Unique Theatrical Fundraiser for Local Nonprofit New Beginnings

There are lots of worthy fundraisers in town, most of which consist of food and wine booths, a silent auction, speeches and a little entertainment.  A couple of years ago, New Beginnings decided to do something new and inventive;  use a play to engage Santa Barbara’s big heart.

The Play:  The Boys Next Door

Continuing this tradition, on Saturday, November 2, 7:30 pm at the New Vic Theater, local theater luminaries, Jenny Sullivan (Director) and Rod Lathim (Dramaturg) are mounting a special production of “The Boys Next Door” by Tom Griffin.

Written in 1988, the play is widely admired within the theater community and, given the juicy roles, an actors’ favorite.

Synopsis

With heart and humor, “The Boys Next Door” delves into the lives of four men with mental health and developmental disabilities living together in a shared housing residence, all under the guidance of a caring but burned-out social worker. An ensemble comedic drama, the play explores their daily challenges, triumphs, and aspirations, offering a heartfelt portrayal of their everyday heroism and our common humanity.

The Stars of the Show

New Beginnings has assembled a stellar cast of well known theater and screen actors to bring “The Boys Next Door” to life.

The cast includes:  Michael Nouri, John Kassir, Matt Cook, Chris Butler, Nancy Nufer, W. Earl Brown, Felicia Hall, Devin Scott.

It will be a treat to see them come together for this one-time presentation of the play.

Their bios can be found here.

The evening promises to be entertaining and enjoyable.  New Beginnings invites you to join them for the heartfelt fun.

Where and When

Play:  The Boys Next Door
Place: The New Vic Theatre at 33 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Date: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
Time: 7pm

New Beginnings Website:  Santa Barbara Family Counseling Center & Homeless Services: New Beginnings

How to Buy Tickets

Tickets for the fundraiser are available at https://sbnbcc.org/2024-annual-fundraiser/ .

Individual tickets are affordably priced at $54 for premium seating and $29 for regular seating.

About New Beginnings

New Beginnings is a treasured Santa Barbara non-profit.  It pioneered the first-in-the-nation Safe Parking Program which enables people to live in their vehicles.  The widely copied program received international attention including in the Los Angeles Times (Living in a parking lot amid Santa Barbara’s wealth is a kind of middle-class homelessness – Los Angeles Times) and The Guardian (Sleeping rough in Santa Barbara | US news | The Guardian).

More broadly, proceeds from the fundraiser will enable New Beginnings to continue providing quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and homeless services, through its Counseling Center, Safe Parking Program, Veterans Program and Life Skills Parenting Program. 

For more info on New Beginnings, go to:  Santa Barbara Family Counseling Center & Homeless Services: New Beginnings

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