| | Published November 12th, 2008
| Town Hall Theatre Teams with OIS and Stanley in Fall Productions
| | By Jean Follmer |  | | Clive Worsley working with actors at OIS Photo submitted
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It's time to put down the Lamorinda Weekly and head to Orinda Intermediate School (OIS) or Stanley Middle School for a spectacular fall production. Town Hall Theatre of Lafayette has teamed with OIS and Stanley for the first time.
OIS Production
The Bulldog Theatre Company is presenting "Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Clackervilles" beginning today, November 12 and running through November 15. The production is based on the book by Craig Sodaro. Clive Worsley of Town Hall Theatre directs sixty OIS students in this comedic spoof. Clive said he and his producer, Kathy Simon, chose a comedy as a result of feedback from both the community and the actors. They all expressed an interest in something beyond the recent productions of "Peter Pan", "Snow White" and "Beauty and the Beast." Having comic scenes throughout the play has been a change for many of the actors. "It's been great to see the kids grow. There is usually comic relief (in a fairy tale) that is driving toward more of a moral of a story," said Worsley, who has worked at OIS for about seven years through his affiliation with the California Shakespeare Theatre. The benefits of participation extend well beyond gaining experience in a new acting genre. "The elements of self-control, fairness, teamwork and the benefits of passive learning are all evident," said OIS parent DD Felton. Felton's daughter, Kela, is participating in the production. "Acting is a way for you to branch out from the crowd. Clive is a great role model and person to look up to," said Kela Felton. Show times are: November 12 at 5:00, November 13 at 5:00, November 14 at 5:00 and 8:00, November 15 at 3:00 and 7:00 at the Orinda Intermediate School Theatre.
Stanley Production
Stanley Middle School is presenting a musical titled "A Magical Journey." The musical is directed by Emily Garcia of Town Hall Theatre. "A Magical Journey is a series of musical numbers that takes us on a trip through the ups and downs of pursuing our dreams. It begins with the inspiration to take that first step, moves on to the journey, then finding love, loss and ultimately coming back to what's important - friendship," said Garcia. The production includes many popular Broadway songs like "Magic to Do" from Pippin, "Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray and "All That Jazz" from Chicago. "I put together the musical review myself. I took a high level journey to relate to the middle school experience," said Garcia. At the beginning of the production, Garcia asked all of the students to share their middle school experiences and feelings in writing. Many of them will be shared during narrations throughout the production. Garcia said the narration will range from one student's love of nachos to another's love of family. "It makes it more personal that they're reading their own words. This is a great opportunity for all performers to have their moment to shine," said Garcia. Showtimes are: November 13 at 6:00 and 8:00 and November 14 at 6:00 and 8:00.
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 | | Stanley Wildcats on Stage presents: A Magical Journey, Back Row Left to Right: Georgia Jansky, Brendan O'Donnell, Scott McCormick, Front Row: Blair Howard, Daphne Ford, Angela Falk Photo submitted |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA