Had I known Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood is a complete “huzzah” and “tally-ho” audience-inclusive affair, I’d have rethought my regular theater attire in favor of Renaissance fair garb. Though the show doesn’t take it to the extremity of a Rocky Horror Show cult, this production pleasantly invites the audience to […]
Ferndale Repertory Theatre
Posted inFront Row
The Wizard of Oz Leads with Its Heart
The excitement for this beloved show coupled with the inspiration that wide-eyed children get when they see their peers on stage is already well worth the ticket price to Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s newest production of The Wizard of Oz. As more families swoop up the already scarce tickets, this is one of those shows that sparks the imagination of a new generation of superstars that we will be awed by in future productions. Where the […]
Posted inFront Row
To Err is Hilarious
The Play That Goes Wrong went very well at Ferndale Repertory Theatre on Saturday night. In this slapstick play-within-a-play by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, the Cornely Drama Society presents The Murder at Haversham Manor. The society has just exactly enough members to put on the classic murder mystery set in the English […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Local Filmmaker Griffin Loch’s The Distilled Screens at Ferndale Rep
He’s already scared the pants off you at the Ferndale Scaregrounds and the Scream-a-Torium Haunted House. Now Griffin Loch is bottling up the terror for the big screen. The Undistilled, Loch’s fourth feature film, pours out Sunday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. at the historic Ferndale Repertory Theatre ($15). Filmed in Humboldt County (with plenty […]
Posted inArts + Scene
A Gentleman’s Guide Kills Again
I think many directors salivate at the idea of reworking their theater pieces despite knowing it is a double-edged sword. As a production runs, actors’ discoveries, relationships and the merging of tech solidifies, creating a slew of nuance that can be explored and expanded. However, that evolution could result in the production feeling overworked to […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Blithe Spirit‘s Cast Brings the Comedy to Life
Conflicting production designs are not enough to hinder interesting directorial choices and strong acting in Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s new production of Noel Coward’s classic Blithe Spirit. Originally a British farce in three acts, director Merrick D. Yra removes an act, relocates the show to America, mutes the setting to gray and sepia tones, and plays […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Ferndale Rep’s Spooky Movie Series Kicks off Saturday with The Invisible Man
We are on the cusp of spooky season with October imminent and many favorite classic and soon-to-be classic horror and Halloween films set to dominate TV networks and streaming services. But how wicked would it be to watch them on the big screen with a group of like-minded fans? We’re in luck. Ferndale Repertory Theatre […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Photos: Ferndale’s First Drag Show
The Gatsby at the Rep fundraiser for Lost Coast Pride held at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 25 put the vamp in revamp. Planned to make up for the canceled family-friendly event at the Old Steeple, this adults-only show added burlesque and bellydancing to the bill, all hosted by ribald emcee Jamie Bondage. Drag performers […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Struggles of The Elephant Man at FRT
Ferndale Repertory Theatre set aside its regular spectacle of song and dance to produce a play that explores creativity and centers acting for its latest offering, The Elephant Man. The multi-award-winning script by Bernard Pomerance tells the story of John Merrick, who suffers from a rare medical condition that severely covers his body and face […]
Posted inArts + Scene
COVID Cuts Rocky Horror Run Short
Ferndale Repertory Theatre announced today it is canceling its final weekend of performances of the musical comedy The Rocky Horror Show after members of the production tested positive for COVID-19. Theaters and live music venues have struggled to hold performances amid the pandemic and the current surge in cases makes the closure unfortunate but not […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Scrappy Dreamers
If you come to Man of La Mancha knowing nothing more than it was a Broadway hit and Tony winner that spawned the hit song and eventual standard “The Impossible Dream,” you’re not alone. I myself preferred Roberta Flack’s version to the one Jim Nabors sung on Gomer Pyle. There is considerably more to it […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Noises Off! Hits the Mark
For the first show since shuttering its doors two years ago due to COVID-19, Ferndale Repertory has staged playwright Michael Frayn’s popular farce Noise Off. It’s an ambitious choice — the plot is complicated, the dialogue is demanding; missed lines or uneven timing could easily derail the comedy of errors. Fortunately, the cast, under the […]