December 1st. Wow…already? The holidays are here and we’re bursting with pride and gratitude! The Little Theatre is in the midst of its most successful season ever, thanks to your generous support. How do we measure success? Let us count the ways:

• Thanks to exceptional local talent led by nationally recognized, professional directors, the quality of our productions has been flourishing, to the constant delight of our dedicated audience.
• We love the fact that attendance is growing at a record-setting pace. Our average audience size for all performances is at 93{efcf22502b1e74b0202af948281d54f129dde7dacd2c3f6ff4c98fe998904ac4} of capacity.
• Even better, Season Ticket sales are at an all-time high, bucking the national trend.
• The ACT educational program is bursting at the seams! Our popular children’s programs are filled, and we launched a new adult educational series this fall.
• Our recent acquisition of the 5,000+ costume inventory from SLO’s Costume Capers store will enhance our own productions and provide a resource for the entire performing arts community.

All of this is thanks to you. Really. Since ticket revenue covers just a little more than half of our annual budget, it’s YOUR generosity at work when the lights come up on an intimate Little Theatre production. Simply  put, your generosity is indispensable to the Little Theatre’s success.

So on #Giving Tuesday, as you consider your year-end giving, we thank you for your support of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre. Your investment helps us keep the tap shoes tapping, the children learning, the music playing, the lights on, and great theatre onstage in San Luis Obispo, now and into the future. If you’d like to make an additional year-end donation to help support our general fund, our awesome costume purchase, or our educational programs you can do that here. Many, many thanks from all of us at the Little Theatre.

And it’s definitely looking a LOT like Christmas around here this week! The sets and costumes are almost done, the lobby is being decorated, the marquee has been updated and the actors are ready to go! A Christmas Story opens this Saturday afternoon at 2 pm with a matinee performance. (Please note that there is no show on Friday due to the annual SLO Christmas Parade.)

This heartwarming and funny Christmas tale follows the wintry exploits of young Ralphie Parker, who spends most of his time dodging a bully and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift: a genuine Red Ryder BB Gun. You know the story, you loved the film, you’ll laugh through every moment of this delightful Christmas treat! There are still great seats left for opening weekend, including a special 7 pm show on Sunday, December 6th. A Christmas Story is appropriate for all ages (5 and up) so buy your tickets today and bring the whole family!

Finally, if you’re looking for a great gift for your theatre-loving family and friends, look no further! Gift Certificates are back! Available in any amount you wish, gift certificates can be exchanged for tickets to any production on our stage, and they never, ever expire! You can order yours online today or stop by the box office next time you’re in town. We’re open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 am – 3 pm and Saturdays, 2 pm-4 pm.

I’ll leave you with a quick look at a few scenes from A Christmas Story. “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Come on down to the Little Theatre this December to see it LIVE!