The financially strapped Willows Theatre Company announced its 2010 season Tuesday, featuring six productions, all of which will be performed in the Campbell Theatre, the company's refurbished cabaret-style performance venue in downtown Martinez.

The company will kick off its 35th season Jan. 25 with the return of the Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award winner "Brimstone." The Mary Bracken Phillips/Patrick Meegan musical, which follows an Irish man's return home after eight years in America to attend his brother's funeral, plays through Feb. 28.

The rest of the season:

  • "8-Track: The Sounds of the '70s," March 15-April 18: The title pretty much says it all for this comedic musical revue.

  • "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," May 3—June 6: The classic musical follows the characters from Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip.

  • "Six Women with Brain Death, or Expiring Minds Want to Know," Aug. 16 — Sept. 12: The pop-culture satirizing play is a collection of musical sketches, all told from a woman's point of view.

  • Director's choice, Oct. 4-31: Willows artistic director Richard Elliott is keeping the play in this time slot a secret, but will start releasing clues as the opening date approaches.

  • "Nunset Boulevard," Nov. 29— Dec. 31: Willows returns to the "Nunsense,"
    Advertisement
    franchise, once the cornerstone of the Campbell Theatre, with this chapter, in which the Little Sisters of Hoboken take on Hollywood (and bowling).

    The company announced in September it needed to raise $350,000 by Nov. 1 or face closure of both its Concord and Martinez operations. Earlier this month it said enough money that it could keep open one theater, and that it would move its operations from its former headquarters at the Willows Shopping Centre in Concord to Martinez. It is currently upgrading the venue by adding new seating, lights and an expanded food/drink menu. Theater company officials say the city of Martinez is helping to improve the Campbell's outdoor lighting and parking.

    For more information on season subscriptions or individual tickets, contact 925-798-1300 or www.willowstheatre.com.