From The Most Happy Fella to Les Miserables, American musical theater has expressed the full spectrum of emotions encountered in the grand human comedy.

Now, Friends of the Yuba City Parks and Recreation Foundation is collecting some of Broadway's best memories into a variety show, Way, Way, Way Off Broadway, for its first-ever fund-raiser.

True, Yuba-Sutter is a continent away from the Great White Way, but the acts Friends is mustering will come as close to the Broadway experience as any theater-goer could expect to get for $35.

A live musical revue, Way, Way, Way, Off Broadway, is set for Nov. 12 at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds main exhibit hall. It will celebrate the most memorable songs from America's most beloved musicals.

Whether it is "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady, or “We Go Together” from Grease, the acts being put together are all song and dance show-stoppers.

Helmed by two Elly Award-winning directors -- Paul DeMeritt of Faith Christian School and Staci Johnson of The Acting Company -- Way, Way, Way Off Broadway promises to be a top quality production, event manager Skip King said.

“An exciting evening of Broadway selections with dynamic narrative throughout, is in store for the whole family," DeMeritt said.

The show will feature Yuba-Sutter’s most talented young and adult performers, supported by professional quality lighting, staging, costuming and special effects, DeMeritt said.

To that end, the show producers will be recruiting acts from: The Acting Company, Yuba-Sutter Children’s Musical Theater, Ponderosa Theatre Company, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, The Faith Christian School Players, Creative Light Theatre, and the drama clubs of Yuba City, Sutter, Wheatland and Marysville high schools.

Talent will also be drawn from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Drama, the Bethel AME Choir and others, DeMeritt said.
The Friends of Yuba City Parks and Recreation Foundation is a non-profit organization established to raise and distribute funds intended to enhance City of Yuba City park facilities and recreational programs.

The Way, Way, Way Off Broadway event will also benefit the Woodleaf Outdoor School program. All proceeds from a silent auction being held in conjunction with the variety show will go directly to Woodleaf.

“Every year hundreds of 6th graders from several surrounding counties attend a week long, in residence, school focused on environmental education,” Woodleaf Director John Hendrickson said.

Funding for Woodleaf was recently severely reduced by both Marysville and Yuba City school districts due to budget constraints," Hendrickson said.

The evening spent Way, Way, Way Off Broadway will also include a “Taste of Yuba-Sutter” -- a premier culinary event featuring the talents and products of local restaurateurs and food specialty providers.

So, for the low ticket price of only $35 you get an evening of Broadway show-stoppers, featured dishes from Yuba-Sutter’s best eateries and the thrill of supporting Yuba City's parks and recreational programs and Woodleaf Outdoor School.

For more information or to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities contact Skip King at 674-1280.