The upcoming performances of the classic musical “Oklahoma” March 22-24 and March 29-31 represent what will most likely be the final major productions in the Arcadia High School’s 250-seat Little Theatre. The new 1,200-seat Performing Arts Center is on track to open this fall.
A group of key parent supporters of the AHS Theatre Department have been working diligently to leverage the final Little Theatre performances in 2011-2012 to raise awareness in the community as next year there will be an extra 1,000 seats to fill for the Award Winning Arcadia High School Theatre Department.
Corporate partnerships have been formed with companies such as Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, which is funding the printing of posters for the community, providing water for the cast and audience, and purchasing group tickets for their employees to enjoy the show. The Rose Hills partnership also allowed for the very first advertising banner to be hung across Duarte Road last November. Another, promoting Oklahoma, will be hung and dedicated in a media photo op ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, this one a 35-foot banner across Huntington Drive at First Avenue. Mayor Kovacic will be on hand at the unveiling. “My emphasis this year as mayor has been volunteerism, and I am glad that Rose Hills, Denny’s, and the volunteers at our own Community Center have partnered with the high school’s theatre department for this production. It demonstrates an expanding community involvement with our talented students. “Thanks to Measure I, the new performing arts center now under construction at the high school will create opportunities for many more community partnerships to help the theatre department provide Arcadia with top quality entertainment.”
Denny’s, at Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue, is the Theatre Department’s second marketing partner and is selling tickets for Oklahoma 24-hours-a-day until the tickets are sold out.
In a unique arrangement that provides even more incentive for patrons, each ticket stub — any ticket stub for the play purchased anywhere — is worth $5 on any order of $15 or more at Denny’s. That means that a student or senior citizen could purchase a $10 ticket for the show and then save half the cost of the ticket by using the stub for a meal at Denny’s. Denny’s is also putting up posters and handing out postcards to promote the play to their customers. The ticketing system being utilized by the Theatre Department lets Denny’s put the $5 coupon right on the ticket when purchased online and the ticket holder can print as many $5 off coupons they choose.
A third partner, Dalvina Cookies, has made it possible for flyers to be passed out at all the senior centers and all senior living facilities in Arcadia, Pasadena, Monrovia, Duarte and Bradbury. In addition, Dalvina’s sponsorship is funding double the number of posters to be displayed at local businesses from last fall’s production. Some of the business participating are Ralphs, Albertsons, Fresh & Easy, Fasching’s Car Wash, and others.
Seniors can purchase special opening night discount tickets at the Arcadia Senior Center / Community Center on Huntington Drive near Holly Avenue.
Tickets may also be purchased online at www.arcadiastage.com, where you may also purchase a Fast Pass, allowing you to bypass the line at the door on the night of the performance. Another option is VIP reserved seat for $25, which reserves a seat location of your choice until showtime at 7 p.m., along with a comfortable pillow.
The Theatre Department is continuing to look for additional partnerships from the 4,000 plus businesses in Arcadia.
As for the play itself, tickets are already selling fast with at least one prominent Arcadian anxious to see how today’s students translate the 1950s musical.“
“Arcadia has a rich tradition of excellent student musical productions,” said Mayor Kovacic. “Back in 1968, when I attended Arcadia High School, it was The Music Man, and I’m looking forward to this year’s production of Oklahoma.”
— By Scott Hettrick