Photo 1: Ramona is presented with a check for One Million Dollars
Photo 2: The Quimby Family
Photos courtesy Alameda Children's Musical Theatre
A Classic Children's Book Takes to the Stage
ACMT's Ramona Quimby Touches Audiences with Truth and Humor
By Miguel Gamalinda
Enter the lobby, buy a ticket (If you haven't done so already), grab a seat, and get ready to be transported back to the year 1982, as if you had just stepped into some sort of dramatic time machine. It was a time when President Reagan had just entered his second year in office, Johnny Carson had celebrated his twentieth year as host of NBC's Tonight Show, Billy Joel was topping the charts with his album The Nylon Curtain, the Cold War between the United States and the now-disbanded Soviet Union had entered it's thirty-fifth straight year, and a small family of four living on Klickitat Street was about to face some problems of their own.
This is all in reference to Alameda Children's Musical Theatre's most recent production of Ramona Quimby, which opened April 16 at the Altarena Playhouse. Ramona Quimby details an entire year in the life of the Quimby family, a traditional nuclear family consisting of eight year old Ramona, her teenage sister Beatrice or “Beezus” as Ramona calls her; Mr. Quimby, their blue-collar father; and their homemaker mother, Mrs. Quimby. Also featured in the show are Ramona's best friend Howie, his Uncle Hobart, and Ramona's Aunt Bea, and many other amazing performers that help bring this show to life in front of everyone's eyes.
As stated above, the show takes place in 1982 and details a very eventful year in the life of the Quimby family. This series of significant events begins when Mr. Quimby is laid off from his blue-collar job as a result of the recession that hit the United States in the early 1980s, very similar to the one that currently affects us. The Quimby Family, now needing to stretch their limited resources as much as possible, resort to cutting back on almost every aspect of their lives, going so far as to even have to eat tongue because, according to Mr. and Mrs. Quimby, “it's economical and nutritional.” Needing money to continue to get by, Mrs. Quimby gives up her homemaker lifestyle and acquires a job at a local doctor's office. Meanwhile, Mr. Quimby's smoking habit, which he had kicked to the curb two weeks prior to the beginning of the show, returns, much to the dismay of Ramona and Beezus. Furthermore, Ramona's Aunt Bea falls through on a promise to take her on a trip to the zoo, preferring to spend her time with Howie's Uncle Hobart, who she seemed to have fallen in love with. All of these stresses start to take their toll on the Quimby family, particularly Ramona, who seems to have to endure the brunt of everything from her teacher Mrs. Griggs who hates her, and her classmate Susan, who constantly victimizes her. What may seem to be nothing in an adult's mindset could mean the world to an eight year old girl, such as copycats and mean teachers.
This show relates and connects to both children and adults on so many levels, something that many shows don't have the ability to do. For children, it understands their mindset and their makes a big deal out of things that those with an adult mindset would normally (But not always) brush-off as nothing. The show reflects on how a typical eight year-old child would react when learning that their favorite aunt is moving far away and marrying someone she doesn't exactly admire. For adults, it relates to the everyday pressure of having to live paycheck-to-paycheck and making ends meet. All in all, it's an exceptional show that the entire family will enjoy.
Ramona Quimby is based off the classic children's book series of the same name by Beverly Cleary. The show was adapted for the stage by Len Jenkin. ACMT's production of Quimby is directed by Julia Bruce and produced by Marna Mitchell and Bridget Terry.
“A talented and dedicated cast has come together for this show, and in a sense I truly feel that we've become our own family as we've gone through the rehearsal process together, combining hard work and great fun – something that Ramona, Beverly Cleary, my mother-in-law, and all of our loved ones should be proud of,” says Bruce.
Cast members include Jessica Lundy-Paine and Tatum Anderson as Ramona, Zaria Zinn as Beezus, Connor Christiansen as Mr. Quimby, Kelsey Ansderson as Mrs. Quimby, Ani Lowe and Diego Sanchez as Howie, Gabby Fasano and Tyler Barnes as Aunt Bea and Mrs. Kemp, Brooke Anderson and Emerald Lugtu as Uncle Hobart, and many others. The show opened Friday, April 16 and runs through Saturday April 24 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30. Matinee performances, which will begin at 2 PM, will be performed on Sunday, April 18 and Saturday April 24 at the Altarena Playhouse (1409 High Street, Alameda, CA). Tickets are $13 for Adults and $7 for Students, Senior Citizens, and active Military personnel.
Miguel Gamalinda is a musical theatre actor who has performed such roles as Danny Zuko in "Grease" and Mark Cohen in "RENT." He is currently scheduled to be performing in Stage Door Conservatory's production of "Chicago" this July and is a Senior at Island High School in Alameda.
ACMT's Ramona Quimby Touches Audiences with Truth and Humor
By Miguel Gamalinda
Enter the lobby, buy a ticket (If you haven't done so already), grab a seat, and get ready to be transported back to the year 1982, as if you had just stepped into some sort of dramatic time machine. It was a time when President Reagan had just entered his second year in office, Johnny Carson had celebrated his twentieth year as host of NBC's Tonight Show, Billy Joel was topping the charts with his album The Nylon Curtain, the Cold War between the United States and the now-disbanded Soviet Union had entered it's thirty-fifth straight year, and a small family of four living on Klickitat Street was about to face some problems of their own.
This is all in reference to Alameda Children's Musical Theatre's most recent production of Ramona Quimby, which opened April 16 at the Altarena Playhouse. Ramona Quimby details an entire year in the life of the Quimby family, a traditional nuclear family consisting of eight year old Ramona, her teenage sister Beatrice or “Beezus” as Ramona calls her; Mr. Quimby, their blue-collar father; and their homemaker mother, Mrs. Quimby. Also featured in the show are Ramona's best friend Howie, his Uncle Hobart, and Ramona's Aunt Bea, and many other amazing performers that help bring this show to life in front of everyone's eyes.
As stated above, the show takes place in 1982 and details a very eventful year in the life of the Quimby family. This series of significant events begins when Mr. Quimby is laid off from his blue-collar job as a result of the recession that hit the United States in the early 1980s, very similar to the one that currently affects us. The Quimby Family, now needing to stretch their limited resources as much as possible, resort to cutting back on almost every aspect of their lives, going so far as to even have to eat tongue because, according to Mr. and Mrs. Quimby, “it's economical and nutritional.” Needing money to continue to get by, Mrs. Quimby gives up her homemaker lifestyle and acquires a job at a local doctor's office. Meanwhile, Mr. Quimby's smoking habit, which he had kicked to the curb two weeks prior to the beginning of the show, returns, much to the dismay of Ramona and Beezus. Furthermore, Ramona's Aunt Bea falls through on a promise to take her on a trip to the zoo, preferring to spend her time with Howie's Uncle Hobart, who she seemed to have fallen in love with. All of these stresses start to take their toll on the Quimby family, particularly Ramona, who seems to have to endure the brunt of everything from her teacher Mrs. Griggs who hates her, and her classmate Susan, who constantly victimizes her. What may seem to be nothing in an adult's mindset could mean the world to an eight year old girl, such as copycats and mean teachers.
This show relates and connects to both children and adults on so many levels, something that many shows don't have the ability to do. For children, it understands their mindset and their makes a big deal out of things that those with an adult mindset would normally (But not always) brush-off as nothing. The show reflects on how a typical eight year-old child would react when learning that their favorite aunt is moving far away and marrying someone she doesn't exactly admire. For adults, it relates to the everyday pressure of having to live paycheck-to-paycheck and making ends meet. All in all, it's an exceptional show that the entire family will enjoy.
Ramona Quimby is based off the classic children's book series of the same name by Beverly Cleary. The show was adapted for the stage by Len Jenkin. ACMT's production of Quimby is directed by Julia Bruce and produced by Marna Mitchell and Bridget Terry.
“A talented and dedicated cast has come together for this show, and in a sense I truly feel that we've become our own family as we've gone through the rehearsal process together, combining hard work and great fun – something that Ramona, Beverly Cleary, my mother-in-law, and all of our loved ones should be proud of,” says Bruce.
Cast members include Jessica Lundy-Paine and Tatum Anderson as Ramona, Zaria Zinn as Beezus, Connor Christiansen as Mr. Quimby, Kelsey Ansderson as Mrs. Quimby, Ani Lowe and Diego Sanchez as Howie, Gabby Fasano and Tyler Barnes as Aunt Bea and Mrs. Kemp, Brooke Anderson and Emerald Lugtu as Uncle Hobart, and many others. The show opened Friday, April 16 and runs through Saturday April 24 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30. Matinee performances, which will begin at 2 PM, will be performed on Sunday, April 18 and Saturday April 24 at the Altarena Playhouse (1409 High Street, Alameda, CA). Tickets are $13 for Adults and $7 for Students, Senior Citizens, and active Military personnel.
Miguel Gamalinda is a musical theatre actor who has performed such roles as Danny Zuko in "Grease" and Mark Cohen in "RENT." He is currently scheduled to be performing in Stage Door Conservatory's production of "Chicago" this July and is a Senior at Island High School in Alameda.
