The biggest fall giveaway ever: Win tickets to 11 plays, musicals and concerts
By Donald Munro
I‘m giving away tickets!
You (and a friend) could go for free to:
• A performance of the opening concert series of the Fresno Philharmonic’s 2023-24 season (7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Shaghoian Concert Hall).
• A performance of the Good Company Players production of “Our Town” at 2nd Space Theatre.
• A performance of the Good Company Players production of “The Secret Garden” at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater.
• A performance of the new Fresno State play “Dracula” (opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29).
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• A performance of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” (opens Friday, Sept. 29) at Reedley’s River City Theatre Company.
• The Keyboard Concerts performance by Mauricio Nader (7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6) at the Fresno State Concert Hall.
• The new Selma Arts Center teen production of “The Addams Family” (opens Friday, Sept. 22.
• The Visalia Players production of the new original production of “Smooth Sailing” (opens Oct. 4) at the Ice House Theatre.
• “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre (opens Oct. 5).
• The Lively Arts Foundation’s presentation of “Alice” by the MOMIX dance company) (one performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Tower Theatre).
• The Keyboard Concerts performance by Barry Douglas (7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Fresno State Concert Hall.
I’m putting all these giveaways into one post to make it easier for busy arts lovers to enter.
Here are the ground rules:
Ticket giveaways are open only to members, donors and individual sponsors of The Munro Review. A free basic membership is available, and paid memberships start at $5 a month. (You can always opt for a one-time donation of as little as $3.) I love signing up new free members, but even better is adding members who are willing to financially support local arts journalism. It’s the only way this site can continue to stay alive. Memberships and donations are tax-deductible; this is a non-profit site under the fiscal sponsorship of the Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC). To become a member, click here.
To enter, follow the directions for each giveaway (and be sure to tell me which production you’re hoping for). Note the deadlines; they differ for each event. You’re welcome to enter for multiple events, but please leave a separate comment for each entry. You’ll find the comment field near the bottom of the page (just past my bio).
OK, let’s dive in to what’s available. Productions and concerts are listed by giveaway deadline:
Fresno Philharmonic opening Masterworks concert
Presenter: Fresno Philharmonic.
Venue: Shaghoian Hall (on the campus of Clovis North High School).
Opens: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.
Runs through: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29.
What to expect: Fresno Philharmonic music director Rei Hotoda opens the 70th anniversary season with a concert celebrating the orchestra’s Armenian heritage. Famed pianist Sergei Babayan, a favorite of Fresno audiences, performs Rachmaninoff’s towering Piano Concerto No. 3, and the orchestra will also play Armenia’s favorite-son composer Aram Khachaturian’s Spartacus Suite No. 2. Also on the program: Yūzō Toyama’s Rhapsody for Orchestra, based on Japanese folk songs, sets the stage for our February concert honoring Fresno’s Japanese American history.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets for either the Saturday or Sunday performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
‘Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really’ at Fresno State
Presenter: Fresno State Department of Theatre and Dance.
Venue: Woods Theatre, Fresno State.
Opens: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
Runs through: Oct. 5.
What to expect: J. Daniel Herring directs the opening show of the 2024-25 season. This isn’t your great-great-aunt’s “Dracula.” Playwright Kate Hamill “boldly reimagines Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale, replacing gothic tropes of villains who wear evil on their sleeve and damsels in distress with all-too-human monsters and ferocious women who strike at the heart of the patriarchy.” Hamill confronts the sexism in Stoker’s original work, transforming the story into a feminist battle cry.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets to any performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
‘The Addams Family Young@Part’ at Selma Arts Center
Presenter and venue: Selma Arts Center
Opens: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
Runs through: Oct. 6.
What to expect: This truncated version of the popular Broadway musical is written for student actors.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets to any upcoming performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26.
‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’ at River City Theatre Company
Presenter and venue: River City Theatre Company, Reedley
Opens: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
Runs through: Oct. 13.
What to expect: A12-year-old boy discovers that he is a demigod and goes on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt. This musical by Rob Rokicki and Joe Tracz played on Broadway in 2019.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets to any upcoming performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
‘Smooth Sailing’ at the Ice House Theatre in Visalia
Presenter: Visalia Players.
Venue: Ice House Theatre, Visalia.
Runs: Oct. 4-6.
What to expect: In this original musical comedy, organizers of a dinner boat cruise desperately need to find more customers. The crazy cast of characters comes up with a karaoke revue.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets to any performance. Devon Barlow-Merritt directs.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1.
‘Our Town’ at 2nd Space Theatre
Presenter: Good Company Players.
Venue: 2nd Space Theatre.
Runs through: Oct. 6.
What to expect: A moving and enlightened performance of Thornton Wilder’s beloved classic.
The giveaway: a pair of show-only tickets to any performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
‘The Secret Garden’ at Roger Rocka’s
Presenter: Good Company Players.
Venue: Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater.
Runs through: Nov. 10.
What to expect: The enchanting, Tony Award-winning musical based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel is a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal set to a truly magical score.
The giveaway: a pair of show-only tickets to any performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in Clovis
Presenter: CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre.
Venue: Clovis Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
Opens: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
Runs through: Oct. 19.
What to expect: Joseph (of Old Testament fame) gets the musical treatment in this well-known show by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets to any performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Mauricio Náder for Keyboard Concerts
Presenter: Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts series.
Venue: Fresno State Concert Hall.
Performs: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
What to expect: One of Mexico’s most acclaimed pianists, Náder’s efforts in promoting Mexican music have resulted in appearances at major venues in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Beijing, Oslo, Paris, Lisbon, Río de Janeiro, and Guayaquil, among others. His program includes works by Ponce, Jimenez and the artist himself.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3.
‘Alice’ by MOMIX dance company
Presenter: Lively Arts Foundation.
Venue: Saroyan Theatre.
Performance: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
What to expect: MOMIX founder and director Moses Pendleton calls the members of his company “dancer-illusionists.” In this new title, inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” the title character’s body grows and shrinks and grows again, with Pendleton’s dancers extending themselves by means of props, ropes, and other dancers. Pendleton says: “You can see why I think Alice is a natural fit for MOMIX and an opportunity for us to extend our reach. I want to take this show into places we haven’t been before in terms of the fusion of dancing, lighting, music, costumes, and projected imagery.”
The giveaway: Two tickets to the performance.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.
Barry Douglas for Keyboard Concerts
Presenter: Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts series.
Venue: Fresno State Concert Hall.
Performs: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1.
What to expect: Another Fresno favorite returns with a program that includes Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Liszt. Douglas is a famed Irish pianist and past gold medalist at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow.
The giveaway: a pair of tickets.
How to enter: Leave a comment on this post requesting this performance.
Deadline to enter: 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28.
.The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible.
Carrie Padgett
Oh my! So many wonderful arts opportunities. Several I’ve already enjoyed. I’d love to still experience either The Lightning Thief, Smooth Sailing, The Secret Garden, Joesph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, or Barry Douglas. Thank you for all you do for arts in the Central Valley!
Karan Johnson
Would like to win tickets for The Secret Garden. I’ d always loved the score.
– Karan Johnson
Steph
Momix Fo Me! They’re absolutely incredible.
Thanks so much Donald for these giveaways, it really helps the artists and the lucky winners.
Kristy Page
I would love to see Our Town as well! I was in it in high school! Loved it.
Kristy Page
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a big favorite of mine! I’d love 2 tickets!
Amy
“Alice” please!
I SO need an out-of-body, mind-blowing, unforgettable visual experience to jolt me into a fresh mood!
Walter B Saul II
MAURICIO NÁDER FOR KEYBOARD CONCERTS. I am really hoping to be there!
Amy
The Secret Garden
I remember the magic of my second grade teacher reading this book to us every afternoon. Would this ever happen today? Hmm. Probably not. This is why I’d like to see the performance: to revisit my 7 year old wonder.
Amy
“Joseph and his Rainbow Jacket”
I just want to be wowed, bowled over, and jaw-dropped by a musical masterpiece!
Linda Sward
Dracula sounds intensely interesting! Thanks
Linda Sward
Momix also sounds surreal! I would love to experience that performance.
Linda Sward
Percy Jones musical would be fun … and then we could relate to the great nephews!
Sheila Perkins
I’d be delighted to win tickets to Smooth Sailing.
Sheila Perkins
Our Town, please.
Sheila Perkins
Joseph, please.
John
Such a cool opportunity. Thanks for all you do for the arts. I would love to see “Secret Garden,” “Joseph,” “Lightning Thief,” or “Alice.”
Javier Cabrera
Oh my! ‘Alice’ by MOMIX dance company would be such a wonderful experience to attend. Thank you Donald for all you do!
Linda Ramirez
Hoping for Fresno Phil. My husband just asked me yesterday if we had tickets. Also enjoy the Phil
Cendee Peter
I would love tickets to The Secret Garden! The music is so beautiful and captivating!!
Kristy Page
I would love to see the secret garden as well! What a fantastic giveaway!
Hollis M
Would love to see Joseph or Smooth Sailing. Already seen Our Town (very good) and have tickets for Secret Garden.
I saw deadline passed already but Addams Family would be nice to see if it’s still available.
Kristal Smith
I’d be excited tand honored o win tickets to any of the following shows:
• A performance of the Good Company Players production of “Our Town” at 2nd Space Theatre.
• A performance of the Good Company Players production of “The Secret Garden” at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater.
• A performance of the new Fresno State play “Dracula” (opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29).
• The Lively Arts Foundation’s presentation of “Alice” by the MOMIX dance company) (one performance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Tower Theatre).
I’d love to get out and enjoy a show! Thank you for the chance!
Alice J Pierson-Knapp
Thank you so much for the opportunity – would appreciate tickets to Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performance!
Alice J Pierson-Knapp
Would appreciate tickets for pianist, Maricopa Nader.
Thank you!
Gloria "Gib" Brough
Keyboard concerts, October 6.
These keyboard concerts are among my favoriteS
Dianne Kady
I would love to share a pair of tickets to “Alice” by the Momix Dance Company with a friend who majored in Dance. It sounds like a whole new take on dancing, and we want to be a part of the new innovations in music and movement.
Dianne Kady
The Keyboard Concert featuring Barry Douglas sounds like a great opportunity to hear world-class piano music up close and personal. I would really appreciate a chance to attend.
Amy
A lightning-fingered Irishman on the piano is just what my culture-less autumn needs! Barry Douglas at FSU Keyboard Concert, please!
Edith Barnette
I have a nice lady friend who is challenging herself by taking piano lessons and I have a b-day Nov. 3rd, so how special it would be for us to listen to a professional musician play our classical favorites. I might even get inspired to take out my worn copies of Schubert and Tchaikovsky and start practicing again. 😀