THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507130175
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Just in time to help parents deal with kids' midsummer ``I'm bored!'' blues, the Pavilion Theater is holding a summer arts festival for children.
The first ``Just Say Y.E.S. (Youth Enrichment Series) to the Arts Festival'' is unusual in that it is scheduled during the ``off'' season for theatrical productions and consists of five programs aimed primarily at elementary students, according to Courtney Dyer, assistant manager of the Pavilion Convention Center.
With shows scheduled July 20-28, the package is designed to give children the opportunity to experience quality, live performances during the summer.
``We think we are offering a little better quality, in an air-conditioned venue, than what is offered out-of-doors for free this time of year,'' Dyer said.
The series opens Thursday with an adaptation of Prokofiev's ``Peter and the Wolf'' using enormous marionettes by Bob Brown Puppets, a touring company based in Northern Virginia. On July 21, Ki Theatre's nationally known performance team of Julie Portman and Paul Reisler will present ``Magic Words,'' a program of music, dance and stories.
The series picks up again on July 24, with Lime Kiln Arts' performance of ``Munci Meg,'' a one-act Appalachian folk tale encompassing music and storytelling. The essence of Africa, with a touch of the African-American experience, moves center-stage on July 27, as the Dacostas present ``African Culture, Music, and Dance.''
As a wrap-up, the American Family Theater will present its original musical interpretation of that perennial favorite, ``Wizard of Oz,'' on July 28.
The series is made possible by funding recently obtained by the convention center to promote its own events, something never done before, according to Dyer. It became a twofold effort: to do something no one else is doing and provide a good diversion, an opportunity to see - during the summer - quality arts programs for children.
One hundred tickets to each performance are being made available through the city's Social Services, Housing and Police departments to underprivileged and ``at-risk'' children. Dyer said it is his group's intent to give as many as possible of the city's children a chance to experience live theater.
Several of the performances will open with an added attraction: vintage cartoons. Also, Dyer said, ``Each will open with a brief introduction on theater etiquette (it's OK to applaud if you like what you're seeing) to make it lively and fun.''
Performances last 50-70 minutes. Each production is being staged twice, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. except for ``Wizard of 0z,'' which is scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $5 per performance for all ages. A ``season'' ticket is available for $20. Some fees may apply depending upon where tickets are purchased. They are available from the Pavilion box office, any Hampton Roads area Ticket Master location and by credit card by calling 671-8100. To order by mail or for more information, call Pavilion at 428-8000. ILLUSTRATION: Nationally known Julie Portman and Paul Reisler will present
``Magic Words,'' a program of music, dance and stories.
by CNB