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1. 

   CAMILLE GAVIN: Be lured by 'The Nerd,' a zany, quirky comedy

   By The Bakersfield Californian

   Wednesday, May 15 2013 02:55 PM

   Quirky characters are a key element in a successful comedy and that seems to be central to Kevin Ganger's motivation for directing "The Nerd."

   Ganger describes the play that opens Friday at The Empty Space as "a straight-up laugh-out-loud comedy." "I love an interesting character, and 'The Nerd' is chock full of extreme characters with unusual personalities and habits," he said. "Even just reading the script makes you laugh, so it's been fun and hilarious translating that to the stage."

   This is the first time Ganger has directed a full-length play, although he assisted with The Empty Space's production of "Faust" in 2011. He also has directed several one-act festivals, including the Third-Eye at UC Davis.

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2. 

   Young theater actress is one to watch

   They both learn their lines, hit their marks, rehearse with the cast and hope for the best. But there's one key difference between a star and an understudy: Applause. The star, if she's good, basks in it while the understudy listens...
3. 

   Ballet company's shows worth the long wait

   It takes about a half-dozen driven, talented people to put on the show-stopping productions mounted every other year by the Bakersfield Ballet Theater. And they're all named Martha Knight. "She hasn't had anyone but herself (teaching)...
4. 

   REVIEW: 'Crimes' is part heart, part humor - and entirely winning

   Do yourself a huge favor this weekend and see "Crimes of the Heart" at The Empty Space. I confess I have a certain bias because this Pulitzer Prize winner by Beth Henley is one of my favorite plays. Even so, at the opening night...
5. 

   South High aims high with 'Boeing'

   Ready for take off! Starting Friday, South High School's Rebel Acting Troupe -- aka the RAT Pack -- presents "Boeing Boeing" by Marc Camoietti and directed by Julie Ingram. The high-flying comedy takes place in an apartment in Paris in...
6. 

   Investigate this 'Crimes' scene at Empty Space

   Adultery, suicide, attempted murder, heartbreak, sisters, birthday desserts -- all the makings of a great story. Those themes come together this weekend as The Empty Space opens its production of "Crimes of the Heart." Director Bob Kempf...
7. 

   CAMILLE GAVIN: How farce can they go at Stars?

   Director Mark Price says he's had exceptional luck in casting "The Fox on the Fairway," which opens Friday at Stars. "It's more of a farce than a comedy," he said. "Once you have actors who know (the acting) has to be overdone -- and know...

9. 'Dreamcoat' a dream production for school

   The cast and crew of Bakersfield Christian High School will present "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, starting Friday. The musical tells the biblical story of Joseph in...

10. 'Beauty' in the eye of beholders of this musical

    The Ridgeview High theater department is gearing up to present "Beauty and the Beast," not just one of the most timeless stories ever told but also an amazing Broadway-style musical. The production includes 45 student cast members, nine...

11. Go 'West' Thursday for musical theater classic

    While some Broadway musicals become dated, others never lose their appeal. This is especially true of "West Side Story," which comes to Bakersfield for a one-night performance at Rabobank Theater Thursday. "West Side Story" is a retelling...
12. 

    CAMILLE GAVIN: Writin' -- and ropin' -- for him

    Branding calves may seem like an odd side job for a Hollywood screenwriter, but that's what Jim Beard was doing in Glennville recently. Even so, wrestling with livestock is almost second nature for the Bakersfield native. "I come home...
13. 

    CAMILLE GAVIN: Gaslight goes Hollywood

    Artistic director and playwright Michael Prince's "Hooray for Hollywood" is actually a show within a show. Or to be more specific, it's a movie within a melodrama; it opens Friday at the Gaslight Melodrama. "Hooray" -- the play, that is...

14. Little bit of Broadway to benefit Bakersfield

    Although theater fans may have stifled their sobs as Anne Hathaway belted "I Dreamed a Dream" in "Les Miserables" on the big screen, they may not be immune to a live performance. Test your mettle Friday at the first-ever "Broadway in...