Lake Havasu City's Live Theater

Lake Havasu City, Arizona may not seem a likely entertainment hub for theater and the fine arts. Yet, it is home to two talented production groups, both with excellent reputations for bringing live theater to the desert community.

The first is Grace Arts Live, which recently opened its theater on Lake Havasu's Main Street, at 2146 McCulloch Blvd. The building was the site of the first movie theater in Lake Havasu, which closed its doors over a decade ago.

Grace Ann Etcheberria is the heart of Grace Arts Live. She and her husband, Ed Jacobs, purchased the forgotten theater and renovated the building, creating an impressive backdrop for live performances. The setting is a welcome surprise to those seeking live entertainment in a desert community known more for spring break and being a retirement Mecca.

Grace Ann has an impressive performing arts resume, which began before she earned her Masters in Fine Arts. She studied with a number of talented performers and worked under the direction of Jack Tygett of the Lawrence Welk Dinner Theatre and International Company Theatre at Old Town.

She brought live theater to Lake Havasu City, teaching courses at the community college, where she produced quality musicals. Today, Grace Arts Live has a dance studio, bringing ballet, jazz and tap instruction to its students.

Their live performance of Oklahoma will be appearing in October, 2008. You're a Good Man Charlie Brown is slated for November, 2008, with It's a Wonderful Life appearing in December. Detailed ticket information and hours is included on the Grace Arts website.

The second theater group is City Center Entertainment, owned by Havasu residents, Jerry and Cindy Aldridge. For a time they operated a dinner theater, located at the Pub, along the Bridgewater Channel of the London Bridge. Although they closed their theater, they continue to bring quality live performances to Lake Havasu City.

Dracula the Musical, will be opening in October, at the Performing Arts Center at the local high school. Remember When, featuring the City Center Singers, is scheduled for November, at the London Bridge Convention Center. It is a nostalgic stroll down memory lane of radio. Man of La Macha will be appearing after the first of the year. Detailed ticket information can be found on the City Center Entertainment website.

City Center Entertainment also has a monthly cabaret, Fourth Friday. This is a 75 minute concert, featuring a different composer or genre each month. It is held at the London Bridge Resort Conventions Center, with show times at 8 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. City Center Entertainment also offers dance and theater workshops.

For those who would be interested in auditioning for future shows, or would like to be a member of the audience, visit the websites of Grace Arts Live and City Center Entertainment, for additional information.