KIDS, CUPCAKES AND LIVE THEATER, WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
Opening night for any theatrical performance is always an exciting event. For the twenty-five children from the Oxnard/Port Hueneme Boys and Girls Club who were invited as guests of the Oceanview Pavilion's Theatre by the Beach it was a once in a life time experience.
The musical" Big River" opened August 17 th at Oceanview Pavilion. The New York Tony award winning show is the musical adaptation of Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. In preparation for their visit to the theatre LaVonne McCullough manager of the Port Hueneme facility said "the children have been reading the book Huckleberry Finn for the past two weeks in order to better understand the historical time period, story and character's in this play.
The children traveled back to Oceanview on Thursday for their tour of the backstage area. Josh Daneshgar Oceanview's Technical Director explained to them how the lights, sound, props, costumes and special effects combine to make live theatre a magical experience. Two of the principle actors Nicholas Crane who portrays Huckleberry Finn and Noah Skultety, Tom Sawyer were there in costume to greet them and talked about their parts in the play and their enjoyment in being involved in theater. The children learned how props are moved in and out of scenes; where sets are designed, constructed, painted and stored until needed. Newly constructed authentic period costumes were of great interest as were the dressing room and make-up areas where the actors prepare themselves for the performance.
"Dan Tullis Jr. who plays Jim and Nicholas (Huck) are great together in this classic story written by the American icon Mark Twain with music by the ledegendary Roger Miller said director Peter Crane. The friendship between Jim and Huck pierced the social mores of the pre civil war era and speaks and rings true today as well. Theatre by the Beach is a perfect venue for full fledged musicals; it's an enormous stage in an intimate setting with not a bad seat in the house. We are following this production immediately with one of my favorites,"My Fair Lady" which will open November 2 nd. Crane reported. I feel like I have found a home to do what I love to do; which is to collaborate with talented people and put on big entertaining shows."
"Oceanview Pavilion is dedicated to bringing live theatre into the lives of children in Ventura County" said Barbara Burnett Oceanview spokesperson. If after the cupcakes and punch are eaten; they leave with a tiny flame of imagination lit within; it is our hope imagination will turn to desire and desire to ambition. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a future Shakespeare, Spielberg , Helen Hayes or Sir Laurence Olivier took his or her first step toward a bright future right here on our stage in Port Hueneme? There is no age limit on dreams."
The play runs Friday, Saturday at 8 pm., 2pm on Sunday through September 9 th. Tickets can be purchase by phone 805) 986-4818 or at the box office 575 E. Surfside, Port Hueneme.