“We’re absolutely thrilled that the inventory is going to remain local and intact!” — Keith Wetzel, Costume Capers

The local theatre community was in shock last month when Costume Capers announced that they were going to permanently close their doors after nearly 30 years in San Luis Obispo. A “fire sale” was planned. Performing arts organizations put out the call to their supporters to help them save some of the inventory. News stories were shared, Facebook exploded with comments, blog posts lamented the news, online fundraising campaigns were instigated.

“Over the last three decades, Keith and Debi have provided costumes for hundreds of productions at the Little Theatre,” said Kevin Harris, Managing Artistic Director here at the Little Theatre, “Their support of local theatre groups has been incredible. The store’s closure is a major blow to the local arts scene.”

But wait, there’s hope! The Little Theatre Board of Directors has approved a plan to purchase the full inventory of costumes currently housed at San Luis Obispo’s Costume Capers, thus preserving the curated collection of over 5,000 theatrical costumes that owners Keith Wetzel and Debi Hernandez have created and cared for over the last several decades. With this collection in our inventory, our hope is to continue to provide costuming support to ALL of the local performing arts organizations that Keith and Debi have so generously outfitted since 1985. “It will be wonderful to see our costumes on local stages for years to come” said Keith Wetzel.”

We need your help!  As you can imagine, this is a huge undertaking for the Little Theatre. The immediate expense (including purchase, warehouse rental and moving) are not included in our budget for this year, and while we feel that this investment will be well worth it in the long run, we’re going to feel the crunch short term. Our plans are to begin moving the inventory and setting up a new, off-site costume warehouse/shop in mid-November, but we need your help NOW to make the dream a reality.

Here’s how you can help:

1. We need a warehouse! If you have, or know of, a space that is available for a reasonable price, or better yet, a space that can be offered as an in-kind donation, please contact Kevin Harris at (805) 781-3889, ext. 10 or email [email protected].

2. Make a Donation – Your gift in any amount will offset the purchase price, the moving expenses, the costs of organizing and the ongoing upkeep of over 5,000 costumes! You can make your donation ONLINE drop off a check at the theatre at 888 Morro Street in SLO, or give us a call at (805) 781-3889, ext. 15. All gifts are tax deductible and all donors will be recognized in a special section of our playbill this season.

Thank you for your help in keeping all of these great costumes on stage in live, local theatre for years to come!

Just a couple of reminders for this weekend…

The Alexander Technique with Anthony Taylor
Saturday, November 7 @ 10 am
SLO Little Theatre Rehearsal Room
888 Morro St. SLO

Are you ready to sharpen your acting skills, and improve the quality of your voice and movement both onstage and off? Join us for this interactive workshop with actor/teacher/author Anthony Taylor, part of our new adult education series of classes and workshops. The cost is $15 per person. More information can be found on our website and there’s still time to sign up online – but do it today!

Have you got your tickets yet for The Foreigner yet? No? Then ya’ll better hurry if you’re gonna catch this hilarious, classic comedy!

There are just 9 more shows, tonight through November 15th and seats are going fast! You can still purchase good seats online for most shows, but if the performance you want to see is sold-out, don’t worry! Our Wait List is miraculous! Just show up 45 minutes to an hour before show time, get your name on the list, enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait, and chances are very, very, VERY good that we’ll get you in to see this show!

“I laughed start to finish at one comic surprise after another!
— New Yorker

Don’t miss The Foreigner, directed by Suzy Newman and featuring the talents of Mike Mesker, Casey Canino, Darren Doran, Darrell Haynes, Bobby Kendrick, Sean McCallon and Patty Thayer.

(You can see more fabulous photos from the show – courtesy of Jamie Foster Photography – HERE!)

Have a fabulous weekend!