Welcome To Bandon Visitors Guide 2009

• All the worldŐs a stage

Published: Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 All the worldŐs a stage Bandon has much to offer in live theater, concerts and dance, with many of the productions held at the 250-seat Sprague Community Theater in City Park. Several groups make it all possible.

Bandon Playhouse

Bandon Playhouse, which has been offering community theater since the 1970s, will offer two productions for the summer season.

The first show is the comedy "You Can't Get There From Here." A small town is the setting for this comedy of mishaps where locals "trap" unsuspecting visitors into staying over at a bed-and-breakfast while damage to their vehicles caused by a large chuckhole (no accident) is being repaired. Shakespeare, seances, outrageous fines, and a witch who can't keep her hexes straight are all part of the mix. The show runs weekends June 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15.

The second summer offering is the Gilbert and Sullivan musical "The Pirates of Penzance." This rollicking adventure is set to Sir Arthur Sullivan's finest melodies lilting over the dunes on the Cornish coast of England. A band of oversensitive pirates are having difficulty making treachery pay when they are reluctant to pick on orphans, and everybody knows all English sailors are "orphants!" Intrigue meets romance upon the arrival of Major-General Stanley and his lovely daughters. The show runs weekends Aug. 15, 16, 17; 22, 23, 24; and 29, 30 and 31.

Bandon Playhouse also offers a Readers Theater once a month. Watch the Coffee Break and Western World for upcoming Readers Theater events.

For more information on the Playhouse, call Bill Binnewies at 347-1629.

New Artists Productions Inc.

Founded by Bandon residents and philanthropists Dan and Anita Almich, who remain as directors, teachers, set designers, mentors and costumers, New Artists Productions offers theater opportunities for children from elementary through high school.

Productions have included such classics as "The Wizard of Oz," "Guys and Dolls Junior," "James and the Giant Peach," "Aladdin Junior" and "Fiddler on the Roof Junior." New Artists annual Variety Show features dozens of talented local children.

New Artists Productions last year also offered "Dream ... A Salute to Fred Astaire," as the first of its ongoing educational series of shows that not only entertain audiences, but offer invaluable information to the cast as well.

Shows this season include:
• "Chelsea and Friends," a showcase of local vocal talent, will be performed on June 21 at the Sprague Theater;
• A summer theater camp for students 18 and younger, scheduled for July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 1, culminating in a show on Aug. 2;
• A fall production, a murder mystery comedy called "Extreme Weird Science," to be performed Oct. 17, 18, 19; and 24, 25, 26;
• A holiday show, to be announced, on Dec. 19, 20 and 21.
• A variety show in February, 2009 and a musical in April, 2009.
For more information on New Artists Productions, call the Almichs at 347-2517.

MarLo Dance Studio
The dance studio also offers a colorful yearly spring production, featuring 115 dancers, from ages 3 to 80, held at the Sprague. The show offers numbers featuring ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom and hip hop. The studio offers classes year-round. For more information, call Maria Merriam at 347-4616.

Bandon Showcase
Bandon Showcase has built a following of people from throughout Coos County and beyond who are interested in upscale, quality entertainment.

Bandon Showcase's 2008-09 season includes The Dallas Brass on Oct. 10; a concert by Romanza on Jan. 23, 2009; and a St. Patrick's Day celebration featuring Men of Worth on March 14, 2009.

For more information on Bandon Showcase presentations, visit the web site at www.bandonshowcase.org.

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