Join 5-Star Theatricals to celebrate the arts with our 2023 season lineup. All shows are accompanied by a live orchestra and include all-star casts of talented actors and actresses. Don’t miss out on these classic musical performances including: Ragtime March 24–April 2, 2023 Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, this musical tapestry depicts an African-American family, a Jewish immigrant family, and a wealthy white suburban family in turn-of-the-century America, who collide in pursuit of the American Dream. Cinderella July 14–23, 2023 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s enchanting adaptation of the timeless fairytale, Cinderella, brings new life to the story of a young woman forced into servitude who dreams of – and achieves – a better life. Oliver! October 13–22, 2023 Join young, orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and - most importantly - for love. About 5-Star Theatricals 5-Star Theatricals is the Ovation Award-winning resident musical theatre production company of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks, and a nonprofit theatre organization.

The fairytale works are spiraling out of control, and only you can save the day! Join Cinderella, Snowhite, Gretel and Hansel, Alice, the Queens of Hearts (three of them!), M. Goose and their friends for this joyous interactive multi-media musical and help set the fairytale world back on track as you discover the real-life adventures of your favorite fantasy characters. Delightful costumes, lilting songs (even one where you get to sing-a-long), great humor and fun word play make this Family Theatre Musical a special weekend treat for ages 2 to 102. “A must-see! Never a dull moment! For fun, frolic and fantasy, it’s the perfect ticket. With fairytales to share, the amazing ensemble of singers and dancers brings the pictures on the page to life, painting a canvas of rainbows on stage!” Bonnie Previer, The Tolucan Times

It’s the world premiere of acclaimed playwright Jerry Mayer’s 11th play, a serious, no BS comedy for our times. Jewish Stanley and Catholic Kathy meet, fall in love, and get ready to present their upcoming nuptials to the family. Little do they know that their fathers, Jewish Marvin and Catholic Chris, once boyhood besties, are now bitterest enemies. Will Stanley and Kathy make it to the altar with blessings or curses? A match made in heaven or in hell?​ As they say, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and pray that the law of averages is on your side when the schmutz hits the fan.” Interfaith lovers, in-your-face fathers, what could possibly go wrong? 91-year-old playwright Jerry Mayer, who has written for M*A*S*H, The Bob Newhart Show, All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Facts of Life (where he was executive producer), five of Mitzi Gaynor’s TV Specials, and award-winning plays like Almost Perfect, Aspirin & ELEPHANTS, 2 Across, A Love Affair and more, never shies away from tackling the big issues and JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN is no exception. Chris DeCarlo, Playhouse Co-Artistic Director, who has helmed 10 of Mayer’s world premiere comedies, says, "Jerry Mayer's plays are a joy for a director, a cast and of course, an audience, touching on issues to which we can all relate - love, romance, marriage, financial woes, parents, infidelity, aging, and friendship. Experiencing a Jerry Mayer play brings us that much closer to the realization that turning the frown upside down is the best way to navigate through life’s most serious issues, big or small. The Santa Monica Playhouse Jewish Heritage series is proud to present the world premiere of Jerry’s newest play, a serious comedy about one of the ugliest issues imaginable.”

On the Fyda-Mar Stage… For over 160 years, the courage of teenager Abigail Burgess has inspired books, songs, and even the US Coast Guard to name a ship after her. Now, for the first time, see her remarkable story live on stage. When young Abbie moved to Matinicus Rock in the mid-19th century with her lighthouse keeper father and their family, her biggest concern was boredom. However, when the winds changed, Abbie found herself thrust into the seemingly impossible position of protecting her family — and some chickens — from a violent storm while keeping the lights brightly burning for any passing ship to miss the perilous shores. Brilliantly brought to life by OCTG Theatre Award-nominated actress, Aubrey Saverino (last season’s Cry It Out), this tale of humor and heroism highlights how far some will go to keep their lights shining and demonstrates how small actions can make a big difference. See the courageous story of Abigail Burgess come to life that inspired … » Keep The Lights Burning, Abbie (book featured on Reading Rainbow) » Abbie, The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter (radio drama) » “Lighthouse Keeper” (folk song by Neptune’s Car) » Cutter Abbie Burgess (175’ Keeper-Class buoy tender in US Coast Guard) » More books — Abbie Against The Storm; The Stormy Adventure of Abbie Burgess, Lighthouse Keeper; Abbie Burgess: Lighthouse Heroine; among others » And much, much more!

He's a beloved leader, a distinguished military commander and a devoted husband. But when an envious subordinate introduces the notion—just the slightest whispered hint—that Othello's wife Desdemona might possibly be unfaithful, it's enough to send him into a downward spiral of fury and murder. Hailed as the pinnacle of the Italian operatic repertoire, Verdi’s transformation of the original Shakespeare play is a powerful drama of uncontrolled human emotion at its most extreme. Verdi's musical portrait of Otello’s descent into a tortured heart of darkness is explicit in every chilling detail as he destroys all in life that he holds dear. Verdi master James Conlon takes command of the truly epic musical forces. The powerhouse cast is led by Artist in Residence Russell Thomas in the title role (considered the "Mount Everest" of the dramatic tenor repertoire). Rachel Willis-Sørensen makes a highly anticipated company debut as the doomed Desdemona and Igor Golovatenko is the sadistic Iago, slyly explpoiting Otello's one fatal flaw: jealousy.

Directed by Sonya Randall In the summer of 1930 in Harlem, NY, the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance has given way to the harsher realities of the Great Depression. Guy and Angel, recently fired from the Cotton Club, struggle to hold on to their dreams; he of costuming Josephine Baker and she of having a steady career as a singer. When Leland, a recent transplant, comes to Angel’s aid, he sees in her a memory of lost love and a reminder of the Alabama skies he misses. Will they find what they are looking for in Harlem, or will they have to look beyond 125th Street to fulfill their dreams?

A hit on Broadway, A Year with Frog and Toad was nominated for three Tony Awards - including Best Musical. Based on Arnold Lobel's well-loved books, and featuring a hummable score by Robert ad Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends - the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad - through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad play gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, park make believe...all charm, a Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the season.

From the creators of the hit Amazon series comes a groundbreaking and timely new musical that’s delightfully queer, unapologetically Jewish, and radically joyful. Welcome to the JCC! Get ready for a remarkable theatrical experience with A Transparent Musical–an innovative and irresistible new musical comedy based on the hit Amazon Prime original TV show by Joey Soloway. Follow Ali Pfefferman, brought to life by Only Murders in the Building’s Adina Verson, as they navigate the ups and downs of self-discovery. Ali's Los Angeles Jewish family is filled with secrets, but when their parent, Maura, transitions to the transgender matriarch she always knew she was, the family is forced to confront their own identities and navigate their relationships with each other. Through a revelatory story of acceptance and self-expression, A Transparent Musical explores the intersection of Jewish and queer history while celebrating the imperfectly human aspects of a universally relatable family.

A Soldier’s Play, the 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning thriller by Charles Fuller, has rocketed back into the spotlight, thanks to this 2020 Tony Award®-winning Best Revival from Roundabout Theatre Company. “This is a play that deserves to be staged regularly all over America—though it’s hard to imagine that it will ever be done better than this. It keeps you guessing all the way to the final curtain” (The Wall Street Journal). In 1944, on a Louisiana Army base, two shots ring out. A Black sergeant is murdered and a series of interrogations triggers a gripping barrage of questions about sacrifice, service, and identity in America. Broadway’s Norm Lewis leads a powerhouse cast in the show Variety calls “a knock-your-socks-off-drama," directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon.

In this romantic comedy, Viola and her twin brother are shipwrecked and lose each other. Viola then pretends to be a man who goes by the name of Cesario and gets a job from Duke Orsino. Orsino then tells Cesario to win Olivia for him, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario. When Sebastian comes into town, it takes the confusion to new heights.

On the Cripe Stage… This TYA favorite returns to the Chance for the sixth time. Bring the family and watch as Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda, and Lionel get ready to perform in their very first show, “Deep Sea Dances.” Nancy is positive, that’s fancy for 100 percent sure, that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn’t the one she wanted? Recommendation: Ages 4 and up. Great for the entire family. Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.

Lady of the Camellias, danced to Chopin’s romantic score, is a story of love, sacrifice and longing. Armand falls passionately in love with Marguerite, a celebrated French courtesan of 19th century high-society Paris. Only for a fleeting moment do the lovers live their dream in the countryside.