Things to Do: February 2012 Archives

JANET ZIMMERMAN
Dorothy, Toto and the rest of the gang will take the stage this weekend and next in a production of "The Wizard of Oz" by Riverside Children's Theatre.

The musical will feature more than 110 cast members portraying the Tinman, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and other classic favorites.

Shows will be held in the theater at Ramona High School, 7675 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, on March 2-3 and 9-10. Evening performances are at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and matinees are staged at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The production includes live orchestra accompaniment, elaborate sets and creative costumes.

Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door. They are available in advance at Alin Party Supply, Ponies and Pigtails, the Riverside Plaza Kiosk and Capezio at Tyler, all in Riverside. For more information or to purchase tickets online using PayPal, visit the group's Web site at www.riversidechildrenstheatre.org.

The non-profit Riverside Children's Theatre is in its 57th year and includes a performing arts school for children in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Christian Arts and Theatre (CAT) will soon present "Honk! The True Story of Ugly the Duckling," opening March 2 and running for two weeks as its annual spring production.

Directed by Inland Theater League award winners Lori Henebelle, Brianna Lopez and Hollee Hennebelle, "Honk!" will take its audience back to Victorian England for a proper, yet rollicking good time.

"Honk!" is the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky looks instantly incite prejudice from both family and neighbors. Lost and pursued by a hungry cat, Ugly must find his way home, back to the farm. But during his harrowing journey back, he not only discovers the meaning of true beauty, but also finds love and acceptance in all of its many forms.

The show, winner of the 2000 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, was written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The show provides a charming message of tolerance and is perfect for family audiences or anyone else who enjoys a good story.

Show times are 7 p.m. March 2 and 9; 2 and 7 p.m. March 3 and 10; and 2 p.m. March 4 and 11.

Tickets cost $12 to $16 and can be bought online at www.catcorona.org or by calling the box office at 951-279-2298.

This weekend, the Theatre Arts Department at the University of Redlands will present a series of one-act plays written by university students call the New Works Festival. The plays, directed by Jennifer Stoessner, are all original works.

Showtimes at The Frederick Loewe Theatre are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. General admission costs $12; admission for students, faculty, staff and seniors is $8.

The plays include:
"The Knowing" by Ron Blakely
"The Unexpected Visitor" by Brianne Lopez
"Talthybius" by Aaron Stevenson
"Naptime" by Kelly Odor
"Studies in the Skies" by Kalehua Shamel
"Into the Rabbit Hole" by Sarah Perez
"Hatching Cocoon" by Olivia Spirz
"Mary" by Ryan Stewart

"My play, 'Studies in the Skies,' is about two strangers who are dissatisfied with their lives and the relationships they've formed," said Kalehua Shamel. "Their meeting is by pure chance and through a conversation they are each able to come to terms with the aspects of their lives that they're unhappy with."

Shamel hopes people who see her play will leave thinking about how day-to-day interactions with strangers can impact lives.

Sarah Perez hopes her play "Into the Rabbit Hole" will trigger discussions on mental disorders.

And Aaron Stevenson focused on the topic of war and its impact in his play, "Talthybius."

"This play is about humanity in war, its presence and its absence," Stevenson said. "An image I saw of a soldier carrying a civilian child in Afghanistan inspired me to try to create a piece that would bring the message Euripides sent the Greeks during the Peloponessian War back to the state in this time of war that is so familiar to history.

"It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to see my play in the process of production and I can't wait to see it on stage."

For more information on the productions, call 909-748-8728 or visit www.redlands.edu.

The Banning Cultural Alliance will present the 4th annual Black Heritage Celebration at the Banning Center for the Arts on Feb. 25. The event will honor three outstanding participants in the community.

Live entertainment will be provided by singer Zelyne Rudolph, Didi Jackson on the keyboard and a solo performance by Alliance youth, Kaylee Daugherty.

Tickets to the event, which cost $10, include a soul food dinner from Brandiva and Sir Jerks Catering.

The Banning Center for the Arts is located at 130 N. San Gorgonio in Banning. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 951-922-4911 or visit www.BanningCulturalAlliance.org.

The Lake Elsinore Outlets Kids Outlet has a variety of activities lined up for the month of February. All activities, which are free and open to the public, take place in Suite 106 from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays.

Each Wednesday throughout the month, Lake Elsinore Library will host a story time with interactive stories, familiar nursery rhymes and a craft.

Today, the Lizard Wizard will visit. Children can touch a python, an iguana and the shell of a giant tortoise. There will also be insects and other animals. Visit www.lizardwizardandfriends.com for more information about the Lizard Wizard.

On Feb. 10, children can visit the Kids Outlet to create a Valentine's Day Puppet or Card Bag.

On Feb. 17, young sports fans can scratch the name and logo of a favorite sports team onto a Magic Color Pennant and design a giant paper finger.

Lastly, on Feb. 24 children can participate in a panda jar craft to hold favorite cookies or other treats.

For more information call the outlet at 951-245-0087 or visit www.lakeelsinoreoutlet.com.