The Stockton Civic Theatre opens its 2026 season with a musical production of “Bonnie & Clyde.”

The show follows the infamous true story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as they meet, build their short-lived criminal record and develop a passionate romance during the Great Depression. 

Four actors in vintage costumes sit and stand on a stage reading magazines, surrounded by hairstyle advertisements and clothing.
From left, Sabiene Fontanilla, Sierra Beal, Erynn Kinch and Logan Ham run through a scene during dress rehearsal.
Two stage performers in period-style clothing, with the man pointing toward the right beside a woman in a red polka-dot dress and white apron.
Two theatrical performers react dramatically onstage beside a brown armchair, with the seated performer pointing left and the standing performer raising a hand.
Left: Chelsea Bonardi and Jesse Garcia are the main characters in the Stockton Civic Theatre’s “Bonnie & Clyde.”
Right: Garcia performs with Logan Ham, who plays Marvin “Buck” Barrow in the musical.

The Stockton production features live music accompaniment, a vocally talented cast of 22 and 25 dedicated staff and crew members. The attention to detail is evident in the era-appropriate costumes, choreography and moving stage pieces that whisk the audience through the story.

“Our four leads are fantastic,” artistic director Dennis Beasley said. “They’re really navigating the content. It goes from funny to sad to heartbreaking, and they’re all handling that very well.”

Actors on a stage from the view of a control booth with a script and lamp.
Actors perform a musical number during a dress rehearsal on Sept. 1, 2026. The play runs through Sept. 27.

As the theater launches its 75th season, Beasley reflected on the significance.

“A lot of people didn’t even make it through the pandemic, and we did — and we’re still going,” Beasley said. “We’re very lucky in kind of the size and quality and scope of things that we get to do around here. Not every community has this.”

Beasley said he hopes to see audience numbers continue to grow, with an eye toward returning to pre-pandemic attendance. 

Information on tickets and future shows can be found on the theater’s web page.

Five musicians perform on keyboards and woodwind instruments on a dark, warmly lit stage.
A musician’s score under a lamp.
A hand holds an annotated screenplay page above an open binder beside eyeglasses and a black Contigo travel mug.
Performers prepare hair and makeup in a warmly lit backstage dressing room lined with mirrors.
Clockwise, from left: From their perch above the stage, musicians perform during a dress rehearsal of “Bonnie & Clyde.” 
Musical scores sit ready on an easel during the performance. 
Actors, from left, Jesse Garcia, Erynn Kinch and Josh Kirwin don costumes and makeup ahead of rehearsal.
A page from the script is marked with cues for the stage crew. 
Woman reclining while a person applies dark red theatrical makeup to her face and neck.
Chelsea Bonardi has fake blood applied for the opening scene of “Bonnie & Clyde.”
Performers gather on a dark theater stage behind a table of microphones and equipment, with an illuminated EXIT sign in the background.
Actors complete vocal warmups in the black box theater area at the Stockton Civic Theatre.