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A storm rattles the windows, the timetable is no comfort, and a ghostly locomotive refuses to be just a rumor. We’re bringing Arnold Ridley’s The Ghost Train to life with a bold 1930s aesthetic—think noir shadows and comic-book color—that turns a small station into a pressure cooker where fear and wit trade jabs. Sage Patel walks us through the vision: why an old thriller still lands today, how a tight room can hold thirteen distinct voices, and why the train itself must feel alive through sound, light, and clever stagecraft.

You’ll meet Jamie Putnam, who crafts Miss Bourne with tenderness and steel, and Craig A. Jackman, leaning into the mischievous curiosity of Teddy Deacon. Together we dig into how people perform bravery when they’re stranded with strangers, how costumes can telegraph independence or insecurity, and how props become actions rather than decorations. We also pull back the curtain on the ensemble’s casting surprises, a scenic design inspired by Dick Tracy’s saturated world, and the invisible heroes who make suspense sing: lighting, sound, carpentry, and front-of-house. Community theater is the engine here—mentors teaching tools and timing, techs shaping breath and silence, and a crew that treats every detail as story.

If you’re local to the Inland Empire, come ride with us: The Ghost Train runs January 16–31 at Chino Community Theater. Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30, with a gala after opening Friday, a two-for-one phone-only special on Saturday, and a Sunday talkback with the cast and crew. Grab your seats at chinocommunitytheater.org or call 909-590-1149. Enjoy the episode, share it with a theater-loving friend, and leave a rating and review to help more people find the show.

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This holiday story gets new gears. We sit down with the Riverside Community Players team bringing a steampunk A Christmas Carol to life—complete with in‑the‑round staging, layered costumes, and a cast that looks and sounds like Riverside. From the first “God bless us” to the final curtain, the conversation uncovers how a first-time director balances reverence for Dickens with the courage to reimagine the world he wrote.

We talk through Sage’s path back to the stage, the decision to lean into steampunk aesthetics, and the practical realities of building a show where minimal sets and 360-degree sightlines demand bold blocking and clean storytelling. Kit Wilson shares his approach to Ebenezer Scrooge—mining classic performances without echoing them, researching 1843 London to ground the character’s arc, and finding the moment where regret turns into change. We also spotlight Tiny Tim, played by Jasper, whose enthusiasm and resilience bring rare authenticity to a role that carries the play’s soul.

Behind the scenes, the creative engine hums: meticulous costume design that fuses Victorian texture with industrial flair; prop choices that do the heavy lifting when scenery stays lean; and a rising scenic designer crafting a modular world that moves as fast as the story. An assistant director with movement training helps the ensemble build truthful relationships, so every corner of the house sees intentions as clearly as words. Expanding the cast unlocks fresh voices and sharper narration, while a commitment to diversity ensures the stage reflects the Inland Empire community it serves.

If you love theater that honors tradition and still surprises, this one’s for you. Hit play, get inspired, then grab your tickets to A Christmas Carol at Riverside Community Players. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a spark of holiday spirit, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

December 5-14

Riverside Community Players: 4026 14th St. Riverside, CA 92501

Box Office: 951-686-4030

www.riversidecommunityplayers.com

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A small stage, a big cast, and a 1940s reset bring fresh heart to Miracle on 34th Street as we explore belief, courage, and community. We share how volunteers, teachers, and first-timers shape a classic into something intimate, warm, and alive.

• why we chose Miracle on 34th Street and set it in the 1940s
• how a large ensemble, kids to grandparents, powers the show
• Doris Walker’s arc as a frank, working single mother
• crafting Fred Gailey’s warmth and courtroom grit
• Jack’s return after 30 years and finding Kris Kringle’s truth
• building Macy’s and the courtroom on an intimate stage
• period costumes, carols, and 1947 radio pre-show
• the teamwork culture that defines community theater
• key creatives and crew shaping sets and flow
• show schedule, opening night gala, and talkback

December 5-20 Friday/Saturday 7:30pm Sat & Sunday Matinee 2:30pm

Get your tickets now. This will sell out. Call 909-590-1149 or visit ChinoCommunityTheater.org

Find STTS:
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Please follow on your favorite podcast platform and we appreciate 5 Star ratings and positive reviews!