Gilroy is well on its way to losing its boondocks status, if it
hasn’t done so already. The arrival of Starbucks, that
McDonald-ized version of a coffee shop, was obviously a portent of
what was to come. A community that just recently did not even have
its own movie theater or bookstore is now going to be home to that
ultimate symbol of civilization
– Costco!
Gilroy is well on its way to losing its boondocks status, if it hasn’t done so already. The arrival of Starbucks, that McDonald-ized version of a coffee shop, was obviously a portent of what was to come. A community that just recently did not even have its own movie theater or bookstore is now going to be home to that ultimate symbol of civilization – Costco!
We all know what that means and how that feels. As all those other businesses that seem to bask in Costco’s radiance move into town, we are torn between the loss of uniqueness and undeniable convenience. There is even a certain feeling of helplessness, something like what the townspeople in that 1950s horror film, “The Blob,” felt as they witnessed a formless horror from space ooze through the smallest of openings and continue to grow as it devoured everything and everyone in its path.
Not for me to question the decisions of our elected officials; this is an arts and entertainment column, after all. What I will say is that at the same time Gilroy is experiencing significant commercial growth, local opportunities in the performing arts also have increased, and I have no doubt that they are somehow related. That age-old question, “What is there to do?” has never had more answers.
The new kid on the block is the Pintello Comedy Theater, and there is little to wonder why South County theatergoers have given it a warm welcome. Local favorites Rod and Marion Pintello, its proprietors, have been entertaining audiences for more than two decades and are now seeing a dream come true by opening their own playhouse devoted to the genre they love best, comedy.
Walking into the converted space at Calvary Chapel, 8531 Church St., feels like entering somebody’s living room. It isn’t just the homey chandelier hanging in the foyer or the seating around cozy tables; it is the Pintello’s themselves, who are there to joyfully welcome their guests. Then it was down to the serious business of the evening – comedy.
“Holiday Snap,” by John Chapman and Michael Pertwee, is just the first of four plays being performed this first season. Timing is everything in this British farce about one Portuguese timeshare villa and two couples booked for the same week, and some strong local talent, including the incorrigible Rod himself as the tipsy Commander Chittendon, keeps the pace going from beginning to end. For reservations for this final weekend, call 776-8004 or email
pi******@ga****.com
.
In a more serious vein, “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson, a Tony Award-winning play depicting the early life of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, opened last weekend on another local stage. This production, which is produced under the auspices of Odyssey Theatre Company, is quite a stunning piece of work due to some superb directing by guest director Jeff McGrath of Western Stage, fine acting by a combined South County and Western Stage cast and a technically sophisticated set designed by Tony Tissot.
“The Miracle Worker” is more than just a play about a courageous woman who was able to overcome the most profound of disabilities. It also is a tribute to teachers who perform large and small miracles all the time as well as a good lesson for parents about discipline. The richness of this play lies in its portrayal of the relationship between Helen and Annie Sullivan and the humane depiction of the Keller family, which is a family with its flaws and problems just like any other family.
The play runs through Feb. 8 at the Gilroy High School Theater. Two performances, the matinee on Feb. 2 and the final performance the evening of Feb. 8, will be signed by an interpreter. Call 808-1444 for reservations or log onto www.odysseytheatre.org for more information about the company.
South Valley Civic Theatre has been a fixture on the local theater scene for years, but the last few seasons this energetic theater company has been homeless but far from helpless. The days of packing up and moving from one locale to another are over; SVCT has a new home, and what a beauty it is. Moving day into the new Morgan Hill Community Playhouse in the Morgan Hill Community Cultural Center happened last weekend, and SVCT now has the prestigious title of “Resident Company.” Congratulations.
Its inaugural show is “Lend Me A Tenor,” an adult comedy about the mishaps of a world famous tenor during opening night 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Performances run from Feb. 7 through March 1. Call 842-SHOW for ticket information or visit online at www.svct.org.
Finally, there are two music performances that are different in genre but similar in their appeal to a children’s audience. More than 50 children ages 5 through 18 sing and dance their hearts out to music from the 1940s through the 21st century in “American Ideal,” a City of Gilroy Community Services Department and John Bisceglie production. Running through Feb. 16 at Gilroy’s historic Old City Hall, the play is a multi-media takeoff on “American Idol.” Call 846-8836 for tickets; all proceeds benefit the wonderful city program “Kids Discover Arts.”
For an opportunity to expose your children to classical music, I suggest South Valley Symphony’s Youth Concert Feb. 8, at Gavilan College Theater. Highlights of the program include selections from “The Nutcracker” and performances by students from Suzuki Strings of South Valley. Call 847-1441 for information.
Comedy, drama, music – the choices are plentiful for the next few weekends. Add to that one new restaurant (J.R. Brewski), one old restaurant with a fabulous new chef (Station 55), another hole-in-the-wall neighborhood Italian restaurant with urban ambience (Little Meza Luna) and even a real bookstore with late hours for browsing (The Wize Owl), and there’s really no need for you to leave town for an evening out.
