Darryl Strohl as Arnold Eastman

Sacramento Valley Production Theatre Company (SVPTC) was created in 1990 by playwright / composer Ruth R. Owens and local actor Steve Minow, as the producing entity behind Something In the Valley. After a successful run in 1989 under the auspices of The Chautauqua Playhouse in Carmichael, Something In the Valley was produced by SVPTC again in 1991 as an outdoor musical extravaganza in the 49’er Scene in Old Sacramento. The show was tied into the city’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. The musical score was arranged by James Croghan and the production was choreographed by Michael C. Cross.

In October, this same creative team will open Owens’ newest original work, a musical comedy, called The Broccoli Club. The Broccoli Club is a more manageable venture with a cast of 25, as compared to the 50-plus member cast of Valley. It is the story of Arnold Eastman (Darryl Strohl), a song and dance man who is in trouble with a Florida mobster named Mr. Miami (Bob Irvin). The year is 1929, America is in the height of prohibition, and speakeasies are all the rage. Arnie finds himself on the train to Detroit to bump off Mr. Miami’s bootlegging competitor, Big Broccoli, in order to clear his gambling debts. In Detroit, he meets the speakeasy’s manager, Rita Rosen (Andrea E. Thorpe) and an immigrant grocery store owner (Steve Minow)

Bob Irvin as Mr. Miami

Andrea E. Thorpe as Rita
& Thomas J. Engstrom
as Sollie Abramovitz

whose meddlesome friend, Mr. Gittleman (Jeff Labowitch) suggests that Arnie rent a room above Goldfine’s store. What ensues is a musical comedy romp involving The Purple Gang, dancing girls, and the FBI. Fred Weber is the musical director. Michael C. Cross is directing/choreographing, and Kat Bahry is co-choreographer. Christopher Tulysewski is the scenic designer.

Actor Thomas J. Engstrom, in the role of Purple Gang underleader – Sollie Abramovitz – says of the script, “What really struck me after reading it is how solid the story is. So many musicals have a weak book, but Ruth’s writing really stands on it’s own”. Owens’ original music superbly ties together the musical stylings of the late 1920s, while incorporating a pop music feel of today.

Steve Minow as Ben Goldfine &
Jeff Labowitch as Mr. Gittleman

Darryl Strohl as Arnie &
Andrea E. Thorpe as Rita Rosen

The Broccoli Club opens October 5th with a special performance benefiting the Parkinson Association of Northern California (PANC), and closes October 21st. For tickets please call 916.489.1175 or visit thebroccoliclub.com.

The Broccoli Club will play at the 24th Street Theatre, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.