West Valley Light Opera

WVLO’s “Once Upon a Mattress” is coming to Saratoga in March/April 2020

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By Ande Jacobson

West Valley Light Opera (affectionately known as WVLO) is working hard to open its next production, Once Upon a Mattress, with music by Mary Rodgers (yes, the daughter of that Rodgers), lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Deal Fuller, and Marshall Barer. This little theatre staple has been around since 1959. The show, running 7 March – 4 April 2020 in Saratoga, brings Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of “The Princess and the Pea” to the stage with a lively score, vivid staging, and lots of wit and humor. The story follows a hapless prince and an unconventional princess (originally played by Carol Burnett) trying to overcome an evil queen’s cunning and hilarious attempts to keep them apart. There’s a second love story in the mix as that couple deals with an urgent (and emergent) situation. Through it all, audiences will enjoy the many colorful characters in the kingdom. This is a happy, fairy-tale show guaranteed to have audiences smiling and fighting the urge to hum along with the many familiar songs such as In a Little While, Happily Ever After, Sensitivity, and Normandy. Continue reading →

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Join WVLO for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opening on 9 November

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By Ande Jacobson

The village of Anatevka has taken over the stage at the Saratoga Civic Theater as final preparations are under way for West Valley Light Opera’s FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. The excitement continues to build as opening night nears. The show is full of familiar songs such as “Tradition”, “If I Were a Rich Man”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “To Life!”, and “Sabbath Prayer”. Come see dances such as the “Bottle Dance”. Enjoy the gentle humor and rousing celebrations by the exuberant villagers and be touched by their hope and spirit in the face of tragedy. Tickets are selling well, but WVLO would love to see a full house for the gala opening night on 9 November 2013. Please call 408-268-3777 or visit the WVLO website at http://www.wvlo.org to order your tickets now. You’ll be glad you did. Continue reading →

Switching perspectives – A Good Reed Review takes a summer hiatus playing instead of writing

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By Ande Jacobson

While there’s no shortage of theatre to see in the SF Bay Area this summer, A Good Reed Review will be short on reviews until September as this writer is once again moving back into a musician’s role for a time playing a stretch of performances in Saratoga and San Jose. Continue reading →