Theatre Talk around the county

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to the Village News

The biggest happening bursting forth now is the 20th Annual San Diego International Film Festival. It kicks off on Thursday the Oct. 14 with a Gala party at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park before and after the opening film "C'mon, C'mon." The festival features 160 films over the following 10 days. Open to all for the price of a ticket. With lots of parking nearby and trams available during the day. For details visit http://www.sdfilmfest.com.

Diversionary Theatre is running "One in Two" until Oct. 24 followed by their "Homecoming Cabaret Festival" Oct. 28-31. This intimate theatre proudly offers productions for those with an alternative lifestyle. For more information, visit http://www.diversionarytheatre.org.

San Diego Musical Theatre is having raging success with the highly awarded "Rent" which continues until Oct. 17. Playing at their new location off I-15 with lots of free parking. See http://www.SDMT.org for more information.

North Coast Rep in the Lyceum Plaza downtown is still running "Mother Road" until Oct. 31. This multi-cultural show is the imagined continuation of Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." For tickets, visit http://www.SDRep.org.

Close to home, New Village Arts is back at the Carlsbad Flower Fields featuring Sabrosas Latin Orchestra on Oct. 17. Also featured is a puppet workshop. For more details and tickets go to http://www.nva.org.

Meanwhile, at North Coast Repertory, they are gearing up for the Southern California Premier of "Ben Butler." It appears to be a politically correct moral discussion about the civil war. If you're inclined – it runs Oct. 20 until Nov. 14. Visit http://www.northcoastrep.org for ticket information.

The very, very, very delectable "La Cage aux Folles" at The Cygnet downtown has been extended through Nov. 7. You do not want to miss this. The best show this year! I swear. Get your tickets at [email protected] or call 619-337-1525.

Wait. There's more.

La Jolla Playhouse is running "The Garden" until Oct. 17 followed by "The Yellow House." For tickets and parking details, go to http://www.ljp.org.

The Old Globe is running two shows simultaneously, "Shutter Sisters" and "Gardens of Anuncia." Both productions are pointedly re-enforcing racial equity. If that's your thing, enjoy. For ticket information, visit http://www.theoldglobe.org.

On any pleasant day, a drive to Coronado Island is always a treat. Take in the current show "The Belle of Amherst" starring Cynthia Gerber as America's most influential poetess, Emily Dickinson. Tickets can be found either online at http://www.lambsplayers.org or by calling 619-437-6000.

That's all for now. See you at the theatre.