August 30th, 2010
Photo By: Fontana Herald News
Theater Review: Great music enables ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’ to soar at Center Stage Theater in Fontana
By RUSSELL INGOLD
Published: Thursday, August 26, 2010 2:44 PM CDT
Center Stage Theater is now presenting the kind of musical revue that I have wanted to experience for a long time — one which features music from the 1970s and ‘80s.
As Joan Jett would say, “I love rock and roll,” and especially the music from this time period.
Happily, Center Stage has risen to the occasion and has provided just what I was hoping for, a splendid sampling of many of the hit songs that helped define the fun of these decades.
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August 25th, 2010
Photo By: Dylan Hernandez
By Angie Wilson, Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, August 22, 2010
Treat yourself to the Inland Empire’s Hidden Gem, TIBBIES Center Stage in Fontana. Built in 1937 by one of the best known architects of that time, the theater has recently been renovated and technically upgraded to the tune of 6.5 million dollars. The result is the most elegant and delightful dinner theater anywhere in Southern California. The food is absolutely scrumptious. My Date easily cut his steak with a butter knife. I enjoyed the vegetarian penne pasta, with a savory marinara sauce. The molten chocolate cake with homemade vanilla bean ice cream was out of this world. The entertainment venue chosen by TIBBIES Center Stage in Fontana is both witty and captivating. Do yourself a favor, purchase tickets for the next show at TIBBIES. You will be glad you did.
No one better captures the energy and all-encompassing fun of the 70’s and 80’s better than TIBBIES Center Stage in Fontana. The cast’s high spirited and remarkable performance was electrifying. The show was outrageously witty. The entire audience was in stitches over the hilarious “guest appearance” of none other than… well, you’ll have to see the show. I am still in awe at how the cast packed so much fun into one evening, all while serving a delectable dinner. Dancing on the Ceiling is the most enjoyable performance I have seen in years!
Information: 909-429-7469, www.centerstagefontana.com
August 25th, 2010
Photo By: Dylan Hernandez
By Diana Sholley, Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010 03:50:33 PM PDT
Gone from most closets are the bell-bottom bluejeans of yesteryear, but the music lives on forever.
For two weekends starting tonight, Tibbies Dinner Theater at the Center Stage Theater in Fontana presents “Dancing on the Ceiling,” an energetic musical revue of the ’70s and ’80s.
“The show is performed “cruise-ship style,” with a live band, singers and dancers and choreographed numbers,” said Todd Vigiletti, executive producer of Tibbies. “A unique twist is that our servers are also our actors. Once they’re done serving they go backstage, change into their costumes and get ready for the show.”
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December 19th, 2009
‘Holiday Follies 2009′ runs through December 27 at Center Stage Theater in Fontana
By RUSSELL INGOLD
Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009 5:57 PM CST
Jonathan Arana definitely got what he wanted for Christmas this year.
The 19-year-old Fontana High School graduate’s dream came true when he earned a chance to perform in his hometown at Center Stage Theater.
Arana is one of eight talented singers who combine to present an excellent show entitled “Holiday Follies 2009,” which runs through Dec. 27.
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October 8th, 2009
By RUSSELL INGOLD
Published: Thursday, October 1, 2009 1:10 AM CDT
It’s hard to believe, in these days of the Internet and Twitter and TV screens as big as a living room wall, but many people used to derive tremendous amounts of pleasure from something called a radio.
In fact, families used to gather around a giant box emitting crackling noises and fuzziness — and, of course, no pictures — and the listeners thought they were living in entertainment heaven. Quite easily amused, right?
Of course, millions of people in our modern 21st century still do love their radios (mostly because these devices help keep us sane throughout the monotony and frustration of driving), but it’s fair to say that the world has left those retro radios of the 1940s far behind.
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June 4th, 2009
Witness for yourself the fun and magic that takes place in the “BLiNK!” of an eye! This high-energy show features outstanding and critically-acclaimed magical artists – Live and On Stage!
The show is the perfect blend of laughter and wonder for the whole family and is hosted by the hilarious antics of comedy magician, Chris Mitchell. Mitchell has appeared on a variety of television shows over the years and also performed twice at the White House as part of their annual Easter event. He was recently part of a 17-city performance tour of China and was asked to appear at the International Comedy Festival in Shen Zhen City.
Joining Chris is a trio of incredible magicians from around the world.
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May 20th, 2009
BY: Inland Empire News and Press Releases
Published: Friday, May 15, 2009
FONTANA – Tibbies cast members arrived from around the world just a few short weeks ago as rehearsals began for Center Stage’s fifth production, “Let’s Go to the Movies”. Members of the six-person cast arrived from Tennessee, London, and Hong Kong to join the rest of the Southern California ensemble.
Executive Producer, Todd Vigiletti, explains, “We were very specific in the talent needed to build the ensemble. One by one as we cast the show, schedules seemed to work out perfectly with three members landing in Southern California the first day of rehearsals. Joining Tibbies regular cast members, Nicole Barnhart and Todd Vigiletti are Lori Dina returning from her engagement in Europe as a lead singer for Princess cruise lines, David Marchesano returning from Hong Kong Disney and Ben Byler who drove in from Tennessee after spending the last year performing at the Black Bear Dinner theater in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. “We are very excited to have this caliber of talent for the upcoming show and so thankful everyone’s schedule worked out the way it did,” explains Vigiletti.
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May 15th, 2009
By RUSSELL INGOLD
Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009 3:20 PM CDT
If you’re a fan of going to the movies (as I am), then you’ll love going to the “movies” at Center Stage Theater in Fontana.
Center Stage is presenting a highly entertaining musical revue entitled “Let’s Go to the Movies” on weekends through June 14 at 8463 Sierra Avenue.
The show, coordinated by Todd Vigiletti (who also is one of the six talented performers), provides a wide sampling of some of the greatest music to ever reach the Silver Screen, from the days of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to exciting contemporary productions like “Hairspray.”
The show includes all the theatrical aspects that make Center Stage so enjoyable — top-notch singing and dancing, lots of humor, audience participation, and technical wizardry (including video clips from old classics).
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May 8th, 2009
By RUSSELL INGOLD
Published: Thursday, May 7, 2009 2:00 PM CDT
The question needs to be bluntly asked: Are the people of Fontana going to support the theatrical arts or not?
The city is apparently losing its community theater organization (the Fontana Community Players), and attendance has been relatively low for its glamorous new dinner theater facility (Center Stage Theater).
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December 19th, 2008
If you’re looking for a perfect entertainment venue to celebrate the holidays, look no further than Center Stage Theater in downtown Fontana.
Center Stage is presenting an outstanding musical production of “Holiday Follies” through Dec. 30, so make sure to give Fontana’s new theater a try.
