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About Doug Hughes

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So far Doug Hughes has created 124 blog entries.

What’s the secret sauce for selecting a successful season?

By |2019-07-01T17:08:34-07:00July 1st, 2019|2019-2020 Season, Announcements, Behind The Scenes, Board meetings, Video Link|

For community theatre companies like South Bay Musical Theatre, the annual exercise of selecting which shows to stage is a critical decision, and many competing factors come into play. Do you snap up that hot new show the moment it’s released, or lock down a perennial favorite? Do you stretch yourselves with a serious story, or stoop to silly slapstick? Do you pick a challenging title that will attract the best actors, or stick with a Broadway blockbuster that your patrons may prefer? Do you foray into adult fare, or favor the family friendly? Unfortunately, there is no universally correct answer—and [...]

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We have a Gentleman’s Guide cast!

By |2019-05-28T20:49:42-07:00May 28th, 2019|2019-2020 Season, Announcements, Meet The Cast, Photos|

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, South Bay Musical Theatre's first show of the 2019-2020 season, promises to be one that is unique and memorable. Casting was conducted over the past two weekends and the level of talent that turned out to audition was "off the charts." SBMT audiences will recognize many favorites from past shows, including David Mister, who played the role of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame last spring, and Michael Hirsch, who played the role of The Duke in Big River this past January. They may also recognize RuthE Stein from her character role in [...]

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Awards bestowed on Millie cast and crew

By |2019-05-22T23:01:16-07:00May 22nd, 2019|2018-19 Season, Awards, Behind The Scenes, Photos|

Following SBMT’s Preview Night performance for Thoroughly Modern Millie on May 18, 2019, Executive Director Sara Dean invited the audience to stay for a few extra minutes as the staff conferred special awards to outstanding members of the cast, crew, and orchestra. The Gypsy Robe was renamed the Legacy Robe, following the adoption of that name by Actors Equity. Traditionally, the robe is presented by the previous recipient, but Big River winner Libby Moore Schroeder was unable to attend because she had just given birth to a new baby! (Audiences may remember her as visibly pregnant in last January’s production.) Filling [...]

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Are stereotypes acceptable in today’s theatrical productions?

By |2019-05-15T00:06:03-07:00May 15th, 2019|2018-19 Season, Behind The Scenes, Blog-erviews!|

Justin Fan, Karyn Rondeau, and Edmond Kwong play the villains. Photo by Steve Stubbs. In the irreverent musical Avenue Q, one of the songs purports that “Everybody’s a little bit racist,” as it skewers contemporary attitudes regarding race, religion, political correctness, and humor based on exaggerated stereotypes. The point hits home, because as much as we hate to admit it, we all have biases. Those of us in the theatre community are forced to confront these issues whenever we dip into the well of past Broadway productions to pick a slate of shows to revive. The stereotypical characters and [...]

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Announcing our 2019-2020 season!

By |2019-01-30T00:36:54-08:00January 29th, 2019|2019-2020 Season, Announcements, Board meetings|

At SBMT's semiannual members' meeting on Jan. 28, 2019, Board Chairman Jay Steele and Executive Director Sara Dean unveiled next year's slate of shows and concerts to an appreciative audience. The shows were revealed in reverse chronological order with characteristic fanfare and showmanship. Seven of SBMT's past performers sang songs from each of the shows as a projection screen showed a summary of the show's plot. The season begins with our fall production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder in September 2019. This knock-'em-dead, uproarious hit was Broadway's most-nominated show of 2014. With ten Tony nominations and four wins—including Best [...]

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Warm congrats to Big River award winners

By |2019-01-28T07:36:19-08:00January 28th, 2019|Awards, Behind The Scenes, Meet The Cast, Photos|

Award winners, from left: Raiña Parks, Libby Moore Schroeder, Brian Bonarti, Alexandra Maissonneuve-Teixeira, and Ellie Brownson. Following SBMT's Preview Night performance for Big River on Jan. 25, 2019, producer Jay Steele invited the audience to stay for a few extra minutes as the staff conferred special awards to outstanding members of the cast, crew, and orchestra. It's always a difficult decision, because just about everyone can be described as “outstanding,” but in the end, these are the winners who took home the awards. Newcomer Award: Raiña Parks Gypsy Robe Award: Libby Moore Schroeder Orchestra Award: Brian Bonarti Technical Award: [...]

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The cast of Big River brings a classic back to life

By |2019-01-02T06:46:18-08:00January 2nd, 2019|2018-19 Season, Behind The Scenes, Meet The Cast, Photos|

Big River is a 1985 musical based on Mark Twain’s beloved 1884 novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This is the first time SBMT has staged the show, and the cast and staff have turned it into a passion project that is shaping up to be another in a long list of outstanding productions. The show took Broadway by storm in 1985, winning Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. In a period dominated by British imports, this was a uniquely American story, and it ran for more than 1,000 performances, featuring catchy bluegrass and country music by [...]

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The Tale Of The Three Bears

By |2018-12-17T18:10:01-08:00December 16th, 2018|Awards|

Once upon a time, in the sleepy town of Saratoga, a throng of thespians in the Saratoga Drama Group made merry by mounting a multitude of magnificent musicals to excite, enrich, entertain, and enlighten South Bay citizens. As the seeds of Silicon Valley were sown, and the theatre’s success story spread, a talented team tackled the task of continuing the town’s tradition. There were many, many volunteers who made the magic happen on the South Bay stage. One of them was named Carol Srigley. Carol was a dancer—with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen. She loved performing, and it showed. She [...]

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Millie Cast Announced

By |2018-11-26T22:42:18-08:00November 26th, 2018|2018-19 Season, Announcements, Meet The Cast|

South Bay Musical Theatre is proud to announce the cast for our spring 2019 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie was the 2002 season’s most awarded new show on Broadway, and is a fun show to watch—or to perform in! Our production staff reports that we had a wonderful turnout of very talented actors, making casting decisions very difficult. We appreciate all who auditioned, and hope you will turn out again for next season's shows, which promise to be equally exciting. Thoroughly Modern Millie Cast Millie:  Jessica Maxey Jimmy:  James Jones Dorothy: Felicia [...]

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