Awards, play run keeps director smiling
JOYCE RUDOLPH
Producing director Scott Campbell of Alliance Repertory Company in
Burbank has a lot to smile about. The company just received three
honors for last season’s “The Hostage,” and its present production,
“Shyness Is Nice,” has been extended as a result of popular demand.
The Artistic Director Achievement Awards came from the Valley
Theatre League, which honors the best in live theater in the San
Fernando and surrounding valleys.
Alliance received Best Production -- Revival Play -- Comedy; Best
Ensemble Cast -- Comedy; and Best Director -- Revival Play -- Comedy
-- Stephanie Shroyer.
“I think it shows we’re doing great theater in the Valley,”
Campbell said. “You don’t have to be in Hollywood to be successful.
It’s the ‘Field of Dreams’ philosophy, if you build it, they will
come.”
“The Hostage” was also nominated for four Ovation Awards this
year.
“I’m really honored about that,” he said. “Even though we didn’t
win, we were one of the five top productions nominated for Best
Production out of 300 in the Los Angeles area. That is quite an
honor.”
What makes it really nice is the company received nominations for
acting (Best Ensemble) and technical expertise (Best Set and Best
Costume).
This success Campbell attributed to the return of professionals
who worked with the company 10 years ago, including Shroyer.
“Stephanie is one of the prominent figures in the theater scene,”
he said. “She brings a real style to our theater that we’ve emulated
over the years.”
She and set designer Matthew C. Jacobs work with the design team
of seasoned professionals to create the theater’s environmental
staging technique. Upon entering the playhouse, the entire space is
transformed into the era of the play, and some seats are integrated
into the set.
These designers, the tops in the field, now consider the theater
their home, Campbell said.
Campbell is also elated that the present production, “Shyness Is
Nice,” has been selling well. It’s getting positive reviews and
received the LA Weekly’s Pick of the Week and was on the Los Angeles
Times recommended list. It has been extended until Feb. 1.
The play was written by Marc Spitz, a senior writer at Spin
magazine, and is directed by Suzan Fellman. It’s the story of two
very shy 30-year-old male virgins who find out who they really are
and what is truly important to them after a drug deal goes wrong.
One of the comments Campbell has heard is, “We’ve never seen
anything like it.”
“I think it has to do with the story and presentation,” he said.
“It’s a harsh subject but done with an incredible sense of humor. The
show has a lot of nudity but it’s been handled gracefully and with
great sense of humor also. And I think the audiences enjoy that as
well.”
It’s also a love story, which no one expects, he said.
While this is not a family-oriented show, Campbell said the
company hopes to run the gamut of theatrical experiences.
“Our approach at Alliance is we never underestimate our audience,”
he said. “We present the shows we have to the audience and let them
be the judge. In Burbank, we’ve attracted both audiences.”
“Shyness Is Nice” performs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7
p.m. Sundays. There are no performances Dec. 27, 28 or 29. Tickets
are $20 and can be reserved by calling (800) 595-4849. The theater is
at 3204 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’s column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.