‘Animal Farm’ Continues to Pack in Crowds

Sell-out shows are expected in the final weekend of “Animal Farm (The Musical),” which has four performances remaining, March 1-3 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m., all in Porter Theatre.

“We were really happy with audience responses during the opening weekend,” says director Mitchell Thomas. “People commented on experiencing a wide range of emotions during the performance: joy, fear, grief, exhilaration. Audiences also commented on how powerful the themes of Orwell’s work are and how much resonance “Animal Farm” continues to have for our contemporary world.”

The show, a rocking collaboration between the Westmont theater arts and music departments, hit a bump opening night when the technical director and lighting designer was hospitalized “Fortunately, he is now recovering and the student crew really showed some fantastic leadership in taking over the show on their own,” Thomas says.

Students from San Marcos, Bishop Diego, and Providence Hall High Schools, who have all read George Orwell’s satirical masterpiece in class, had a class discussion led by the production’s dramaturge. The students were then treated to a trip to Westmont, where they watched the production free of charge thanks to a community dividend grant from Montecito Bank and Trust.

“I hope that students are making deep connections with the material and experiencing first-hand how powerful a live theater experience can be,” Thomas says.

The performance sold out Friday and Saturday night and Thomas recommends people make advance reservations before this weekend  through the box office at (805) 565-7140.