Arts & Entertainment
Q&A: Director Bob Irvin, In The Moment With Fair Oaks Theatre Festival
Annually, Fair Oaks Theatre Festival provides the Fair Oaks community a series summer productions at Veteran's Memorial Amphitheatre.
Fair Oaks Theatre Festival's series of summer productions are well underway, with its first production, Annie, attracting guests of all shapes and sizes.
Since then, the group has put on Stuart Little and is now preparing for The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Best of Broadway and The New Christy Minstrels' Benefit Concert.
Each performance is put on at The Veterans Memorial Amphitheater, an outdoor venue, and is thus nicknamed the Theatre Under the Stars.
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"This outdoor venue presents its own set of special circumstances. (It) sometimes competes with helicopters, chickens roosting in nearby trees and an occasional cat that can't wait to be a really big star," according to Fair Oaks Theatre Festival's website. "But along with these small annoyances are the cool breezes on a warm summer evening, the picnicking in the park before the show and the smell of fresh popped popcorn always available at our snack bar."
To learn a little bit more about upcoming productions and how this summer tradition has evolved we sat down with director Bob Irvin and this is what he had to say:
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How long have you been a director with Theatre Under the Stars in Fair Oaks? What productions did you direct this year?
I have been directing for the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival, annually, since 1995. Previously, I directed in 1989 and 1992. This year, I am responsible for Annie and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Quite a varied season: Annie, being the ultimate family show, received a three and a half (out of four) star review from the Sacramento Bee. It turned out to be one of our most successful shows ever. Trailer Park is a very different show - a bit racy, very funny, with a score blending rock, gospel, disco and country. We're having a lot of fun rehearsing for an Aug. 12 opening.
How did you become involved in Theatre Under the Stars?
I was simply asked to direct She Stoops to Conquer in 1989. At that time the festival had invited directors for a season at a time. I was then asked to do Taming of the Shrew in 1992. Finally, in 1995 I wrote an adaptation of The Would-Be Gentleman, which I also directed. All of these shows were critical successes. I was asked back in '96 and have been there ever since. In 1998 the festival and American River College created a producing partnership for the first of the summer shows. Since then, we have grown technically and artistically. I have stayed as director for the festival, as it has been a great place to work; the Board of Directors are very supportive and we seem to be lucky enough to attract wonderful talent.
What was the largest turnout you've had for a performance so far this year?
I believe the largest audience so far was the July 23 performance of Annie - with 349 in the house.
What does it take to put on these kinds of production?
That is the hardest question to answer. There is a combination of paid professionals, volunteers and students (from grammar school through college) who all pool their resources into a very caring concern. There's not much reward monetarily, but creatively we have the best time.
How many practices and rehearsals do you have for each performance?
There are six to eight weeks of rehearsal and six weeks of performances.
What frustrations have you encountered this year with Theatre Under the Stars?
None thus far. We are having a blast.
What payoffs have you encountered?
Watching actors grow and be challenged, meeting some great people and working with friends. Seeing the improvements brought about by the board and the Recreation and Parks District like bathrooms, a concession booth and snack bar. The fun of sitting out in the open air on a breezy evening and watching great talent.
What is it like when the curtain goes up on opening night? What kind of feelings do you have?
There's nothing like it. Hopefully we have rehearsed enough that we all (actors, techies, etc.) know what we're doing. It's such a pleasure to be able to have a hand in making the shows happen.
What performance was the most fun for you to work with, so far, this year?
The most fun is usually the one you're working on at the moment. We are now in the midst of rehearsing Trailer Park, which is one of the funniest and entertaining pieces I have ever worked on. The cast is creative and funny. The designers and technicians have fallen under the dizzy spell of the play.
Editor's note: To hear a little bit more about each of the remaining productions check the website next week for question and answer segments with members of each cast.