Coronado Playhouse and Blindspot Collective are extending the run of “Underground,” a musical inspired by the discography of legendary singer-songwriter Ben Folds.
This immersive co-production fully transforms the Coronado Playhouse space and transports audiences to a dynamic dive bar for a joyful exploration of community, empathy, and resilience, organizers say.
Underground is now running through July 30, Thursdays – Saturdays at 8pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm.
Tickets start at $24
All performances are held at 1835 Strand Way, and single tickets start at $24 with group discounts available for parties of 8 or more.
Student, Military, and Senior Discounts are available. For more information, contact the box office at (619) 435-4856 or visit www.coronadoplayhouse.org.
Originally conceived by Amy Cordileone, Donnie Tuel, and Rachel Tuggle Whorton, the show was previously workshopped in San Diego and New York City before being expanded for its world premiere.
With a new book by Blindspot Collective co-founder Blake McCarty, audiences can expect an exhilarating blend of compelling storytelling and iconic songs as “Underground”
unfolds around them.
Formative music
“For many people, Ben’s music was formative when we were teenagers and young adults,” says director and choreographer Amy Cordileone. “It’s a joy to explore these songs through a fresh, theatrical lens and hopefully introduce a new audience to Ben’s exceptional songwriting.”
Cordileone is a San Diego native who performed at Starlight, New Village Arts, Lamb’s Players, and other local companies prior to moving to New York City to continue her career as an artist and educator.
It was there that she met Blake McCarty, who established Blindspot Collective in
New York before moving to the West Coast.
“A workshop of this musical was one of the first things we produced in San Diego,” notes
McCarty, “and we’re excited to share it in an atmosphere that will foster a unique connection between performers and audiences.”
Cast and creative team
The cast features Amanda Blair, Hannah Bosworth, Kevin Bradel, Hunter
Brown, Sam Castillo, Hero Cordileone, Lu Garcia, Shane Hennessey, Joe Kao, Georgia Ladd, D. Mckenna, Dakota Ringer, Jerry Rodriguez, Sarah Jane Salonga, Dacara Seward, and Marisa Taylor Scott.
The creative team includes Amy Cordileone (Director & Choreographer), Michael
Tyree (Music Director), Shawn Foote (Stage Manager), Caroline Andrew (Lighting Designer), Cole Atencio (Sound Designer), Tammy Molenaar (Costume Designer), and Jacob Sampson (Scenic Designer).
For tickets, please contact the box office at 619-435-4856 or CoronadoPlayhouse.org.
What is Coronado Playhouse?
Established in 1946, Coronado Playhouse is the oldest arts organization in Coronado, the old community theatre in San Diego County, and according to the Los Angeles Times, the longest continuously running playhouse on the West Coast. The intimate 100-seat, cabaret-style theatre, overlooks Glorietta Bay and is part of the Coronado Community Center.
Blindspot Collective develops transformative theatre that amplifies marginalized voices,
illuminates untold stories, bridges disparate experiences, and energizes vulnerable communities. Since its founding in 2017, Blindspot Collective has collaborated with La Jolla Playhouse; The Old Globe; California Center for the Arts, Escondido; Diversionary Theatre; ARTS (A Reason to Survive); UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance; and other community partners to develop projects that meaningfully engage audiences and artists in the blindspot of society.
