NEW: Community theater blossoms in foothills

The region’s arts community suffered a blow last year, when Foothill Theatre Company in Nevada City closed after 33 years. It was the only resident professional theater in the area, and its rent helped preserve the historic Nevada Theater.

But “this too, shall pass,” as Shakespeare put it, and community theater groups are blossoming. This spring, CATS, the Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, staged Snow Falling on Cedars to packed audiences. LeGacy Productions has staged Miracle on 34th Street, Mark Twain and it currently is showing A Few Good Men.

Now newcomer Sierra Stages Community Theater is establishing a loyal following. Its latest production, Into the Woods, is holding its final four performances this weekend at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.

“Overall, it’s a strong production, meticulously planned and well-performed,” according to Jeff Hudson of Capital Public Radio.

As for Nevada City-based Sierra Stages’ mission: “We are a community theater that enriches the cultural life of Nevada County by providing high quality, affordable and accessible performances for everyone. Among our goals is to create an ongoing and viable community theater in the Grass Valley and Nevada City area.”

It’s good to see community theater helping to fill the void that Foothill’s closure left behind.