Can't Believe that AMTSJ is Gone!

[Laura Beth D.]

I will never forget taking my son to see "Beauty and the Beast" He sat in awe of the entire performance. Or getting together with my girlfriends to see "The Full Monty" and laughing until I snorted! Yes, I will miss American Musical Theater! But even beyond the entertainment value, it was a wonderful opportunity for young and aspiring local talent to share the stage and be mentored by "stars" who would come into San Jose to be part of the local performances.

After a protracted struggle, AMTSJ filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and is no more. So what alternative do we have? I have tried but the Rep is just a little too serious for me.

Don't forget we still have Childrens Musical Theater. Michael Mulcahy promoted the upcoming run of "Peter Pan" at the downtown Rotary today. It is so important to support our rising stars and the arts in San Jose by supporting Childrens Musical Theater so that we always have this treasure in our community.

[Ryan]

Maybe if people know of good theater shows, like the Children's Musical Theater, they can post them in the events so we know when things are coming up? I'd love to find a good local Christmas show to take the kids to.

[Stu Carson]

Also remember The Ballet San Jose... this time of the year is especially a great time as they are performing The Nut Cracker Ballet and have special performances and "High Teas" for the kids. Here is the link to their site http://www.balletsanjose.org/Nutcracker08.htm

Last week I saw their performance of "The Torredor" it was one of the best performances or plays I've ever seen. And I've until now never really been a ballet fan!

Stu

[Laura Beth D.]

Absolutely! And Opera San Jose is also world class! What an amazing gift Irene Dalis is to our community! And you're right...for these gifts to thrive, we must support them!

[Laura Beth D.]

CMTSJ has Peter Pan opening this weekend. Tickets are still available for the production, which runs 12/5-12/14.
The URL for tickets is http://www.cmtsj.org/tickets/

[Mary Ellen]

I think it's a little early to declare them 'gone'. The article in the paper did say that they hoped to complete the season with two more shows, including Ave Q.

And don't give up on the Rep. Every season is new. Every show is new. I think that the current show, Around the World in 80 Days, is great and really fun entertainment.

[Michael Mulcahy]

Thanks for giving Children's Musical Theater SJ a plug (www.cmtsj.org or 288-5437) a plug. Peter Pan will be a great alternative to other holiday theater traditions such as Nutrcracker and A Christimas Carol. If you've never seen a CMTSJ show, they are the largest theater for youth in the US, the oldest major arts organization (41 years) in San Jose with the unfortunate circumstance with AMT and this year received its 5th straight National Endowment for the Arts award for artistic excellence, the only organization of its kind to receive this award not only mulitiple years, but in consecutive years.

But whether it's CMT, The Rep, Opera SJ, Ballet SJ, or Symphony SV for your family during the holidays, you can support the arts orgs just by buying tickets. This is a different way to support the community, you give food to food banks, toys to the tots, or a nice check to your favorite service charity....the beauty of the arts is that you can give a donation, but buying their tickets, seeing their work is just as imporant to the support they need. It's an absolute win/win. So take your family to the arts this holiday season. It's a great gift to you personally and the arts orgs bottom line.