THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 23, 1996 TAG: 9606220096
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK YOUNG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 65 lines
Courtney Dyer fondly remembers the first time he went to a live production in the old Center Theater in Norfolk. Now a dad and assistant manager of the Pavilion, he wants other youngsters to have good experiences with live theater productions.
So this year again, he's working on ``Just Say Y.E.S. to the Arts Festival,'' a series of fun events for kids that begins July 1 and continues weekly through July 29.
The Y.E.S., which stands for Youth Enrichment Series, is a joint production of the Pavilion and the city and is designed to provide enrichment through quality live entertainment for the out-of-school crowd. Last summer more than 4,000 were entertained by puppets, magicians, mimes and actors. Organizers hope for an equally strong response this summer. Already ticket sales and reservations come to more than 1,900.
The vacation program fills a need for youngsters that television and movie matinees can't meet. ``We're providing an opportunity for young children to experience the performing arts live, in a theater,'' Dyer said. ``I can remember the first time I went to a production at the old Center Theatre in Norfolk. There's just something about a live production that makes it special - especially for these kids. Most of them are preschool through third or fourth grade.
``Some of their schools aren't able to provide this kind of thing during the school year and here they even get to bring their moms or dads. Children come from all over Hampton Roads to see these productions,'' Dyer said.
For each production approximately 100 free tickets are given to social service organizations for disadvantaged children. Shows are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mondays (except July 8) and tickets are $5 per person.
The kick-off on July 1 features shows by the famous Bob Brown Puppets in a return visit to the festival. The troupe gained its greatest fame as guests on ``Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.'' The puppets have appeared on stage from Lincoln Center to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Their production, ``Carnival of the Animals'' uses a variety of puppets, black background and special lighting to provide a visual interpretation of the Camille Saint-Saens composition ``Grand Zoological Fantasy.''
The second show of the series is July 15. Called ``A Celebration of Life,'' it's an imaginative journey in music and dance presented by Ancestral Footprints (Donna Graham Dacosta and Obayana Olumide). The program teaches African American history and heritage using story telling, dance, music and audience participation. The group also performed last year.
Another returning contributor is the American Family Theater's Broadway for Kids production company, this year presenting ``Cinderella'' on July 22. Its productions have been seen in more than 600 cities. The play's cast will sing and dance through scenes from the wicked stepmother's kitchen to Prince Charming's ball.
The festival's last program captures some of the magic of summer for ``The All New Merlin Magic Show'' on July 29. In his first appearance at the festival, magician Robert Aberdeen will attempt to raise more than the expectations of youngsters in the audience. He'll be levitating one of them. MEMO: Tickets are $5 per person ($4 for groups of 10 or more) and can be
obtained at the Pavilion box office, or any Ticketmaster location. For
more information, call the box office at 428-8000. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The kick-off July 1 features shows by the famous Bob Brown Puppets
in a return visit to the festival. by CNB