Award-winning Quest Theaterworks presents Nugget Fringe Festival from Jan. 18-28

QUEST THEATERWORKS PRESENTS THE fourth annual Nugget Fringe Theater Festival on January 18-28 in Grass Valley. The festival has grown to include 40 shows for 150 cutting-edge performances on seven stages in downtown Grass Valley, featuring comedy, drama, performance art, stand up and more. It is a “must-see” festival for regional indie theater.

Founded by Scott and Lois Ewing, Quest Theaterworks, dedicated to “small but mighty” theater is one of the hottest theater groups in the region. In September, it won four prestigious Elly awards for its productions — almost unprecedented for such a small theater group, and a testament to the high caliber of its work.

Quest’s Elly awards included best overall production in drama for Zoo Story; Sharon Winegar for best direction in The Good Body; Lois Ewing for leading female in The Good Body; and Chase Coney for leading male in Zoo Story. The Elly awards celebrate excellence in Sacramento’s local and regional theater. The 166 adult Elly nominations represented 143 productions from 48 participating theaters. The final 34 Elly awards recognized 15 productions and 11 theaters.

Besides the Nugget Fringe Theater Festival, Quest presents Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps on November 2-19 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley. Quest tours its shows throughout Northern California.

The Ewings have been producing theater in Nevada County since 2009, and Lois is on the board of the Tahoe Regional Arts Foundation, which is seeking to build an estimated $30 million “The Stages at Northstar” performing arts center.

For tickets or more information, visit NuggetFringe.com.

(Photo: Jade Ewing)