Library and theater lighting targets for weekend show
Gilroy – The Odyssey Theatre Company of Gilroy High School has big plans for the proceeds of their latest production. Money raised from the show will be used to replace lights in the GHS theater and to stock the new campus library with books.
“The lighting system at the high school theater is the original system put in years ago,” said Beasley, artistic director for the company. “It’s dying a slow and miserable death and we need to replace it.”
The GHS Theater is an often-used facility in the Gilroy community, wrote Jackie Stevens, president of Odyssey Theatre Company of GHS, in an e-mail.
The new lighting system could cost as much as $30,000 Beasley said, and the company hopes to earn at least $5,000 at the one-night show. Part of the proceeds will go to the theater lighting fund. The rest will go to buy books and materials for the campus library.
“While we are fortunate to have a brand new library facility for our students and staff, there is a dire need to expand the collection of books and other resource materials,” wrote Stevens.
“Hey Old Friend,” will offer an entertaining way for residents to donate to the lighting fund and library. The show features Beasley and fellow GHS alum Hilary Little as well as Lori Beth Switzer, a college friend of Beasley’s from his days at the University of California, Los Angeles. For Beasley, the three-person show is very personal.
“The songs are all connected to my life in some way,” Beasley said. “The stories have to do with living in Gilroy and being back now after going away.”
The cabaret-style show will feature classical and contemporary hits, all that have had special moments in Beasley’s life.
“You just pull out every song you’ve ever heard and decide what fits,” Beasley said of the eclectic musical selections in the show. “It’s funny at times. [Songs] range from Billy Joel to Broadway stuff to Cole Porter.”
Beasley first performed “Hey Old Friend” in June 2005 after two months of planning. The show has been tweaked over the summer to include new songs and stories, as well as the performance by Little, for newcomers and viewers who would like to see the show a second time.
“There’s plenty[of] new stuff to warrant coming again,” he said.
The Odyssey Theatre Company has a full season of shows lined up, according to Beasley. Money earned from the independent shows also goes to support the high school plays.
“[Odyssey] will produce all three of the shows coming up this year at the high school,” Beasley said.
Beasley has been involved with the GHS theater program since he was a student and he returned to the GHS theater scene this year as the director of the senior play “Annie Get Your Gun.”
“It’s kind of funny because it’s very comfortable instantly,” Beasley said. “I did it when I was here, but it’s a strange thing because everything is different now.”
“Hey Old Friend” is open for one night only: Sat. Sept. 10, 8 pm, at the GHS Theatre, 750 W. Tenth Street. Tickets are $12. For more information on “Hey Old Friend” or to reserve tickets, call 333-9065 or e-mail in**@************re.org.
To make a donation to the theater lighting system, send a check to: Odyssey Theatre Company of Gilroy High School, PO Box 1315, Gilroy, CA 95021.
