The Salida Songbirds Present "There’s a Song for That"

In "There’s a Song for That," you’ll be taken on a journey through the highs and lows of their lives—moments of joy, surprise, heartache, and hope—all set to songs that reflect the unique stories that shaped them. Expect plenty of laughs, a few tears, and a beautiful happy ending (because every good musical has one)!

Featuring:
* Kirsten Arbogast
* Jordan Gonzalez
* Andrea Mossman
Musical Direction by Joan Lobeck
This is your chance to witness a heartfelt reunion, incredible vocal performances, and timeless tunes.

Written and directed by Allen Lane
Produced by Salida Theater Project

Here is part one of Neil Simon’s autobiographical trilogy: a portrait of the writer as a young teen in 1937 living with his family in a crowded, lower middle-class Brooklyn walk-up. Eugene Jerome, standing in for the author, is the narrator and central character. Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father, and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche, her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style. This bittersweet memoir evocatively captures the life of a struggling Jewish household where, as his father states “if you didn’t have a problem, you wouldn’t be living here.”

By Neil Simon
Directed by Gloria Fant
Produced by Sventastik Productions

“Mountain Octopus” chronicles a few days in Chance – a town very similar to Salida itself and to the mythical Grover’s Corners of Wilder’s OUR TOWN. A town where people live a quiet life, enjoying each other’s company, looking forward to tomorrow with few expectations. A town that accepts the inevitable pains of life as well as the hoped-for joy. A town that takes everyone’s problems seriously, but with a grain of salt. This is a new play written by Beth Kander that was commissioned by Creede Repertory Theater and produced during their 2023 season. Ms. Kander catches the essence of small-town life and gives each player an appropriate answer to their “what do I do now” questions. Thornton Wilder would approve of this script and so will you.

By Beth Kander
Directed by Devon Jencks Kasper
Produced by Salida Theater Project

“Taking Tea with the Ripper” is considered the most disturbing play around — but in a most spectacular way. The play brings you face-to-face with the London Gentleman on the night of the infamous Jack the Ripper’s first murder. The play takes a theater-goer up close to unbridled insanity. The play returns to the stage after a four-year hiatus. The play stars award-winning theatre veteran Gregory West in the title role. Taking Tea with the Ripper is directed by Clint Heyn. The play is written by Mike Broemmel.

By Mike Broemmel
Staged and performed by Greg West
Produced by Act One Productions and Theatrix USA

“The Wind Is Us: The Death that Killed Capote” by Mike Broemmel chronicles the life of author Truman Capote from his days researching his iconic “non-fiction novel” In Cold Blood until his death in 1984. The play combines pathos and comedy to reveal how and why Capote’s life collapsed because of his most-acclaimed work, resulting in his premature tragic death. Veteran actor Eddie Schumacher plays Truman Capote. “The Wind Is Us” is presented at the Salida Theatre Festival by the Salida Theater Project and is produced by Act One Productions and Theatrix USA.

By Mike Broemmel
Staged and performed by Eddie Schumacher
Produced by Act One Productions and Salida Theater Project

In 1989, a twenty-one-year-old American college dropout moves to Belfast, hoping that the Troubles in Northern Ireland will take care of her own. They do, but not in the way she ever imagined. “Something Great” is a raw portrait of a young woman who loses her way but finds herself in the Belfast Circus.

Written and performed by Salida Circus director Jennifer Dempsey, this 75-minute dramedy is a coming-of-age story about searching for purpose and finding it in the most unlikely of places.

Written and performed by Jennifer Dempsey
Directed by Dr. Moira Forsythe
Co-Directed by Greg West
Produced by TINTS