Kids Around the Bay

Seeing the Beauty (and the Beast) in Others

This presentation of Beauty and the Beast is a semi-professional production by Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre and Pleasanton Civic Arts: a mix of Actors' Equity, Screen Actors Guild, and top regional actors. With a fully professional orchestra.

“I’ve always been a huge Disney fan,” David Judson told us. He’s Co-Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre. “To me the show is about transformation and the process that people go through to find themselves or find the good in others. I’ve just been looking at the results from the election and you think that if we could only look across the table and respect each other. And find common ground. We live in a time when we have created so many obstacles to communication, including our obsession with technology. And that why this story so resonates — because it’s about recognizing others, and recognizing the beauty in others, no matter what they look like, or what they sound like or where they live or what they believe. All the characters in this are going through a transformation; on some level to see each other or themselves more clearly."

As for the production we have terrific costumes and some wonderful special effects to help the audience fall into this spectacular fantasy; some very cool projections, and of course the magic rose that sheds its petals.” The Firehouse Theater is a brand new theater with just 225 seats. “You’re right inside the action,” says Judson. “Even in the balcony you’re only 70 feet away from the stage.”

The show lasts for 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission; afterward there will be a “talk back” where the audience can questions actors and staff. Children of all ages are most welcome.

Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton, Through Nov. 18, Sat. and Sun. 8 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. Sunday tickets are almost soldout. (firehousearts.org)

It's a Musical, It's a Comedy...It's a Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the one-act musical-comedy that won two Tony awards, is set in a suburban Middle School where six zany adolescents compete in a spelling bee, run by three equally-zany grown-ups. The show has become particulary popular because four members of the audience are invited on stage to serve as a foil for the six adolescents. The show has two weeks to go and has been getting terrific reviews.

This is representative: “The show was fantastic! The cast was wonderful and I haven't heard singing like that on stage in a long time. The play itself is very funny and touching but the energy of the actors really brings it to life. Fantastic value and a great time out.”

The show is presented by the Sunnyvale Community Players, which since 1969 has acquired a loyal audience and is widely recognized for putting on top quality shows. One of the best youth theaters around. Don’t miss this.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Nov. 8-16, times vary, Sunnyvale Community Players, Sunnyvale Theatre, 550 E. Remington Drive.

Diwali Festival of Lights

The Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose has a reputation for honoring the diversity of Silicon Valley. Sponsored events include Dia de los Tres Reyes Magos, the Chinese Lunar New Year, and the Children of the Dragon Vietnamese heritage festival. Now the museum is holding its Second Annual Diwali Festival of Lights. The festival, whose name is translated to mean “row of lanterns,” is an important moment on the Hindu calendar and has various stories attached to it. One involves the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year exile. Another story involves Krishna and the battle to uphold the dharma. In sum, this is a family time when demons are vanquished and peace of mind re-established.

The two-day festival includes storytelling and lamp-making, traditional dance, rhythmic drumming; a fashion show, with models from the Harker School wearing both traditional and contemporary designs, food tasting, hand art, and the making of wall-hangings. Many people come in traditional clothing. 

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, Nov. 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $12 for adults and children (under 1, free); $11 for seniors.

San Francisco International Hip-Hop Dancefest

This is all Micaya’s doing. She’s the one who founded this event in 1999, and incidentially this has become the most prestigious hip hop festival in the country. She’s the one that brings the groups together. They come for her, and from all over the world.

The two programs feature:

Boy Blue (London, U.K.) – "Blu-Nighted Kingdom"; Mix'd Ingrdnts (Oakland) - "We Are Every Woman”; Goodfellas (Sacramento) - "We always called each other GoodFellas"; Physical Poets (L.A.); "Physical Graffiti On A String"; MVP (San Jose) - “BOS vs. BOM”; Lux Aeterna (L.A.); “Eponym”; Chapkis Dance (Suisun City) - “Asylum”; The U.N.I.T (Santa Rosa) - "Gangsta"; SoulForce Dance Company (San Francisco) - "HELLO"; Bliss Dance Company (Vacaville) - "Old Folks"; Academy of Villains (San Mateo) - "Haunted Mansion"; Decadance (New York) - "4" (Four Concerto) Versastyle (L.A.) - "Facing the Wall"; dEEp doWN dopEiZM (Norway) - "The Biosis"

We reached Micaya for just a moment. She’s like looking for electrons. When she’s not teaching a class, she’s teaching another class. Her best bets: MVP, Bliss, and ILL-Abilities (Montreal, Chile, Holland, L.A., Tokyo) - "No Limits." “You definitely want to look for this group,” she told us. “They are a phenomenally skillfully crew and incredibly inspiring.” They’re all disabled; their motto: no excuses, no limits.

Along with the festival, Boy Blue and members of ILL-Style Peace Production (Philadelphia) will offer hip-hop master classes on Nov. 17. At the Metronomie Dance Center in San Francisco. Two 90-minutes classes: at 11:30 and 1:30. $20 per class or $38 for both. All levels.

All ages? “As long as the child knows how to behave,” Micaya told us. And like the snap of your fingers she was gone.

San Francisco Hip-Hop Dancefest, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, Nov. 16-18. Two Programs. For details go to: sfhiphopdancefest.com., $39.99 for single program ticket; $75 for one ticket to each program.

Fresh Beat Band Live in Concert

Following engagements in Boise, Reno and Redding; everyday another town; now arriving at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. One night only, on Sat. November 17 (thank God, some parents may say). On the other hand, if you miss, you can catch them the next night in San Francisco at the Nob Hill Masonic Center of all places.

Wholesome to the core, four kids: Shout, Twist, Marina, and Kiki singing original lollypop material. Lively, reassuring. The band, now a cottage industry of child products, including, books, games, videos, and packs, made their name from the TV show by the same name. The signature song is “Great Day.”

Tickets for San Jose are nearly sold out according to the website: freshbeatband.com
Fresh Beat Band, Nov. 17, 5 p.m., San Jose Civic Auditorium