Melodrama takes to new stage

The annual Bonitafest Melodrama has taken a detour.

Typically staged at the Sweetwater Community Church, the theatre production this year will perform its three-day run at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center.

Organizers said the church was vandalized and will be closed for several months, prompting a last minute scramble for a new venue.

This year’s play “Here Comes the Sun”, is described as based on the true story of a former Southwestern College president who attempted to coerce faculty and students to cease publication of the college newspaper to cover up what became “San Diego County’s biggest ever case of public corruption.”

In a press release the play’s creator characterized it as personal.

“This is a project that hits close to home and is very personal,” said Melodrama Artistic Director Dr. Max Branscomb, the 31-year advisor of Southwestern’s Hall of Fame newspaper and magazine. “It was a rough period but we persevered. It is, in hindsight, a very compelling story. The part where JMS came to our rescue is remarkable and all true.”
Branscomb said he decided to write the show after a conversation with actress Ella Aldridge, the multitalented 17-year-old who has had featured roles in the Melodrama since she was nine.

“Ella convinced me that it was too good a story to sit on for the rest of my life,” Branscomb said. “She was right. The script came flying out of my fingers and some cool songs suggested themselves during the process. I am thrilled Ella is playing the professor role.”

“Here Comes The Sun” runs Sept. 24-27 at the Southwestern College Performing Arts Center.
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or by calling (619) 850-7126.
Southwestern College is at 900 Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista.