Shows
Gretel! the Musical
“Gretel–the Musical” with folk rock music by Jenn Hartman Luck and Susan Zedar, and book by Jason Tremblay, shatters the traditional fairy tale roles for girls and women by putting Gretel at the heart of her own story. Struggling under the grief of losing her mother, her father having disappeeared, surviving the neglect and abuse of her stepmother and stepsister, she is thrust out into the world with only a single companion, the magic Doll given her as a blessing with her mother’s last breath. Together with Little Doll, Gretel must travel through the darkest forest to seek out the witch Baba Yaga who can help her undo spells and break the curses on her family–if she proves herself worthy.
Starring Priya Richards as “Gretel”, Lyric Boothe as “Little Doll/Hansel” and on guitar, directed by BJ Robinson as the narrator/Father/Stepmother and an array of magic knights who alternately guide and confuse Gretel, music directed by Sarah LeClair as Baba Yaga, and at the center, the gorgeous cello of Sharon Taylor. Assistant directed/stage managed by Carlyn Thometz.
Fiel a Mi Misma
“Fiel a Mi Misma” is the premiere of bi-national Mexican American trans woman Xochitl Ramos’ play “Three Poems and a Song for Santiago Parra”, written as a sort of elegy after the death of her father; in rep with Carla Navarro’s piece “Cats Can’t Eat Yarn.” The two pieces were performed at the Centro de la Raza in Balboa Park in San Diego for International Women’s Month in March 2025.
Plays featured Anyelid Meneses reprising her role in “Cats Can’t Eat Yarn” as the Chilean cafe owner reliving her experiences in the fall of Santiago, and stepping in as Mabel’s mother in “Three Poems”. Xochitl Ramos played Mabel, with Arturo Medina as Santiago, her father, and Denise Lopez as her sister Emilia. Swing Jamie Feinstein stepped in as the doctors attending Santiago on his death bed in Mexico and in America. Directed by Alicia Gonzalez.
East County Star Vocal Competition
“East County Star” returned in April 2025 for its second year at the Monte Vista High School Performing Arts center, a co-production between Riot and Sing With Chrissy Studios. Judges included Desiree Clarke Miller and Anise Ritchie, with Emcee Delia Mejia.
Ashland
“Ashland” by Laura Preble premiered during International Women’s Month as a staged reading in March, 2025 at the City Heights Performing Annex. It chronicled the dual stories of two women parenting autistic teens as they navigated IEPs, keeping their kids in school, and fighting with their spouses about parenting styles as they supported each other through the struggles.
Starring Laura Preble, Jennifer Scibetta, Anthony Hamm, Bruno Bosardi, Tim West, Betty Matthews, Landon Zenker and Kevin Lopez. Directed by Jennifer Waters.
Death and Murder and Poison and Scene
“Death and Murder and Poison and Scene” premiered at the San Diego International Fringe Festival, where it won the Best Ensemble Award. Playwright Sarah LeClair is the recipient of the William Male Foundation Fellowship for playwriting and producing for 2024 and 2025.
Starring Timothy Benson, Delia Mejia, Katee Drysdale, Brendan Macneil, Cory Lynn Hammond and Sarah LeClair, directed by Laura Preble.
The Season Two Scholarship Concert featured Megan Tafolla, Milla Isobelle, Katelyn Grunstad, Alyssa Schechter, Tara Sampson and Josalyn Johnson as six queens owning the stage while singing and dancing.
Directed by Jennifer Gutierre and music directed by Sarah LeClair.
