Menlo Players: the show goes on Menlo Players: the show goes on (September 01, 2004)

By Rebecca Wallace
Almanac Staff Writer

The show must go on -- even if you don't have a theater.

Undaunted by the loss of their home base two years ago, members of the Menlo Players Guild are merrily rolling along with auditions on September 14 and 15 for their new show. The guild will perform "A Christmas Carol" in the 400-seat auditorium at McKinley Institute of Technology, a junior high school in Redwood City.

Since the Burgess Theatre at the Civic Center in Menlo Park was demolished in 2002 due to structural damage, the nomadic players have staged shows in several locations, including the Menlo Park City Council chambers and the grounds of Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park.

It's been a major challenge for the 65-year-old guild, but its members don't intend to give up, said Dean Burgi, a guild jack-of-all-trades who will be technical director for "A Christmas Carol."

"What we need now more than anything else is a space we can convert into a theater, like a warehouse," he said. Guild members have been looking for that elusive space of about 3,000 square feet as far north as Highway 92 and as far south as Highway 85, he said. They're hoping to find something they can rent for $1 a square foot.

There are several theaters in the area, but it's hard to find space that isn't already booked, Mr. Burgi said.

The players also lost their storage space last year when the Burgess Theatre annex was torn down as part of major renovations at Burgess Park. They had to give away many of their costumes to other theater groups, but eventually found a smaller storage space for sets, costumes and props elsewhere in Menlo Park.

The guild has netted some corporate sponsorships to help cover costs, Mr. Burgi said.

This version of "A Christmas Carol" was adapted from the original Dickens by Bruce De Les Dernier, a guild member who will direct the play. The guild intends to cast up to 10 men and 10 women, as well as some McKinley students, Mr. Burgi said.

Performances will run from November 8 through December 19.

Guild members are also planning a production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" in the spring; they're still seeking a performance space.

INFORMATION

Auditions for the Menlo Players Guild's production of "A Christmas Carol" will be held Tuesday, September 14, and Wednesday, September 15, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Burgess Recreation Center at 700 Alma St. in Menlo Park. No appointments are required. For more information, call 322-3261 or go to www.menloplayersguild.org.

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