Parody takes center stage; Miro exhibit to close

A parody of low-budget 1930s British detective movies is the next production from Modesto’s Center Stage Conservatory theater, beginning today.

“Bullshot Crummond” features villain Otto von Bruno and his evil mistress, Lenya, who crash their plane in the English countryside and kidnap Professor Fenton, who has discovered a formula for making synthetic diamonds. Hero Bullshot Crummond is called to the rescue.

The play, directed by Bryan Hurd, runs through Jan. 25 at Center Stage’s Lower Level Sudio, 948 11th St., Modesto. Tickets are $15 general, $10 for students with ID; a special pay-what-you-can night will be held Jan. 22.

For more, call (209) 846-0179 or see www.centerstagemodesto.com

‘Streetcar’ preview party

A preview party is planned for Jan. 17 at the State Theatre in Modesto for the upcoming Townsend Opera production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Live music will be offered by soprano Carrie Hennessey and Re-Assemblers of Whimsy. Hennessey will star as Blanche in the Townsend production on Jan. 23 and 25. Also planned for the event is a screening of the original “Streetcar” film starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando.

The party begins at 6 p.m., with the film beginning at 7. The event is free and open to the public at the State, 1307 J St., Modesto.

Townsend performer gets Grammy nod

Dan Kempson, who has been cast as Stanley Kowalski in the Townsend Opera production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” recently was nominated for a Grammy Award for best opera recording. Kempson also was nominated in the past for his performance in Milhaud’s “L’Orestie d’Eschyle.”

He will make his debut with Modesto’s Townsend Opera later this month. His most recent performance was with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The artist has an extensive opera and performing background, including the Santa Fe Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Skylight Music Theater, Spoleta Festival USA, Pittsburgh Opera and various other performances nationwide.

Kempson’s other accomplishments include the 2013 Sullivan Foundation Career Development Grant, the Donald Gramm Memorial Award, prizes from the Gerda Lissner Foundation, Opera Index Inc. and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Additionally, he was a national semifinalist for the 2009 Eleanor McCollum Competition of the Houston Grand Opera.

Townsend Opera’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” opens at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Jan. 23. The show will then move to the Fresno Grand Opera’s Saroyan Theatre on Feb. 15.

Last chance to see Miró

If you haven’t seen the colorful works of surrealist Joan Miró at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, time is running out. The show, “Joan Miró: Fantastic Universe,” highlighting the Spanish artist’s exploration of printmaking, concludes Thursday. There are 54 works included in the gallery exhibit.

The cost is $10 general, $8 members, 12 and under free. The gallery, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock, is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more, call (209) 632-5761 or see www.carnegieartsturlock.org.

Wild and Woolly Revue

A rollicking evening of humor and song is promised in Murphys as Sourdough’s Wild and Woolly Revue concert series ends its season Saturday. The show features Gold Country music makers Sourdough Slim & the Saddle Pals, Faux Renwah and Robert Armstrong in a once-a-year opportunity to catch all the artists in a show together.

Yodeler Sourdough Slim & the Saddle Pals will offer Western melodies; Cactus Bob, Prairie Flower and Michael P. Kennedy bring old-time music as the band Faux Renwah; and Robert Armstrong will perform his musical saw and string instrument talents.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door for the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Black Bart Playhouse, 580 S. Algiers Ave., Murphys. Call (800) 838-3006 for tickets.

New exhibit at Mistlin

The Central California Art Association at the Mistlin Gallery offers its New Members Exhibit now through Jan. 30.

The exhibit showcases the work of artist members who joined the art association in the past three years. The work of CCAA painters, potters and photographers fills the Mistlin Gallery, and a reception will be held during the Third Thursday Art Walk on Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Mistlin Gallery, 1015 J St., Modesto, is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Call (209) 529-3369.

Family show at Carnegie

The B Street Theater Company from Sacramento will offer the family production of “Kings & Queens, Jokers & Jacks” on Jan. 16 at the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock.

The show, part of the Carnegie’s Family Friday events, is a fun-filled look at medieval and ancient history, inspired by and adapted from ideas submitted by students. The free event is at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the arts center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. For more, call (209) 632-5761 or see www.carnegieartsturlock.org.

Journey Revisited

Tribute band Journey Revisited will play Saturday at the West Side Theatre in Newman. Doors open at 7 p.m. with an 8 p.m. showtime. Tickets are $19 general, $22 reserved at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St., Newman. Call (209) 862-4490.

This story was originally published January 7, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Parody takes center stage; Miro exhibit to close."