Go to the movies, and be a part of Walla Walla History!

2 days. 13 hours of programming. 11 World Premieres. 88 short movies… all new to you. Dozens of award-winners, including an Oscar® nominee. The 1st annual Walla Walla Movie Crush, America’s most intoxicating blend of short cinema, coming to the Gesa Power House Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2.

See and hear Stephen King (THE SHINING), Tituss Burgess (THE UNBREAKBALE KIMMY SCHMIDT), Jennifer Lawrence (THE HUNGER GAMES), John Turturro (DO THE RIGHT THING), Lena Dunham (GIRLS), Mary Elizabeth Ellis (IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA), Stephen Dorff (BLADE), Casey Wilson (SNL), Sam Elliott (WE WERE SOLDIERS) and Bobby Cannavale (BOARDWALK EMPIRE).

Renowned short film expert Warren Etheredge has watched hundreds of short films and selected the very best for you to view, packaged in hour-long programs with time for conversations about the content with visiting filmmakers. The films range in length from one to 30 minutes, with most less than 10. Highlights include programs dedicated to veterans’ issues, sports, music, mothers, social mores, political discourse and, of course, romance… when it goes oh-so-right and oh-so-wrong.

If your tastes run a little wilder, check out Walla Walla After Dark: The Crushening, a special program of the weird, the wild, the bawdy and the bizarre on Saturday, July 1st at 10pm at El Corazon (37 S Palouse St).

On Sunday night, join us for 10 brand-new short films created specifically for the Walla Walla Movie Crush by these critically-acclaimed directors and filmmaking teams: The Adams Family (HALFWAY TO ZEN), Genevieve Anderson (TOO LOUD A SOLITUDE), Wendy Jo Carlton (EASY ABBY), Rick Castaneda (CEMENT SUITCASE), Mtume Gant (WHITE FACE), Jadoliv Studios, Josh Lunden (MODERN DARK), Joshua Seftel (WAR, INC.), Jacob Strunk (VALHALLA), and Caveh Zahedi (THE SHEIK AND I). When these films hit the screen, it will be the first time anyone has seen them, including the festival staff. The Walla Walla Movie Crush Challenge will be followed immediately by the festival’s Closing Night Awards Ceremony.

For the full schedule and line-up visit: www.wallawallamoviecrush.com

Tickets will be available online through June 30, and at the door based on availability.

The Walla Walla Movie Crush receives support from The City of Walla Walla, the Walla Walla Public Library, Gesa Power House Theatre, and Washington FilmWorks. All proceeds from the Walla Walla Movie Crush go to support The Red Badge Project.

Gesa Power House Theatre and the Blue Mountain Humane Society invite you to attend a screening of the independent, foreign film "Kedi" on Friday, July 7. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the film begins at 7:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Blue Mountain Humane Society.

Arrive early to visit with representatives from the Blue Mountain Humane Society, meet some adorable cats (available for adoption), and get your picture taken in a photo booth.

All donations that Blue Mountain Humane Society receives during the PETS90X Challenge will be matched by the Murr Family Foundation.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Shakespeare Company production of "Antony & Cleopatra" on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in Stratford-Upon-Avon and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

Following Caesar’s assassination Mark Antony has reached the heights of power. Now he has neglected his empire for a life of decadent seduction with his mistress, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Torn between love and duty, Antony’s military brilliance deserts him, and his passion leads the lovers to their tragic end.

Iqbal Khan returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company to direct, following his critically acclaimed productions of Othello (2015) and Much Ado About Nothing (2012).

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre presents Herb Alpert & Lani Hall in concert on Sunday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Herb Alpert — the iconic trumpeter, composer, record label executive, artist and philanthropist — has had five #1 hits, released fifteen Gold albums, fourteen Platinum albums and has sold over 72 million records. After more than 50 years of ground-breaking accomplishments, he continues to be a prolific musician. He recently released a Grammy-nominated album of new material, inspired by electronic and dance music, called "Human Nature" - his fourth album of new music in just three years. It features five new original compositions and Alpert’s signature re–imagining of classics like Michael Jackson's “Human Nature,” Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie” and “Don't Go Breaking My Heart,” and Bacharach and Elvis Costello’s “Look Up Again.”

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass propelled Alpert's sound into the pop music limelight, at one point outselling the Beatles two to one. In 1966, they achieved the since-unmatched feat of simultaneously having four albums in the Top 10-- and five in the Top 20. Alpert also has the distinction of being the only artist who has had a #1 instrumental and vocal single.

To honor this landmark year, 24 of his classic albums were remastered from the original analog tapes and reissued for the first time, several of which have been out of print for a number of years. On the heels of the reissues, 13 of Herb’s albums returned to the Billboard Top 50 Catalog Jazz albums chart. 11 of his titles are currently in the Top 100 Jazz albums on Amazon. Billboard also listed Herb at #7 on their Greatest Of All Time Billboard 200 Artists list this year. Summer, 2017, Herb releases two new albums, “Music Volume 1” and “The Christmas Wish,” recorded with symphony and chorus.

A 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Alpert has also dedicated his life to philanthropy, funding programs that include arts education, jazz and support to professional artists. Through the Herb Alpert Foundation, he has endowed the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the Herb Alpert School of Music at CalArts and most recently the Music Department at Los Angeles City College. This gift to LACC provides free attendance, additional private lessons and further financial aid to music majors. Herb has also established the Herb Alpert Scholarships for Emerging Young Artists at California State Summer School for the Arts, and the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts administered by Cal Arts for the past 22 years.

Grammy Award-winning vocalist and producer Lani Hall joins her husband, Herb Alpert, on the current concert tour.

Lani Hall started her singing career in 1966, as the lead singer of Sergio Mendes’s break through group, Brasil ’66. She has the distinction of recording more than 22 albums in three different languages (English, Portuguese and Spanish, and in 1983, she sang the title song for the James Bond film, Never Say Never Again. In 1986 Hall won her first Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance for her album, "Es Facil Amar". Hall picked up her second Grammy Award as producer on Herb Alpert’s 2013 album, "Steppin’ Out".

While her singing career took her on the road, Hall also focused on her writing—committing to the page her personal impressions of the world around her. Sergio Mendes further expanded her writing career by asking Lani to write the English lyrics for many of the band’s Brazilian songs. Her debut book, "Emotional Memoirs & Short Stories", compiles 10 short stories from 30 years of writing short fiction and true stories from her life—all woven together by a connecting personal narrative, with the city of Chicago as the backdrop. Her characters are intelligent, modern women struggling to navigate the uncertain waters of adultery, therapy, cosmetic surgery, postpartum depression and their own sexuality.

And now, with the release of her audio book, "Emotional Memoirs & Short Stories", Hall has mixed her two creative expressions to make one total experience. With her emotional narration at the forefront, she has placed a unique, musically scored soundtrack, creating an emotional landscape of music, to all 10 stories, making each chosen scene come to vivid life.

Since 2006, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall have been touring with their band to sell out performances.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Opera production of "Otello" on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

World-famous tenor Jonas Kaufmann makes his role debut as Otello in Verdi's passionate retelling of Shakespeare's great tragedy of jealousy, deception and murder. Soprano Maria Agresta will be his Desdemona and baritone Ludovic Tézier his nemesis Iago in a new production by Olivier Award-winning director Keith Warner.

A major work of the opera repertory, Verdi's Otello draws on the full forces of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Royal Opera Chorus and this stellar line-up of principal singers, with exquisite duets, emotionally potent solo numbers and thrilling choruses. Particular highlights include Otello and Desdemona's rapturous love duet and Desdemona's poignant 'Willow Song'. Royal Opera Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts this Italian masterpiece.

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre presents: "Cabaret" a musical directed by Tyson Kaup book by Joe Masteroff based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood music by John Kander lyrics by Fred Ebb produced by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. August 18, 19, 25, 26 - 7:00 PM August 20,…

Gesa Power House Theatre presents "May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers" - screening one night only to theaters nationwide - on Tuesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. This screening is sponsored in part by Henry Earl Winery.

Filmed with extraordinary access over more than two years, MAY IT LAST: A PORTRAIT OF THE AVETT BROTHERS is a deeply intimate and revealing look at the Grammy Award-nominated North Carolina band fronted by Seth and Scott Avett. Directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio chart the Avett Brothers' decade-and-a-half rise, while chronicling their 2016 collaboration with famed producer Rick Rubin on the critically-acclaimed album “True Sadness,” released on American Recordings/Republic Records. Using the recording process as a backdrop, the film depicts a lifelong creative partnership put to the test as band members undergo marriage, divorce, parenthood, illness, and the challenges of the music business. More than just a concert documentary, MAY IT LAST is a meditation on family, love, and the passage of time.

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online, by calling the box office at 509-529-6500, or at the door.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Shakespeare Company production of "Titus Andronicus" on Wednesday, September 13 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in Stratford-Upon-Avon and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

The decay of Rome reaches violent depths in Shakespeare’s most bloody play.

Titus is a ruler exhausted by war and loss, who relinquishes power but leaves Rome in disorder. Rape, cannibalism and severed body parts fill the moral void at the heart of this corrupt society.

Shakespeare’s gory revenge tragedy presents us with murder as entertainment, and, as the body count piles up, poses questions about the nature of sexuality, family, class and society.

Blanche McIntyre returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare’s brutal revenge tragedy after her debut directing "The Two Noble Kinsmen" (2016).

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Popcorn, beer, and wine will be available for purchase.

As a warm-up for the Washington Premiere of "A Very Sordid Wedding" on Friday, September 15, Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the cult hit "Sordid Lives" on Thursday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m.

"Sordid Lives" is an independent film released in 2000, written and directed by Del Shores, based on his play of the same name. The film follows a gay West Hollywood actor as he returns home to his small Texas town for his grandmother's funeral. Three generations of his dysfunctional family collide and the hilariously trashy truth of their lives are revealed.

The film's remarkable cast includes Olivia Newton-John (Grease), Delta Burke (TV’s “Designing Women”), Bonnie Bedelia (TV’s “Parenthood”), Beau Bridges (TV’s “Masters of Sex”) and Leslie Jordan (TV's "Will and Grace").

"Sordid Lives" was followed in 2008 by the television series "Sordid Lives: The Series" which expanded on the events of the original film and included many of the original cast members. A sequel film "A Very Sordid Wedding" is currently in limited theatrical release and the September 15 screening at the Power House will be the official Washington Premiere of the film. Filmmakers Del Shore (writer/director) and Emerson Collins (producer/actor) will be in attendance.

"Sordid Lives" is rated R (language, nudity) and runs approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. Snacks, beer, and wine will be available for purchase.

Gesa Power House Theatre will host the Washington Premiere of the 2017 independent film "A Very Sordid Wedding" on Friday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. Two of the filmmakers, Del Shores (writer/director) and Emerson Collins (producer/actor) will be in attendance. A portion of every ticket sale will be donated to the Triple Point program (details…

There is only one classic batman and his name is Adam West. Growing up on a wheat ranch just outside of town, Adam West, was always proud of his beginnings in Walla Walla. Come celebrate the legacy of our hometown hero with a FREE screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary "Starring Adam West" at 7:00 p.m. at Gesa Power House Theatre. A live Q & A panel with Director James Tooley and Producer Ralph Garman will immediately following the showing.

In June the City of Walla Walla proclaimed September 19, 2017 as Adam West Day and will include a full day of festivities on the anniversary of Adam West's birthday. A number of close friends and family members will be in attendance.

“This is a community joining together to honor someone who they love and that the residents of this city are quite proud of,” said Jonathan Grant, front office manager at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center and a co-organizer of the event.  “Frankly, it is something we should have done years ago, but I am excited that we are doing it now.”

Proceeds and donations from Adam West Day will go support cancer charities. For more information about Adam West Day, please visit. www.adamwestday.com.

Walla Walla Valley Honda presents "Micah and Me" on Friday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. This family dance party is part of the ongoing Little Watts Series of Family Entertainment at Gesa Power House Theatre.

Micah and Me is a band made up of three at-home dads who entertain, educate and empower young children (0-7) through the power of music. They have played hundreds of live shows throughout Oregon and Washington.

Micah and Me play ukulele, guitar, bass drum and bass guitar while singing and dancing their hearts out. The show is 45-60 minutes long, depending on the attention span of the audience. Kids, parents, and the young at heart engage in guided and free form dancing throughout the show. Other elements, such as parachute play, scarves, bubbles and percussion instruments, are often incorporated into the fun. At the end of the show they offer an instrument petting zoo.

Micah and Me were recently voted one of the top five Children's Entertainers in Portland, Oregon by PDX Parent!

Gesa Power House Theatre presents Chase Padgett in "6 Guitars" on Saturday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m.

"6 guitars" is a pitch perfect blend of music, comedy, and characters. Chase Padgett becomes six different guitar players each with their own distinct voice, views, and musical style (Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical, Folk, and Country). During this 85 minute show, each of the characters ranging from a 19 year old rock prodigy to an 87 year old blues man share their journey with music from discovery to mastery through songs and stories that leaves every audience laughing, crying, and falling in love with music all over again.

"6 Guitars" premiered in the 2010 Orlando International Fringe Festival where it was greeted with sold out houses and standing ovations. Since then is has traveled internationally, becoming one of the most successful shows from the Canadian Fringe Festival Circuit by breaking attendance records and receiving high praise from critics. In 2013 it became one of the top 5 highest grossing shows in the history of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival by selling nearly 3000 tickets in 12 days. In 2015 it broke that record with 3200 tickets.

Chase Padgett has been a professional actor and musician for most of his adult life. While attending the University of Central Florida, he studied and worked at the Sak Comedy Lab in Orlando Fl, one of the best improv companies in the southeast. After graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music he worked at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in various comedic and musical roles including custom song writing for special events.

In 2014 Chase was hand picked to perform a sketch comedy showcase for NBC in Los Angeles where he got to work with some of the best comedy talent in the field. When not touring or auditioning in LA he resides in Portland, OR where he can be seen working with the Curious Comedy Theatre as a writer, performer, improviser, and musician.

BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet will perform a concert at Gesa Power House Theatre on Friday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. They previously played to a sold out Power House audience in 2014.

For the past 42 years, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet has been making some of the most potent and popular Cajun music on the planet. Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members, and created and driven by bandleader Michael Doucet’s spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil is notorious for bringing even the most staid audience to its feet. BeauSoleil’s distinctive sound derives from the distilled spirits of New Orleands jazz, blues rock, folk, swamp pop, Zydeco, country and bluegrass, captivating listeners from the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, to Carnegie Hall, then all the way across the pond to Richard Thompson’s Meltdown Festival in England.

A new group of Walla Walla celebrities take to the stage at Gesa Power House Theatre on October 7 at 7:00 p.m. for the second annual "Dancing with the W2 Stars" fundraising event for Valley Residential Services. Local participants will be paired with professional dancers and have a week of rehearsals to learn a ballroom dance routine before the live performance and a judging panel.

Valley Residential Services has enlisted participation from a fantastic lineup of local "celebrities".

W2 Stars Dancers:

Chris Coates, Director of Sales at Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center - sponsored by Community Bank
Zachary Fraser, President of Walla Walla Sweets Baseball - sponsored by Lillie Rice Center
Mary Derby, Winemaker/Owner of DAMA Wines - sponsored by Coldwell Banker First Realtors
Scott Peters, Manager at Columbia REA - sponsored by Columbia REA
Jodi Worden, Director of Continuing Education at Walla Walla Community College - sponsored by Michael Fluharty, CPA
Jim McCarthy, Sr. VP at E.K. Riley Investments - sponsored by E.K. Riley Investments
Teri Barila, Community Organizer - sponsored by Kathy Ruggeri, RN
Jason Valentine, Weather Evening Anchor KAPP/KVEW-TV - sponsored by Jazzercise Walla Walla

W2 Stars Judges:

Tom Maccarone, T. Maccarone's
Kathy Covey, Blue Mountain Action Council
Janet Byerley, Jazzercise
Roger Esparza, Williams Team Homes

In addition to seeing the Walla Walla Stars dance, the professionals teaching the stars will perform excerpts from their award-winning showcase "Ballroom Fever". Audiences can expect to see breath-taking lifts, hundreds of costumes, theatrical story lines, and a variety of ballroom dance styles, from the sexy Cuban Salsa to the energetic American Swing to the elegant Viennese Waltz.

The professional dance ensemble are members of the United States National Formation Championship company in both Latin American and Standard ballroom dancing, and their company tours internationally, with more than 100 performances each year.

Valley Residential Services provides personalized support in safe, comfortable, home environments for developmentally disabled individuals, residences for veterans with rehabilitation opportunities, and family assistance services.

$40 - reserved seating only
$65 - reserved seating ticket + admission to the After Party Dance Party with the performers (includes one beverage and appetizers)
Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the recent documentary film "Food Evolution" on Wednesday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Amidst a brutally polarized debate marked by passion, suspicion and confusion, "Food Evolution", by Academy Award®-nominated director Scott Hamilton Kennedy (The Garden, Fame High, OT: Our Town), explores the controversy surrounding GMOs and food. Traveling from Hawaiian papaya groves, to banana farms in Uganda to the cornfields of Iowa, the film, narrated by esteemed science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, wrestles with the emotions and the science driving one of the most heated arguments of our time.

In the GMO debate, both pro and anti camps claim science is on their side. Who’s right? "Food Evolution" shows how easily misinformation, confusion and fear can overwhelm objective analysis. How do we ensure that our food supply is safe, and that everyone has enough to eat? How do we feed the world while also protecting the planet? Has genetic engineering increased or decreased pesticide use? Are GMO foods bad for your health? And, most importantly, what data, evidence and sources are we using to approach these important questions?

While the passionate advocates in the film are all concerned with the stewardship of safe, nutritious food for the planet, their differing views over what constitutes the truth have pit them against each other, rendering the very subject of food itself into an ideological battleground.

Enlisting subject matter experts as well as farmers and scientists from around the world, this bold documentary separates the hype and emotion from the science and data to unravel the debate around food, and help audiences reach their own conclusions.

The film was commissioned and funded by The Institute of Food Technologists, a nonprofit scientific society of more than 17,000 members from around the world.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

"Food Evolution" runs approximately 90 minutes. For more information, please visit foodevolutionmovie.com.

Grammy Award-winning artist Layzie Bone from the platinum group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will launch "The Game Sold Not Told" tour in conjunction with Mo Thug Family & Capo Music on Saturday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. at Gesa Power House Theatre.

Artist headlining this tour include:
• D Rado
• Stewdeez
• M-Burb
• Lil Wiley
• Phifty Caliber
• Agallah Don Bishop
with special guest performances

VIP Tickets ($53) includes meet-and-greet, a choice of two items, and a raffle ticket for a cash/vacation giveaway.

Pre-sale tickets to the concert ($17) are available to the first 100 people. Additional $25 tickets will be available at the door. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Gesa Power House Theatre box office at 509-529-6500. Recommended for ages 18 and up.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Opera production of "The Magic Flute" on Wednesday, October 25 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

Mozart’s glorious opera "The Magic Flute" is brought enchantingly to life in David McVicar’s production with beautiful sets
by John Macfarlane.

Prince Tamino promises the Queen of the Night that he will rescue her daughter Pamina from the enchanter Sarastro. He begins his quest, accompanied by the bird-catcher Papageno – but all is not as it seems…

David McVicar’s classic production embraces both the seriousness and comedy of Mozart’s work. The audience is transported to a fantastical world of dancing animals, flying machines and dazzlingly starry skies. The setting provides a wonderful backdrop for Mozart’s kaleidoscopic score, from the Queen of the Night’s coloratura fireworks to Tamino and Pamina’s lyrical love duets and Papageno’s hearty, folksong-like arias.

As well as being a comedy "The Magic Flute" is an expression of Mozart’s profound spiritual beliefs: Enlightenment concerns with the search for wisdom and virtue are at the heart of this enchanting tale. The Magic Flute was an instant success with audiences and Mozart’s supposed rival Salieri described it as an ‘operone’ – a great opera.

This screening runs about 3 hours 10 minutes including one intermission and a 15-minute introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

SUNG IN GERMAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Gesa Power House Theatre presents Villalobos Brothers in concert on Saturday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m.

The Villalobos Brothers have been acclaimed as one of today’s leading Contemporary Mexican ensembles, performing contemporary, high-octane Mexican fiddling. Their original compositions and arrangements masterfully blend and celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical music. They deliver an intoxicating brew of brilliance, cadence and virtuosity that awaken the senses and mesmerize the listener.

In 2013 The Villalobos Brothers performed at Cumbre Tajin, one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, where they shared the stage with Regina Spector, Pet Shop Boys and Los Tigres del Norte. Later that year, they became the Ultimate winners of the “2013 Battle of the Boroughs”, one of National Public Radio’s flagship competitions in New York City.

They were the first Mexican band ever to play at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC, as featured guest artists, adding this historic venue to an already impressive list of credits that includes the Latin Grammy Awards, Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim Museum, Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations, Rockefeller Center, the New York Mets field at Shea Stadium, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, New Victory Theatre in Broadway, The Miller Stage in Milwaukee, The Ford Theatres in Hollywood, and Teatro Amadeo Roldán in Havana.

The Villalobos Brothers have collaborated and recorded with legendary musicians and Grammy winners, including Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains, Dan Zanes, Jay Rodriguez, Pierre Boulez, Dolly Parton and Eddie Palmieri.

The Villalobos Brothers are: Ernesto Villalobos, lead vocals and violin Alberto Villalobos, lead vocals and violin Luis Villalobos, lead vocals and violin Humberto Flores, back-up vocals and guitar Rosa Avila, drums Leo Sherman, bass.

The Villalobos Brothers were born and raised in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. They spent their childhood listening to their grandmother Cristina Vásquez sing and play guitar and accordion after a day’s work. They took up the violin as children and soon learned to sing and play other instruments, including guitar and piano.

Too old for trick-or-treating? Still love to dress up? Like horror films?

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen a classic horror film, followed by a costume contest and after party this Halloween, Tuesday, October 31 starting at 7:00 p.m.

George R. Romero’s 1968 film "Night of the Living Dead" is a cult classic credited with popularizing the concept of "zombies" as we think of them today. It was criticized at the time for its explicitly gory special effects, and ushered in a new wave of "splatter" horror films. The film's plot follows a group of characters who barricade themselves in an old farmhouse in an attempt to remain safe from flesh eating monsters - the dead come back to life.

Costumes will be judged following the screening at approximately 8:30 p.m. Trophies and prizes will be announced, and anyone in costume will receive drink discounts all night.
General admission tickets ($13) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Shakespeare Company production of "Coriolanus" on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in Stratford-Upon-Avon and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

A full-throttle war play that revels in the sweat of the battlefield, "Coriolanus" transports us back to the emergence of the republic of Rome.

Caius Martius Coriolanus is a fearless soldier but a reluctant leader. His ambitious mother attempts to carve him a path to political power, but he struggles to change his nature and do what is required to achieve greatness. In this new city state struggling to find its feet, where the gap between rich and poor is widening every day, Coriolanus must decide who he really is and where his allegiances lie.

Rome Season Director, Angus Jackson, completes the Royal Shakespeare Company’s collection of Shakespeare’s Roman plays with a visceral production which sees Sope Dirisu ("One Night in Miami") take on the title role.

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase. 

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Opera production of "La bohème" on Wednesday, November 8 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

When Rodolfo, a penniless poet, meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love. But their happiness is threatened when Rodolfo learns that Mimì is gravely ill.

Acclaimed director Richard Jones (Boris Godunov, Il trittico) directs a new production of Puccini’s La bohème. Irresistible in its witty, passionate blend of comedy and tragedy, the opera focusses on the lives of a group
of young artists as they eke out an existence on the bohemian fringes of Paris, the capital of the 19th century. Jones brings his characteristically acute insight to this much-loved classic, visualized in Stewart Laing’s spectacular, stylized 1850s setting.

Puccini’s romantic depiction of bohemian Paris, with memorable music and a love story drawn from everyday life, has captivated audiences around the world, making La bohème one of the best-loved of all operas. It was first performed in Covent Garden in 1897 and has had more than five hundred performances there since.

This screening runs approximately 2 hours 35 minutes including one intermission and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

General admission tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

SUNG IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH SURTITLES

Gesa Power House Theatre presents Shakespeare's "Macbeth" performed by The Rude Mechanicals on Saturday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. 

On a barren heath, three sisters tell the great and bloodied Macbeth that he is fated to be King of Scotland. And so begins a terrifying series of events that lead to the murder of Kings, friends, mothers and their children. Macbeth and his Lady fall prey to a soul-corroding guilt as they desperately try and cling to the defiled crown.

Reserved seating tickets ($25-$20 Adults, $15 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

The Choral Society, conducted by new Artistic Director Gary Hemenway, kicks off the Walla Walla Christmas season with a concert at Gesa Power House Theatre on Monday, November 27 at 7:00 p.m.

The "Sweet Sounds of Christmas" concert will celebrate the magic of holiday music and feature performances of "I Wish You Christmas" by John Rutter, "Feliz Navidad", "African Noel", "A Holiday Suite" by local composer Perry Jones, and many other favorites. Joining the Choral Society on stage will be the Sharpstein Elementary School Choir directed by Lori Parnicky.

This event is SOLD OUT.

The Walla Walla Choral Society, a non-profit volunteer organization, promotes and performs accessible quality choral music for the Walla Walla Valley and collaborates with other artistic groups, enriching the community’s cultural life.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the current Royal Ballet production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on Wednesday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. A portion of the proceeds ($1/ticket) will be donated to Danza Classica Ballet Foundation.

At a garden party on a sunny afternoon, Alice is surprised to see her parents’ friend Lewis Carroll transform into a white rabbit. When she follows him down a rabbit hole events become curiouser and curiouser…As Alice journeys through Wonderland, she encounters countless strange creatures. She’s swept off her feet by the charming Knave of Hearts, who’s on the run for stealing the tarts. Confusion piles upon confusion. Then Alice wakes with a start. Was it all a daydream?

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland burst onto the stage in 2011 in an explosion of colour, stage magic and inventive, sophisticated choreography. Joby Talbot’s score combines contemporary soundworlds with sweeping melodies that gesture to ballet scores of the 19th century. Bob Crowley’s wildly imaginative, eye-popping designs draw on everything from puppetry to projections to make Wonderland wonderfully real.

Alice encounters a cast of extraordinary and instantly recognizable characters, from the highly strung Queen of Hearts – who performs a hilarious send-up of The Sleeping Beauty's famous Rose Adage – to a playing-card corps de ballet, a sinuous caterpillar and a tap-dancing Mad Hatter. But the ballet does not avoid the darker undercurrents of Lewis Carroll’s story: a nightmarish kitchen, an eerily disembodied Cheshire Cat and the unhinged tea party are all here in vivid detail. The delicious result shows The Royal Ballet at its best, bringing together world-class dance with enchanting family entertainment.

This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens. The screening runs approximately 2 hours 50 minutes including two intervals and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Additional donations for Danza Classica Ballet Foundation will be accepted.

Our community here in Walla Walla Washington is a tight-knit group and through our conversations with many people, winery staff and owners, business owners and more, we recognize that the disasters that have struck so many people in the northern California communities hit home hard, as if those terrible fires had happened here. To that end we all want to do something to help and that means raising money to directly help those in need.

Musty, Marc & Brix have put together a benefit concert at Gesa Power House Theatre on Thursday, December 7 at 6:00 p.m.

Our executive sponsor - the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce - along with many other organizations are doing what they can to make this come off with real tangible benefit to the peoples directly affected.

Mayor Alan Pomraning will kick off the event with a welcome speech and then on to the music!

The bands for the night are:
Abney Park - Worldwide kings of the steampunk music revolution and style;

Strangers In A Strange Land - featuring members of The Seeds. This up and coming band from San Francisco & Sonoma are making waves in the music industry with their retro-psychedelia rock sound.

Brad Yeager - classic Americana crooner from Seattle - to be backed up by local Walla Walla band Big Font;

and of course …

Musty, Marc & Brix - Walla Walla indie band comprised of two keyboardist/vocalists (Tammy & Michael), guitars (Larry), Bass (Thomas), and drummer/percussionist (Fred).

There will be a single-prize raffle as well - round-trip flights for 2 to Sonoma, lodging for 2 nights in Healdsburg and a personalized and very intimate tour of the Sonoma wine country with a visit to 3 wineries led by Master Sommelier Peter Granoff.

Reserved seating tickets ($40) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. A limited number of VIP tickets ($75) are available with stage-side seating and admission to a meet-and-greet, post-show reception.

All proceeds from the event will be donated directly to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund.

Gesa Power House Theatre and Walla Walla Valley Honda present a live theatrical production of "A Seussified Christmas Carol" with two performances (2PM & 6PM) on Sunday, December 10. The Little Watts production is suitable for all ages, but targets ages 10 and under.

"A Seussified Christmas Carol" is a whimsical reinvention of Charles Dickens' most beloved Christmas story performed in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this tale of glorious holiday cheer is similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with -- if he ever had his way with the story. A small troupe of local actors perform all the parts. 

The performance runs about 45 minutes with photo opportunities with the characters afterwards. 

Reserved seating tickets ($12 Adults, $8 Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Ireland's foremost Celtic classical trio Affinití returns to Gesa Power House Theatre for their annual Christmas show that is well loved by the community and sells out every year. This year's concert will take place on Thursday, December 14, at 7 p.m. Howard Crosby, nephew of the legendary Bing Crosby, joins them on their annual Christmas Tour.

Affinití are a trio of classically trained musicians: soprano Emer Barry, harpist Aisling Ennis, and violinist Mary McCague, each with a graduate degree in Music Performance. Their "crossover" style is a blend of classical, rock, and Celtic music style. They have performed together and solo for Josh Ritter, Michael Buble, Disney, and more.

"Informed as much by the Chieftains as Chopin...full of soul and sass and sophistication as well as exquisite technique." 
-Kevin Cullen, The Boston Globe

Join Affinití and Howard Crosby for an unforgettable evening that will lift your spirits!

Reserved seating tickets ($28-$23) are available online or by contacting the box office at 509-529.6500. 

The Downtown Walla Walla Foundation presents "'Tis the Season" on Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Gary Hemenway & Mark Brown continue to make their holiday appearance at Gesa Power House Theatre a dynamic and much-loved tradition! Highlighting the Walla Walla Valley’s local professional talent, punctuated by Clark Bondy on saxophones, and Daniel Cox on drums, this show will have you dancing in your seats and singing along to many well-known songs of the season. It’s a perfect way to ring in the season!

Wine, available for purchase prior to the performance and at the intermission. The theater lobby opens at 6:00 p.m. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m.

Reserved seating tickets ($30) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Don’t wait, tickets sell quickly!

All proceeds go to the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation

Gesa Power House Theatre will host two screenings of the current Royal Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" on Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

The young Clara creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favourite present – a Nutcracker doll. But the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara travel through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy treats them to a wonderful display of dances. Back home, Clara thinks she must have been dreaming – but doesn’t she recognize Drosselmeyer’s nephew?

Peter Wright’s nigh-on definitive production for The Royal Ballet ranks as one of the most enduring and enchanting versions of The Nutcracker. With its festive period setting, dancing snowflakes and enchanting stage magic, Lev Ivanov’s 1892 ballet has become the perfect Christmas entertainment, with Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous, sugar-spun music the most recognizable of all ballet scores.

Loosely based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the ballet opens with a lively Christmas party, its Victorian setting captured in opulent detail by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s designs. Wright’s choreography ingeniously incorporates surviving fragments of the ballet’s original material, including the sublime pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. But in emphasizing the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, the production also gains a touching subtext of first love.

This screening runs approximately 2 hours 15 minutes including two intervals and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students/Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will host two screenings of the current Royal Ballet production of The Nutcracker on Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

The young Clara (danced by Royal Ballet Principal Francesca Hayward) creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favorite present – a Nutcracker doll. But the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara travel through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy treats them to a wonderful display of dances. Back home, Clara thinks she must have been dreaming – but doesn’t she recognize Drosselmeyer’s nephew?

The famous role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is danced by Royal Ballet Principal Sarah Lamb with her Prince, Principal dancer Steven McRae.

Peter Wright’s nigh-on definitive production for The Royal Ballet ranks as one of the most enduring and enchanting versions of The Nutcracker. With its festive period setting, dancing snowflakes and enchanting stage magic, Lev Ivanov’s 1892 ballet has become the perfect Christmas entertainment, with Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous, sugar-spun music the most recognizable of all ballet scores.

This production of The Nutcracker has enthralled audiences for over 30 years since its opening in 1984. It showcases the full energy of the Company, alongside the emerging talent of young dancers from The Royal Ballet School. The stunning costumes, numbering around 600 and dating back to the world-premiere, are revitalized for the show.

Loosely based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the ballet opens with a lively Christmas party, its Victorian setting captured in opulent detail by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s designs. Wright’s choreography ingeniously incorporates surviving fragments of the ballet’s original material, including the sublime pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince. But in emphasizing the relationship between Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, the production also gains a touching subtext of first love.

This screening runs approximately 2 hours 15 minutes including two intervals and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students/Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre presents an evening of stand up comedy with headliner Kermet Apio at 7:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve - Sunday, December 31. Ring in the new year with the East Coast with a complimentary champagne toast at 9:00 p.m.

Kermet Apio was born and raised in Hawaii and has lived in Seattle since attending the University of Washington in 1985. He has performed in 47 states, 7 Canadian provinces, as well as Hong Kong, Israel, and New Zealand. He has appeared on television shows such as "Star Search", "Evening at the Improv" and "Comedy Showcase with Louie Anderson." He has also been heard on national radio shows like the "Bob and Tom Show" and "Rewind" on NPR, and can be heard regularly on Sirius/XM satellite radio.

Great American Comedy Festival (Winner)
Vancouver Comedy Festival
Las Vegas Comedy Festival
Aspen Comedy Festival
Seattle Comedy Competition (Winner)
San Francisco Comedy Competition (Semi-finals)

Kermet Apio has shared the stage with The Smothers Brothers, Weird Al Yankovich, Brian Regan, and Rita Rudner. He has performed in clubs from Seattle, WA to Philadelphia, PA, on countless college campuses, and for numerous corporate events.

Greg Kettner of Walla Walla will warm up the crowd for Kermet Apio with a short comedy set. Greg's comedy career began when he was asked to replace Greg Proops at SAP's Annual Sales Kickoff in Las Vegas in front of 3,500 co-workers. He realized he had "made it" when he was asked to open for Norm MacDonald who responded with “You made me laugh. Keep doing what you’re doing—you’re funny.” Greg lives in Walla Walla, WA with his wife and daughter and and enjoys cooking, traveling and playing hockey.

Reserved seating tickets ($25) will be available to Members on Thursday, November 9, available to Email Subscribers on Friday, November 17, and to the public on Friday, November 24, online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER:
Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the new documentary film "Ferrari 312B" on Wednesday, January 3 at 7:00 p.m.

"Ferarri 312B" is the sensational story of one of the most ground-breaking, beautiful Ferraris ever made, in celebration of the company's 70th anniversary. Featuring contributions from some of the most legendary drivers in the sport's history, including Niki Lauda, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Stewart, Gerhard Berger & Damon Hill, as they pay tribute to a unique car that changed the landscape of F1 forever; the iconic 312B.

A journey to experience the indomitable spirit of F1. The Golden Age years through the stories told by racing drivers and production designers capable of unforgettable feats. A tribute to a piece of Formula 1 history, to a car that is a work of art and a revolutionary futuristic prototype, that gave and still gives the whole world something to dream about Legendary F1 returns, with the car that helped it make history. Even 46 years after its last appearance on track, the Ferrari 312B, the car that left its mark on the history of the biggest racing team ever, as well as in the hearts of many, finds new life through the passion of an ex F1 driver who entrusted its comeback to the man who first designed it, Mauro Forghieri, with the aim of racing it once more on the Montecarlo circuit.

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

The Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival's Winter Festival Series concert will be performed at Gesa Power House Theatre on Sunday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m.

The January Festival Series explores movement and color through sound with the electronic instrument, the theremin. Invented in 1920 in Russia and patented in the United States in 1928 by the Soviet inventor, Léon Theremin, the instrument that bears his name captures the imagination of all who hear it. Unlike any other musician, the thereminist does not physically touch the instrument to produce sound but rather moves in relation to the instrument creating a seemingly infinite range of pitches and colors. Thus, the act of producing sound becomes visually expressive.

To introduce the world of theremin music, WWCMF is honored to welcome one of the world’s foremost theremin virtuosi, Carolina Eyck. A gifted composer, Carolina is also a synesthete  — someone who feels a strong link between sound and color. In her compositions, as in her visual art, Carolina engages in a conversation between sight and sound. Her Fantasias provide the perfect entrée to a futuristic soundscape.

Concluding the program is the great Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 15 by Gabriel Fauré. Fauré’s music and even French music, in general, is often described in terms of color and movement. Why is that? The four movements of this great work show how light can suffuse sound and how the chamber ensemble can exhibit a sonic range from pointillism to romantic grandeur. What better to brighten a cold January evening!

Artists: Brittany Boulding Breeden, violin; Timothy Christie, viola; Carolina Eyck, theremin; Henry Kramer, piano; Maria Sampen, violin; and Sally Singer Tuttle, cello.

General Admission seating. Tickets ($20 Adult, $45 Family Pass, $8 Youth) are available at www.wwcmf.org.

Meet at Whitman College, in the Reid Campus Center foyer at 4 p.m. for a peace march. Following the march, there will be a short program at the Gesa Power House Theatre. Refreshments will be provided.

e•lec•tric//e'lektrik

...can refer to something that is exceptionally fabulous or glamorous; having or producing a sudden sense of thrilling excitement.

Join us amidst the chic & industrial elegance of *The Electric Lounge* at the exquisite Gesa Power House Theatre for our first dance event of the New Year! Let's electrify these cold nights and heat up the dance floor with the soul-moving sounds of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and...Raggaeton brought to you by DJ H Boss :: the one who makes you want to get up and dance!

New to Salsa? Come early and enjoy the FREE lesson: Rhythm in Basics + Turns! 

**************************************************
$10 Entry ( Lesson included)

8pm Doors Open: grab a glass + a table
8:15-9 Beginner Salsa Lesson: Sonja + Hugo
9-midnight Music + Dancing: DJ H Boss

Dress to dazzle YOU...because you're fabulous!
No partner necessary.

Beer, Wine+Snacks available for purchase

21 and over, thank you. Please bring ID.

See you on the dance floor!
**************************************************

Gesa Power House Theatre presents "God is a Scottish Drag Queen" - a comedy show created by Mike Delamont - with one performance on Saturday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m.

"God is a Scottish Drag Queen" is a highly-acclaimed night of comedy with everyone's favorite deity. God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes to skewer everything from Justin Bieber to the pope. Based on the character created by Mike Delamont and Jacob Richmond, this show has become the most popular show on the Canadian Fringe circuit.

A three time Canadian Comedy Award Nominee and 18 Time Best of the Fest Winner, this production of "God Is A Scottish Drag Queen" combines parts 1 & 2 of the acclaimed 4 part series into an evening of theater that you won't soon forget!

Reserved seating tickets ($35-$25) will be available to Members on Wednesday, December 13, to email subscribers on Monday, December 18, and to the public on Tuesday, December 26 - online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will screen the documentary film "Big Sonia" on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. Representatives from Congregation Beth Israel of Walla Walla (Pat Henry, Richard Middleton-Kaplan, James Winchell) will introduce the film and host a short Q&A discussion following the screening.

Standing tall at 4’8″, Sonia is one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in Kansas City and one of the only survivors there who speaks publicly about her wartime experience. Sonia’s enormous personality and fragile frame mask the horrors she endured. At 15 she watched her mother disappear behind gas chamber doors. Sonia’s teenage years were a blur of concentration camps and death marches. On liberation day, she was accidentally shot through the chest, yet again miraculously survived. Sonia is the ultimate survivor, a bridge between cultures and generations. Her story must never be forgotten.

For years, Sonia Warshawski (91) has been an inspirational public speaker at schools and prisons, where her stories of surviving the Holocaust as a teenager have inspired countless people who once felt their own traumas would leave them broken forever. But when Sonia is served an eviction notice for her iconic tailor shop (in a dead mall), she's confronted with an agonizing decision: either open up a new shop, or retire. Ironically, Sonia’s shop is the last open business in an otherwise desolate Kansas City mall, but it contains enough color and liveliness to make up for the entire empty complex. For a woman who admits she stays busy “to keep the dark parts away”, facing retirement dredges up fears she’d long forgot she had, and her horrific past resurfaces.

"Big Sonia" explores what it means to be a survivor and how inter-generational trauma affects families and generations. Will you let your trauma define you? Or will your past make you stronger?

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

The Live Cinema Series continues with a screening of the current production of Rigoletto by The Royal Opera on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

The corruption of innocence is at the heart of Giuseppe Verdi’s potent tragedy in David McVicar’s production for The Royal Opera.

Rigoletto, court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua, is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s victims for his irreverent laughter. When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is taking effect.

David McVicar’s production highlights the cruelty at the heart of the court of Mantua. Richly dressed courtiers engage in orgies and revelries to Verdi’s heady, spirited dances. The opera’s many musical highlights include the ebullient ‘La donna è mobile’, in which the Duke boasts of his disregard for women; Gilda’s exquisite, plangent duets with Rigoletto and the Duke; and the gorgeous Act III quartet that beautifully weaves the voices together as the story quickens to its shattering conclusion.

Giuseppe Verdi wrote in 1855 that Rigoletto was his ‘best opera’. He had had to overcome state censorship to stage it – the censors objected to its depiction of an immoral ruler – but he was vindicated by the premiere’s huge success in 1851. Rigoletto was performed 250 times in the next 10 years and has remained one of the most popular of all operas.

This screening runs approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including one interval and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

NOTE: "Rigoletto" is sung in Italian with English surtitles. 

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students/Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will host "Auditioning (from A to Z)" a workshop by Tyson Kaup and ReNae Davis on Saturday, February 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This workshop is intended to demystify the audition process and will cover the basics of auditioning for traditional and musical theater - everything from how to format a headshot and resume; to the business of acting and agents; to managing nerves and what to expect if you are called back. Participants (ages 8 and up) are asked to bring one prepared audition piece - a song or monologue that is less than one minute in length.

This workshop will be great preparation for any actors planning to audition on March 9 for the upcoming Walla Walla Summer Stage productions (Annie and 9 to 5). 

Tickets ($25) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Questions? Email artisticdirector@phtww.org.

Participating actors will also have the opportunity to sign up for headshots taken by a professional photographer during the lunch break for an additional fee of $25 (cash only).

Schedule:
10:00-11:00 a.m.: Headshots and the business of acting
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Round 1 - auditions, notes, and coaching
1:00-2:00 p.m.: Lunch break / headshots
2:00-2:30 p.m.: Personal rehearsal time / headshots
1:303:30 p.m.: Bring backs - Round 2 - auditions and coaching
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Callbacks and cold reading
4:30-5:00 p.m.: Wrap and questions

Teachers:
Tyson Kaup is a Seattle-based actor, director, and producer as well as Artistic Director of the Gesa Power House Theatre Summer Stage. His recent directing credits include "The Rocky Horror Show," "The Last Five Years," and "Cabaret." Tyson’s producing credits include the NYC world premiere of "Turtleback High" by Kevin Dedes, the feature films "March!," "Solitary Child," and "My Last Day with You", as well as many music videos and commercial productions. As an actor, Tyson has performed on film, television, Off-Broadway, and many regional theaters around the country. He holds a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where he studied with the Atlantic Theater Company.

ReNae Davis is a singer, pianist, lyricist and composer with more than 30 years of teaching and performing experience. Favorite Los Angeles stage credits include: Lola in "Damn Yankees," Cassie in "A Chorus Line," Sonia in "They're Playing our Song" and Margarita in "Evita." She has also performed with many famed musical actors and musicians, including The Pointer Sisters, Bonnie Raitt, Julie Andrews, Dixie Carter, Kevin Bacon, and Sean Penn. ReNae holds a BFA in Music and Drama from BYU.

Photographer:
Aaron Grubb is a Walla Walla area photographer, writer, and musician. He has experience photographing weddings, portraits (corporate and high school seniors), real estate, landscape, and events as well as videography.

Gesa Power House Theatre presents Michael Kaeshammer in concert on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Michael Kaeshammer is a prolific Vancouver Island-based singer/songwriter/pianist/producer who has earned a loyal international following as a triple threat. He’s a piano virtuoso with a technical mastery of many different styles, an eloquent singer/songwriter, and a charming and engaging performer.

Kaeshammer first made his own mark as a young piano prodigy. Growing up in Offenburg, Germany, he studied classical piano for seven years prior to falling in love at 13 with the boogie-woogie and stride piano stylings of such greats as Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, and Meade Lux Lewis. A quick study, Michael soon became skilled enough in this style to perform it in clubs, concerts and festivals through Germany and beyond. When his parents moved the family to British Columbia, Canada, Kaeshammer quickly attracted a following there, becoming popular on the jazz and blues festivals circuit.

With his recording career now spanning two full decades, Michael Kaeshammer has emerged as a truly original artist at the very top of his game and one in love with the creative process. He last performed at Gesa Power House Theatre in 2013.

Reserved seating tickets ($45-$40) will be available to Members on Friday, November 24, to email subscribers on Monday, November 27, and to the public on Friday, December 1 - online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

The Choral Society, conducted by new Artistic Director Gary Hemenway, presents a "Songs of Cole Porter" concert at Gesa Power House Theatre on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

When speaking about great American composers, Cole Porter stands among the greatest. His music has influenced generations and has made its way into the performance libraries of some of the world’s greatest vocalists. We look forward to honoring Cole’s art and sharing it with you. 

Guest instrumentalists for this concert include: Michael Agidius (sax), Dick Counsell (trombone), Gary Gemberling (trumpet), Nate Miller (trumpet), Doug Morasch (upright bass), and Wil Spears (drums).

Reserved seating tickets ($17 adults; $12 youth 17 and under) are available online or by calling the Gesa Power House Theatre box office at 509-529-6500. The Choral Society's 2017 Holiday Concert sold out in advance, so don't wait to purchase your tickets!

The Walla Walla Choral Society, a non-profit volunteer organization, promotes and performs accessible quality choral music for the Walla Walla Valley and collaborates with other artistic groups, enriching the community’s cultural life.

The Live Cinema Series continues with a screening of the current production of Tosca by The Royal Opera on Wednesday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in London and rebroadcast internationally to select screens.

Tosca is one of the great evenings of opera, and from its strident opening chords conjures up a world of political instability and menace.

Jonathan Kent’s production of Tosca for The Royal Opera captures the dangerous political turbulence of Rome in 1800. The Chief of Police, Scarpia – one of the most malevolent villains in opera – ruthlessly pursues and tortures enemies of the state. His dark, demonic music contrasts with the expansive melodies of the idealistic lovers, Tosca and Cavaradossi, who express their passion in sublime arias, including ‘Vissi d’arte’ and ‘E lucevan le stelle’. Giacomo Puccini’s dramatic work was a hit with audiences on its 1900 premiere and it remains one of the most performed of all operas – with its gripping plot and glorious music, it’s easy to see why.

A candle-lit church, Scarpia’s gloomy study with its hidden torture chamber and the false optimism of a Roman dawn: this handsome production throws into relief the ruthlessly taut drama, as the tension is wound up towards a fateful conclusion. Puccini’s meticulously researched score is infused with the same authentic detail, from distant cannon fire during the Act I Te Deum to tolling church bells and the sounds of a firing squad.

Cast:
Simon Shibambu - Cesare Angelotti
Jeremy White - Sacristan
Joseph Calleja - Mario Cavaradossi
Adianne Pieczonka - Floria Tosca
Gerald Finley - Baron Scarpia
Aled Hall - Spoletta
Jihoon Kim - Sciarrone
Edward Hyde - Shepard Boy
John Morrissey - Gaoler

This screening runs approximately 3 hours including two intervals and an onscreen introduction. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase.

NOTE: "Tosca" is sung in Italian with English surtitles. 

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students/Youth) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Just Us Girls Sharing (J.U.G.S.) presents Mandy Harvey in concert on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Mandy Harvey is a deaf American singer-songwriter. She was Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer Winner in the most recent season of "America's Got Talent". Mandy lost her residual hearing due to a connective tissue disorder at age eighteen. She left the Vocal Music Education program at Colorado State University, and pursued several career options, including education, but returned to music in 2008. She quickly became a regular performer at Jay’s Bistro in Fort Collins and then branched out to having regular concerts at Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver (Top 100 Jazz venues in the world).

Mandy Harvey's Golden Buzzer moment on "America's Got Talent" has over 25 million views, CNN’s Great Big Story captured over 10 million hits on social media, Burt’s Bees signed her up for their “Remarkable Women” campaign, NBC Nightly News profiled her, and she has started performing at the world’s most prestigious clubs, concert stages and festivals.

“From the first note, Mandy Harvey tames her audience into stunned appreciation as she glides pitch-perfect from breathy jazz standard to growling blues…. At show’s end the audience is on its feet. Some know the secret. Harvey has not heard any of it – not the applause, not the talent of the musicians who shared the stage, not her own incredible voice.” – Los Angeles Times

A limited number of VIP tables ($100/seat) are available and include side-stage and side-balcony table seating, a souvenir CD, and a private meet-and-greet with the performer. Reserved seating tickets ($65-$50) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Since 2009, Just Us Girls Sharing (J.U.G.S.) has been making a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families in the Walla Walla Valley and beyond. The locally-formed and operated cancer survivor support network raises funds to directly benefit cancer survivors through cash assistance, the purchase of household items and appliances—basically, those things not covered by insurance.

The Live Cinema Series continues with a screening of the current production of Twelfth Night by The Royal Shakespeare Company on Wednesday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. This production is filmed live in Stratford-Upon-Avon and rebroadcast internationally to select screens. A portion of each ticket sale will benefit Shakespeare Walla Walla. 

Twelfth Night is a tale of unrequited love – hilarious and heartbreaking. Two twins are separated in a shipwreck, and forced to fend for themselves in a strange land. The first twin, Viola, falls in love with Orsino, who dotes on OIivia, who falls for Viola but is idolised by Malvolio. Enter Sebastian, who is the spitting image of his twin sister...

Christopher Luscombe, Director of the ‘glorious’ (Daily Telegraph) Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (2014 and 2016), returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company to tackle Shakespeare’s greatest comedy, a brilliantly bittersweet account of "the whirligig of time".

Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. Beer, wine, and snacks will be available for purchase. 

Gesa Power House Theatre presents The Phat Pack on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Four Broadway stars join together to perform some of the best music of Broadway and create an intimate, funny, and entertaining evening. These actors have performed in some of Broadway's most popular shows; Jean Valjean in Les Misèrables (Randal Keith), The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Kevan Patriquin), and Jinx in Forever Plaid (Bruce Ewing) Together with Philip Fortenberry (Award winning Broadway & National Tour pianist), they are "The Phat Pack."  This extraordinary group met while performing in PHANTOM: The Las Vegas Spectacular and together formed their own highly-acclaimed spectacle that continues to thrill audiences wherever it tours.

The Phat Pack opened in the fall of 2012 in Las Vegas to rave reviews, and standing ovations. The show headlined for almost a year at The Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas, followed by a highly successful run in the Windows Showroom at Bally’s Hotel And Casino, overlooking the world famous Las Vegas Strip.

“Fabulous beyond words! Together, they create skin-tingling harmonies. Separately, they lead us on journeys through their offstage lives and onstage loves, punctuated by music and photos. As much as you can initiate friendships with performers over the course of a show, you can here.”
- Steve Bornfeld, Vegas Seven Magazine

"The Phat Pack is a wonderful show. Be sure to see it." 
-BroadwayWorld

Voted “Best of Vegas - Best All-Around Performers” (Las Vegas Review Journal)

The Phat Pack is appropriate for all ages.

Reserved seating tickets ($55-$50) will go on sale to Members on Friday, November 24, to email subscribers on Monday, November 27, and to the public on Friday, December 1 - online or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.

Gesa Power House Theatre will hold auditions in March for the new Walla Walla Summer Stage Series, with two musicals scheduled for Summer 2018 (Annie and 9 to 5). Both plays will be directed by former New York director and Walla Walla native Tyson Kaup (Rocky Horror, The Last Five Years, Cabaret). All principal and ensemble roles are open.

Walla Walla auditions will be held at Gesa Power House Theatre on Friday, March 9 between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. with callbacks on Saturday and Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Additional auditions will be held in Seattle on March 17 (by appointment). Video submissions will be accepted; however, preference will be given to those that audition in person.
 
Performers are asked to prepare an audition of no more than 3 minutes in length - either one song, one song and one monologue, or two contrasting songs. Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required. If performers are called back they will be asked to sing from the score and read from the script. Some actors will be asked to attend a dance call at callbacks. All actors will be considered for both productions unless noted otherwise on their audition form. Performers of all types (ethnicity, race, gender, or disability) are encouraged to audition.
 
Annie will be in rehearsals July 7-26 (nights and weekends) with eight performances between July 27 and August 5. The following roles are available for Annie:
ANNIE: Female (10-12) Orphan. Tough, smart, and vulnerable with a boldly generous spirit. Vocal range: Mezzo.
MISS HANNIGAN: Female (35-55) A disillusioned former beauty who drowns her self-pity in hooch and hot baths. Resentful and abusive towards the Orphans. Vocal range: Mezzo.
OLIVER WARBUCKS: Male (40-60) A self-made businessman. Intentional and precise with undeniable passion. As big-hearted as he is severe. Vocal range: Baritone.
GRACE FARRELL: Female (20-40) Mr. Warbucks’ secretary. Open and warm with a strong maternal impulse. Develops romantic feelings for Warbucks. Vocal range: Soprano.
ROOSTER HANNIGAN: Male (20-40) A charming professional criminal. Miss Hannigan’s brother. Vocal range: Baritone.
LILY: Female (20-40) Rooster’s girlfriend and partner in crime. Vocal range: Soprano.
THE ORPHANS: Female (6-13) MOLLY, PEPPER, KATE, DUFFY, TESSIE, JULY. Street-smart kids with unique backgrounds and personalities.
ENSEMBLE: (20-60) All must move well. The ensemble will cover the following roles:
BUNDLES: A loveable laundryman
FDR: The President
DRAKE: Warbucks’ butler
APPLE SELLER
LT. WARD: A policeman
DOG CATCHER/ASSISTANT DOG CATCHER
BERT HEALY: A radio personality
LOUISE HOWE: Aide to FDR
STAR TO BE: Aspiring actress with a big voice
USHERETTE
BOYLAN SISTERS: Trio of singing sisters
CECILLE & ANNETTE: Maids
NEW YORKERS
HOOVERVILLES
WARBUCKS’ SERVANTS
9 to 5 will be in rehearsals July 27-August 16 (nights and weekends) with eight performances between August 17-26. The following roles are available for 9 to 5:
VIOLET: Female (30-50) Company secretary and Mr. Hart’s assistant. Single mother struggling to keep it all together. Ambitious. No BS. Must move well. Vocal range: Mezzo.
DORALEE: Female (20-40) A natural beauty with a spitfire personality. Authentic and wildly charming. Southern accent. Must move well. Vocal range: Mezzo.
JUDY: Female (30-50) The new girl at the office. Recently separated from her husband. Naive at times yet determined to win at life. Must move well. Vocal range: Mezzo.
FRANKLIN HART: Male (35-55) The boss. Devilishly charming. A notorious and unapologetic chauvinist. Vocal range: Baritone.
ROZ: Female (35-55) Office know-it-all and brown-noser. Mr. Hart’s eyes and ears - though she longs to be so much more. Great comedic timing. Vocal range: Mezzo.
JOE: Male (30-45) A young office accountant and a good guy. Has romantic feelings for Violet. Vocal range: Baritone
ENSEMBLE: (20-60) All must move very well. The ensemble will cover the following roles:
DWAYNE: Doralee’s husband
JOSH: Violet’s son
DICK: Judy’s ex-husband
TINSWORTHY: The chairman of the board
MISSY: Franklin Hart’s wife
MARIA: A sweet secretary
KATHY: A secretary and office gossip
MARGARET: A secretary and office lush
Questions and video auditions may be e-mailed to artisticdirector@phtww.org.

Together Equal: A Gender Equity Tour of Washington to Walla Walla
Sunday, March 18, 2018
1:30 - 3:00 PM
Gesa Power House Theatre

Join us as we celebrate women leaders in our region, and learn how we can drive gender equity statewide.

From getting more women engaged in civic leadership, to raising confident girls who lead, to creating greater economic security for all women – the Together Equal Tour will explore how communities like ours are lifting up women and girls throughout Washington with a non-partisan lens.

Ticket ($10) are available at www.wfalliance.org. For more details call Beth Swanson at The Moms’ Network (509-301-7471).