Live Theater Review by Jeanie K. Smith - July 2019
Imagine yourself watching an Imaginists show… and enjoy the rare treat of ensemble-devised theatre meant to entertain, engage, and empower you, with timely topics— all for free in Santa Rosa parks during July.
Founded by Brent Lindsay and Amy Pinto, The Imaginists have been in Santa Rosa for nine years, intentionally pushing boundaries and providing original theatrical art that interacts with community in new and exciting ways. Satirizing society or current events, the shows are accessible and collaborative and raise the bar for relevance. Bilingual and inclusive, the work aims to re-think how and where theater happens, yet also deliver an entertaining and thoughtful performance.
Each summer brings a new chapter of their production, El Show el Arte es Medicina, traveling to city parks by bicycle caravan. This year a classic from Aristophanes gets remade in PEACE: the Redacted Version / PAZ: la versión redactada, an absurd satire for an absurd time,” performed in Spanish and English. The plot:domestic workers clean up Dump Tower as President Corn’s cabinet happily imprisons Peace, Liberty, and Democracy. The future depends on the rescue efforts of superhero hopefuls, if they can make it in time…
Did I mention it’s all free?
Imaginists regularly earns coveted grants from State and local sources.
Treat yourself to something different this summer and discover this theatrical treasure in our own backyard.
Performances in July include: (more dates to be added)
Friday, July 5, Juilliard Park, 7p; 227 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa
Friday, July 12, Bayer Farm, 7p; 1550 West Ave, Santa Rosa
Sunday, July 14, Andy Lopez Unity Park, 4p; 3399 Moorland Ave, Santa Rosa
Friday, July 19, Juilliard Park, 7p; 227 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa 95401
For more info, see the website at: theimaginists.org or write info@theimaginists.org
The Imaginists 461 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 • 707-528-7554
Summer Repertory Theatre is back!
After a year-long hiatus due to the remodel of Burbank Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College campus, Summer Repertory Theatre has resumed its mix of musicals & plays, combining students and professionals on two stages in five productions.
This year’s program has already started, with The 39 Steps, a hilarious homage to Hitchcock on the Newman Auditorium stage thru July 31. Mamma Mia! beloved ABBA musical, runs in the Performance Pavilion through August 10, soon joined by the tale of outlaws Bonnie & Clyde, through August 8. Sylvia, the sweet comedy about a man and his dog, plays on the Newman stage July 9 through August 4, and the fantastical musical Pippin goes up in the Pavilion July 12 to August 7.
These crowd-pleasing shows are time well-spent. Go to the website at summerrep.com/ for specific calendar dates and times of each show, and either single or subscription tickets.
Summer Rep Theatre Festival, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa • Box Office:707-527-4307 Tickets: $25-28; Subscriptions $69-100
Performance Pavilion, Near SRJC campus center, off Armory Drive on Scholars Drive, Park in Bech parking lot (kiosk payment required) Santa Rosa
Newman Auditorium SRJC Campus off Elliott Ave. Park in Emeritus Circle parking lot (kiosk payment required), Santa Rosa
