PCPA presents “Shane,” a stage adaptation by playwright Karen Zacarías (“Native Gardens”) in a California premiere, Feb. 12-March 1, at the Marian Theatre in Santa Maria.
In the play, when a quiet gunslinger rides into a Wyoming frontier town, folks take notice, especially young Bob Starrett, whose settler family welcomes the mysterious stranger into their home and life.
But Shane’s presence stirs more than curiosity; it kicks up a storm between a ruthless rancher and the settlers and Native families holding their ground.
As lines are drawn and bullets threaten to fly, Shane must choose between the peaceful life he longs for and the violent past he thought he’d left behind.
“’Shane’ is a really interesting moral tale about how do you outrun your past and can you?” Zacarías said.
Reimagined for the stage, “Shane” offers a new take on the American Western, exploring honor, sacrifice, community, and the courage it takes to do what’s right.
“In this production, we focus on a boy discovering what kind of man he wants to be,” said director Erik Stein. “We ask the question: What makes a good person?
“I invite the audience to wrestle with that question as they meet these complicated and flawed people through the eyes of an eight-year-old boy.
My dad passed away last June,” Stein said. “This play gave me the opportunity to reflect and remember him. In some ways, it allowed me to spend more time with him in my heart—and to thank him.”
The cast includes Alexander Pimentel as Older Bob/Bobby Starrett, René Millán as Joe Starrett, Corey Jones as Shane, Christen Celaya as Marian Starrett, Andrew Philpot as Luke Fletcher, DeLanna Studi as Winona Stephens, Amarion Tidwell as Chris Johnson, Don Stewart as Jake Ledyard/Sam Grafton, Kevin Asselin as Ernie Wright/Stark Wilson.
Ensemble members: Matthew Chavez, Xcellen Connor, John Piper, and Gilbert Archuletta.
The creative team: director Stein, scenic designer Jason Bolen, costume designer Tracee Bear, lighting designer Michael Palumbo, sound designer Jon Zielke, fight director Kevin Asselin, stage manager Rebekah Carriere, and production stage manager Jack D. Myles.
Tickets for “Shane” can be purchased online at pcpa.org or through the box office, 805-922-8313. Tickets prices start at $25.
There will be a Pride Night performance at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 with a pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m.
PCPA Youth and Community Arts and Gala Pride and Diversity Center present PCPA Pride Night. Throughout the season, Pride Night welcomes LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to celebrate with the theater.
To buy Pride Night tickets, use the code PRIDE at checkout for 15% off Tier 1 or Tier 2 tickets.
Tickets include an invitation to a themed pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m. featuring snacks, beverages, a Q&A with PCPA’s resident artists, photo stations, interactive installations, community resources, and raffle prizes.