After two-year hiatus Contra Costa Musical Theatre brings fun and laughs to El Campanil Theatre in Antioch Nov. 4-20

By Liz Nunan, Chair, Marketing Committee, Contra Costa Musical Theatre

Contra Costa Musical Theatre (CCMT) is thrilled to present the non-profit organization’s first musical production in over two years, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!” The show will run on select dates Nov 4 – 20, and tickets are $38 for adults and $32 for Youth and Senior showgoers. Tickets are available on the El Campanil Theatre website.

About the Show 

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” is a riotous ride, complete with audience participation and a delightful den of comedic genius. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, this fabulous musical features a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

The plot centers around an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter, one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

About the Production 

CCMT’s production is directed by John Maio, produced by David Pinkham with Musical Direction from Kerry Leyden and choreography by Justin Sabino. The cast features wonderfully talented performers from across the Bay Area.

After many wonderful years at the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek, CCMT productions are now traveling to different theaters across the community in an effort to reach new audiences. “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be presented at the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.

PLEASE NOTE: This production is rated PG-13 due to a small number of profanities and vulgarities.

About CCMT

Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Inc. (CCMT) was founded in August 1961 with the purpose of bringing high-quality Broadway musicals to the East Bay. We are a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to an appreciation for and involvement in musical theatre of the highest quality. Since those early beginnings, CCMT productions have been presented on a variety of stages. We have been honored with numerous Shellie Awards and Bay Area Theatre Critic Circle Awards for our productions and the artists associated with our productions, and have had the unique privilege of presenting several East Bay Premieres in recent seasons.

Source: El Campanil Theatre

EL CAMPANIL THEATRE PRESENTS AN EL CAMPANIL THEATRE ACADEMY PRODUCTION
LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION
SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2022
ADULTS: $15, SENIORS: $12, YOUTH: $10
Directed by Joel Roster
Musical Direction by Carl Pantle
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil
English Libretto by Herbert Kretzmer
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo

The time is now; the day is here! The musical that enraptured the world and won 10 Tony Awards comes to Antioch in the hands of the young performers of El Campanil Theatre Academy! Set in 19th century France and spanning 18 years, this universal tale of love, loss, sin, and redemption set against the backdrop of the infamous June Rebellion promises to be the jaw-dropping event of the year!

15 young artists tell an epic story originally intended to be told by approximately 30-35 adults.

PLEASE NOTE: This production is rated PG-13 for language, violence, mature themes, and adult situations.

El Campanil Theatre is located at 602 W. 2nd Street in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.

For tickets visit Event Details – Les Misérables: School Edition – El Campanil Theatre (patronbase.com)

Founder of Studentfilmsonline.com platform brings competition to her hometown

Submissions accepted through Sept. 30

East County filmmaker Sophia Rivera is bringing the SFO Short Film Festival to her hometown at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre in historic downtown Rivertown on October 28-29, 2022.

The festival is a LIVE event dedicated to showcasing short films created by college film students, high school students, and independent filmmakers locally in the Bay Area and across the U.S. Studentfilmsonline.com was founded in 2011 by Rivera who wanted to give back to the community. Its mission is to encourage networking and motivate emerging filmmakers to create more content, as well as to promote a career in filmmaking and talent through screenings.

Genres include: Short Drama/Action/Crime/Thriller; Short Comedy/Romance; Short Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Documentary and Short Animation.

Short film category submissions include: 1) Independent Filmmaker Short Film 2) SFO Film Student Challenge Competition and 3) High School Short Film Competition

Short Film Category Award for Best Film: Independent Filmmaker Short Film Award $300, High School Short Film Competition Award $250, and SFO Film Student Challenge Competition Award $500

SFO Short Film Festival is still accepting submissions until September 30, 2022.

Films can be submitted by visiting filmfreeway.com/SFOShortFilmFestival.

If you wish to attend the event tickets are available at ElCampanilTheatre.com. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, contact customerservice@studentfilmsonline.com.

El Campanil is a classic theatre with food concession available. We hope you will come join us and share in this festive event.

Vendor booth space still available!

Join us for the Annual Rivertown Peddlers Faire, Saturday, September 10th, from 9am – 3pm on G and W. 2nd Streets in Antioch‘s historic downtown! The event features over 75 dealers selling vintage goods, antiques, collectibles, re-purposed & handmade items, arts & crafts, live music, food & fun! Free Parking and Entry! While at the Rivertown Peddlers Faire, be sure to visit our Rivertown District antique and collectible stores. These stores will have additional inventory in preparation for the visitors on event day!

Rivertown Shops: Willow Park Mercantile, Bella’s Vintage House, Rivertown Treasure Chest, Shirley’s Closet & Moore

Rivertown Restaurants: Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill, Monica’s Riverview, Solid Rock Café, Chelsea’s, Rick’s on Second, Rivertown Sweets, Guadalajara Taqueria, Tease, Canton City, Taco Tone, La Plazuela, Tony’s Beer Garden,

Vendor Booths: There are four vendor booth spaces still available for rent. For the Vendor Application click, here.

For more information visit www.rivertownpeddlersfaire.com.