Aug. 5th – Santa Cruz World Dance Showcase!

All ages appropriate dance show in Santa Cruz county showcasing dance styles from all over the world. All ages, all genders, all dance styles, all welcome! The event will be held at historic Ben Lomond Park hall on August 5th, 2023 from 2pm – 9pm. $15 general admission (door), $10 for seniors and students, children under 12 are free. Bazaar featuring local artisans with wares, jewelry, crafts and more. Support your local artists and artisans! email any questions to SCWorldDanceShowcase@gmail.com

WED July 19th – Snowdo White and the Fellowship of the Mirror

You are invited to grab those who are precious to you and come and join the cast of Little People’s Repertory Theater on an epic journey across Little Earth as (LPRT) presents: Snowdo White and the Fellowship of the Mirror, an original rock musical by Janinne Chadwick. This mash-up of beloved fairy tales and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the rings, imagines Snow White as Snowdo a righteous young hobbit who sets off from the Shire, with a fellowship of characters to the tower of Mordor to free the enslaved spirit of the magic mirror, who is imprisoned in the castle of the wicked queen. On their journey, The Fellowship encounters the Giant of Isengard, Gollum, a big bad wolf, elves, frogs and more! The show features over 20 parodies of classic rock, pop and contemporary hits. Opening Night at Ben Lomond Park Hall is Wednesday, July 19th. Tickets will sell out! Get tickets and showtime info online at lprt.org

For over 40 years, LPRT has the reputation of alternative children’s musical theatre at its best! Directed by Daria E. Troxell, with music direction by Gabe House, and choreography by Whitney James Heskett and Haley Clarke. “Snowdo White and The Fellowship of the Mirror”” is presented at Park Hall in Ben Lomond July 19-30, 2023. Tickets and specific show time information is available online at lprt.org.

Now Playing!!!

May 19 – June 11, 2023

THE VIEWING ROOM

by Mark Edward Smith
Directed by Peter Gelblum

When he died, Chester Dumbrosky had a lot to be sorry for in his relationships with his wife and children. But he didn’t let death stop him – he appears at his own wake to try to make amends and heal old wounds. The ensuing uproarious laughter turns serious as his dysfunctional family seeks to resolve conflicts that everyone will recognize if they can stop laughing long enough.


Come join the fun at the Bay Area and Central Coast premiere of a show that is both “heartfelt” and has audiences “rolling with laughter in the aisles.”  (The Willits News.)  The cast features MCT veterans David Leach, Steve Capasso, Hannah Eckstein, Dave Halper, Tracy Smith, and Scott Kravitz, as well as actors new to MCT, Martin Kachuck and Mo Corleone.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm.  Tickets are $20 for Seniors and Students and $25 for everyone else. May 20 is Community Night when all tickets are two for $25.

There will be a champagne reception after the show on Opening Night, May 19, and a talk-back with the cast and director after the show on June 4.

Mountain Community Theatre is currently celebrating its 41st year of bringing quality entertainment to Santa Cruz County. Masks are recommended, but not required.  Buy Tickets HERE

NOT TO BE MISSED!!!

THE HUMANS
by Stephen Karam
Directed by Miguel Reyna

ALL PERFORMANCES OF THIS PLAY WILL BE HELD AT Park Hall
Ben Lomond, CA

Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com

Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, with Sunday Matinees at 2 PM. 

The Humans tells the story of the quintessential family reunion–a group of people who love each other but still wrestle with basic human fears: old age, abandonment, poverty, and death. Filled with equal parts humor and hurt, the family explores each other’s familiar idiosyncrasies yet finds a deeper meaning in the struggles of life.

Mountain Community Theatre is currently celebrating its 40th year of bringing quality entertainment to Santa Cruz County. Masks are required for audiences at all performances. 

Thank You, Ben Lomond!!

Park Hall would like to send special thanks to the following people for their unwavering dedication and support to this weekend’s fundraiser: Jessica Bukowinski
Sara Pichette and Eli
Morris Ridgeway
Ronnie Trubek
Gil Sanchez
Denise Gorham
Surreyya Hada
Lyle Troxell
Wyatt Troxell
Larry Cuprys
Scott Deal
Delle Townsend
Miguel Reyna
Cathy Smith
Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce
Matt Clarke
Michele Gelblum
Naomi Gorham
Mokili Wa
Taylor Rae
Also to Christina Wise, Tina at KBCZ, and Julie Horner for boosting the signal. It takes a village. Thank you for helping us build community and keeping the arts in SLV!

Donations can still be made if you were unable to attend. Just click the link Below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/park-hall-fundraiser-with-taylor-rae-and-mokili-wa-tickets-441932310437?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Park Hall Fundraiser Nov. 5th!!!

Taylor Rae and Mokili Wa to perform at this special event! Purchase your tickets Here

Don’t miss this special event for all ages!!

Doors 6:30
Show 7pm

Park Hall is coming up on it’s 100th year anniversary, and they want you to know they are planning for at least another 100.  With new staffing, a new trustee and a determination to build community, the hall is having a fundraiser on November 5th, 2022. Former Little People’s Repertory Theater actress turned singer-songwriter Taylor Rae will be coming home for this special event. The guitarist/singer/songwriter’s eclectic style traverses folk, R&B, jazz and blues.  She says, “I call it ‘South & Roll’ – a blend of the earliest days of American music.”  The NEXTie award-winning musician who now resides in Austin, TX is returning “to the place where it all started” for her career on the stage – Park Hall in Ben Lomond, CA. “Getting to play an event to raise money for restoration of the hall I grew up performing in feels like a full circle moment,” shares Taylor, who will be opening for local band Mokili Wa.  

“Mokili Wa” means “World Listen” in Lingala and Lari, band leader Elie Mabanza’s native languages of the congo. Originally formed in 2019, the band wonderfully fuses Jazz and African influences, and is gaining popularity in and around Santa Cruz, CA.  Elie shares, “We are thrilled to share the historic Park Hall stage with our great friend Taylor Rae. Please join us for a special evening in service of this longstanding cultural center for artists and performers.” 

Great Things Happening this Weekend!!

AUGUST 7th 1PM

The CZU Fire In Their Own Words – Fighting Fires, Losing Homes, and Rebuilding Community is a new powerful and moving 90-minute film produced by Mountain Community Theater, created by Peter Gelblum.

In the spring of 2021, in response to the August 2020 CZU Fires, we interviewed people who fought the fires and people who lost their homes about their experiences, which many of us shared – evacuating, losing homes and possessions to the fire, and getting support from the community.  Using only the words from those interviews, we created a script, cast actors to play the interviewees, and used both the characters’ family photographs and images donated by several generous local photographers to create this film. The film is a document of that extraordinary time and a gift from MCT to the community.

We hope you’ll join us and other community members at an upcoming screening.  Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds will go to the local volunteer fire departments and the Community Foundation’s Fire Recovery Fund.  The director and others associated with the film will be there to answer questions. Masks are highly recommended at all screenings.

AUGUST 7th 5PM

Santa Cruz Raks – a quarterly community dance event!!! $10 suggested donation at the door.

The Show Must Go On!

We officially have a new Park Hall Manager, the Janitor position is filled and we are still in search of a part-time Facilities Maintenance Technician. Please submit resumes or inquiries to parkhall.communitycenter@gmail.com

Park Hall is open for rentals – Contact us for the most up to date availability!

We are so excited for MCT that their run of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was such a huge, SOLD OUT success! Their next production “Calendar Girls” opens this Friday, May 20th! Tickets and more information can be found HERE