This Week on the Central Coast…
Lighthouse Theater needs a new tenant, the aquarium celebrated shrimp, and PacRep theater reveals upcoming plays
Monterey
Lighthouse Theater hopes to find a new partner
The Enea family built Lighthouse Theater in 1988, taking care to match the architecture of the surrounding Victorian buildings. Now, the family is looking for a new partner to run the theater. The previous tenant stopped paying rent when the theater had to close due to the pandemic shut downs and has no intention of returning to the area.
For now, they want to make some improvements, such as updating the seats and adding coffee and tea service. They’re also considering partnering with local restaurants and the aquarium for coupon deals.
If the Enea’s can’t figure out a new tenant, the city has plans to turn the 150-space parking lot into new housing.
It will ultimately come down to the community to decide if the theater will survive by going to the movies.
Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrated Shrimp Week
The Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrated our diverse population of shrimp on its social media pages. There were songs, videos featuring spot prawns (the biggest in the area), and wallpapers for your computer, as well as a personality quiz which revealed what type of shrimp you are (I got the barrel shrimp).
While the thematic week may be over, all the fun can still be found on their site. Post what type of shrimp you are in the comments!
PacRep theater announced their schedule for the year
The Forest Theater in Carmel is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year. While PacRep usually has productions at both, the Forest Theater and The Golden Bough Playhouse, all shows will be at the former this year. The Golden Bough is being renovated and is expected to finish sometime in 2024.
The company is putting on five productions this year.
“What the Constitution Means to Me” will show on weekends through April 16. “It touches on so many aspects of women’s lives in particular and how the Constitution in the past four generations of her family has impacted their lives. It’s funny, poignant, moving and an all-around wonderful piece of theater.” The play has won tons of awards, including Best New Play and was nominated for a Tony Award.
“Celebrating the Beatles” will show on March 31 and April 1. This production features live musicians playing twenty-five hit Beatles songs. All proceeds from the show will benefit PacRep’s Peppy Garner & Darnell Whitt School of Dramatic Arts.
“The Addams Family: A Musical Comedy” will show August 10 through September 17. The production was a broadway hit and will be directed by guest director Gary Boleyn.
Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” will show September 28 through October 15. PacRep’s executive director Stephen Moorer describes this story as a great adventure featuring interesting characters and subplots. It also features one of Shakespeare’s best female characters.
The last production of the year will be “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Musical”. The play is based on the 1964 TV special and will feature dozens of kids. Characters include “Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph.