TOM TITUS -- Theater

Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University thespians will be blazing trails with

the pioneers, “handling the truth” in court, rocking to a colorful Old

Testament musical and sharing the tribulations of a preacher’s kids

during the 2001-02 theater season.

The varied season consists of two musicals (“Quilters” and “Joseph and

the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”), a military courtroom drama (“A Few

Good Men”) and a comedy about a clergyman’s family (“Papa Was a

Preacher”).

“Quilters,” the pioneering musical by Molly Newman and Barbara

Damashek, will open the Vanguard season on Oct. 19 under the direction of

Susan Berkompas, who heads the college’s theater department.

This tribute to the courage and spirit of America’s pioneer women

tells the story of a mother and her six daughters who cross the country

to carve out new lives, blending memories of their past into quilts along

the way. It’s no stranger to local audiences, but it’s usually been quite

well received.

“A Few Good Men,” the stage version of the hit Tom Cruise-Jack

Nicholson movie by Aaron Sorkin (who’s cleaned up in the Emmys with “The

West Wing” and who also scripted “The American President”), will be next

in the Vanguard lineup. Senior directing majors Bonnie Abraham and

Christopher Tillman will share the staging duties on this one.

The courtroom drama, centering on the court-martial of two Marines

charged with the murder of a third and the rookie naval officer who

defends them, culminates with the Marine Corps’ code of honor being put

on trial. Remember Nicholson’s arrogant line, “You can’t handle the

truth”? The show will open on Nov. 30.

What is it about “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”? We’ve

seen this vintage musical in this area three times in the past two years.

Now the Vanguard players will visit the town next door with their version

in March.

The rocking rendition of a biblical story featuring a potpourri of

musical styles is ticketed for the Irvine Barclay Theater on the UC

Irvine campus. Carey Smith will be at the helm for the Andrew Lloyd

Webber-Tim Rice musical, which will open March 1 for only four

performances. The college stresses that the UCI venue is subject to

change.

Winding up the Vanguard season is John McGreevey’s family comedy “Papa

Was a Preacher.” Based on the book by Alyene Porter, it’s a story about

youngsters growing up as minister’s kids.

Smith also is in the director’s chair for this show, which he

describes as “lively and entertaining.” Opening night will be April 4.

All of the shows but “Joseph” will be staged in Vanguard’s Lyceum

Theater on the college campus, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets will be

available at the door on performance nights or can be reserved in advance

by calling (714) 668-6145.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.