Our Cast
focused on continuing the growth and fostering the love of the arts for all.
We are proud to produce multiple productions including our Concert Series, Summer Full Production, Frightmare Forest, Nutcracker Ballet, and more. As well as assist and provide technical support for countless other organizations in our community.
"It is the mission of Lassen County Best of Broadway to organize and produce public performances featuring singing, dance forms, and creative dramatics to promote the arts in Lassen County."
Our organization looks to promote art in all forms and mediums. We are proud to support many other art programs in our community. We lend lighting, sound, costuming and prop support to events throughout Lassen County. Over the years we have brought aid to the Susanville Symphony, Susanville Choral Society, House of Dance/Dance Elevation, Joan’s Studio of Dance, JandJ Performing Arts, Lassen Family Services, Lassen High School and the Lassen County Arts Council.
Measure in Love
Our passion for the arts has expanded into many other annual events that we produce. The Best of Broadway Concert Series, Summer Full Production, Frightmare Forest, and the Nutcracker Ballet are just a few of the annual performances that we have added to our repertoire.
Our first Summer Full Production took place in 2022 under the helm of Production Manager Kayla Millar. Our inaugural show was "The Wizard of Oz" which delighted our audience, and we are proud to bring this unique experience every year to come.
Community Involvement
Mission
About Us
Susanville Best of Broadway was founded by Julie Newton in 1998 based on a similar program running in Sacramento, CA. Julie and her daughter Jessica went on to routinely produce a show for our community over the next 14 years. In 2013, the Newtons retired, passing on their responsibilities to Lisa Bernard. As the new Production Manager, Lisa continued to present our audience with an inspiring show, bringing us to the 20th anniversary show in 2019. That special show featured 20 songs from 20 different shows in an ambitious and nostalgic Broadway review. For the 2022 production, the reigns were passed to long-time Best of Broadway performer and volunteer Emily Fluke. Best of Broadway has consistently grown in success, quality, and outreach over the years, reaching an annual attendance of over 1,400 community members. Due to its growth, it has become the largest performing arts program in Lassen County.
Best of Broadway has broadened their scope by partnering with the Lassen County Arts Council to bring the Reno Dance Company to Susanville to perform “The Nutcracker Ballet”. 2019 marks the seventh year of Nutcracker performances. Over one hundred local children get the opportunity to perform onstage alongside the professional dancers. In the Summer of 2022, Best of Broadway presented their first full production with "The Wizard of Oz" with plans to continue bringing this unique experience to Lassen County in the years to come.
A Brief History
promoting the arts in lassen county
Best of Broadway (or 'BoB', as our team might say) has maintained around 130 amazing cast members annually, ranging in age from 6 to 70+. They take to the stage every March to be the face of our Concert Series and every summer in our Full Production. They devote a substantial amount of their time each week learning the basics of stage makeup, acting, singing, and dancing. In addition, many in the cast get engaged in other areas of our production as well as the fundraising efforts that make our show possible.
Best of Broadway