Weekend Showcase

We talk with director and cast from California Regional Theatre's production of the large-scale musical based on the Victor Hugo classic "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." This show features a full orchestra, an elaborate set and a large cast. You'll also hear from San-Francisco-based artist Jerry Frost whose paintings (now displayed at Chico's Snidle Gallery) reflect on Frost's native American heritage and combine figures with words and surreal elements.

We visit Chico Theater Company to talk with the director and several castmembers from "A Chorus Line," the hit Broadway musical about dancers at a high-pressure audition for a Broadway show. We also talk with Pat Macias, board president of the Museum of Northern California Art, about MoNCA's present exhibitions and its exciting plans for the future.

We talk with directors & castmembers from the Tennessee Williams classic "The Glass Menagerie" at Chico's Blue Room Theatre and from the science fiction play "The Man from Earth" at Redding's Riverfront Playhouse.

We talk with a representative from the Healing Arts gallery at Chico's Enloe Cancer Center which displays art by cancer survivors (two of whom we'll talk with). We also talk with the president of 1078 Gallery (which has been homeless for several months) about its pop-up exhibit at the Museum of Northern California Art and about the event in January to raise funds to remodel 1078's soon-to-be new home in Chico. We also talk with two artists who'll perform at the fundraiser.

We talk with Joshua Hegg and two of his Uncle Dad Art Collective cohorts. They tell us about "Decomposition," their series of innovative music/art performances at Chico's Naked Lounge cafe, happening on Wednesdays this month. We also talk with Dolores Mitchell about the current exhibition "Dualities" which showcases Mitchell's oil paintings which take a fantastical look at iconic details of Chico. The exhibit also features charming whimsical ceramic sculptures by Margaret Allen.

Prepare to ring in 2018. This week, Weekend Showcase plays songs from musical theater and from pop music, all about New Year's Eve.

Musical theatre songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul have had quite a year, winning an Oscar for "La La Land" and a Tony for "Dear Evan Hansen." They've rounded out the year with the live TV broadcast of their show "A Christmas Story the Musical" and the release of their new original movie-musical "The Greatest Showman." We'll sample songs from all those shows/films as we celebrate Pasek & Paul.

We visit Chico Theater Company to talk with the director and several members of the cast from "It's a Wonderful Life the Musical," a tuneful Broadway-style version of the beloved Frank Capra film. We also preview a bit of the big TV event coming Sunday, the live broadcast of "A Christmas Story the Musical."

We talk with Butte College students about their "Winter One-Acts," staging four brand new short plays written, directed and acted by students. This collection of theatrical concoctions is on stage at Butte's Black Box Theatre. We also listen to holiday tunes from Pink Martini, the marvelous mini-orchestra from Portland whose music blends eclectic world-music, sophisticated cabaret, top-level musicianship and pure fun. Pink Martini has a concert at Chico State this Friday night.

We talk with the choreographer and some dancers from "A Very Chico Nutcracker" produced by Chico Community Ballet and on stage at Chico State's Laxson Auditorium. This unique spin on a holiday classic weaves in historical references to the town of Chico. We also talk with artists displaying work at the exhibition "Stories Six" presented by 1078 Gallery at its temporary "pop up" location in Chico.