North County Players
Celebrating our first decade!
Dozens of original productions.
Hundreds of performances.
Thousands of attendees.
Tens-of-thousands of dollars raised for community nonprofits!

Passage Into Fear coming Dec. 2023 to the California Center for the Arts

This Christmas take a mysterious train journey across Europe from Venice, Italy to Zurich, Switzerland during the waning days of World War I (1916). The award-winning theatrical group North County Players will present the stage thriller, Passage Into Fear, premiering at the California Center for the Arts Escondido over nine shows December 2023.

 

Passage Into Fear is written and directed by master storyteller Charles Carr (Macmillan, St. Martin's Press, Eldridge Plays and Musicals, Dramatic Publishing, and Heartland Plays) and is inspired by historical events with added characterizations.  The show has been produced at venues across the US.


Passage Into Fear relates the story of an English dowager, Mrs. Lillian Merriweather, who boards the train insisting she knows of a sinister plot with vast international repercussions. And then is promptly done in. Other characters include an American socialite, Kate Hedley, who is on a final fling before returning home to be unhappily married; Ida, a pugnacious 8-year-old Ukrainian war orphan; a United States senator and his wife; a pair of Romanian gypsies who have wandered the European continent most of their lives; a sinister Austrian doctor hiding an immense secret; and a ruthless German countess bent on achieving her evil ends no matter who gets in her way. Kate and Ida join forces to uncover the truth behind Mrs. Merriweather's disappearance, which has its roots in the causes and history of the Great War itself.

 

While Passage Into Fear is primarily a thriller, the show has many humorous and touching moments as it explores the meanings of home, family, and Christmas.

 

Passage Into Fear stars Ashley Birtwell, Lena Palke, Alaina Fiechtner, Betsy Toker, Marsi Carr,  Neha Ford Curtiss, Charlie DeNatale, John Aviles, Laura Makey, Jeff Makey, and Kadijah  Pointer.


Shows will take place in the Center's Studio 1 theater, an intimate 100 seat venue that gives audiences extraordinary access to all the action and creates a feeling of being right in the middle of the action, complete with colorful sets and costumes, and professional lighting, sound, and music.


Tickets on sale now at artcenter.org. Enjoy special holiday value seats priced more like movie tickets than most live theater events ($19 general - $16 seniors/military/kids) with easy parking, refreshments, and comfortable seating.

Just a few past North County Players shows, events,
and wonderful memories:

Just a few comments from past partners:

"We have loved working with [Art Animates Players/North County Players] at every step of production and seeing the community respond so enthusiastically by selling out performances far beyond anticipated capacity.
We could have added several more!"
TANIS BROWN, BOARD PRESIDENT, SAN MARCOS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

"A fantastically talented group of professionals who really care about the community!
We love North County Players!"
ELENA LAI ETCHEVERRY, FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHARITY WINGS

"Real pros. They work hard to make their productions something special."
KRIS MCCARRICK, FORMER PRESIDENT VCCT

"They came in and setup up a complete theater ─ sets, props, lights, sound system...
EVERYTHING. We couldn't believe it."
LYLE McCONNEHY, MUNICIPAL PROJECT MANAGER

"Everyone loves working in North County Players shows. They manage to strike
the balance between being fun and completely professional."
GWYN EVERT, PRODUCER, PATIO PLAYHOUSE

"Their productions are always excellent. Audiences love them!"
BILL KVITLI, 2009 SAN DIEGO COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

"A fun, reliable, and utterly competent group of individuals."
SHERRIE COLBOURNE, PAST PRESIDENT, PowPAC

"Thanks so much for all your hard work to put on All the Time in the World at the
Municipal Gallery. Please thank your cast and crew. You are most creative!"
JAN BOURGEOIS, PAST BOARD MEMBER, ESCONDIDO ARTS PARTNERSHIP

"We are very pleased and honored to have been able to work with such a dedicated,
compassionate group of professionals. We had to pinch ourselves that we weren't dreaming!"
KAREN WILLIAMS, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, PARK AVE. CENTER

"An utterly reliable group to work with. If they say they're going to do something, count on it!"
JANICE WEIBERMAN, SAN MARCOS CIVIC CENTER

"Our foundation has been honored to have provided grants to help
produce this excellent organization's productions."
KELLY CREWS, FOUNDER, H.O.M.E. FOUNDATION

"North County Players was great to work with. Thanks again for engaging the museum and
I hope we get a chance to do more together in the future."
CAPT SHELDON MARGOLIS, USN, (RET), PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE VETERANS MUSEUM AT BALBOA PARK