Spotlight Blog

The Glass Menagerie @ The Alabama Shakespeare Festival

October 23, 2017

North Coast Repertory’s Artistic Director David Ellenstein has just returned from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where he directed the Tennessee William’s classic The Glass Menagerie.

“I ended up with an extraordinary cast. Having directed Greta Lambert before I knew how brilliant she was… I tapped my old, dear friend John Lloyd Young who I directed before he was a Tony award-winner, before he was a movie start, before he was on the singing scene. I tapped my friend Kevin Early who did plays for me in San Diego because I knew how good he would be for this part, and he’s a broadway veteran. Christina King, who’s playing Laura, the daughter, went through the intern program here at Alabama Shakespeare Festival who went off to New York and had success there…. My hope always with theatre is that the audience feels a little more human when they leave. That they see humanity maybe with a little more sympathy, maybe a little more empathy, maybe in a hopeful way that they didn’t quite have when they walked in.”

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North Coast Rep’s ‘Spotlight’ Gala

July 3, 2017

Union Tribune May 22, 2017
Story and photos by Vincent Andrunas, Special to the UT

Jerry and Sharon Stein (she’s NCRT board president), David Ellenstein (NCRT artistic director) and Denise Young, Holly Smith-Jones (gala chair), Debra and Jim Lampley (gala co-chairs)

The North Coast Repertory Theatre may be considered a “small” theater only in regard to its performance space. But in fact, “intimate” would be a more accurate description of its comfy 200-seat facility, tucked away in an upscale Solana Beach mall just off Route 5. Even back row patrons can easily appreciate the actors’ facial expressions and feel as if they’re right there amidst the action. NCRT’s attention to quality — including the use of acclaimed professional Equity actors from throughout the country, leadership by talented and experienced artistic director David Ellenstein, and inspired choice of material — has led to its recognition as one of the country’s best regional theatres.

It’s also well-loved by the local community, as evidenced at its recent annual “Spotlight” fundraising gala, which drew more than 200 friends and supporters to the Del Mar Country Club.

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Jay receives the Lucy Jordan Award from Actors Equity

May 24, 2017

Last night, our Board of Trustees Vice President, Jay Sarno, was honored with the Actors’ Equity Association “Lucy Jordan Award” for his lifetime commitment to the theatre!

“The Award was started in 1992 to honor the legacy of Lucy Finney Jordan, a former ballerina and chorus “gypsy” who, for many years, was the “face” of Actors’ Equity in the Western Region as the Union’s Outside Field Rep. The award is given to those who demonstrate a “lifetime commitment to the theatre and especially, helping other theatre artists.”

No one is more deserving of this award. And while theatre’s throughout San Diego are the lucky beneficiaries of Jay’s generosity, we are lucky to call him our own.

Congratulations Jay!