Opening Night: PIRATE-PALOOZA!

Opening Night for Pirates of Penzance is drawing near, and plans for the traditional Opening Night festivities are in full-swing.

There is something about this musical that is so exciting and whimsical, that we really want to extend that into the pre-show party. Hence, PIRATE-PALOOZA, a FREE celebration of all things "piratical."

First and foremost, we want this to be fun for all ages, so we are encouraging families to attend. To help with that, we have special prices for adults ($20) to go along with the kids ticket price ($15).

Next, we decided to make this be something special, and not your "typical opening night party." The best way to do that? We'd make ours a COSTUME EVENT! We are inviting everyone to attend the show in whatever (family-friendly) type of pirate costume that they like. There will even be some prizes for those in costume that night, including prizes from Pirate Brands snacks and Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park!

Music and entertainment... we've got plenty.

What pirate party would be complete without a visit from "Captain Jack Sparrow?" We dare not answer, instead, we've invited him to join the festivities and mingle with our audience members.


We have sea shanties being sung by Kapt Kula's Pyrat Band.

We have a FREE photo opportunity with "Loot & Booty," a booth featuring "Captain I. Kidd- the Piratical Insult Comic," and FREE face painting and Arrrrt project for the kids!

And... we need some food, don't we? Yes!!

We have arranged to bring one of THE hottest LA food trucks from Twitter, directly to the party. The truck is "GRILL 'EM ALL" and they will be selling some of the best burgers you'll ever eat.

We went all the way out to Glendale (that's a trek for us South-Bayers, who never leave town), just so we could sample the food. WOW! How about a burger with cream cheese, bacon, beer-soaked onions, malt vinegar aioli, and sriracha sauce, with fries cooked in truffle oil?? REALLY? Sign us up! Don't fret, they have a plain burger and fries option for the less adventurous patrons. (Food and drinks are available for purchase, they are not included in that FREE portion of the party, so don't forget your wallet)

And rumor has it, that in addition to all of that... we will have an incredible special guest there as well. How can you NOT be there??

In all honesty, the show is going to be FANTASTIC! It doesn't need a party on Opening Night for you to have fun... the party is simply going to be an extremely large mound of icing on top!

If you want to check out some links for the participants... like a photo of our "Captain Jack Sparrow" or the menu for the food truck, visit our website and click on PIRATE-PALOOZA for all the details. www.torrancetheatrecompany.com

Hope to see you there!

Arrrrrrre you ready?

The Torrance Theatre Company has been dark since we closed the November 2009 production of A CHRISTMAS STORY, but that is all about to change...

The TTC is announcing the first show of the 2010-2011 season, which will mark the 12^th consecutive summer musical production for the company in the 502-seat James Armstrong Theatre.

The show we have chosen is Gilbert and Sullivan's THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE; because let's face it, there's no better way to cause a stir than with a boisterous band of Pirates!

The TTC presented this show in 2005 in the George Nakano Theatre to sold-out houses and very enthusiastic audiences. Now five years later, we are revisiting this raucous group of renegades, along with everyone's favorite Major General, a gaggle of clumsy constables, and a bevy of beauties who are frolicking around the cliffs of Cornwall!

The goal, the main goal, is for EVERYONE to have fun! We are talking about the actors, the creative team, AND the audience. We feel that this show is ready it take on that challenge. Actors starting calling in the moment the auditions were announced; the creative team was keyed up before the first production meeting; and all that's left is the audience, and we know that you are excited too! It's clear that this is going to be a big, colorful, fast-paced and funny show that all ages will enjoy; we are hoping to bring entire families together for a great night of classic G&S theatre right here in Torrance!

Opening night is going to be Friday, August 13^th at 8 pm, and that night we are going to have a party celebrating ALL THINGS PIRATES beginning at 6 pm in the plaza, complete with food, entertainment, a visit from "Captain Jack Sparrow" and much, much more. You'll want to put it on your calendar now, and stay tuned for when tickets go on sale.

The show's creative team will include Jim Hormel (Director, Vocal Director, Choreographer), Rick Heckman (Music Director), Amyanne Duncan (Lighting Designer), Michael Aldapa (Stage Manager/Wigmaster), Sasha Stewart (Associate Producer), Jimmy Mulligan (Scenic Design/Construction/Painting), costumes from The Theatre Company in Upland, Diana Mann (Costume Coordinator), and Gia Inferrera-Jordahl (Producer).

There are big plans for the TTC, and while budgets for the ARTS continue to shrink, we are working hard to bring even more opportunities for artists and audiences in the next year! However, we need your support, so please stay connected here and on the other TTC pages to find out how you can help make a difference and how together we will keep great theatre alive! We are planning to announce the rest of the 2010-2011 season line-up at opening night of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE., and we’re sure that they will be plenty for all us to get excited about!

Thanks for your interest in the TTC, and we’ll see you at the show!