My girlfriend and I attended the Alameda Civic Light Opera's performance of "Ragtime" last Saturday night. When we finally found the theater, a historic auditorum that is part of Alameda High School, after being misdirected by Google Maps, we weren't expecting much more than an earnest and diverting community theater production. Were were shocked and amazed.!! From the opening tableau to the final curtain, the stellar cast made the most out of the tuneful but complex music. Individual performances were all on a very high level, a true ensemble of stars rather than one or two standouts. The costumes were breathtaking, the lighting and sound professional in every way and the stagecraft was clever and propelled the action forward. A total delight -Alameda and the East Bay and the Bay Area -you are so lucky to have this resource.! Run, don't walk to catch the remaining performances next Friday and Saturday nights plus a Sunday matinee that closes the run. And don't be surprised at a standing ovation at the end; it was well deserved. read more