Good Company Players facts for kids

Good Company Players (GCP) is a theater group in Fresno, California. They put on plays and musicals. They perform at two places: Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater and the 2nd Space Theatre.

GCP puts on 12 shows every year. They have produced over 450 plays and musicals since they started! Many famous actors, like Audra McDonald and Chris Colfer, began their careers here.

History of Good Company Players

Good Company Players started in 1973. It was a dinner theater, meaning you could eat while watching a show. The first show was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. It opened on June 26, 1973, in Fresno.

The group moved to different locations in its early years. They performed at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in 1976. Then they moved to the Del Webb Towne House from 1977 to 1978.

Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater

In 1978, Good Company Players found a permanent home. They moved into an old store in Fresno's Tower District. This new place became "Roger Rocka's Good Company Music Hall, Eating Establishment and Drinking Emporium."

The first show there was Gypsy. Later, the name was shortened to "Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater." This theater is still the main home for Good Company Players today. It mostly stages musicals.

Junior Company

Also in 1978, Good Company Players started the Junior Company. This group is for young performers, usually aged 8 to 16. Up to twenty kids perform a short musical show before the main performance.

Famous actress Audra McDonald was once in the Junior Company. She remembers singing many classic songs. She said it helped her learn a lot about Broadway music.

The Junior Company is a separate group. It is a nonprofit group. This means it uses its money to help train kids in acting, singing, and dancing. Good Company Players is a for-profit business, but the Junior Company helps young people learn theater skills.

2nd Space Theatre

On July 16, 1982, GCP opened another theater. It is called the 2nd Space Theatre. This theater is smaller, with about 150 seats.

The 2nd Space Theatre was created for different kinds of shows. It puts on comedies and dramas that might not be as big or well-known. This allows GCP to try new and interesting plays.

Legacy and Famous Alumni

Good Company Players has had a big impact on the community. In 1997, George Radanovich, a politician from California, spoke about GCP. He called it "Fresno's gateway to Broadway." He also said it helped many people start careers in TV, theater, and dance.

Many people who performed at GCP say it helped them a lot. Audra McDonald, who has won many awards, said it was "an incredible education." She explained that everything she knows about theater started there.

Other famous people who performed at Good Company Players include:

• Heidi Blickenstaff
• Duane Boutte
• Chris Colfer
• Todd Decker
• Christopher Gorham
• Sharon Leal
• Katrina Elayne Steward
• Sarah Uriarte Berry
• Robert Westenberg
• Michael Willett