Sondheim on Sondheim @ 3Below

3Below Theaters and Lounge (the newly renovated Camera3 Theaters) is about to host their first premier live Stage Show, "Sondheim on Sondheim." Musical theater geeks will love this show and have the privilege to be one of the first to experience the new auditoriums and lounge.

Tickets are $41-58 and you can learn more about the three-week engagement over here.

3Below Theatres & Lounge to Produce “Sondheim on Sondheim”
as its Premiere Live Stage Show

Jan. 3, 2018 - SAN JOSE, Calif. - Take a stroll into the mind of a master. Hailed as “a funny, affectionate and revealing tribute to musical theater’s greatest living composer and lyricist,” Sondheim on Sondheim is being produced for the first time since 2015 at downtown San Jose’s newest entertainment venue, 3Below Theaters & Lounge, Jan. 18-Feb. 4.

Video footage plays an integral part in this live stage production. Through exclusive interviews, audiences will get an inside look at the personal life and artistic process of the famed composer.

“When we received the video content that will accompany the actors in this production, Shannon and I both watched together and instantly felt like teens at the stage door waiting for an autograph from one’s idol,” said Scott Guggenheim who is co-directing and producing Sondheim on Sondheim with his wife and creative partner, Shannon Guggenheim. “Watching Mr. Sondheim in his living room, seeing his couch, what’s on his walls, his mantle - it really made the ‘theater geek’ inside us rather giddy. We can’t wait to share that kid-in-a-Sondheim-filled-candy-store feeling with our audience.”

Who: Guggenheim Entertainment
What: Sondheim on SondheimWhen: Thursday, Jan. 18 - Sunday, Feb. 4, Thursday-Sunday 7:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 2 p.m.Where: 3Below Theaters & Lounge, 288 S. Second Street, San Jose (on the corner of Second and San Carlos)Tickets: $41-$58, https://3belowtheaters.com/events/sondheim-on-sondheim-3/, (408) 404-7711

Conceived and originally directed by Sondheim’s decade-long collaborator James Lapine, 3Below’s production is produced, directed and choreographed by Scott Evan and Shannon Guggenheim with musical direction by Stephen Guggenheim.

“I originally wanted this show to be titled: An Evening with Stephen Sondheim, but there was a concern that our New York audience would actually think that Sondheim himself would be on stage every night,” said Lapine in his production notes from Mar. 26, 2012. “Of course, with Sondheim on Sondheim, Steve is there, and I know that when you get to the end of the show and your cast sings ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ accompanied by the master himself, you and your audiences will feel as if you have indeed spent an evening with Stephen Sondheim.”

Both beloved and obscure numbers taken directly from the Sondheim songbook supplement the stories told by the stellar cast. Starring Amy Bouchard, Stephen Guggenheim*, Susan Gundunas*, Jeremy Kreamer*, Hayley Lovgren, Jim Ambler*, Martin Rojas Dietrich* and Theresa Swain, Sondheim on Sondheim showcases music from 19 of Sondheim’s shows throughout its 100 minute production.

“At the callbacks for this production, we asked each auditioner to share their favorite Sondheim memory,” said Shannon Guggenheim. “Perhaps the request could have been viewed as a device to weed out those actors not familiar enough with the material to be part of such a challenging new work, but we were pretty sure everyone in the room would be able to recount at least one defining moment when they fell in love with Sondheim. Not only did each person have a crystallized memory of the first time they were exposed to ‘Sunday In The Park With George,’ or when they realized ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ isn’t about whistling at all, but they spoke with great reverence about how this master’s compositions and lyrics have changed their life. They know what a privilege it is to be able to sing Sondheim’s work and share the words and music with audiences equally enamored by the content, or even better, to introduce Sondheim to people unfamiliar with the remarkable anthology of songs we’ll present in this revue.”

ThinkBiggerSanJose: Downtown building sales

Our friends at ThinkBiggerSanJose.com have created a new map that shows recent office building and hotel transactions in Downtown San Jose. This data is relevant as it show interest and investment in San Jose's urban core. As the price per SQFT and the number of transactions increase, so will the likelihood of new projects being proposed, getting financed, or breaking ground.

To access the new map, click here.

Saturday Stats: San Jose is the most expensive city to move to

Unfortunately, not all of our top stat rankings are positive. Even though the San Jose metro has the highest median salaries in the country, we also have some astronomical living expenses. 24/7 Wall St. did a study on moving costs, and we won--in a bad way. The San Jose metro is the most expensive area in the country to move to with an average total moving cost of $5,798. Despite that, our population continues to grow year after year (there are many other reasons to move here despite the costs).

Source: 24/7 Wall St., hat tip to Barclay Livker

WhatUp Silicon Valley podcast goes daily

One of the best local podcasts is switching from a weekly to daily cadence starting this week. WhatUp Silicon Valley focuses on local happenings and professional development (it's also pretty entertaining). In addition to Sam & Serg, three new hosts are being added to the lineup. All of the details are below and you can listen to episode #56 detailing the changes over here.

Starting January 1st, 2018 WhatUp Silicon Valley is moving to a network format.
Every Monday through Friday we will bring you a Podcast all about professional development and what’s going down in Silicon Valley. This special episode is an introduction to our new once a month pod featuring all the hosts – Hustle Valley. WhatUp with Sam & Serg will continue to stake their claim on Wednesdays! Below are the rest of the shows…

Our Weekly Line-up
Mondays: SwagSam is energetically kicking off the week and getting rid of those Monday Blues with “Mojo Mondays”!
Tuesdays: On Tuesdays, Hannah Duchesne is taking the reigns and talking all things branding and marketing with immediate actionable tips with her show “South Bay Social”
Wednesdays: Sam & Serg will continue to do their thing and bring you an inside glimpse into the lives’ of movers and shakers in the South Bay with their show “WhatUp”.
Thursdays: Coach Jessness, no stranger to hosting pods, is hosting “That Valley Vibe” and her take on channeling your inner voice of wisdom.
Fridays: “Sweet Home Silicon Valley” is hosted by long time friend Aubrie Avina… the Queen of the Staycation and our Real Estate weekend warrior!

AND… HUSTLE VALLEY: The wrap-up show with all the WhatUp Pod Hosts – our little version of a Mastermind.

In addition to the podcasts, expect more live networking events, a YouTube mini series and much more.

WhatUp.

Saturday Stats: 2017 Meta Post

It's that time of year again to look back and see the top "Saturday Stats" of 2017. The list is pretty impressive yet again. San Jose ranked as the top city for productivity, tech jobs, and economic momentum. Happiness and health are also up there. 

You can also see the full list of "Saturday Stats" (including previous years) with article links over here.

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

Still need to purchase that last-minute holiday gift? Check out a variety of local options below. From the foodie, culture vulture, techie, family fun, the items below is sure to fit any budget for loved ones!

Hotel Valencia’s New Year’s Eve Guestroom Package – Cost: $395 per room

Ring in the New Year at Hotel Valencia. Hotel Valencia’s New Year's Eve celebration on Santana Row is always the toast of the town! Bid farewell to 2017 and welcome 2018 by taking advantage of our fabulous New Year's Eve Hotel Package. More deets on Hotel Valencia’s NYE package can be found here.

NETGEAR’s Arlo Pro – Cost: $419.99

With NETGEAR’s Arlo Pro, homeowners can protect their home and families. Featuring 2 wire-free HD cameras provides homeowners with a clear view of the home’s exterior. Plus, it’s weatherproof! NETGEAR’s flagship pop-up store at Santana Row through end of the year. More deets on NETGEAR’s Arlo Pro can be found here

The Tech Museum of Innovation’s Body Worlds Decoded – Cost: $24, (adult), $19 (child 3-17), $19 (student w/ID) and $19 (senior 65+)

The Tech’s new Body Worlds Decoded puts a Silicon Valley twist on the world-renowned plastinated human bodies exhibit through Gunther von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination. More deets on The Tech’s Body Worlds Decoded can be found here.

Great America’s Gold Season Pass – Cost: Nine Payments of $9.98

Take advantage of Great America’s Gold Season Pass with unlimited visits in 2017 and 2018. The Gold Pass free admission to Gilroy Gardens, Halloween Haunt and WinterFest as well as free parking! More deets on Great America’s Gold Season Pass can be found here.

First Order Stormtrooper by UBTECH – Cost: $299.99

With the recent release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the new First Order Stormtrooper by UBTECH looks to be one of the hottest products of the season. First Order Stormtrooper by UBTECH is an app-enabled interactive robot based on the character from the Star Wars movie franchise. More deets on First Order Stormtrooper by UBTECH can be found here.

Ridge Vineyards’ Year-Round Gift Pack – Cost: ATP Duo ($68), Estate Red Wine ($115), Olive Oil & Vinegar ($35)

Throughout the year, Ridge offers a year-round gift pack. More deets on Ridge’s Year-Round Gift Pack can be found here.

New Year's Eve in San Jose

If you are still figuring out what to do for New Year's Eve this Sunday, Rick Jensen from the SJDA has a lot of great suggestions in his last newsletter. His post is below and we also recommend subscribing to his newsletter over here.

Sunday – New Year’s Eve in Downtown – Happy 2018, San Jose! Celebrate the beginning of a new year with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a ball drop at the Marriott’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza III or at The GlassHouse’s NYE Party. Or join in on the music and dancing at the Fairmont’s 1920s themed NYE celebrations. Reminisce 2017 with an end-of-the-year comedy show by Will Durst and Co. at the Tabard Theatre. Take your pick of the downtown restaurants for fine dining this weekend.

3Below (formerly Camera 3) opens January 11th

Downtown San Jose's only remaining movie theater will be reopening in a couple weeks after a full remodel including a new cafe, lounge, restrooms, and comfortable seats. The cafe at "3Below" will be called Pix & Pints and they'll serve sandwiches, snacks, coffee, tea, beer, and wine.

In addition to the independent films and documentaries that Camera 3 was known for, 3Below will also host sing-a-longs, revival films, movie marathons, double features, game nights, karaoke, and open mic nights.

The theater will host several events in the future, including the Cinequest Film and VR Festival between Feb. 27 and March 11. ComedySportz will also continue to operate their improve comedy show from the 99-seat theater (the other two theaters are 250 seats and 89 seats).

3Below sounds like a solid improvement to one of Downtown's longest-running entertainment venues.

Source: SVBJ