THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604260160
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
``Once Upon a Time'' will be presented twice by the Fine Arts Center - May 4 and 5.
The show, at John Yeates Middle School on Bennett's Pasture Road, features updated versions of Hans Christian Andersen's ``The Ugly Duckling,'' ``Thumbelina'' and ``The Emperor's New Clothes.''
The center will perform original adaptations. Original music is by the director, Chris Van Cleave, working with center director Virginia Chambers and musical director Mary Gugler.
The plays are a mix of singing, dancing and humor, featuring the students and staff of the center, plus others, including a professional or two.
For Van Cleave it is the third time leading a center play. He also worked on ``Babes In Toyland'' and ``It's About Time.''
This time, the production has a purpose beyond providing entertainment.
It will benefit the Gay Birdsong Scholarship Fund for the Performing Arts. It is named in memory of a local lady who was a devoted supporter of the arts in Hampton Roads.
``The purpose of the scholarships,'' Chambers said, ``is to enhance the recipients' educational endeavors in music, dance and drama.''
Music, dance and drama have occupied most of Van Cleave's time since his stage debut, at 12 years of age, in ``The King And I.''
The Lubbock native worked with Laura Branigan in the folk-rock group Meadow, for the Paramount label, and produced the 18-song album for the rock gospel musical, ``The Davidson Affair.''
As a songwriter - he claims more than 1,000 songs - Van Cleave collaborated with Barry Mason, who wrote hits for Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.
On stage, he starred in national and British tours of ``Jesus Christ, Superstar,'' changing moods as he switched between Jesus and Judas. The 6-feet-2-inch bearded performer, who looks more like the accepted picture of Jesus, also portrayed Christ in CBN's ``The Miracle of Jesus.''
Van Cleave has also starred in ``Les Miserables'' and ``Chess.'' Switching from actor to singer/acoustic guitarist, he opened for Poco, Eric Burden and Leon Russell.
Soap fans might recognize him from his appearances on ``Another Life.''
Van Cleave's other life has been as a teacher with the Performing Arts & Voice Department at the Governor's Magnet School for the Arts, Old Dominion University and, currently, at the Fine Arts Center.
He enjoys working with children, and for good reason.
``They haven't learned a lot of paranoia regarding their abilities - what they should or shouldn't do,'' Van Cleave said, ``so they're open to creative possibilities.
``They have the joy of being creative, expressive. Too often, that gets stamped out, suppressed,'' he said. ``My challenge - opportunity - is to encourage kids to connect with their potential.''
His daughter Rebecca is one of those involved in ``Once Upon a Time,'' which begins in heaven and works its way down to a village where most of the fun takes place.
There are fairies, court jesters, chefs, an empress and emperor, bees, frogs, flies, daisies, daffodils, etc., all the good stuff of which fairy tales are made - even those with the modern touch. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Jessica Zeiler waits her turn to rehearse for ``Once Upon a Time.''
by CNB