TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

For some of us, myself included, February seems way too early to start charting a course for the next 12 weeks -- much less the next 12 months. Yet for the folks involved with choosing shows for Stars Theatre Restaurant, it's already a done deal.

Take heart, though. The final decision about the dinner theater's 2012-2013 season, which opens on March 2, didn't happen overnight, said Bruce Saathoff, artistic director.

"In selecting shows this season, I sent a survey out to all of our directors, vocal directors, choreographers, tech folks and everyone who was in a Stars show last season, soliciting input."

Patrons also were asked to suggest shows they would like to see.

After sifting through the completed surveys, Saathoof and executive producer Jim Fillbrandt met with board president Randy Jelmini and Brent Rochon, chief choreographer, to consider the possibilities.

"We try to put together a season that includes shows that are established favorites and something new that may be a little less known," Saathoff said. "We have pretty much established that we do two comedies, six musicals and a Christmas revue each season."

In earlier years, Stars did only musicals. The inclusion of comedies, which usually require only three to five actors, was made a few years ago to help with casting issues.

"We found it was very difficult to put together casts for eight big musicals in one season using volunteer performers," he said. "All of our performers are in school or work full time, or both."

In choosing a particular play or musical, consideration also must be given to the space available onstage and backstage, and even above the stage, because Stars lacks a fly space -- theater speak for a system of overhead cables or pulleys to move heavy sets easily and quickly.

"It's really just a matter of size," Saathoff said. "We don't have fly space and (have) limited wing space, so one of the issues is (to be able) to build a set that meets the needs of the show and isn't too cumbersome."

A production that takes place in multiple settings also presents difficulties. If there's no way to artistically change the sets or scenes, it's doubtful that a quality set can be built to accommodate those factors.

"Also, once you get more than 20 or so people onstage it starts to be unmanageable," he said. "So a show that requires a huge cast must be either pared down or eliminated from consideration."

Once the decisions are made, an additional step must be taken: securing the rights to produce each of the shows selected.

Although all the shows for 2012-13 have been chosen, only two directors have been assigned. Mark Price, owner of Snead's for Men and a longtime member of the Stars family, will direct the season-opener, Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple: Female Version." Former Spotlight artistic director Hal Friedman takes the reins for "Evita," the dramatic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Also, Rosie Ayala will handle Stars Christmas show, as she did last year. The 2012 edition, however, will have new material and feature a male vocalist.

Saathoff said Stars is trying to expand its creative team and urges anyone interested in directing to contact him via email at bruce@bmtstars.com. In fact, the expansion began nearly a year ago when Stars invited Brian Sivesind, now the executive director of The Empty Space, to do "The Drowsy Chaperone," which recently ended a successful four-weekend run at Stars.