Raising the curtain

Musical theater isn’t all about big-name performers and high ticket prices with New York City in the background.

On the Peninsula, people can savor the experience of a live show or even have the chance to perform in one through Broadway By the Bay. The musical theater program is in its 41st season, which is anticipated to bring more shows, a couple of new features and plans for a large new theater.

"There is a special thing that seems to happen on our stage. It’s as if you go to a restaurant and you get a Caesar salad. You’ve had a Caesar salad before but this time it’s like, ‘Wow! Why is this different?’ Obviously that chef is using a special ingredient. If [Artistic Director] Brooke Knight is a chef she has a special ingredient,” said Executive Director Greg Phillips.

Broadway By the Bay came out of a summer music camp program ran by the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department. The week-long programs were for teens and ended with a musical performance on Sundays. By 1966, the classes were so popular the options were expanded to include the musical "Oklahoma.” Proposition 13 forced the recreation department to drop its support in 1978.

A group of citizens including the then director of music at San Mateo High, Henry Use, formed a nonprofit to save the company. In 1983, the company was named Peninsula Civic Light Opera. Finally in 2001 the name was changed to Broadway By the Bay, as it is known today.

The company annually puts on a three- to four-show season beginning in May. It’s midway through the season now with its current show, "Fiddler on the Roof,” closes this weekend. A four-show season is planned next year. In addition to the musicals, Phillips said new concert and talks with performers will be added to the performance lineup.

The goal is to always put on a professional that not only rivals but is possibly better than what someone would find elsewhere for a smaller cost.

"Right now the shows are so incredibly well priced. Much less than San Francisco or New York. Maybe a third of the price. If you could buy things at two-thirds of the normal price people would be lining up. ... But it’s like people have a gem here and they don’t know it,” said Phillips.

For a number of years productions have been performed at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Despite the 1,600-seat possibilities, the theater just isn’t available enough for the group to offer everything it wants.

Recently the possibility of building a new state-of-the-art theater at Coyote Point was announced. The county would donate the land and Broadway By the Bay will need to raise the money for the facility. If all goes well, Phillips said a new facility could open within five years.

The various shows draw in actors of all ages. In fact, Broadway By the Bay has courses to train aspiring performers of all ages.

Knight helped start the Youth Theater Conservatory 10 years ago after she saw the interest in local youth.

"We knew there was a great need and kids wanted to be in the shows but we wanted them to have some training and understand the professionalism first,” said Knight.

Now classes run during the school year as well as with special summer sessions. In the future, Phillips said there are plans to team up closely with school districts to bring more art education to local youth. In the meantime, students looking to get involved with the arts, like 14-year-old Marisa Bonahoom, were able to use the courses to start performing.

The Hillsborough resident grew up watching her mom, Lisa Cross, performing. Cross was an actress prior to becoming a mother but put her career on hold for 12 years. When she decided to return to the spotlight, Broadway By the Bay offered her a quality outlet.

After she began performing, Cross took her then 4-year-old daughter Bonahoom to see a show she wasn’t in. Bonahoom had always enjoyed the shows but this time said she wanted to be a part of it.

"I didn’t believe her. I tried to discourage her. I said, ‘You’re going to have to learn a song that you’ll have to sing all by yourself in a room of grownups. No mommy.’ And she said OK. She learned a song and auditioned for ‘Oliver.’” said Cross.

Both women ended up with a role in the production. It would be the first of four performances the mother and daughter duo would perform together. They are currently both performing in the ensemble for "Fiddler on the Roof.”

"For all parents if you can show a child that you’re willing to pursue your passion for the love it, just for joy for it, You teach them that that’s OK to do and that’s good to do.,” said Cross.

Getting youth involved in the arts gives children a new level of confidence that bleeds over into other aspects of life like school, said Knight. The exposure also introduces live performances to children who grew up looking at a screen.

"It could be a three-hour show and little kids are consumed,” said Phillips. "I know if it was walking through the living room and they were watching it on TV they would not be mesmerized.”

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.

If you go...

Saturday, July 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m.

Tickets range from $15 to $38. For more information call 579-5565 or visit www.broadwaybythebay.com.<