Vista, CA — On February 13, 2020, Luminary Arts, a local non-profit dedicated to building a thriving arts community, finally opened their long-anticipated studio space in San Marcos. A place performing artists young and old and of all abilities could hone their craft and collaborate. One month later, the doors were shuttered as COVID-19 spread through the country. Over the past 2 years, Luminary Artists, like theater people everywhere, have done everything they could to stay afloat –from learning green screen technology to teaching online courses for skills once thought of as necessarily in-person.
“It was a really rough road for a while there “, says vice-president and teaching artist Amy Throckmorton. “We had these huge rent bills and couldn’t access our usual income sources, school shows, in person classes. I was really worried we wouldn‘t make it through”. Despite the long odds, Luminary Arts managed to stay in business, and today is happy to announce,” Theatre is back, baby!”
On April 6, Luminary Arts will open its first full length in person show since the pandemic, ”13” by Tony winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last 5 Years, Bridges of Madison County). This hilarious, high energy rock musical follows Evan Goldman who can’t wait to turn 13 and throw an epic bar mitzvah. That is, until his parents split up and he is forced to move from big city NYC to podunk Appleton, Indiana. If Evan can’t get the cool kids to come to his party, how will he ever survive the school year, not to mention the rest of his life? As Evan navigates the world of cool kids and geeks, cheerleaders and jocks, first kisses and heartbreak, he learns ”What It Means to Be a Friend”. This production features an inclusive cast of teenagers both onstage and in the live band. With equal doses of comedy and pathos, 13 is sure to delight grown-ups and kids alike.
“I’ve always wanted to do this show.” says Ellie, who plays Lucy in the show. “It’s hilarious, the music is amazing, and it really speaks to me. As a middle schooler, I can totally relate to everything the character is going through.”
At long last, live theatre is back! 13 plays April 6-9 at the historic Avo Theatre in Vista. Tickets are available at www.LuminaryArts.org
