Bay Area Premiere of TO MASTER THE ART & More Announced for Contra Costa Civic Theater’s 2022-23 Season
The Contra Costa Civic Theater today announced its 63rd Mainstage Season, which includes a reimagined classic musical, the Bay Area premiere of a cultural icon, an original comedy from the writer/producer of the hit Hulu series “Only Murders in this Building” and a unique look at the late 19th century American melting pot.
“For my tenth anniversary season with CCCT, I wanted to focus on stories that spark joy,” said executive art director Marilyn Langbehn. “People come together for many different reasons. Reasons generally fall into two categories, either a chance to experience something new or a chance to connect with something that brings comfort. I believe theater can to offer all of these things and more; our season offers a place to come together and experience the joy of discovery and reconnection.”
CCCT opens the season with Lerner and Lowe’s fantastical masterpiece, Camelot, in a version for an eight-person ensemble specially adapted by David Lee, with new orchestrations by Steve Orich. An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom based on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of the Round Table. His ideals, however, are tested when his lovely queen, Guinevere, falls in love with the young knight Lancelot, and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. Based on TH White’s The Once and Future King, and with a richly romantic that includes “If Ever I Would Leave You”, “I Loved You Once in Silence” and the title track, Camelot plays from September 9 to October 9. 2022.
Just in time to kick off the holiday season, CCCT presents the story of legendary French chef, Julia Child, in the Bay Area premiere of To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew from November 4 to December 4. 2022. bistro where Julia Child fell in love with food, to the kitchen table where she recreated everything she learned in cooking class, to a room where her husband Paul was questioned by US agents about an alleged communist touch, To Master the Art is the story of a larger-than-life culinary icon and his remarkable wife as they struggle to find themselves as Americans abroad.
Spring is coming and there’s a tiger on the loose from the local zoo in Kim Rosenstock’s Tigers Be Still, running March 3 through April 2, 2023. Sherry Wickman recently earned her master’s degree in art therapy only to find herself returning home with her family, send countless resumes and wait for the job offer that never comes. Jobless and overwhelmed, Sherry retreats to her childhood bed and stays there until an unexpected job opportunity gives her renewed meaning and hope. Now if only his mother would come downstairs, his sister would get up from the couch, his very first patient in therapy would do just one of his homework assignments, his new boss would leave his gun at home and someone would catch the tiger that escaped from the local zoo, everything would be perfect.
Rounding out the season is Tintypes, conceived by Mary Kyte with Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle, running April 21 through May 21, 2023. This nostalgic, Tony-nominated musical revue features snapshots — tintypes, if you will — of America in its last age. of Innocence. This musical melting pot of changing times comes to life in a melodious and fiery mix of popular songs from 1890 to 1917, interpreted by five archetypes of the time: Anna Held, the beautiful music-hall star; Emma Goldman, the notorious socialist; Susannah, a black maid based on pioneering male Ziegfeld star Bert Williams; a Chaplin-esque immigrant; and the scandalous Teddy Roosevelt, the youngest man ever elected president of the United States.
Tickets for the 2022-23 CCCT season will go on sale to the public on June 1 at www.ccct.org. All performances are held in person at the theater, 951 Pomona Ave (cross street Moeser) in El Cerrito. Free parking is available in the adjoining car park and on the street. COVID protocols for attending in-person performances are updated regularly and can be found on the theater’s website at www.ccct.org/safety.
Celebrating its 63rd season in 2022-23, Contra Costa Civic Theater (CCCT) embraces the notion that theater is a vital part of a healthy community and best serves its citizens when it provides a welcoming home for all who appreciate the power of storytelling. Founded in 1959 by Louis and Bettianne Flynn and a group of dedicated volunteers and under the artistic direction of Marilyn Langbehn for ten years, CCCT is proud to provide entertainment and education to the communities of El Cerrito and East Bay that help it to thrive.
September 9-October 9, 2022
CAMELOT BY LERNER & LOEWE
Don’t let him forget…
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Lowe
Based on TH White’s The Once and Future King
Book adapted by David Lee
New orchestrations by Steve Orich
November 4-December 4, 2022
MASTER THE ART
First in the Bay Area
Adventure. Romance. Food.
by William Brown and Doug Frew
original score by Andrew Hansen
March 3-April 2, 2023
TIGERS ARE ALWAYS
A quirky comedy
by Kim Rosenstock
April 21-May 21, 2023
TINT TYPES
the Great American Songbook comes to life
designed by Mary Kyte
with Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle