2011 Event Schedule

OPENING WEEKEND - SATURDAY, JULY 23 AT 8:00 PM
“MEEK’S CUTOFF” – A FILM BY KELLY REICHARDT
Starring MICHELLE WILLIAMS
With SPECIAL LIVE PRE-SHOW MUSIC from FRANK FAIRFIELD

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JULY 29 & 30 AT 8:00PM
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - DINNER AT 7:00PM; PROGRAM AT 8:00PM
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT SHABBAT - FOR PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 AT 7:30PM – FAMILY NIGHT!
THE WILDLIFE LEARNING CENTER PRESENTS “ANIMALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 7:30PM
LADIES OF LAUGHTER with SPECIAL GUEST HOST PAULA POUNDSTONE, AISHA TYLER and COMEDY MUSIC DUO GARFUNKEL & OATES

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 & 13 AT 8:00 PM
“NOTORIOUS” & “MR. AND MRS. SMITH”
OUR 4TH ANNUAL ALFRED HITCHCOCK RADIO PLAY DOUBLE FEATURE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 AT 8:00PM
SINBAD!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 7:30PM – A CLASSICAL MUSIC DOUBLE-BILL
SHOSHANA BEN-HORIN and THE STRING FAMILY PLAYERS – IN CONCERT!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 8:00PM - MOVIE NIGHT!
“CHINATOWN” – A ROMAN POLANSKI FILM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 AT 7:30PM
BILLY VALENTINE RETURNS

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 & 10 AT 8:00PM
“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” BY ROBERT HARLING – A Staged Reading*with very special guest, Tess Harper.  

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AT 7:30PM
“SPARK OFF ROSE”™ - “TOYS”

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 AT 8:00PM – SEASON CLOSING
“AIRPLANE! THE READING!! REBOOTED!!!”
With ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE FILM’S ORIGINAL CO-CREATOR DAVID ZUCKER!!!!

OPENING WEEKEND - SATURDAY, JULY 23 AT 8:00 PM
“MEEK’S CUTOFF” – A FILM BY KELLY REICHARDT
Starring MICHELLE WILLIAMS
With SPECIAL LIVE PRE-SHOW MUSIC from FRANK FAIRFIELD
We’ll be popping the popcorn as you settle in for an outdoor screening of a “a real movie-movie”1 that just may be “some kind of masterpiece”2 . Released to theatres just this April, and the talk of film festivals across the country, this “nearly perfect”3 film follows a small band of settlers, traveling in the earliest days of the Oregon Trail. The mountain man they’ve hired as their guide leads them on an unmarked path across the high plain desert, only to become lost in the dry rock and sage. Special Opening - Frank Fairfield: A 25 year-old, old-time musician – equally at home on fiddle, banjo and guitar – who plays organic songs “that have existed forever” with the timeless beat of eccentricity. To experience Frank Fairfield, go to www.americanstandardtime.com/frank-fairfield/. General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10. “Meek’s Cutoff” rated PG for some mild violence, brief language and smoking. 1Village Voice, 2Slant Magazine, 3Los Angeles Times.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JULY 29 & 30 AT 8:00PM
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Come enjoy one of the greatest comedies of all time in this new family-friendly and highly physical production of Shakespeare's summertime classic. This uniquely streamlined version keeps the Bard’s irreplaceable language but pares the text down to roughly an hour - and just eight actors use masks, mime and music to portray the full panoply of fools, lovers and fairies of the original. A great introduction to Shakespeare for people of all ages! A JACK Presentation! Directed by Carlos Carrasco. With rock and roll musical contributions by Bob Gartland. General Admission: $15. TreePeople Members & seniors: $10.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 - DINNER AT 7:00PM; PROGRAM AT 8:00PM
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT SHABBAT - FOR PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS!
Shabbat...a day of rest, a special time to be with friends and family. As the sun goes down, join us for this one of a kind Shabbat celebration here in our beautiful park. We’ll start off the evening with a bird walk hosted by Wild Wings and continue with great food, fabulous drink, warm community - and music by Craig Taubman, Kenneth Crouch, Stuart K Robinson, Lisbeth Scott and Duvid Swirsky. All followed by a moonlit hike with views for miles! General Admission $20. TreePeople members and seniors $15. Admission includes dinner. Please help us save on waste and water by bringing your own plate...we will provide everything else. Produced by Craig n Co. and the Shalom Institute as part of www.bigjewishtent.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 AT 7:30PM – FAMILY NIGHT!
THE WILDLIFE LEARNING CENTER PRESENTS “ANIMALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!”
Surefire fun for kids of all ages – live animals on our stage in an interactive presentation from these folks who have been delighting – and educating - audiences all over Southern California for more than a decade. Formerly known as The Animal Guys, engaging representatives from the Center have appeared on Animal Planet, Discovery, The Tonight Show and more – including special educational pre-shows for the premieres of Disney’s “African Cats,” “Earth” and “Oceans” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Bring the kids in pajamas so they can fall asleep on the ride home! General Admission: $15. TreePeople Members, seniors & children ages 12-4: $10. Kids 3 and under free!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 7:30PM
LADIES OF LAUGHTER with SPECIAL GUEST HOST PAULA POUNDSTONE, AISHA TYLER and COMEDY MUSIC DUO GARFUNKEL & OATES
A great friend of the venue, hilariously talented Emmy Winner and “Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me” regular, Paula Poundstone returns to host this evening of very special lady comics, generously seasoning the night with her own amazingly quick and sharp wit. “Poundstone improvises with a crowd like a Jazz musician,” says The Boston Globe, “swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net.” Two solid hours of laughter guaranteed or your money back! Adult language and themes. General Admission: $25. TreePeople Members & seniors: $20. Our huge thanks to Ms. Poundstone – one more time again!

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, AUGUST 12 & 13 AT 8:00 PM
“NOTORIOUS” & “MR. AND MRS. SMITH”
OUR 4TH ANNUAL ALFRED HITCHCOCK RADIO PLAY DOUBLE FEATURE!
Join us for an edge-of-your-seat romantic thriller and a falling-off-your-seat screwball comedy as the ACE Radio Players bring you another pairing of Lux Radio Theatre classics from the Master of Suspense, recreated live on stage with the original commercials from radio’s Golden Age! And on Saturday night we’ll celebrate Hitch’s 112th birthday, too! Produced and Directed by Marcus Gualberto. General Admission: $15. TreePeople Members & seniors: $10.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 AT 8:00PM
SINBAD!
We’re absolutely delighted to have this multi-talented actor-comedian - a two-time NAACP Image Award Winner rated by Comedy Central as one of the top standup comedians of all time - join us for a night of rollicking story-telling. Sinbad has built a loyal following by taking his audiences’ trials and tribulations and tossing them back in their laps, causing “an uproar of comedic hysteria”! His comedy is large, physical and impetuous and his phrasing manic, musical and “right on time!” Sinbad is internationally known as an actor, starring in such hit films as “Jingle All the Way” and “Necessary Roughness”, the sitcom “A Different World”, and his very own series “The Sinbad Show”. Recently, his Comedy Central special, “Sinbad, Where U Been?”, aired to great reviews. A “closet nerd”, Sinbad is proud to have served as spokesperson for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering and has also established a scholarship in honor of his parents at esteemed Moorehouse College in Atlanta. Come on up ready to laugh! General Admission: $25. TreePeople members & seniors: $20.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 7:30PM – A CLASSICAL MUSIC DOUBLE-BILL
SHOSHANA BEN-HORIN and THE STRING FAMILY PLAYERS – IN CONCERT!
Pianist Shoshana Ben-Horin is a musical citizen of the world who trained at Tel-Aviv University and Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, in Milan, Italy, and studied under notable maestros including the acclaimed Arie Vardi, Mindru Katz and Antonio Beltrami. Equally at home with Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Shumann or Debussy, she brings a heightened sense of interpretation to the works of the master composers, with expressive playing that reveals undertones seemingly hidden on the page. In addition to performing and recording, Shoshana has taught and conduced choirs. ACE and TreePeople warmly welcome the return of The String Family Players. This wonderfully entertaining quintet breaks down the stereotype that classical music is inaccessible by delivering fascinating performances made memorable by great music. The SFP have played chamber music concerts at venues all over Southern California for decades - including nearly 50 school appearances annually that introduce young people to the world of stringed instruments. Each member is a working player and teacher, with individual credits that range from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and LA Opera to award- winning soundtracks. And this night they’ll revisit some of the classics they offered during their debut with us in our very first season. Sure to be a night to remember – this unique pairing of classical musicians playing beautiful music in our intimate venue as the sun goes down. General Admission: $20. TreePeople members & seniors: $15.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 8:00PM - MOVIE NIGHT!
“CHINATOWN” – A ROMAN POLANSKI FILM
A neo-noir classic shown under the stars – and right over the Valley where many scenes are set and the stolen water flowed! Frequently ranked one of the great films of all time, this labyrinth tale of mystery, murder and deceit stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston. Polanski, Nicholson and Dunaway were all nominated for Academy Awards – Robert Towne’s terrific screenplay won. General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28 AT 7:30PM
BILLY VALENTINE RETURNS
Multitalented vocalist Billy Valentine returns for the 4th summer with his hand-selected band and a blend of music from “The Great American Songbook” and the R&B classics of Sam Cooke, Al Green, Otis Redding and more. Billy’s career has taken him from opening for such luminaries as Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack to writing tunes for the Neville Bros. and Ray Charles and co-writing, with his brother, the memorable hit single “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention).” Billy performs regularly across the country, in Europe and clubs all around town. And his glorious voice can still be heard on the soundtrack of Boston Legal, wherever it plays, from the opening theme to the end of each and every episode. To learn – and hear – more visit www.billy-valentine.com. Come ready to dance! And experience what people are talking about! General Admission: $25. TreePeople members & seniors: $20.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 & 10 AT 8:00PM
“STEEL MAGNOLIAS” BY ROBERT HARLING – A Staged Reading* with very special guest, Tess Harper.
This funny and deeply moving play celebrates the bonds of friendship and sisterhood in a small town Louisiana beauty salon where 6 witty Southern women gossip, banter, laugh and ultimately turn to each other for comfort when one of their own faces mortality. Directed by Dennis Hunter. General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10. General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AT 7:30PM
“SPARK OFF ROSE”™ - “TOYS”
ACE & TreePeople welcome back this popular spoken word series, now in its 10th year at The Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica, and often compared to NPR’s popular This American Life. Inspired by a chosen theme, storytellers write and perform true stories that reveal their most intimate selves — candidly, humorously, and with heart. Tonight’s theme: Toys! Tales ranging from battling grandparents trying to outspend each other to please their only grandchild to one’s woman struggle to deal with life in a war zone and 10,000 Beanie Babies stuck in the Iraqi desert. Produced by by Jessica Tuck, Karin Gutman, Alicia Sedwick, Dave Connaughton, Janet S. Blake and Nate Donaldson. General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 AT 8:00PM – SEASON CLOSING
“AIRPLANE! THE READING!! REBOOTED!!!”
With ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE FILM’S ORIGINAL CO-CREATOR DAVID ZUCKER!!!!
Surely, they can’t be serious! Or...can they?! Yes, by unrelenting popular demand, once again, we’re proud to offer this free-wheeling re-imagination of the first table-reading of the screenplay of the hit movie, ranked #10 on the AFI’s list of 100 Funniest American Films, as The ACE Classic Movie Theatre Players re-return for their 7th presentation of this absolutely wonderful ridiculousness!!! 1 script, 11 actors, 69 characters – and a whole evening of fun! Academy Award Nominee Robert Forster returns as our Special Guest (schedule permitting) – in the roles of Captain Oveur & Rex Kramer! General Admission: $15. TreePeople members & seniors: $10.

*About our staged readings: Yes, the actors have scripts in their hands! Yes, they move around the stage, just like “a real play”! And, yes, it’s a wonderful experience for theatre lovers of all kinds who’ve said in seasons past: “Great night out,” “great performances,” and “sensational staged reading (practically a full blown play)” – Valley Scene Magazine. Many special guests from film, television and Broadway have donated their time to join us for these shows, too, including Ben McKenzie, Walt Goggins, Mariette Hartley, Charlie Robinson, Charles Durning, Robert Forster, Robert Guillaume, Harry Lennix, Cliff DeYoung, John Michael Higgins, Meagen Fay, David Ramsey, Robert Culp, Tim DeKay, Jordana Spiro and more!