Vanguard Theatre Ensemble

A preservation group is continuing its fight to save the Fox Fullerton Theater. Members of Project: Fox have been gathering petitions and raising money in support of the historic theater's restoration. The Fullerton landmark was built in 1925. As part of the effort, the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will present a benefit performance of Neil Simon's "I Ought to Be in Pictures" at 8 p.m. Saturday. Last year's show raised almost $1,000, which was used to fund advertising and publicity for the cause.

Vanguard Theatre Ensemble may set a record with "Lonely Planet"--its first play of 2001--for most chairs deployed as props in an Orange County production. The drama by Steven Dietz has two characters and 25 to 30 chairs--wicker, rocking, plastic, chrome-and-vinyl, Shaker, you name it. It follows a Vanguard show, "Keely & Du," that may have set a different record at the Fullerton theater: fewest chairs occupied during a play's run.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble is going on the road this weekend--leaving its small home stage in Fullerton for larger digs in Santa Ana--to throw a theatrical fund-raising party for itself. "El Grande de Coca Cola," a frothy musical comedy about a Central American impresario trying to liven up his rundown town with an international cabaret show, will be the theatrical fare, with refreshments included in the $25 show price.

Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will enter its tenth year in the best financial shape in its history, thanks to a five-figure corporate donation that is the largest gift the small, grass-roots company has received. In an unusual request for an arts patron, BMC Software Inc. has asked that the size of its gift to sponsor Vanguard's 2001 season be kept secret.

The women in playwright Susan Griffin's "Voices" speak from a period that has passed. The play was written in the 1970s, and its attitudes and even many of its references are echoes of the women of that time. But, oddly, the play--being staged by the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble--is not as dated as you might expect. Because although these women with their particular and individual perspectives could not exist at any other time, what they have to say about the female condition is timeless.

Actors' Equity has turned down a bid by the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble to join with three Orange County theaters in their proposal that the union extend its 99-Seat Plan to their venues. If approved, the three amateur theater companies would be allowed to hire union-professional performers at token wages during a one-year trial period.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will open its 1993 season with Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest," the group has announced. "Earnest" will play at the ensemble's 68-seat theater from Jan. 7 to Feb. 6. Other plays in the season include: "Equus" by Peter Shaffer (March 4 to April 3); Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (May 6 to June 5); "Present Laughter" by Noel Coward (July 1-31); Shakespeare's "Othello" (Aug. 26 to Sept.

They say they decided to start their own theater company three years ago, and you have to take them at their word. Because, with only days to go before the opening of their first season, the space they've leased in a nondescript industrial park here provides scant evidence of long-range preparation.

Less than a year after it was launched, the small but ambitious Vanguard Theatre Ensemble has run into management problems that cast a cloud over its future. Vanguard producer Kevin Aratari and artistic director Terry Gunkel, founders of the storefront troupe, have decided to break up their team effort due to "irreconcilable differences." Aratari said Thursday the official announcement of his departure will be made next week.

Vanguard Theatre Ensemble may set a record with "Lonely Planet"--its first play of 2001--for most chairs deployed as props in an Orange County production. The drama by Steven Dietz has two characters and 25 to 30 chairs--wicker, rocking, plastic, chrome-and-vinyl, Shaker, you name it. It follows a Vanguard show, "Keely & Du," that may have set a different record at the Fullerton theater: fewest chairs occupied during a play's run.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble is going on the road this weekend--leaving its small home stage in Fullerton for larger digs in Santa Ana--to throw a theatrical fund-raising party for itself. "El Grande de Coca Cola," a frothy musical comedy about a Central American impresario trying to liven up his rundown town with an international cabaret show, will be the theatrical fare, with refreshments included in the $25 show price.

A preservation group is continuing its fight to save the Fox Fullerton Theater. Members of Project: Fox have been gathering petitions and raising money in support of the historic theater's restoration. The Fullerton landmark was built in 1925. As part of the effort, the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will present a benefit performance of Neil Simon's "I Ought to Be in Pictures" at 8 p.m. Saturday. Last year's show raised almost $1,000, which was used to fund advertising and publicity for the cause.

The women in playwright Susan Griffin's "Voices" speak from a period that has passed. The play was written in the 1970s, and its attitudes and even many of its references are echoes of the women of that time. But, oddly, the play--being staged by the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble--is not as dated as you might expect. Because although these women with their particular and individual perspectives could not exist at any other time, what they have to say about the female condition is timeless.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble may not explore the outer reaches of contemporary playwriting, but it's happy treading in the lands of Shakespeare and Synge. The latest exploration is a kind of compromise between (sort of) fresh material and the classics: Christopher Hampton's biting, smart adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' epistolary novel, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses."

Less than a year after it was launched, the small but ambitious Vanguard Theatre Ensemble has run into management problems that cast a cloud over its future. Vanguard producer Kevin Aratari and artistic director Terry Gunkel, founders of the storefront troupe, have decided to break up their team effort due to "irreconcilable differences." Aratari said Thursday the official announcement of his departure will be made next week.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will open its 1993 season with Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest," the group has announced. "Earnest" will play at the ensemble's 68-seat theater from Jan. 7 to Feb. 6. Other plays in the season include: "Equus" by Peter Shaffer (March 4 to April 3); Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" (May 6 to June 5); "Present Laughter" by Noel Coward (July 1-31); Shakespeare's "Othello" (Aug. 26 to Sept.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble made its debut over the weekend with a not-bad revival of Michael Brady's "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday," an old-fashioned play that wears its bittersweet heart on its sleeve. This 1984 drama about a grieving widower's renewal after a long period of mourning following the accidental death of his wife may not be to all tastes.

Vanguard Theatre Ensemble will enter its tenth year in the best financial shape in its history, thanks to a five-figure corporate donation that is the largest gift the small, grass-roots company has received. In an unusual request for an arts patron, BMC Software Inc. has asked that the size of its gift to sponsor Vanguard's 2001 season be kept secret.

Actors' Equity has turned down a bid by the Vanguard Theatre Ensemble to join with three Orange County theaters in their proposal that the union extend its 99-Seat Plan to their venues. If approved, the three amateur theater companies would be allowed to hire union-professional performers at token wages during a one-year trial period.

The Vanguard Theatre Ensemble made its debut over the weekend with a not-bad revival of Michael Brady's "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday," an old-fashioned play that wears its bittersweet heart on its sleeve. This 1984 drama about a grieving widower's renewal after a long period of mourning following the accidental death of his wife may not be to all tastes.