CALIFORNIA STAGE LAUNCHES SCHOOLS PROGRAM
California Stage Company is joining forces with Sonora's Duende: Drama & Literature to bring plays to the schools of Sacramento County. Duende's works are closely integrated with the curriculum and are devoted to making history and science come alive for young people. Since 1998 they have performed from Imperial and San Diego counties in the south to Trinity County in the north.
Two of the plays will be on view this Fall at California Stage.
"Gunpowder Man" is the story of a young Chinese woman who, together with her twin brother, flees her homeland in 1865 when the Taiping Rebellion collapses. Disguised as a boy she works on the Central Pacific Railroad, facing and overcoming her worst fears. In the 1870s the twins settle in a mining town in the Sierra and then have to face the rising tide of racism that sweeps the West.
"The Starry Messenger" tells the story of Galileo, his great discoveries and his battle with authorities that demand he not assert that the earth moves around the sun. It explores the excitement of ideas, the character of a great scientist, and the conflicts between science and religion that can emerge. It also amusingly portrays the attitude the great scientist takes when his favorite idea is proven false.
Also available for schools this year, but not appearing in the theater this Fall, is "Friendly
Fire: a Forty-niner's life with the Mi-Wuk." This tells the story of a gold-rush miner who comes to California with all the prejudices against Native Americans that are rife in his culture. Then he is injured in the mountains, rescued by a Mi-Wuk village, and begins his journey of discovery that everything he thought he knew about Indians was wrong.
The plays mix emotion, comedy, and drama in ways that make their subjects memorable.
To learn more about Duende's programs visit their web site www.DuendeDrama.org . To inquire about booking one of the performances contact barbara.falcon@duendedrama.org .
Pre Tour Showcase at California Stage
CALIFORNIA STAGE EXPANDS NEW SCHOOLS PROGRAM
WITH A PLAY ABOUT GALILEO STARRING
LOCAL TV STAR “CAPTAIN MITCH”!
Playing at California Stage is "The Starry Messenger" a play about Galileo, the Scientific Revolution, the birth of modern physics, and the conflict between the scientific and authoritarian views of truth. It will open at California Stage Saturday December 1 and play Friday-Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2 PM until December 16.
Starring as Galileo will be veteran Sacramento actor Mitch Agruss, beloved of many for his three decades on television as Captain Mitch. Joining him as his plucky daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, will be California Stage Company member Bonnie Antonini or Keri Fuller (who will alternate in the role).
"The Starry Messenger" was developed last year by Sonora's Duende: Drama & Literature and toured all the elementary and middle schools of Tuolumne County. California Stage will make it available to Sacramento area schools starting January 2008.The play is closely integrated to the curricula for the fifth and seventh grades (in science and history, respectively). It drew raves from teachers and students in Tuolumne County.
California Stage is eager to encourage as many teachers as possible to see these works so tickets are only $5 for educators and their family members, $10 general admission.
California Stage is on 25th Street at R in downtown Sacramento. Reserve Tickets at 916-451-5822
http://www.DuendeDrama.org
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