(Standing) Lance Mack and Patti Leidecker (Mr. and Mrs. Roper); (seated) Derek Zemrak (Jack), Nicole Berzins (Chrissy) and Suzie Mele (Janet) will perform a parody of the popular TV Show Three's Company.
The Rheem Theatre has come back to life just in time for the holidays. Not only is the classic venue once again offering first run movies, it will now add a live parody of the popular sitcom Three’s Company, in what the management hopes will be the first of many live theater productions and events.
The Rheem Theater, which along with the Orinda Theatre forms Lamorinda Theatres, has joined with the nonprofit Classic TV Preservation Society (CTVPS) to bring these events to the Moraga venue. The first will be A Three’s Company Christmas Parody on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9.
“We’re thrilled to team with The Classic TV Preservation Society,” says producer/co-director Derek Zemrak. Adds CTVPS founder Herbie J Pilato, “It’s an honor to work with such a prestigious establishment as the Rheem Theatre, while also being granted the opportunity to combine classic TV and live theatre in such a unique way.”
Zemrak and Pilato envision an eclectic list of classic TV events and productions for the Rheem Theatre, including special screenings of classic TV shows, personal appearances by classic TV celebrities, and more. “Classic TV has never been more popular than it is today,” says Zemrak, “and to be able to connect with the CTVPS and celebrate it all in a positive way is exciting.”
Zemrak adds, “Most baby boomers remember the classic television show Three’s Company, and I thought it would be fun to bring it to the stage. The evening will include a video presentation on the late 1970s, and a live stage performance complete with ’70’s and ’80’s TV commercials. After the production, the audience can join the cast for a meet and greet, holiday cookies and eggnog.”
Three’s Company aired for eight seasons on ABC, from March 15, 1977 to Sept. 18, 1984. Based on the British sitcom Man About the House, the story revolved around three single roommates: Janet Wood, Chrissy Snow, and Jack Tripper, who live together in a Santa Monica apartment complex owned by Stanley and Helen Roper.
For the Rheem Theatre live production of the TV sitcom, co-directors Reed Summers-Pirkle and Zemrak have cast the following Bay Area/Lamorinda performers: Janet (Suzie Mele), Chrissy (Nicole Berzins), Jack (Zemrak), Mrs. Roper (Patti Leidecker) and Mr. Roper (Lance Mack).
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at http://www.lamorindatheatres.com or at the Rheem Theatre box-office. Showtimes are 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 9. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food item for the Contra Costa Food Bank. Proceeds for the evening will be donated to the CTVPS and the Moraga Community Foundation, both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.
The CTVPS educates individuals, community, arts/media, business and academic organizations and institutions on the social significance and positive influence of classic television programming, with specific regard to family values, diversity in the work place, and mutual respect for all people of every cultural background, heritage, race and creed. For more information, go to www.classictvpreserve.org.
The Moraga Community Foundation is a philanthropic organization that works with the community to build a vibrant future for Moraga. The Foundation is working to secure the long-term viability of the Rheem Theatre. For more information, go to www.moragacommunityfoundation.org.
