News from the Bay Area arts scene, Jan. 12

California Shakespeare Theater's world-premiere production of Octavio Solis' "The Pastures of Heaven," adapted from John Steinbeck's early novel, will be featured as part of the National Endowment for the Arts' inaugural New Play Festival this month at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. The festival, the culmination of the first round of the NEA's Distinguished New Play Development Project, will include performances and readings of the six selected plays, a panel discussion and scenes from Robert Levi's forthcoming documentary about the development of selected works.

Solis, Cal Shakes Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone - who directed the premiere last June - and members of the company will travel to the Arena for staged readings of scenes from the production, to be performed Jan. 29 and 30. "Pastures," developed with Word for Word theater company, was the third project of Cal Shakes' New Works/New Communities outreach program.

- Robert Hurwitt

Music in motion

After 30 years of putting concerts on at San Francisco's Noe Valley Ministry, the organizers of the Noe Valley Music Series are on the move - at least temporarily. The 122-year-old Victorian Gothic wooden church will undergo some much-needed renovation and restoration for the next two years.

As The Chronicle reported in 2005, the structure, which has withstood two major earthquakes, is succumbing to rot with doors and windows falling apart, plumbing and electrical problems and sagging redwood beams. It also needs an elevator for disabled people to reach the second floor.

In the meantime, the promoters of the music programs will move operations to a venue well outside the bounds of Noe Valley - St. Cyprian's Church at 2097 Turk St. The first concert at the new location will be the opening night of the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival on Feb. 11, featuring Neil Robinson with John Reischman and the Jaybirds, Summertown Road and the Henriettas.

- Aidin Vaziri

Cato leaves Shakespeare Santa Cruz

Marcus Cato, who has served as Shakespeare Santa Cruz's managing director since 2001, has announced his retirement, effective March 1. Cato, who joined the summer festival as an actor in its 1982 inaugural season, served as its production manager from 1985 to 2001 and, among other accomplishments, led the project to install lighting in its outdoor amphitheater to allow for evening performances.

As managing director, Cato secured the company's first NEA grant and eight subsequent grants and was instrumental in adding an annual December holiday show to its season. Marketing and public relations director Kyle Clausen will assume the managing director duties in March.

- Robert Hurwitt

This article appeared on page E - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle