVES ME

By |2020-01-13T23:49:59-08:00January 13th, 2020|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Photos, Video Link|

Martín Rojas Dietrich joins South Bay Musical Theatre for the first time, as director of the classic romantic comedy SHE LOVES ME, by the author of Cabaret and the composers of Fiddler on the Roof. In this video interview, he gives some background on how the 1937 play Parfumerie evolved into three movies and a Broadway musical that has seen two award-winning revivals. He describes the plot: two people who quarrel at work unwittingly fall in love as anonymous pen pals. He also talks about how the music elevates the show beyond the play or movie versions, and cites subtle similarities [...]

Gwyneth talks wigs for She Loves Me

By |2019-12-16T22:40:04-08:00December 16th, 2019|2019-2020 Season, Behind The Scenes, Meet The Cast, Photos, Video Link|

We interview Gwyneth Price Panos, Hair & Makeup Designer for South Bay Musical Theatre's upcoming production of She Loves Me. What hairstyles are apropos for a show set in the 1930s? Do cast members like wearing wigs or prefer styling their own hair? How do you determine what color hair should be matched with each character? Learn all this and more in this 2-minute video. Credit: David Simon, MidPen Media Center. Watch the video here, or read the transcript below. https://youtu.be/-bQrpj_dqls   GWYNETH PRICE PANOS: "Modern day audiences do have a certain expectation when watching period shows. You want to [...]

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