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| '''California Musical Theatre''' is the largest nonprofit arts organization primarily producing ] in the state of ] and the city of ]'s oldest professional performing arts organization.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/gen/company.html?gcode=C0F484A01DC245E2AAA42900299E5007| title=About California Musical Theatre Corporation| accessdate=2008-28-12| publisher=American City Business Journals}}</ref> Its summer stock |
'''California Musical Theatre''' is the largest nonprofit arts organization primarily producing ] in the state of ] and the city of ]'s oldest professional performing arts organization.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/gen/company.html?gcode=C0F484A01DC245E2AAA42900299E5007| title=About California Musical Theatre Corporation| accessdate=2008-28-12| publisher=American City Business Journals}}</ref> Its summer stock theatre, ], has been producing ]-style musicals since 1951. In 2002 Music Circus produced its last season under a traditional canvas big-top. The following year California Musical Theatre opened the ] on the site of the former tent; instead of a canvas big top, the enclosed arena theatre was now covered by an insulated space-age fabric. | ||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| In 1949 the original Music Circus began its operations in a field in Lambertville, New Jersey. Begun by St. John Terrell as a ] hybrid, mixing musical |
In 1949 the original Music Circus began its operations in a field in Lambertville, New Jersey. Begun by St. John Terrell as a ] hybrid, mixing musical theatre within a circus tent, the new musical theatre performed in the round. The unique experience gained popularity through the 1950s and 1960s.<ref>"General Roundup of Summer Theatre", Theatre Arts magazine, July 1956, John D. MacArthur, publisher</ref> Theatres copied the format and name, eventually spawning similar Music Circus theatres along the ] as far south as ]. | ||
| In California, producers Russell Lewis and Howard Young began scouting a location to build their theater and were lured to Sacramento by ] president ]. The |
In California, producers Russell Lewis and Howard Young began scouting a location to build their theater and were lured to Sacramento by ] president ]. The theatre opened with a production of ''Show Boat'', the same show which opened the original Lambertville theatre as well as the ]. In 1951 the Sacramento Music Circus tent went up for the first time under the operations of what was originaly known as the Sacramento Light Opera Association. McClatchy had been a patron of the Sacramento Civic Theatre (now known as ]). Its facility had a large parking area that would be the home to the original Music Circus tent. | ||
| In 2008 the |
In 2008 the theatre was the subject of controversy when its then artistic director resigned over the revelation of his personal donation of $1000 to a political campaign to promote ]. | ||
| == Music Circus == | == Music Circus == | ||
| From 1951 to 1989 the summer Music Circus program was the only season produced by the Sacramento Light Opera Association. Most of those years under the direction of Lewis and Young. Its summer stock performances have been located in nearly the same location since is conception. Actors, directors and designers from all across the country travel to Sacramento to build productions entirely original. The current executive producer, Richard Lewis, is the son of the original producer Russell Lewis. Sacramento Music Circus was once one of many summer stock musical |
From 1951 to 1989 the summer Music Circus program was the only season produced by the Sacramento Light Opera Association. Most of those years under the direction of Lewis and Young. Its summer stock performances have been located in nearly the same location since is conception. Actors, directors and designers from all across the country travel to Sacramento to build productions entirely original. The current executive producer, Richard Lewis, is the son of the original producer Russell Lewis. Sacramento Music Circus was once one of many summer stock musical theatres performing ]. Today it is now one of only a few professional theatres producing musicals in an arena setting. | ||
| == Broadway Sacramento == | == Broadway Sacramento == | ||
Revision as of 03:03, 11 January 2009
 The Wells Fargo Pavilion, California Musical Theatre's home for the Sacramento Music Circus | |
| Formation | 1951 Formerly known as the Sacramento Light Opera Association |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Broadway Musicals |
| Location |
|
| Website | http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/ |
California Musical Theatre is the largest nonprofit arts organization primarily producing musical theatre in the state of California and the city of Sacramento's oldest professional performing arts organization. Its summer stock theatre, Music Circus, has been producing Broadway-style musicals since 1951. In 2002 Music Circus produced its last season under a traditional canvas big-top. The following year California Musical Theatre opened the Wells Fargo Pavilion on the site of the former tent; instead of a canvas big top, the enclosed arena theatre was now covered by an insulated space-age fabric.
History
In 1949 the original Music Circus began its operations in a field in Lambertville, New Jersey. Begun by St. John Terrell as a summer stock theatre hybrid, mixing musical theatre within a circus tent, the new musical theatre performed in the round. The unique experience gained popularity through the 1950s and 1960s. Theatres copied the format and name, eventually spawning similar Music Circus theatres along the East Coast as far south as Miami.
In California, producers Russell Lewis and Howard Young began scouting a location to build their theater and were lured to Sacramento by Sacramento Bee president Eleanor McClatchy. The theatre opened with a production of Show Boat, the same show which opened the original Lambertville theatre as well as the North Shore Music Theatre. In 1951 the Sacramento Music Circus tent went up for the first time under the operations of what was originaly known as the Sacramento Light Opera Association. McClatchy had been a patron of the Sacramento Civic Theatre (now known as Sacramento Theatre Company). Its facility had a large parking area that would be the home to the original Music Circus tent.
In 2008 the theatre was the subject of controversy when its then artistic director resigned over the revelation of his personal donation of $1000 to a political campaign to promote legislation to discriminate against the right of same-sex couples to marry.
Music Circus
From 1951 to 1989 the summer Music Circus program was the only season produced by the Sacramento Light Opera Association. Most of those years under the direction of Lewis and Young. Its summer stock performances have been located in nearly the same location since is conception. Actors, directors and designers from all across the country travel to Sacramento to build productions entirely original. The current executive producer, Richard Lewis, is the son of the original producer Russell Lewis. Sacramento Music Circus was once one of many summer stock musical theatres performing in the round. Today it is now one of only a few professional theatres producing musicals in an arena setting.
Broadway Sacramento
Originally known as the Music Circus Winter Season and later as The Broadway Series, these shows are are performed during Music Circus' "Off season". Generaly these are trucked in touring productions of current musicals performed at the Community Center Theater. Starting in 1989, the series of shows has included "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Chicago" and "The Producers". California Musical Theatre is a founding member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Executive Producer Richard Lewis is a member of the League of American Theatres and Producers.
Cast, crew and behind the scenes
California Musical Theatre employees operates under contracts with Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage managers in the United States; the theatrical trade union IATSE; the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers; and the American Federation of Musicians. During the summer Music Circus season, crews are augmented with student interns and community volunteers.
Gay Artists Boycott and Prop 8 controversy
On November 7 2008, an internet blogger revealed that the Artistic Director of California Musical Theatre, Scott Eckern, who had worked for the company since 1984, made a personal donation of $1000 to the "Yes on 8" campaign that sought to amend the California Constitution to ban same sex marriages. All campaign contributions of $1000 or more required a name, home and occupation be listed.
On November 10, gay artists called for a boycott of California Musical Theatre. An emergency session of the board of directors of CMT was scheduled to address the situation but was later canceled. On November 11, Eckern issued an apology on the online site Playbill that stated that a similar donation was made to the Human Rights Campaign.
On November 12, Scott Eckern resigned from California Musical Theatre. Executive producer Richard Lewis stated that Eckern was not forced to resign but did so of his own accord. Lewis gave a statement to the Sacramento Bee. "Any political action or the opinion of Scott Eckern is not shared by California Musical Theatre. We have a long history of appreciation for the LGBT community and are truly grateful for their longstanding support."
On January 7 of 2009 supporters of Prop 8 filed a lawsuit in federal court in Sacramento to block public view of their donations.
Citing threats against their lives as well as other forms of harrasment, the group has also requested that the California Secretary of state remove information about donations that have been reported so far and have been posted on their website.
References
- "About California Musical Theatre Corporation". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2008-28-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - "General Roundup of Summer Theatre", Theatre Arts magazine, July 1956, John D. MacArthur, publisher
- "Report: Musical Theatre board cancels emergency meeting over Prop. 8 support". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- "Prop. 8 gift gets theater's leader in a ruckus". sacbe.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- "Prop. 8 repercussions hit Sacramento theater". Los Angeles times. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- "Same-Sex Marriage Foes Want Donors Anonymous". KCRA.com. Retrieved 2009-08-01.