TOWN:Guests see Shakespeare at Play

Guests got a taste of classical theater from Aesop's Fables to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" during a theater night presented by Shakespeare at Play Thursday at the Colony Theatre.

Debbie Gates, the troupe's executive director, welcomed more than 50 guests to the event she called "Dream the Power of Will." It was a night to introduce people to the group and raise money to support its activities.

Shakespeare at Play is a group of more than 50 professional actors, directors and designers committed to presenting classical literature to schools and the community for free.

The theatrical company brings Shakespeare material to more than 25,000 public-school students each year.

It offers free performances of classical works for local communities and after-school programs for at-risk youth.

Master of ceremonies was KNBC-TV Channel 4 weatherman and comedian Fritz Coleman.

Coleman and his youngest son took a trip last summer to England, where they attended the Shakespeare Festival and noted that the Shakespeare at Play theater night was the end to a great year of Shakespearean experiences for him.

Attending the event were City Manager Mary Alvord, Mayor Todd Campbell, who brought his mother, Diane Campbell, and Councilwoman Marsha Ramos.

Coleman introduced the Shakespeare at Play's board of directors Roy and Kay Dotrice, Gilbert Mares, Crystal Craft, David Allen Cruz, Tom Himrod, Maggie Morgan and Robin Lithgow.

The steering committee members are Jan McElwee, Gary Olson, Marsha Ramos and Sunder Ramani.

Also helping on the event were Tony and Carol Potter, Nora Fieldman, Joel Surratt, Jim Schendel and Karen and Larry Thompson.

Following the hors d'oeuvres reception, Shakespeare at Play actors presented scenes from plays.

Scott Seiffert, James Schendel and Nathan Patrick opened the show with a lesson on Aesop's Fables. About a dozen children came up from the audience to act out "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," directed by the trio. It was as fun to watch as it was for the kids to participate.

Other scenes performed were the fight scene from "Romeo and Juliet," featuring Spike Steingasser, Mario Perez, Derek Medina and McKay Stewart, the balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet," starring Bill Mendieta and Kristine Ritterbush and "The Tempest," performed by Steve Peterson.

James Schendel, dressed as Shakespeare, illustrated the point that anyone can perform Shakespeare's works.

He invited guest Esau Tenorio to come up on stage and read Romeo's lines.

Tenorio, who had done a little extra work when he was 14, hasn't done any acting lately.

He was a little frightened when he first went up on stage, he said, but that soon faded to excitement.

"I didn't want to let my son down," he said, "He's 4 years old."

For more information on Shakespeare at Play, call (818) 566-1925.