The second season of “Long Beach Searches for the Greatest Storyteller” ends next Sunday, Dec. 30 at 7pm at the Long Beach Playhouse, when the winner will be determined by the audience and judges.
The spring, summer and fall shows each produced two finalists who had the winning five-minute story of the night. Ben Peters, Robbin Fortier, Kori Denis, Justin Ezzi, Catherine Close and Jason Bowes, will compete on the main stage to determine who is “the greatest storyteller” during the winter final show. Cost is $10.
Andrew Vonderschmitt, producing artistic director of the Playhouse, said, “Last year, the finals sold out; it was a great night. Our Playhouse is for the community and this event is a chance for anyone, not just actors using scripts, to perform.”
Throughout the year, story topics ranged from Fortier’s poignant cancer-survivor story to a different kind of medical experience, as Ezzi spun a hilarious tale about his visit to the doctor for an examination of the “bathing suit area.” For finals, each storyteller must come up with a new tale.
Local Oscar-winning, Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams will be on hand to open the show with his own true story. “Actually, Paul will tell a new story too,” said show producer Mariana Williams, Paul’s wife. Opening second half will be comedian Wayne Federman, who has appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm and other sit-coms, Williams said.
Six judges along with the audience will vote, and the winner is awarded $100. The judges are all luminaries in Long Beach, representing many facets of the arts community, including Novelist Darlene Quinn, Long Beach City College English Professor Charla Howard, Drama Coach Frederick Ponzlov, educator and host of Straight Talk Art Levine, Editor of the Grunion Gazette Harry Saltzgaver and Moth Competitive Storyteller of renown Bill Ratner. Each judge’s vote counts for five points and each audience member’s vote is one point.
More Information
(562) 494-1014 Ext. 503
lbplayhouse.org
