October 7, 2004

Tabard Theatre finds a new home in Almaden

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

As a 30-member cast congregates in the church vestibule to rehearse their first runthrough, the director surrounded by open notebooks and runaway script pages documents every move, gesture, and sylable.

With opening night less than a month away, the curtain is set to rise at the new home of the Tabard Theatre Company.

“We’re still in the preliminary stages,” admits director Susannah Greenwood, as she pores over the notes that will guide her toward perfecting the performance.

Now it its fourth season, Tabard remains the only theatre company in South San Jose and prides itself on providing vital cultural experiences to neighborhood audiences through family-friendly, nostalgic performances.

When South Valley Community Church, their former home, went through leadership changes last June, Managing Artistic Director Cathy Spielberger Cassetta was suddenly propelled into a desperate search for a new location that would not only serve the needs of her theatre, but those of the community as well.

As fate would have it, John Leslie not only serves as musical director for Joint Venture Churches of Almaden, he is also part of the Tabard family. At his recommendation, talks ensued with boardmembers, who welcomed the theatre group to their new home. The union will serve as an added element to the “Almaden Adventures in the Arts” concert series, part of an ongoing effort to provide quality artistic offerings for the community.

“We are still in the final stages of working out the details of the agreement, but there’s a lot of excitement among our members as far as the possibilities that Tabard has to offer,” says Terry Shoup, president of the Joint Venture Board. “A number of our members have been to Tabard productions and they have found them to be wholesome, worthwhile, and enjoyable. Along with our ‘Adventures in the Arts’ concert series, I think the Tabard Theatre will serve the community and the churches well.”

The stage, located in the church vestibule, also affords Tabard unique theatre-in-the-round characturistics that allow for a three-dimensional experience.

“We have the audience raised up and surrounding the stage on three sides, which is very exciting,” explains Cassetta. “The performance area is in the center of the space, so everybody will have a good angle and sidelines will be great.”

One of the distinctions at Tabard is a formula that leans heavily on lighting, costumes and minimal set pieces.

“It isn’t about the set, it’s really about the story,” explaines Cassetta. “This environment really supports that, and we’re excited about the storytelling opportunities for a much more natural kind of expression, not the stagey, fourth wall experience. Even the make-up has to be much more realistic, rather than exagerrated.”

The season opens Nov. 5, with “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” adapted from “The Chronicles of Narnia,” written by C. S. Lewis. The fantasy tale follows the adventures of four children who wander through a wardrobe into the enchanting land of Narnia and its host of mythical creatures. They soon discover that the snow-covered forest is under a spell cast by the White Witch, who turns her enemies into stone. The journey spotlights chases, duels, and encounters with an evil wolf, a unicorn, and a centaur.

Almaden’s Allie Piunti [right] makes her debut with The Tabard Theatre as Susan Pevensie in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” which opens Nov. 5 at Joint Ventures Church on Camden Avenue.

“This show is different in so many ways,” admits Cassetta. “With 30 cast members, it’s the largest Tabard’s ever done. I’m thrilled with the adult actors that we have in this cast, and we also have a lot of kids from this community, which is very exciting. Some have never done theatre before, but loved the story and wanted to be in it.”

The production cast includes 19 local children and youth , along with nine experienced adult actors from around the Bay Area. More than 40 children auditioned for four lead and 15 supporting roles, including Almaden’s Allie Piunti, who makes her debut with Tabard as Susan Pevensie.

“She’s the more cautious one and is sort of in charge,” explains Piunti. “She doesn’t think they should do certain things, but goes along anyway.”

At almost 11-years-old, the Holy Spirit student is hardly new to the theatre. With a theatrical resume that includes six musical performances for Children’s Playhouse, she has spent nearly half her life on stage.

“I actually fell in love with theatre when I was a mother duck in a kindergarten production,” she admits. “After that, I found Children’s Playhouse and now Tabard. When I saw the ad for auditions in the Almaden Times, I decided to try out. My classmates even want to take a field trip to see the show.”

During a rehearsal break, director Susannah Greenwood pores over the notes that will guide her toward perfecting the performance before opening night.

“We’re still in the preliminary stages,” she admits. “But already, we’re getting such a great sense of these characters. Even the 4-year-olds already know how to walk and move their eyes. They’re really inspired by the music that we’ve chosen. In the collaborative sense, everyone from top to bottom is very excited about this.”

Tickets for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” are now on sale, while season tickets, ranging from $21-$45 will be available until opening night. Those attending the first performance may trade their tickets in and apply the full amount toward season tickets. For more information call (408) 979-0231 or visit www.tabardtheatre.org
C. S. Lewis books, videos, and CDs will be available for sale following each performance, along with a unique opportunity to obtain signed, personally dedicated scripts from the show’s award-winning playwright, Joe Robinette for subscribers who donate $500 or more to the theatre.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” opens Nov. 5 and will run through November. “The Taffetas,” a nostalgic musical romp into the 50s, will open Jan. 28, followed by “The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” a whirlwind romantic comedy, scheduled to open April 8.

“We are excited to be here and still be in south San Jose,” added Cassetta. “This is our nitch—our home.”

Tabard Theatre tickets, priced $10 - $15 may be purchased in advance or at the door, one hour before curtain. For more information, including ticket sales and performance times, call 408-979-0231 or e-mail the box office at tabtix@tabardtheatre.org.

Tabard announces ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ children’s coloring contest

The Tabard Theatre Company is sponsoring a coloring contest in association with community partners Almaden Barnes & Noble and Chevy’s Fresh Mex Restaurant on Blossom Hill. The coloring contest is for kids, ages 4-12 and is tied to Tabard’s upcoming production of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Tabard will perform a sneak peak performance from the show and announce the winners at an in-store event on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. at Almaden Barnes & Noble.

First prize for the coloring contest is a dinner for four compliments of the Blossom Hill Chevy’s Fresh Mex, a set of “THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA” books by C.S. Lewis on which the play is based—donated by Barnes & Noble, and four tickets to Tabard’s production of the play “THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE,” written by award-winning playwright Joseph Robinette. The second prizewinner will receive four tickets to “THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.”

The coloring contest image is a line drawing of the painting by artist Carol Aust of Oakland, originally created for Milwaukee’s FirstStage Children’s Theatre. Submissions will be judged on creativity and imagination, rather than duplication of original image.

Contest forms may be found at the Almaden Barnes & Noble, Blossom Hill Chevy’s Restaurant, Charlie’s Cheesecake Works on Redmond, Knowledge Quest on Meridian at Redmond, Knowledge Quest on Union Avenue at Los Gatos-Almaden Road, and Joint Venture Churches on Camden, as well as Vineland, Santa Teresa, and Pearl public libraries. Contest forms are also available by calling Tabard at 408-979-0231. Entries must be received by Oct. 20, 2004. Mail entries to The Tabard Theatre Company, 5663 Chambertin Drive, San Jose, Calif., 95118.