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Live Documentary Theater for Petaluma’s Sesquicentennial:
The Petaluma River Anthology
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Nine year-old Elizabeth Brown (center) will portray Petaluma Police Officer of the Year Michael Pierre
In Cinnabar’s original Young Rep production: The Petaluma River Anthology in July.
With tape-recorder in hand, 17-year-old Hannah Hogan interviewed Mayor Pamela Torliatt at her kitchen table; 12 year-old Dezi Gallegos interviewed environmentalist Bill Kortum in his living room; 13 year old Joe Kowalski interviewed comedian Dave Pokorny in a hen house; and 16 other Cinnabar Young Rep theater artists interviewed a list of Who’s-Who of intriguing Petalumans.
The Young Rep asked- “What are the most compelling stories you know about Petaluma’s 150 year history, including stories about your own life?” “What makes you happy?” And “What does it mean to be successful?”
All of the words in the piece have been taken from the interviews and each young actor plays the person they interviewed, drawing their portrayal from careful observation of their subject’s mannerisms and rhythms, both vocal and physical.
“Time disappears!” Says Creator/Director Brian Glenn Bryson. “I can’t tell if I’m watching a 17 year old girl, or Mayor Pamela Torliatt, or a girl who lived 150 years ago. It’s profound, hilarious, touching theater; the very rare kind of theater where you sit in the audience and euphorically feel yourself becoming deeply connected to that which we all have in common; to that which we have always had in common.”
The Petaluma River Anthology weaves song and dance numbers from Petaluma’s history throughout the piece, including original songs by cast members. After their curtain call the Young Rep will invite the interviewees onto the stage for their own round of applause, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Interviewees include: Mayor Pamela Torliatt; Police Officer of the Year Michael Pierre; Tom Gaffey (Phoenix Theatre); Fire Fighter of the Year Dale Keithley; Jan Klebe (Cinnabar Theater); environmentalists Bill & Lucy Kortum; Lily Fishman Krulevitch; Marv Dolowitz; Laure Reichek; Bonne Gaebler; Jane Hamilton; Millie King (Addie Atwater); Judy Collins (started the Petaluma Farmers Market) & Stephen Collins; JoAnn Ritko Pozzi; Gio Benedetti; Don Bennett; Scott Gerber; Forrest Frey; Joe Elwick; Bill Hammerman (William Pepper); David Yearsley (Friends of the Petaluma River); comedian Dave Pokorny; Petaluma Volunteer of the Year Don O’Brien; and more.
Creator / Director – Brian Glenn Bryson
Music Director – Julie Lewis
Choreographer – Mikka Bonel
Venue for 4th of July:
Herzog Hall at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma
Venue for 10th, 11th, 12th, & 13th of July:
Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma
Run Dates/Times: July 4th (3:30) at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds
July 10th (7:30), July 11th (7:30), 12th (7:30), and 13th (2:00) at Cinnabar Theater
Tickets for Cinnabar Performances: General admission: $15; Children 16 and under: $10
CALL NOW For TICKETS
707.763.8920
Photos available here on our website under “Press Room”
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