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Show Times Newspaper Wednesday, December 4, 1996 Page 7 SCERA presents "Babes in Toyland" for Holidays As a special presentation for the holidays, the SCERA Children's Theatre will fill Orem High School's stage with dozens of dolls, bears, jack-in-the-boxes, butterflies and many popular characters from Mother Goose Land. The action on stage will be a new adaptation of the musical classic "Babes in Toyland." As part of SCERA's Encore Season, performances begin Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances performan-ces are Dec. 10, 12-14 and 16, also at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 adults and $3 children age 3-11, available in advance at the SCERA Center weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 225-ARTS 225-ARTS or at the door. A $15 family fami-ly pass for a maximum of 6 people will also be available at the door. The season is made possible by Mountain America Credit Union and Losee Jewelers and presented by AM 1280 KDYL. Patrick Kerry Studios and The Orem Geneva Times are "Babes in Toyland" sponsors. Although Victor Herbert wrote the music in 1901, much of his score has remained known and beloved by today's audiences, audien-ces, particularly "Toyland" and "The March of the Toy Soldiers." The musical was written in response to the wildly successful "Wizard of Oz." Although the play was popular for a while-particularly while-particularly because of the critically-acclaimed music--the book by Glen MacDonough did not seem to have the magic of Baum's "Wizard," according to SCERA Children's Theatre director, Anna Murdock. Many different versions have played since the premiere, and Murdock has found a new adaptation by Ken Holamon she believes is strong, fun, exciting and "full of tinsel." The story revolves around a villain and his two sidekicks who invade Mother Goose Land with the purpose of claiming Little Lit-tle Mistress Mary as the villain Barnaby's bride. In the true sense of a melodrama, the cruel Barnaby says he will kick her into the snow if she doesn't agree-and turn his wrath on the , village. To add to his evil nature, Barnaby will not let the land celebrate Christmas, thus adding ad-ding great unhappiness to the Goose residents. His allies, Roderigo and Gon-zorgo, Gon-zorgo, kidnap the town's would-be would-be hero (Tom Tom as in the piper's son) and prepare to drown him. At this point, much of the play becomes a slapstick of misadventures. To save themselves, characters charac-ters face a haunted forest to seek help from the master toymaker. Unfortunately, Barnaby also manages to make it to Toyland, where he still pursues Mistress Mary and threatens everybody. As in a fairy tale, however, the result is happily ever after. ' "The play certainly contains themes of courage and honor and the battle between right and wrong," Murdock says. "But for the most part, it is fun, and sometimes crazy." "Babes in Toyland" is an outgrowth out-growth of SCERA's theatrical training program for children. All children who auditioned received a part, which makes this a cast of 74. "Over the past several years, we have seen Anna work exceptionally excep-tionally well with children's theatre," says Norm Neilsen, SCERA President. "She has put on delightful shows for us at the SCERA Shell, and this new workshop program gives kids the opportunity to be involved in the arts, no matter what their experience." Among the stars of the cast are Amanda Matthews as the Old Woman in the Shoe; Jennifer Jen-nifer Miller is Contrary Mary; Genna Gardner is little Bo Peep; Jeremy Larsen is Simple Simon and Kenneth Murdock is Tom Tom. Barnaby is played by Nick Christensen, and Roderigo and Gonzorgo, his mates.a re Kevin and Richard Keele. The Master Toymaker is Michael Jensen, and the head elf Gremio will be acted by Marcus Dangerfield. Completing the leads are Jeff Dart as Jack Sprat and Rebekah Clark as Mother Hubbard. r ' The other actors are in different dif-ferent groups who play various 1 characters, such as spiders, bal- ' lerinas, Dutch dolls, costume dolls and clowns, among others. ' ( Murdock is in charge of costuming cos-tuming all the children. Helping her are Karma Christensen, assistant as-sistant director; LeEarl Peck, -special effects; and guest artists, Steve and Chris Keele. The set is designed to look like the page from a story book, . and set pieces include a giant shoe for the Old Woman in the Shoe and a pumpkin for Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater. For additional information, contact SCERA at (801) 225-ARTS. Hoop Preview: Timpanogos boys ready to battle in region four cage contest By Gina Clark Sportswriter No one talks about Timpanogos without talking about "firsts": first year school, first year expec-. tations, first (and sometimes rough) initiation into the region 4 fray. But this year's Head Coach Mark Hardman prefers to call these firsts a "second birth" for bis cage crew. The new school "gives a lot of our kids an opportunity to play," Hardman commented. Hardman and his Timberwolves are determined to make good on all of their second chances as they prepare to battle in region 4. Although he is new to Timpanogos and the Orem area, Hardman is by no means a novice nov-ice when it comes to coaching basketball. bas-ketball. Hardman coached at Payson High School for five years before taking the head spot at Timpanogos. And even though he is the newcomer in the region 4 circle, Hardman is fully aware of the kind of basketball played in what is arguably the best region in the state. Region 4 features Brighton with two division one players, perennial peren-nial powerhouseAlta, and Orem, a team loaded with athleticism, he commented. Before the season began, Hardman thought he would have to answer the oppo nent with lots of young talent. Instead, he has been "pleasantly surprised" by a talented bunch of upperclassmen at Timpanogos. Leading the Timberwolves are captains Clint Paulson and Brian Battistone. Paulson, a 5'10" point guard, is a "pretty aggressive, hard-nosed kid" called upon to run the Timp offense. At 63", Battistone is Timpanogos' 3-man who will look to heat things up from the perimeter. Hardman also expects a lot from Troy Clark, a 6'2" senior shooting guard with all kinds of potential from behind the three point line. Kevin Gadd, a 6'4" senior, will staff the inside for the Timberwolves this year. 6'3" Gary Peterson and three-point specialist ShawnAnderson round out the list of Timp seniors. Timpanogos' underclassmen will also see court time as Hardman begins building the Timberwolf program. Mike Bullock, Bul-lock, Derek Lloyd, Jon Nelson have the kind of quickness and aggressive court presence that will make them "get in and battle and that's what we need," Hardman commented. Joel Tuaileva, Greg Rich and Aaron Louder complete the list of Timp juniors. Other up-and-comers include in-clude sophomores Mike Shepherd and Cameron Gentry, 6'6" and 6'4" respectively. Freshman Golden Ingle is also expected to contrib ute for Timpanogos. With a new crew of kids who may or may not have played together, experience is something Timpanogos will be getting as they go along. Still summer play in the Utah County LA Gear League, the Salt Lake Spring Fling League, and a tournament in Denver, Colorado gave the Timberwolves "a good step in the right direction," Hardman said The real key to success in their opening year will be rebounding, Hardman commented. The T-wolves T-wolves strength is their guard line. "Well spread the basketball court and look to go to the hoop,' Hardman added. At this point, Hardman and his crew "don't know how good they can be." But in the midst of all the unknowns, one thing is for sure: Timpanogos will have no trouble filling their brand new gymnasium. gymna-sium. Nearly 900 peopleame out to the T-wolves "meet-the-team' night. It's that kind of community support and enthusiasm that helps fuel Timpanogos optimism, "A lot of people kind of hint like we can't be successful in our first year we don't agree with that,' Hardman said. The Timberwolves go into ac tion tonight at home against Cop per Hills. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. let us be your one stop Automotive Shop we do it fill! 95 ULs LJ (most cars) 1 year guarantee Expires 123196 T1 ' y " I COUPON Alignment .--M.Ei.H-mu..iH. Mj(e Smjth , filH jtilln4liljil (MUFFLER SPECIALIST) I MtJ J I I I I I I 11' I (most cars) I i Expires 123196 U I $ Special V I Richard Meason j. 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