New season showcases Simon, Wilde, Sondheim

Tom Titus

The works of a trio of theatrical giants -- Neil Simon, Oscar Wilde

and Stephen Sondheim -- will be on display at the Newport Theater

Arts Center during the playhouse’s 2003-04 season

First, however, the theater will close its current campaign with

“Camping With Henry and Tom” -- the title characters being Henry Ford

and Thomas Edison -- by Mark St. Germain. Described as a comedic

drama, the show opens May 30 under the direction of Phyllis Gitlin.

And before the new season can get under way in earnest (with “The

Importance of Being Earnest”), there’s a children’s summer show on

tap. It’s “The Magical Pied Piper,” and it’ll open July 31 with Terri

Miller-Schmidt again in the director’s chair.

Leading off the new season will be this area’s first look at Neil

Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” The show opens Sept. 12 with Michael Ross

directing. Then things get a little Wilde -- as the classic Victorian

comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde opens Nov. 14

under the direction of Darlene Hunter-Chaffee.

“The Subject Was Roses” hasn’t been presented locally in more than

three decades, but the Frank Gilroy drama about a family’s strained

relationships will open Jan. 30, 2004. David Colley will direct.

Miller-Schmidt returns March 26 at the helm of “Something to Hide,” a

mystery thriller by Leslie Sands.

One of Sondheim’s earliest musicals -- actually, the first in

which he supplied music and lyrics -- is “A Funny Thing Happened on

the Way to the Forum,” with book by Bert Shevelove and Frank Gelbart.

It’ll arrive May 28 with Gitlin behind the wheel.

Further information about the NTAC season can be obtained by

calling the box office at (949) 631-0288. The theater is at 2501

Cliff Drive, Newport Beach.

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Wondering what your kids will do this summer? South Coast

Repertory’s Summer Theater Workshop for youngsters in third grade

through high school is open for enrollment. Two sessions of

introduction to the theater will be offered -- Aug. 4 to 6 and 18 to

30 -- in SCR’s new Education Center.

“We offer two sessions so that families can make end-of-the-summer

travel plans and still have tine for the Summer Theater Workshop

before school starts,” said Laurie Woolery, director of SCR’s Young

Conservatory. “In our programs, kids looking for new experiences will

have the freedom to unlock their creative imaginations, learn about

theater -- and have a great time.”

Courses are divided into Youth (grades 3 to 6), Junior Teens

(grades 7 and 8) and Teens (grades 9 to 12). Students choose from

classes held from 9 a.m. to noon or from 2 to 4 p.m. in SCR’s new

air-conditioned classrooms.

At the end of each session, students will present a demonstration

to family and friends. This summer’s presentation will take place in

the newly renovated 95-seat Nicholas Studio.

Tuition for each two-week session is $225 (with a $30 discount for

each additional sibling). Classes fill up quickly, so early

enrollment is suggested. Call (714) 708-5577.