Pasadena Theatre Company's production of Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" opens tomorrow night at Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts in Brooklyn Park - the first show in the main theater of the new arts center to have an extended run.
"Camelot" boasts a cast of 45 and a 14-piece live orchestra in the pit, for its four-weekend stand.
The 23-year-old Pasadena Theatre Company has staged shows over the past five years at Baldwin Hall, Woods Community Center and Humanities Hall at Anne Arundel Community College. At the latter, PTC President Sharon Steele produced shows such as "Jekyll and Hyde," "Godspell," "I Hate Hamlet" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
Steele dreamed of a permanent home for PTC, with adequate rehearsal space. To her delight, it is now one of two resident theater companies at Chesapeake Center.
A executive producer of "Camelot," she is savoring the luxury of having room on site to build sets, and "enough backstage space for costumes to be hung for each actor, with two sewing machines set up so that final touches can be added to the many wonderful costumes that are a very important part of this show."
Long associated with PTC as artistic director, veteran actor Chuck Richards is equally delighted that PTC has settled into its new home. He is director of "Camelot" and plays King Arthur.
"CCCA will be a source of theatrical arts for the neighboring community," Richards said, "and because of its accessibility to the Beltway, not just to Anne Arundel County but to the larger community as well. ... "
"Camelot" runs through April 8, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $10 for children, students and seniors; $12 for PTC and CCCA members; and $15 for nonmembers.
Information or reservations: Chesapeake Center, 410-636-6597.