[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 133 (Thursday, November 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF THE WESTERN STAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Western Stage 
on the 30th Anniversary of its first performance in our community.
  The Western Stage, founded in 1974 on the campus of Hartnell College, 
is the Salinas Valley's public theatre and is a leading arts 
institution of Monterey County with a national presence and impact. For 
over three decades The Western Stage has served the diverse population 
of the central coast region of California, presenting an annual season 
of plays and musicals and educational programming of the highest 
professional standard. Over 400 students, community members and 
professionals participate each year, and the annual audience numbers 
exceed 25,000 patrons.
  The Western Stage also engages the community via its involvement with 
Hartnell Community College. The Western Stage Auxiliary Corporation is 
governed by a board of directors composed of community leaders and 
elected trustees of the College. The Western Stage manages the Hartnell 
College Performing Arts Center and administers the academic theatre 
program for the Hartnell College District under the direction of John 
Light, Melissa Chin Parker and Jon Patrick Selover, three company 
veterans with an average of 15 years each of experience with the 
Western Stage.
  Furthermore, The Western Stage is a founding partner of the John 
Steinbeck Chair at Hartnell College and The National Steinbeck Center, 
the Salinas Public Library and Partners for Peace, and has numerous 
artistic accomplishments of note with adaptations of major works of 
American literature and that of John Steinbeck: East of Eden (1992, 
1994, 2000), Tortilla Flat (2001), Viva! Zapata (2000), Cannery Row 
(1995 & 2005) and Travels With Charley (1998); as well as adaptations 
in collaboration with authors Studs Terkel (The Good War 1988), Ray 
Bradbury (Something Wicked This Way Comes, 1991) and Victor Villasenor 
(Rain of Gold 2003 & 2005); and world premieres of Summer Stock (for 
Harold Arlen, 2000) and Song of Survival (for WWII Dutch POW Helen 
Colijn, by California's Ray and Eleanor Harder, 1997).
  Today's performance of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet 
Street, directed by Jon Patrick Selover, commemorates 30 years since 
That Championship Season opened the Hartnell College Performing Arts 
Center, directed by founder of The Western Stage, Ron Danko.
  Clearly, The Western Stage has a commitment to the artistic health of 
the community providing support and assistance to and nurturing young 
artists and arts organizations. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank The Western Stage for the outstanding work it has 
done and honor the many accomplishments of its staff and volunteers.

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