This weekend kicks off the much anticipated opening of the Colligan Theater on the Tannery Arts Campus. Jewel Theater Company will open with a bang –presenting the high-energy “Guys and Dolls” in the 182-seat theater.

Founder and Artistic Director, Julie James, told us why she is excited to be the resident company in the space: “It’s a beautiful space but still feels intimate. The audience is really close to what is happening onstage.”

The Colligan Theater more than doubles the seating from their space at Center Stage downtown. The 88-seat Center Stage will remain open and Jewel will continue to manage the small theater. Because the Colligan is without a formal office, Jewel will keep its business offices at Center Stage as well. Jewel Theater will be renting the space to other groups when they are not using it.

The new theater features two-story headroom which is ideal for lighting design and sets. Some other considerations are rather practical: “At another space the cast shares bathrooms in the lobby with the audience. The cast appreciates dressing rooms and bathrooms!"

According to the Jewel Theater website the Colligan Theater features the following:

• 182 seats with two aisles and more distance between rows for better leg room.
• A higher rise from one row to the next for a better view of action on the stage.
• A spacious lobby with concessions bar, and restrooms with more stalls.
• Dozens of free adjacent parking spaces exclusively for theater patrons.
• Larger stage areas for more dynamic sets and lighting, and capacity to stage more classic plays.

Running November 12 to December 6, tickets are available at the Jewel Theater website.

“Guys and Dolls” was chosen for the grand opening of the new theater because it’s celebratory, fun, energetic and has great characters. “It’s the perfect musical with wonderful memorable songs.”

Jewel Theatre Company (JTC) is the only year-round professional theatre company in Santa Cruz County. JTC prides itself on bringing quality, professional actors performing in both familiar favorites and lesser known plays, by first-rate playwrights.