All the world's a stage...and I've forgotten half my lines.

Stage Theatre Companies

Pleasanton Playhouse (now TVRT) – For many years, it was my primary place of performing since getting into theatre. I’ve done over 24 shows there. My favorite roles there have been the Billy Bigelow in Carousel and Will Parker in OKLAHOMA! and Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof. Most shows, I enjoyed. A few are to be forgotten. 

DLOC – They treated me well up there. Though it was a trek to get to rehearsals, it was hard to beat performing in the Regional Center for the Arts. If you ever needed to lose a few pounds, it could be done rehearsing in the “Firehouse” during the summer. It was so aptly named. I’ve done 110 in the Shade, Carousel, and The Wizard of OZ there. Sadly, the company is no longer is business. Pity. Those were good times. 

Las Positas College – Here’s where it all began many years ago. I took about every acting class they had to offer (some several times). After that, I did a number of shows with them. Every now and again, I wander out to the college to audition once more. It’s always different with many new faces. And they do try cast primarily with the young students now, so there’s no longer the same opportunities. 

Crosswind’s Church – It’s been over a decade now, but I performed in dozens and dozens of sketches there. The drama director changed a few times, and many of the actors. It was always a true blessing when we got a script with more than one week to memorize it. Yes, sir. A blessing indeed. On occasion, I would direct the skits–much less memorizing that way, but you still have to show up at 7am, Sunday morning. Yes … 7… am!

United Asbury Church – Just one show, many moons ago with a small stage and a small team to act upon it. I had a good time. A lot of heart went into that production of Ah, Wilderness.

CTA – Only one show with them–Peter Pan a while back. I played an Indian dancer. Simple enough part. They are now gone. 

Stage One – Crazy for You in 2002, and it was certainly one of my top three favorites. Since then I’ve done only two other shows: Fiddler on the Roof and West Side Story, both in 2014. The budgets can be quite limited; however, the people are very nice. 

Neighborhood Theatre Group – Beauty and the Beast — yeah, that was a blast. Terrific way to spend a summer and made some great friends out there. Since then, I’ve done King David, Prince of Egypt, Children of Eden and Narnia, and the most amazing Singin’ in the Rain in 2019.

Broadway West – Only one show with them, and now the venue is no more. I’d only seen about three shows there in the 20 years of their existence and only auditioned once or twice. Still, the one show I did do was great.  Fun cast and crew. 

University of London – How many actors get to say they performed in London? True, it was at the University’s theatre, but a wonderful experience indeed, especially performing with a round of young brits. The show was The Hothouse. 

Dinner Theatre

GibsonHouse Florida (2023-present)

  • They’re back! But on the east coast. Okay, nothing a plane flight can’t fix. So now I fly from Seattle to Florida roughly once per month to perform out there. Tiring? A little. Rewarding? A lot. 

Mystery by Design (1998 – 2002)

  • Fatal Fiesta – My first gig with them (and it was paid). I was Manuel Labor, the guitar-playing mariachi. Fun show. After a three-month run of performing every Friday and Saturday, I really enjoyed the short break afterwards.
  • Maltese Crow Murder – I was Billy Club – the kid with the attitude in this 1940’s style dinner theatre show. Fun part and I even got to die. Ah, no lines to worry about after you’re dead. Truly, the best parts are the terminal ones.
  • Win, Place, or Murder! – Okay, this one was tough. Here, I had to portray two characters. And the first one was quite heavyset. I wore a body suit for that one. And I don’t think I fooled anyone except of couple of kids who still happened to point out my fake mustache.
  • Silver Screen – Charlie Toledo was my character’s name. This 30’s Hollywoodish mystery was an interesting one. I had a few songs to sing as well. We had a few gigs with this show – including the infamous K101 Christmas Party fiasco.
  • Curse of Alcatraz – Bullwhip, leather coat, boots, old syle hat, and an ancient urn. Those items lended themselves to my favorite character – Indiana James. Actually, the character is Mort Abord – famed 1930’s archaeologist. (And it’s actually not my favorite one.)

MysteryHouse Performers (formerly GibsonHouse) (2001 – present)

  • Funeral for a Gangster – A simple little part: Joey Marzetti. The small parts are the fun ones. Few lines to worry about, yet the pay is the same. This was a great show and performed only a mile from my house. Hard not to like this one. I played a dumb gangster who never seems to fully understand his surroundings. No jokes, please.
  • Weddings Are Murder – Ack! This part was much larger than any of my past roles. And I had props to worry about as well. In this show, I played Robert Wright, also known as Mr. Wright. However, he’s the best man since the bride ended up marrying Mr. Wrong, otherwise known as Ambrose. It’s a funny show, but too many lines make preparations a nightmare. (Slight change: I play Ambrose now. Got tired of playing Robert Wright.)
  • Murder by Election – I play Newt Trawl. The sript only gets done around election time. It’s a fun role with some great chances to overact.
  • Murder by Bingo – Great script and now my favorite role. It’s Stuart, the whiny bellboy.
  • Murder on the High Seas – I portray the nervous Frenchman, John Disse. It’s a decent part and easy to do.
  • Murder on the Sea of Love – Joey Carmine, that’s who I play. He’s a slimy guy on his honeymoon.
  • Shadow of a Murder – Let me see…I play Jack Grissom. He’s a 40’s detective.
  • Murder in Morocco – I started with Noah Braines, but didn’t really enjoy playing the character so I switched to Seymohr Behines. It’s a lot more fun.
  • Eh, I suppose there’s no point in adding any more of these. I’m in pretty much every show. Check out MysteryHousePerformers for details.

Dance

Las Positas College – That’s the place where I learned to tap dance after I failed to get into a few shows. I went from one dance production to another out there. The director was a nice lady and treated me well since I was a guy. She always was kind to any guys willing to join the dance production. Well, except for Brett. She didn’t care for his smart mouthing.

Valley Dance Theatre – Can’t even remember how many shows I’ve done with them. Now, they even let me emcee the productions – yeah, bad jokes and all. They’re just too nice to say “Shut up and introduce the next piece!”

Pam Gibson Dance Studio – Each year, we’d put together a huge production number. And each year, we’d take 3rd, 4th, or 5th place. Hard to compete with others when they were doing serious tributes to dead dance leaders and terminal illnesses, and we were doing excerpts from West Side Story. It was there that I first coined my “It’s not like somebody died or anything” phrase (yeah, someone had died–cruel joke but the laughs and shock were priceless). The studio is now closed – but NOT because of my line. At least I don’t think so.

Music

Las Positas College – Here’s where I took the Chamber Choir classes, the Jazz choir classes, the Music classes, a piano class and so forth. I had a great time learning music there. It was well worth the time. Jim Heiner made the classes fun and informative. On occasion, I’d even memorize the words for the concerts. Yeah, what can I say? I’m a trooper!