Monday, October 12, 2009

LifeHouse Theater continues 'family' tradition


"Robin (Sam Bell, center), Much (Shane Litchfield, left) and Little John (Chris Karraker, right) join with a merry band of men preparing for battle in LifeHouse Theater’s latest new musical, “Robin Hood” (October 3 – November 8)." Copyright LifeHouse Productions, Inc.


LifeHouse Theater in Redlands, CA, has put on many quality productions for sixteen seasons, all the while fostering a family. The actors and production team all agree that there is a special bond that comes from being involved in this particular theater.


“It’s the immediate family that I needed growing up—here I was exposed to the best of life… this place kind of saved me and my family in a very personal way. It just really put me on a very positive path in life and I will never forget this family,” Bethany Schwartzkopf, director of LifeHouse’s current production of “Robin Hood” said.


Schwartzkopf has been working with LifeHouse since the early 1990s. “There are people from all different walks of life involved in the theater and I’ve made some lasting friendships… they’ve made such a large impact on my life… in every aspect of it.”


Scwartzkopf explained that Robin Hood displays this bond effectively on stage.


“I want the audience to get out of Robin Hood an outpouring of what’s on the stage—that camaraderie, that fellowship, that longing for doing what’s right, longing for a beautiful world.” These values hit home among the community of actors and staff involved in LifeHouse.


“In LifeHouse in general, there’s a strong sense of community in this particular theater… there’s a big emphasis on being a community as a cast,” said Sarah Ayotte, who plays Queen Berengaria.


Other members of the cast agree. It’s about being humble and putting on a show for a purpose. “It’s about giving love to the audience,” according to Hannah Jeanette Ayotte who portrays Maid Marian.


The loyal guests of the theater are also considered “family,” according to Jeff DeWitt, general manager of LifeHouse.


“We have guests that come to see our shows that have given up cable TV, they don’t go see movies—this is their entertainment and to those people we are just so appreciative ‘cause they know when they come here they are not going to be bombarded with the messages of the world… they’re going to come here and they’re going to see family values reflected in our shows.”


The fact that the cast and staff make a point to stay humble provides for a wholesome experience the audience can enjoy.


Anthony Potter who plays the part of the Herald said, “Everyone is on the same level, we’re all going for the same goal and purpose… and that’s just really inspiring.”


Show Times:


Fridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 2:15pm, 7:30pm
Sundays 2:15pm


Robin Hood (October 3, 2009-November 3, 2009)
Unto Us: The Nativity Story (November 21, 2009-December 30,2009)
Cinderella (January 9, 2010-February 14, 2010)
The Cross and the Switchblade (February 27, 2010-March 28, 2010)
Pride and Prejudice (April 10, 2010-May 16, 2010)
Esther (May 29, 2010-June 27, 2010)
The Little Mermaid (July 10, 2009-August 8, 2010)
Pursued: A Jonah Story (August 21, 2010-September 19, 2010)


Call 909 335 3037 ext. 21 for reservations.
Visit LifeHouse at www.lifehousetheater.com.

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