Mayor Gary Kovacic was on hand Wednesday morning (Feb. 1) to help officially introduce a giant 35-foot banner across Huntington Drive near First Street promoting the upcoming Arcadia High School Theatre production of the classic musical Oklahoma.
L-r Mayor Gary Kovacic, Bruce Lazenby of sponsor Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary AHS principal David Vannasdal.
Joining the Mayor was AHS principal David Vannasdall and Bruce Lazenby, Executive Director of corporate sponsor Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary, which made the banner possible. The company is also printing promotional posters, providing water for the cast and audience, and purchasing group tickets for their employees to enjoy the show.
“Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary is pleased to support Arcadia High School and the Performing Arts Department,” said Lazenby. “We think Oklahoma is more than OK. The arts are an essential component of human development, theater arts allow students to forge a craft and develop a vehicle of self expression. Our First Lady said it this way, ‘It’s through this constant exchange—this process of taking and giving , this process of borrowing and creating—that we learn from each other and inspire each other.’ Rose Hills is proud to support this year’s spring performance of Oklahoma.”
“The AHS Drama Department, directed by Steven Volpe, brings a very sophisticated theater experience to a high school stage,” said Vannasdall. “The students are dedicated young actors with a passion for performing.”
After the unveiling, the men made their way down the block to Denny’s, another corporate sponsor that is offering a $5 discount with every ticket purchase.
Mayor Kovacic reflected on the school’s theater department when he attended Arcadia High. “Arcadia has a rich tradition of excellent student musical productions,” he said. “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.” “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.”
Oklahoma will be presented in the high school Litle Theatre t 7 p.m. Thursday – Saturday March 22, 23 & 24 as well as the following weekend, March 29, 30 & 31st. The doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers expect every performance to be sold out well in advance.
Bruce Lazenby of Rose Hills purchases a ticket with a discount at Denny's.
Tickets can be purchased at Denny’s, at the northeast corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. No matter where you purchase your tickets, Denny’s will offer a $5 discount on any order of $15 or more each time customers show their ticket stub. Tickets for seniors and students are only $10, meaning they will get 50% of the ticket price back when they take advantage of the Denny’s offer. Denny’s is also putting up posters and handing out postcards to promote the play to their customers.
In addition, tickets can be purchased online at www.arcadiastage.com. Other options when purchasing online are a Fast Pass which allows you bypass the line at the door on the night of the performance. Also online you can purchase a VIP reserved seat for $25. This not only provides you your choice of seat and a comfortable pillow you also do not have to stand in line and your seat will be reserved even if you show up at 7 pm.
Seniors can purchase special opening night discount tickets at the Arcadia Senior Center and the Monrovia Community center.
Another sponsor, Dalvina Cookies, has made it possible for fliers to be passed out at all the senior centers and all senior living facilities in Arcadia, Pasadena, Monrovia, Duarte and Bradbury. In addition, Dalvina has made it possible for posters to be posted at many local business establishments as was done for the last production. However, this spring the list of participating businesses is more than double the number from last fall. Some of the businesses participating are Ralph’s, Albertson’s, Fresh and Easy, Fasching’s Car Wash, and Pacos.
— By Scott Hettrick