New Vic Turns Ten

Santa Barbara’s iconic New Vic theater celebrated its 10th anniversary in energetic style with a Play It Forward on-stage gala starring a colorful cavalcade of talent as the resident Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) prepares for its 45th season in the West Victoria Street venue.

After 25 years at the rustic 140-seat Alhecama Theatre and a $12.6 million renovation, ETC moved to the new 300-seat venue in 2013 under talented artistic director Jonathan Fox, who reigned at the helm for 17 years until his departure in June.

The gala bash, benefitting education and outreach, was directed by Brian McDonald, with musical direction by John Enrico Douglas and the band with David Hunt on drums, Randy Tico on bass, and Ben Wilmore on guitar.

Principal artists, all with Great White Way credentials, were Joan Almedilla, whose credits include Miss Saigon and The Lion King, David Burnham with Wicked and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Deedee Magno Hall from Wicked and Miss Saigon, and Jennifer Paz, whose credits include Les Misérables.

The 90-minute rave review included works by Sondheim, the late actor and singer Anthony Newley (an old friend), Sammy Cahn, George and Ira Gershwin, Pink, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and even Harry Styles.

Husband and wife hoofers Beverly and Kirby Ward, a Laurence Olivier Award nominee, were special guests along with a heavenly host of young talent ready for their big moment in the spotlight, including Cassidy Broderick; Blaise, Chance, Guy and Henry Challen; Jack Forgea; McKenna Gamberling; Hunter Hawkins; Scarlett Johnson; Jeff and Beck Mortensen; Soleila Rucker; Shannon Saleh; and Khalen Sanchez.

A truly magnificent night…