October 23, 2008

Tabard Theatre opening

Tabard Theatre opens as resident company at Theatre on San Pedro Square

Cathy Spielberger Cassetta cuts the ribbon for opening night of “Antigone in the Oval Office” and on the first night the Tabard Theatre becomes the resident company at the Theatre at San Pedro Square. She is surrounded by City Councilmembers Nancy Pyle and Sam Liccardo as well as board members, business sponsors, community partners and representatives of the venues that Tabard performed prior to moving to the San Pedro theater. Photos by Kymberli Brady

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Tabard Theatre held its opening night as resident company at the Theatre on San Pedro Square on Oct. 10 with an audience peppered with residents from Almaden.

Opening night began at 7:30 with four speakers: District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle; Jason Minsky, vice president of membership and marketing for the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce; theater landlord John McEnery and District 3 Councilmember (downtown San Jose) Sam Liccardo.

The four discussed the meaning of the theatre company’s move in the San Pedro Square venue as it pertained to them. Pyle talked about Tabard’s growth in Almaden where the company continues to have offices. Minsky represented Chamber President and CEO Pat Dando, who was out of town. Dando was a councilmember and Vice Mayor when the Tabard Theatre Company began. MInsky mentioned that the company’s managing artistic director, Cathy Spielberger Cassetta serves on the Chamber’s marketing committee as well as being a former president, vice president and program chair for the Almaden Business Association.

During Tabard Theatre’s opening play on Oct. 10, Stephen Sherwood, playing a military policeman and Fiona Lawson as Antigone, the vice president’s goddaughter, enter the Oval Office.

Liccardo noted the energy that Tabard brings to downtown with theaters and plays enticing San Jose residents to visit the area and liven up evenings thus ensuring that the downtown area becomes a venue for the lively arts. McEnery welcomed the theater company to San Pedro Square.

Once the speeches and the ribbon cutting ended, it was time to enjoy the play “Antigone in the Oval Office,” which is a modern version of “Antigone” by Sophocles. Spielberger Cassetta produced the play, which was adapted by Ana-Caterina Buchser.

The play is a provocative spin on a classic tale, which is perfect to see just before this year’s presidential election. The characters from the original Greek text slip into their modern counterparts in America’s political landscape. Thrust into the Oval Office after the sudden and tragic death of President Oedipus, Vice President Creon faces a national crises that become personal very quickly as his goddaughter Antigone challenges his wartime martial law. The palace in Thebes becomes the Oval Office and the traditional Greek chorus is replaced by the President’s Cabinet, the White House Press Corps and White House staff.

In a scene from “Antigone in the Oval Office” Stephen Sherwood, behind the sofa, plays an aide to Speaker of the House Linda McPharliin as the new President, played by Dirk Leatherman, shivers and a secret serviceman, played by Hank Lawson, looks on. Photo by Kymberli brady

The actors, stage crew and staff hale from all over San Jose including Almaden Valley. On its Web site, Tabard is described as a company committed to making theater affordable and accessible for all, a goal it meets through its various outreach programs. Additionally, the company donates a portion of its concession proceeds to non-profit organizations that are thematically related to the shows and often includes food or clothing drives during its productions.

The play, which runs through Nov. 1, has tickets for sale at the door, box office, at BrownPaperTickets.com or by phone at (408) 679-2330. They are priced at $22 for general admission, $18 for seniors 62 and over; $15 for adult students 18 and over and $10 for students 17 and under. The theater is located at 29 North San Pedro Street.

In a scene from “Antigone in the Oval Office” Stephen Sherwood, behind the sofa, plays an aide to Speaker of the House Linda McPharliin as the new President, played by Dirk Leatherman, shivers and a secret serviceman, played by Hank Lawson, looks on. Photo by Kymberli brad