Happy Holidays!

Smokey Joe’s Cafe sizzles

Good Company Players’ sizzling production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is a smash hit!  This smokin’ hot review spans the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s and features the toe-tapping, hip-swiveling, soul searing music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

The duo burst into the music industry as teenagers and launched a body of work that runs the gamut from rhythm and blues to novelty, with romantic ballads, doo-wop and rock-and-roll liberally sprinkled throughout. The score includes songs like “Stand By Me,”  “Yakety Yak,”  “Spanish Harlem,”  “Kansas City,”  “Trouble,” Jailhouse Rock,”  “On Broadway,”  “Fools Fall In Love,” “On Broadway” and a myriad of other hits.

Let Good Company Players take you on an ebullient trip back to the heyday of early rock and roll.  Call 559-266-9494 or 800-371-4747 or reserve online at RogerRockas.com. Rated G and on our stage through January 10.

New Year’s Eve

Join us for a very special New Years Eve Celebration with Smokey Joe’s Café and the Blues Street Jazz Band. Smokey Joe’s Café will have you clapping and singing along. Enjoy our special New Year’s Eve Menu and celebrate with dancing to the music of the Blues Street group before & after the show.  Call our box office at (559) 266-9494 or (800) 371-4747, or reserve online at our website.

The von Trapps at Roger Rocka’s January 26

The von Trapps are bringing their beautiful harmonies back to Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater on Monday, January 26.

When they were here in October their performance sold out within 3 days after it was announced.

Doors open for dinner at 5:30 and The von Trapps will go on stage at 7 o’clock.  Tickets for the Buffet Dinner and Show are $47.  The price for Youth, 6 through 15, is $28 for Buffet and Show, when accompanied by adult diners.  Also, a limited number of show-only tickets will be available for $28.

Purchase your tickets from our box office at (559) 266-9494 or (800) 371-4747 – or online at this page on our website.

The von Trapp grandchildren, Sofi, 26, Melanie, 24, Amanda 23, and August, 20, have been singing and touring he world together for the past 12 years, much in the way the Trapp Family Singers did even before the fame generated by “The Sound of Music.”  Their grandfather is Werner von Trapp, the “incorrigible” Kurt in the musical.

After years of extensive touring, the four siblings have relocated to Portland, Oregon and recently completed a new collaborative album with Thomas Lauderdale and Pink Martini. The album, Dream a Little Dream, features guest appearances by The Chieftains, Wayne Newton, Charmian Carr, and Jack Hanna.

The von Trapps performance at Roger Rocka’s includes the group’s own Portland band, which consists of a pianist and upright bass player, who are both classically trained, and a drummer with latin influences.  The show will be “very international,” featuring everything from Brazilian bossa nova to a Japanese tango.

You can get a taste of The von Trapps harmonies – and learn how to make the family’s schnitzel recipe at the same time – at this link.

Coming up next
at Roger Rocka’sCrazy For You  A Gershwin extravaganza, filled with song, dance and laughter. (Rated PG)  January 15 – March 15

Heart-warming Christmas fun at 2nd Space

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever continues at Good Company Players’ 2nd Space Theatre through December 21st.  This delightfully heart-warming American classic is an audience favorite!

When the regular Christmas Pageant director breaks her leg, a mother of two is pressured to take over. Unfortunately, the worst kids in town show up to rehearsal and bully their way into all the leading roles. It’s a wild ride, and it soon becomes apparent that the horrible Herdmans aren’t the only ones who’ve been missing true meaning of Christmas.

Many performances of this popular production have already sold out, so reserve right away at 559-266-0660 or 800-371-4747 or online at the 2nd Space Theatre website.  Rated G.

Next up at 2nd Space Theatre

Vanya and  Sonia and Masha and Spike, opening January 2.  If you thought your family was weird, this deliciously funny, Tony-winning comedy will make you feel almost normal!  On stage through February 22.

Upcoming Auditions for Good Company Players’ productions

Good Company Players will be holding open auditions for Always A Bridesmaidand The Cripple of Inishmaan on Saturday, December 6th, at 10:00 a.m. in the 2nd Space Theatre (928 E. Olive Ave., Fresno, CA 93728).

On Saturday, January 3rd, 2015, GCP will be auditioning actors for South Pacificand Oliver! at 10:00 a.m. in Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater (1226 N. Wishon Ave., Fresno, CA 93728).

For more information, check out this page on the GCP website  or call Good Company Players’ Business Office at 559-266-0211.

Audition Intensive to be offered 3 Saturdays in December

Just in time for upcoming auditions, Good Company Players is offering a class for Adults and Young People, aged 13 and over. Class meets on December 13th, 20th & 27th from 3:30-6:30 pm.

Learn how to stand out – in a good way! Students will prepare vocals, practice cold readings and work on basic dance combinations. The class will culminate in a mock audition on the final Saturday.

Call 559-266-0211 for more information or to sign up. More information also available at this page on the GCP website.

Live Arts & Entertainment in December

Monday – December 1, 2014-

*World Aids Day Program, 11:00A, Free Speech Area, California State University of Fresno, Fresno

*Story time with Santa at the Mall, 10:00A, Sierra Vista Mall, Clovis, 559-299-0660

*Jazz Composers Orchestra, Doors open at 6:00P, The Jazz Composers Orchestra is an all-star 19-piece ensemble directed by Mike Dana, head of the jazz studies program at Fresno City College. Fans of the “JCO” know the band for its adventurous and original music, including several world premiers from band members David Aus, Joe Lewis, and Dana. Arrive early for dinner or appetizers, and enjoy a true New York jazz club experience, right in the heart of Fresno’s Tower District, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, 1226 North Wishon Ave, Fresno, 559-266-9494

Tuesday – December 2, 2014-

*Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, 7:30P, Fresno Convention Center, Fresno, 559-445-8200

*Christmas Tree Lane (Van Ness) Opens, 6:00P, Van Ness Ave Starting at Shields Ave to Shaw Ave,  Christmas Tree Lane celebrates its 92nd anniversary in 2014, making it one of the longest-running holiday events nationwide. www.christmastreelane.com

Thursday – December 4, 2014-

*Art Hop, 6:00P, Fresno Arts, Tower District & Downtown

*Jazz Hop, 6:00P, Fresno Arts, Tower District & Downtown

Friday – December 5, 2014-

*Toys For Tots, 6:00A, River Park Shopping Center, Fresno, 559-244-5710

*First Friday Art Hop, 5:00P, Downtown Mariposa, Mariposa, 559-760-9690

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

*Annie Junior-CMT, 7:30P, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, 559-442-3140

Saturday – December 6, 2014-

*Auditions for Good Company Players Productions of Always a Bridesmaid and  The Cripple of Inishmaan, 10:00A, 2nd Space Theatre, 928 East Olive Ave, Fresno, 93728, 559-266-0211 www.2ndSpaceTheatre.com www.GCPlayers.com

*Breakfast with Santa at the Zoo, 8:00A, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, 559-498-5910

*Our Lady of Victory Women’s Guild Christmas Boutique and Bake Sale, 8:00A, Our Lady of Victory Church, Fresno, 559-226-1163

*Miss Poinsettia Contest, 7:00P, Turlock Community Theatre, Turlock, 559-668-1169

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

*Rumours-Fleetwood Mac Salute, 7:30P, Tower Theatre, Fresno, 559-486-9050

*Breakfast with Santa at the Mall, 8:00A, Sierra Vista Mall, Clovis, 559-299-0660 (Yes, Santa can be in many places at the same time!)

Sunday – December 7, 2014-

*Candy Cause 2014, NOON,  A Fresno State marketing team is holding a fair-inspired event to benefit The Bulldog Pantry while attempting to break a published world record for “The Most People Unwrapping a Candy Simultaneously.” Maple Hall-Fresno State, Fresno, 559-278-4240

*Big Band Christmas Concert, 2:00P, Selma Arts Center, Selma, 559-891-2238

*Craig VonBerg Trio, 6:00P, Tokyo Gardens, Fresno, 559-268-3596

*Jim Schmidt Jazz, 9:00P, Vini Vidi Vici, Fresno, 559-266-5510

Monday – December 8, 2014-

*Story time with Santa at the Mall, 10:00A, Sierra Vista Mall, Clovis, 559-299-0660

*Fresno High Neighborhood Holiday Home Tour, 6:00P, Fresno High Area, Fresno, www.FresnoHighHomeTour.com

Thursday – December 11, 2014-

*An Irish Christmas, 8:00P, Tower Theatre, Fresno, 559-468-9050

*Lee Greenwood, 7:30P, Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Lemoore, 559-924-7751

Friday – December 12, 2014-

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

Saturday – December 13, 2014-

*Good Company Players’ Musical Audition Intensive, 3:30P, GCP’s Annex, 1230 N. Wishon Ave, Fresno, 93728, 559-266-0211, Just in time for our next auditions! Learn what it takes to stand out-in a good way. 3 week class-12/13, 12/20, and 12/27.

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

*Animal Compassion Team of Fresno Holiday Open House, 11:00A, ACT, Fresno, 559-299-6364

Sunday – December 14, 2014-

*Family Day at the Fresno Arts Museum, 11:00A, Fresno Arts Museum, Fresno, 559-441-4221

*Richard Giddens Trio, 6:00P, Tokyo Gardens, Fresno, 559-268-3596

*Jim Schmidt Jazz, 9:00P, Vini Vidi Vici, Fresno, 559-266-5510

*Riders in the Sky, 8:00P, Tower Theatre, Fresno, 559-486-9050

Thursday – December 18, 2014-

*SPECIAL BENEFIT PERFORMANCE  OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER- G PRESENTED BY ACT- ANIMAL COMPASSION TEAM OF CALIFORNIA, 2nd Space Theatre, 928 E Olive, Fresno 93728, 559-704-5894 FOR TICKETS, DOORS OPEN AT 6:30P, Can the annual pageant survive the horrible Herdman family??—– www.animalcompassionteam.com

*Art Hop, 6:00P, Fresno Arts, North Fresno

Friday – December 19, 2014-

*A Peter White Christmas, 8:00P, Tower Theatre, Fresno, 559-486-9050

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

Saturday – December 20, 2014-

*Holiday Fun in the Tower, 6:00P, Carolers from Sunnyside High School & Roosevelt School of the Arts will be serenading diners at Tower restaurants, 559-441-0311

*Men are from Mars-Women are from Venus-LIVE, 8:00P, Tower Theatre, Fresno, 559-486-905

Sunday – December 21, 2014-

*FINAL PERFORMANCE-THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER- G, 2nd Space Theatre, 928 E Olive, Fresno 93728, 559-266-0660, www.2ndspacetheatre.com, Can the annual pageant survive the horrible Herdman family??

*David Aus Trio, 6:00P, Tokyo Gardens, Fresno, 559-268-3596

Thursday – December 25, 2014-

*Merry Christmas from Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, Good Company Players and 2nd Space Theatre!

Wednesday – December 31, 2014-

*A VERY SPECIAL NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION WITH SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ & BLUES STREET BANDG, 6:00P, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, 1226 N Wishon, Fresno 93728, 559-266-9494, www.RogerRockas.com  Song writing geniuses Leiber and Stoller have been called “The Inventors of Rock ‘n Roll,” producing hit after hit (over 40) for the stars of the day. This High-Energy Salute will have you clapping and singing along. Special Menu and dancing before & after the show.

Thursday – January 1, 2015-

*Happy New Year from Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, Good Company Players and 2nd Space Theatre!

Friday – January 2, 2015-

*OPENING NIGHT-VANYA AND  SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE-PG-13, 2nd Space Theatre, 928 E Olive, Fresno 93728, 559-266-0660, www.2ndspacetheatre.com, If you thought your family was weird, this deliciously Funny, Tony-winning comedy will make you feel almost normal!—– THROUGH FEBRUARY 22, 2015