An Abundance of Live Theater in Mendocino County
By Jay Gordon
Originally published in the Willits Nickel & Dime

Mendocino County is becoming “the new Ashland” with its abundance of quality live theater.  While we may be a little more spread out than that famous Oregon theatrical city, we have an ocean, redwoods, and a number of other naturally beautiful attractions.  More and more, people are visiting the county for its extraordinary range of live theater, and they’re staying to enjoy our equally impressive lodging, shopping, and dining. The latest lure for visitors (and residents!) is the exciting new season for Ukiah Players Theatre.

The six main stage shows will be Arsenic & Old Lace (September 28- October 21, 2006), Little Women (November 17 – December 9, 2006), Humble Boy (January 18 – February 4, 2007), Greater Tuna (March 15-31, 2007), Over the Tavern (May 10-26, 2007), and Urinetown (July 19-August 11, 2007).  Multiple options are available for season tickets: a subscription for 4, 5, or 6 shows, discounts for previews and seniors or students.  

Ukiah Players Theatre also offers Second Stage productions and a Wednesday evening play reading series. For more information, visit them online at www.ukiahplayerstheatre.org or call their box office at (707) 462-9226 or their business office at (707) 462-1210.  

You can also experience live theater at the Willits Community Theatre. Visit them online at www.allaboutwct.org. You may also call their program information line at (707) 459-2281 or their business office at (707) 459-0895.  

If you’re traveling to the coast, you won’t want to miss the Mendocino Theatre Company in the village of Mendocino. Online at www.mcn.org/1/mtc or call them at (707) 937-4477. In Fort Bragg, you have the Gloriana Opera Company. Check out www.gloriana.org/ for more information or call them at (707) 964-7469.  

To learn about more theater and other arts throughout Mendocino County, visit the official site for the Arts Council of Mendocino County at www.artsmendocino.org. For information on everything of interest in Mendocino County, your primary resource for calendar events and general information for residents and visitors remains www.gomendo.com, the official website of the Mendocino County Promotional Alliance.  

For theater information throughout the North Bay area, your best resource is the North Bay Theatre Group website, www.nbtg.org.  (More than 40 theaters!)  Let us entertain you!