Last weekend, Carson City had its first taste of the Brewery Arts Center's outdoor theater with the Summer Splash Festival and the musical "Go-Go Beach." With vendors like Cold Stone Creamery and Jamba Juice, activities such as hula hoop and limbo contests, temporary tattoos, a live DJ playing hits from the '60s, and a whole lot of outdoor atmosphere (including shade from the hot sun from the large trees), the Brewery made a "splash."
The outdoor portable amphitheater, with its world-class sound and lighting system, has been used all over the country. This summer the BAC will utilize this stage for a variety of events, including a classical guitar and tango concert, music veteran Chip Taylor (composer of such hits as "Wild Thing" and "Angel of the Morning"), and this year's Jazz & Beyond Festival.
The Brewery Arts Center continues Summer Splash Festival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with "Go-Go Beach" at 8 pm. Tickets for Go-Go Beach are $15 general and $12 BAC members and seniors. Students and children get a two-for one special.
GOOD TIMES AT HARRAH'S
The new show at Harrah's Reno, "Let the Good Times Roll," is a lot of good-natured fun, and an energetic look back at the rock 'n' roll scene of the 1950s and '60s, which naturally includes Elvis.
The opening night audience packed the 400-seat Sammy's Showroom (that's Sammy Davis Jr., in case you didn't know) and seemed delighted with the show. Things really caught fire when the nerd Squiggy (Brian Mills) transformed from high-school nerd to a wild and successful version of Elvis Presley. Naturally, he gets the girl (Chico, Alana Holland) while Bobby (Tim Tenhumberg) gets Susie (Chelsa Thompson).
The four supporting dancers, Veronica Bisbee, Britney Irwin, Chanel Keesling and Sarah Roulias, keep the action moving nicely and offer plenty of sight gags.
This is an all-pro cast, veterans of several Reno casino shows, and they show their skills. If they look a little older than the high school students they are supposed to be, well, this is show biz.
Tickets are $29.95 and showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Call (775) 788-2900 or go to www.harrahsrno.com.
The same cast appears in "Rock My Ride" in the same showroom at 10 p.m. for adult guests the same nights. Didn't see it but the idea is girls working on a 1977 Corvette on stage. Tickets range from $29.95 to $39.95. Both shows are booked through July 21, 2007, so you don't need to rush.
THE BARD FOR KIDS
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will present one of its annual D.G. Menchetti Young Shakespeare performances 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center.
The program, designed to make performing arts accessible to children, will present scenes from Shakespeare's greatest works, woven together into an enchanting performance by actors who bring the Bard to life. Scenes from comedies, tragedies and histories flow together and highlight Shakespeare's great range of subjects from love to adventure, villainy and laughter.
Admission is complimentary, however advance reservations are required.
Call (800) 74-SHOWS (800-747-4697) or visit [www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.
FROM THE VAULT
Another Ingmar Bergman film that's regarded as a classic: "Wild Strawberries," from 1957. In black and white this one looks at an aging physician on his way to receive an honorary degree in Lund, Sweden. Victor Sjostrom plays the doctor and Bergman favorite BiBi Anderson a woman on the cusp of love. The film asks the question, was it all worth it? And it answers positively along the way. A very contemplative movie with a cast of Bergman's theater group that meshes beautifully. And yes, there's a car crash.