March 7, 2005

School Scene

King’s Academy presents ‘Hello, Dolly!’ in newly acquired theater

The King’s Academy again takes high school theater to the next level in this year’s spring musical “Hello, Dolly!,” being performed April 14-16 and April 21-23 at their newly acquired theater on campus.

Choreography by Peninsula Youth Theater founder and TKA Drama Director Chris Cabot, set design by her husband Matt Cabot, costuming by talented drama mamas and precocious student talent make this show a must-see.

Based on Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker”, set in the1800’s, “Hello, Dolly!” is the story of a widow, Mrs. Dolly Levi’s, conniving attempts to marry well-known half-millionaire Mr. Horace Vandergelder.

Money, according to Dolly’s late husband, needs to be spread around to encourage things to grow. Dolly is intent on helping Mr. Vandergelder do just that. Show highlights include dancing numbers on the streets of New York, in the elegant eatery Harmonia Gardens, Mrs. Molloy’s posh N.Y. hat shop and nothing less than a parade!

The King’s Academy is a Christian college preparatory junior and senior high school, fully accredited by ACSI and WASC. It is located at 562 Britton Ave. in Sunnyvale.

Tickets at $10 for adults and $6 for students, go on sale beginning March 7 in TKA’s Student Activities office or on the Web site drama page at www.tka.org. Show dates are the evenings of April 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 with matinees on April 15, 16 and 23.

Local students present ‘Into the Woods’ at Leigh High School

Campbell cast members Michelle Hennessey and Aimee Arcoraci. Photo by Russ Lee

Leigh High School’s spring musical, “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim will feature several students on stage, in the orchestra, and behind the scenes working in the tech crew who live in Almaden.

The cast and orchestra features many choral and instrumental students from Leigh High School’s internationally-acclaimed Madrigal Singers and Wind Ensemble. Both groups received Command Perfor-mance and placed first in the Pacific Basin Invitational Music Competition in Hawaii last year.

Last March, Leigh High School produced the Bay Area Premiere of “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” which was nominated in four categories including Best Musical in the American Musical Theater High School Awards Program.

The musical will be presented March 10, 11 and 12, and 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Leigh High School. The Box Office opens at 7 p.m. The tickets, which are reserved seating only, are $10 each or four for $35. Visit the production’s Web site at www.geocities.com/leighcenterstage or call (408) 323-9545 for further information.

Campbell Christian School presents ‘The King and I’

Picture the scene: it’s 1862 and you’re a young, British schoolteacher raising a son alone. You boldly travel alone from England to Siam to take a teaching job for the King’s children...all 67 of them!

The King is outspoken and gruff but knows cultural understanding and education must occur for his country’s survival.

The teacher, whose name is Anna, must stand up for her beliefs although he thinks of her as a servant. Will he provide her with the house he promised in the job offer? Can they work together so the country succeeds?

Find out at Campbell Christian School’s production of “The King and I,” March 18 and 19. This Rodgers and Hammerstein classic features well-known tunes like “Getting to Know You” and “Whistle a Happy Tune.”

The all-student cast features David Sanchez as the forceful, humorous and ultimately sensitive King of Siam. He risks an assumed “weak image” of a sensitive leader, but starts a new era for his country with the hiring of Anna Leonowens, played by the charming Michaela Jose. She will educate not only the children but the King himself, her son and herself. While slightly fearful, she is quickly drawn to the innocence of her students.

Overcoming slavery is a powerful in theme in the story based on the true story of the 19th century Siamese King. One of his new wives is disciplined in the play when trying to flee the King’s confining court. In “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” based on Harriet Beacher Stowe’s well-known work, a tragic tone is mixed with innocent humor as they try to retell that story. The song rendition of “Wonderful” is powerful by Lady Thiang, one of the King’s many wives.

Tickets , at $6 each, are available by calling 370-4900, ex. 221. By the end of the show we’ll bet you’ll be saying “Etcera, etcetera, etcetera” too.

High School helps parents address serious issues facing teens

Westmont High School and goodparents, inc. have announced the upcoming “Parents, Teens and Drinking”, a comprehensive presentation where parents will learn the facts and discover tools to help their teens make good decisions about drinking and using drugs.

This free event, sponsored by the Westmont High School PTSA, will be held on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m., in the Cafeteria at Westmont High School, 4805 Westmont Ave., Campbell, Calif. This presentation is for parents and guardians. For more information, visit the Westmont PTSA Web site at http://pages.ivillage.com/westmontptsa/
In this presentation parents learn how to keep teens safe and help teens make good decisions through building mutual trust and close relationships. Parents will learn the facts and effective techniques for talking with teens about alcohol and other drugs.

“I have always believed that all parents of high school age students should learn the information relative to drugs and alcohol usage by youth,” says Owen Hege, principal, Westmont High School. “This knowledge can be a tremendous asset in the prevention of alcohol and drug problems among teens.”

“The goodparents workshops provide simple easy to follow techniques for parents,” says Madalyn Perrine, Westmont parent and PTSA officer.

For more information about Parents, Teens and Drinking and other goodparents’ programs, visit the Web site at: www.goodparentsinc.com or contact goodparents inc. at (650) 322-KIDS.

3 Steps to Parenting Teens classes begin soon at Branham High School from 7 – 9 p.m.:
March 14: Appreciate Your Teen
March 21: Build Mutual Trust and Respect
March 28: Practice a Loving Relationship

To register call (650) 322-KIDS or register online at www.goodparents.com.

School Funding Rally Scheduled

Dear Parents and Community:
Join Us on Wednesday, March 9 for a Save School Funding Education Coalition Rally!

Our students need you. We are asking all school communities in Santa Clara Valley to show their support for education, and education funding. 

Join us at an Education Coalition sponsored rally to get the message to the Governor Schwarzenegger that students’ education needs secure funding. 

When: Wednesday, March 9, 2005 
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 
Where: John Muir Middle School
1260 Branham Lane, San Jose 

Thank you!

—Dr. Johanna VanderMolen,
Superintendent Campbell Union School District