Taking Stock of Summer Theater

Santa Maria-based PCPA theatrical conservatory’s Santa Ynez Valley summer season takes place at the charming Solvang Festival Theatre, the recently renovated open-air amphitheater in downtown Solvang. Launching the four month run of shows under the stars is Waitress, the “deliciously empowering” story of Jenna, a server and talented pie-maker. Trapped in both an abusive marriage and a small town, she dreams of much more. The musical is based on the surprise hit, small-budget 2007 film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly. It features songs by Grammy-winning pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and was a smash on Broadway, where it played for nearly four years ending in 2020. 

The stirring tale of love, liberation, and the pursuit of happiness sees Jenna find inspiration and confidence through her delectable dessert creations. Two close friends at the diner support her journey of self-discovery in the heartfelt story, where Jenna also enters a passionate romance and is challenged to re-examine her priorities. Molly Dobbs stars as Jenna, with Bethany Thomas and Natalie Mara portraying her waitress friends, and PCPA mainstay Kitty Balay directing. Performances take place most evenings at 8 pm from June 19 to July 6. 

Five days later, the mystery Holmes and Watson moves into Solvang, the twisty tale opening at Sherlock Holmes’s supposed death. When Dr. Watson is contacted by a mental asylum where three men each claim to be the famous detective, a deadly guessing game ensues. Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s story runs July 11-26. PCPA’s big summer musical is next, with Something Rotten taking up residence at the Festival Theatre from August 1-23, the outdoor venue a perfect space for the riotous story of the Bottom Brothers’ attempt to write and stage the world’s first musical to one-up the super-successful Shakespeare. The songs and lyrics are loaded with wit and wordplay and come fast and furious in this wild romp. 

The Solvang season comes to a close with the one-woman musical revue called Songs for Nobodies, which features songs made famous by Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas, whose paths intersect with those of everyday women. Waitress’ Bethany Thomas returns to star in the show that features “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Crazy,” “Amazing Grace,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” and “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” among many others. The limited run takes place August 28-September 7. 

For details, tickets and more info, visit https://pcpa.org or call (805) 922-8313