Introducing The Kids Supply…
Cal State Fullerton, 26-15, went 2-1 in its series against UC Irvine ending Sunday. CSUF next plays at Hawaii on Friday.
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Cal State Fullerton’s Scott Hurst is safe at second base as UC Irvine’s Christian Koss can’t hold onto the ball during a game Sunday in Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton lost 12-4. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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Cal State Fullerton’s Dillon Persinger makes the double play to first base as UC Irvine’s Alex Guenette is out at second base during a game Sunday. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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Cal State Fullerton’s Taylor Bryant tags out UC Irvine’s Keston Hiura at third base during a game Sunday. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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Cal State Fullerton’s Chris Prescott dives back to first base safely during a baseball game against UC Irvine Sunday in Fullerton. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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Cal State Fullerton’s Sahid Valenzuela makes the play at second base as UC Irvine’s Ryan Fitzpatrick is out during a game Sunday. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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Cal State Fullerton’s Timmy Richards is hit by a ball from UC Irvine during a game Sunday. Richards was hit twice in the game. (Photo by Michael Fernandez, Contributing Photographer)
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If you get tickets in advance, your kids ages 12 and under can ride Amtrak for free with a paying adult to the downtown Fullerton Railroad Days event coming up May 6-7. (File photo by Mark Eades, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The La Habra Citrus Fair featured 30 rides and an array of food and merchandise vendors. (File photo by Orange County Register)
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Folklorico dancers perform at the Soka International Festival in 2014. About 900 musicians and dancers are expected at this year’s event, scheduled for May 6. (Courtesy of Wendy Harder, Soka University)
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Danny Sheie as Gregor, on floor, feigns a heart attack in a scene with Susannah Schulman Rogers as Rita, Gareth Williams as Andy, Colette Kilroy as Pamela and Aubrey Deeker as Deiter, from left, from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Festive tequila-based Tamarind, cucumber jalapeño and Cadillac margaritas party with chips and salsa in the private cellar of Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, historic Old Towne Orange. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Audiences can expect that the soldiers they see in “The Killer Angels: Soldiers of Gettysburg” will wear authentic Civil War uniforms and, says playwright and director Brian Newell, “look like they just came off the battlefield.” (Photo by Brian Newell)
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The five “must have” comic books for this year’s Free Comic Book Day; Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman, Buffy the High School Years, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (Photos courtesy Free Comic Book Day)
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Ulysses rested his chin on the head of Elizabeth Zarkos, president and founder of Hanaeleh, a horse rescue organization in Trabuco Canyon, in the corral in 2012. (File photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Cinco de Mayo, the Citrus Fair, cabooses and comics for free. Those events and more are on tap for the weekend. Here are our favorites:
ALL WEEKEND
CITRUS FAIR: This weekend’s La Habra Citrus Fair is going both low- and high-tech. Farm animal displays, rides, robotics, live music and food are all planned for the three-day festival that begins Friday and runs through Sunday. It’s in downtown La Habra, El Centro Lions Park and City Hall from 4-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Free parking at Sonora and La Habra high schools. Shuttle service is available to and from the event. Information: citrusfair.com.
RAILROAD DAYS: Fullerton is hosting its annual Railroad Days all weekend. There will be model train layouts, large-scale cars, vintage cabooses, vendors, community groups and more 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6 and 7 at the train station, 120 E. Santa Fe Ave. Free. It’s also part of a series of planes, trains and automobile events in town. Airport Day is May 13 and the Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival is May 20-21. Information: fullertontrainmuseum.org/railroad-days/. (Read more about the events.)
‘KILLER ANGELS’: The Maverick Theater’s staging of “The Killer Angels: Soldiers of Gettysburg” brings the Civil War right to Orange County, many of whose residents have only read about the war or seen it depicted in TV and cinematic movies or documentaries but not visited its battlefields firsthand. In fact, creating a new live stage version of one of the war’s crucial battles was first and foremost in the mind of Brian Newell, the Fullerton theater’s founder, when he visited Gettysburg National Military Park last summer during a vacation with his family. The show runs Friday, May 5 through June 24. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays starting May 14. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton. Tickets: $25 ($10 students with current I.D.). Information: 714-526-7070, mavericktheater.com. (Read more about the play.)
CINCO DE MAYO: In Santa Ana, the 18th annual event is Satruday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. downtown. There will be local music and dance performances at this free event. There will also be carnival rides, food, games, giveaways and more. Each year, tens of thousands attend the celebration. Information: santa-ana.org. (More about Cinco de Mayo.)
‘THE MUSIC MAN’: One More Productions’ revival of “The Music Man” at The Gem Theatre is infused with idiosyncratic characters that reflect composer-playwright Meredith Willson’s offbeat outlook and sense of humor. The show, set in the small-town Midwest circa 1912, brims with distinctive dialogue, an enjoyably catchy score and playfully off-the-wall characters. Through May 14. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. The Gem Theatre, 12852 Main St., Garden Grove. Tickets: $30 ($26 for seniors and kids 12 and under). Information: 714-741-9550, ext. 221; onemoreproductions.com.
PRO VOLLEYBALL: Dig it. The AVP Tour returns to the sands of Huntington Beach 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 4, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 7 at City Beach, 400 Pacific Coast Highway. Huntington Beach is the first stop in the eight-event season, concluding Sept. 3 in Chicago. General admission is free, VIP seating $60 and up. Information: avp.com.
‘THE MONSTER BUILDER’: In this comedy being presented by South Coast Repertory, Rita and Dieter are thrilled to meet Gregor, the world’s most celebrated architect. His buildings rise from the earth like twisted post-post-modern megaliths. So why has he taken on the remodel of a decaying boathouse? Nothing prepares the pair for the heart-stopping truth about their idol. Various times through June 4 at South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage. $79. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Information: 714-708-5555 or scr.org.
SATURDAY
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: It’s that time of year again, fanboys and fangirls. Free comic books! The annual retail tradition Free Comic Book Day is set for Saturday, May 6 and will share the weekend with the new film “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Here’s a few must-have comics.
CINCO DE MAYO: San Clemente celebrates its Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Max Berg Plaza Park, with entertainment, game booths and Mexican food. 2-6 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Information: san-clemente.org
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: The International Festival at Soka University in Aliso Viejo offers more than 900 musicians and dancers performing on four stages, 250 exhibitors, international food, a children’s Adventure Land with games and inflatable rides, art exhibits and ceramic demonstrations. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Information: soka.edu
HELP HORSES: Walk or run to help support Hanaeleh, a non-profit Horse Rescue in Trabuco Canyon. Hanaeleh is a 100 percent volunteer run organization that has helped to rescue and rehabilitate horses in Orange County since 2004. 9 a.m. at Central Park. The $25-$35 fee for the event will go directly to help a rescued horse. 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Registration: hanaeleh.org/5K.
DERBY DAY: Enjoy an afternoon of barbecue, pony rides, kids’ crafts, face painting and horseback riding demos at the Derby Day Fundraiser at the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free for kids 5 and younger. 1-6 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Information: surfcityusa.com.
MUSICAL SHOWCASE: Enjoy an exciting, fast-paced evening of musical performances by the UC Irvine Music Department students and faculty, including instrumental and vocal ensembles of all sizes, diverse forms of traditional classical music and jazz, and new works by UCI composers. 8 p.m. at Irvine Barclay Theatre. $7-$17. 4242 Campus Drive. Information: 949-854-4646 or thebarclay.org.
SKATING FOR A CAUSE: The Sheckler Foundation, its sponsors and pro skateboarders, are coming together for this 8th Annual “Skate For A Cause” skate jam and carnival event on Saturday, May 6. The event will help raise funds for the “Be The Change” initiative to support injured action sports athletes and children in need. Attendees can watch their favorite pro skateboarders compete in contests, as well as enjoy food and participate in games like Bull pong, dunk tank, ring toss and more for chances to win prizes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest. Free. 20321 Lake Forest Drive. $50 VIP tickets. Information: shecklerfoundation.org.
SUNDAY
OC MARATHON: Run for a cause in a full marathon, a half-marathon, a 5K or kids run. Families can participate or cheer from the sidelines. Registration is required for all races. The kids’ run is Saturday, May 6. All other runs take place Sunday, May 7. The starting point for the full marathon at the the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and the finish line is at the OC Fair. Information: ocmarathon.com.
MAY DAY FESTIVAL: Celebrate May Day at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana by making spring art projects. The festival is in conjunction with the Multi-Ethnic Arts & Family Festival, showcasing the diverse range of talent from multiethnic communities in Orange County. Also on tap: live international music, dance performances, art and food. 11 a.m-3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Information: bowers.org.

FRIDAY, MAY 5
Association of Volleyball Professionals Pro Beach Volleyball Tour: The nation’s premier beach volleyball tour will officially kick off the 2017 season featuring top names in the sport including AVP stars and Olympians. Fans can enjoy an interactive beach festival experience that includes free falling into the AVP Jump Zone, partaking in top local food options and AVP’s wine & beer garden. Through Sunday next to the Huntington Beach Pier. Free. Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Limited number of VIP premium seating tickets are available: avp.com/tickets/
“Be Still, My Soul” with Millennial Choirs and Orchestras: Join in celebrating the 10th anniversary of MCO, featuring both new compositions and the most beloved MCO songs from the last decade. MCO is a performing force of over 3,000 participants, and growing. 5 & 8 p.m. at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets start at $18. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-556-2787 or scfta.org
“The Monster Builder”: In this play, written by Amy Freed and directed by Art Manke, Rita and Dieter are thrilled to meet Gregor, the world’s most celebrated architect. His buildings rise from the earth like twisted post-post-modern megaliths. So why has he taken on the remodel of a decaying boathouse, a project that was supposed to go to Rita and Dieter? They’re ready for a confrontation, but nothing prepares them for the heart-stopping truth about their idol. Previews May 5-11; regular performances May 12-June 4 at South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage. $79. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-708-5555 or scr.org
SATURDAY, MAY 6
Hanaeleh Family Run/Walk for Horses: Walk or run to help support Hanaeleh, a non-profit Horse Rescue in Trabuco Canyon. Hanaeleh is a 100 percent volunteer run organization that has helped to rescue and rehabilitate horses in Orange County since 2004. 9 a.m. at Central Park. $25-$35 proceeds from the event will go directly to help the rescued horse. 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita. Registration: hanaeleh.org/5K
8th Annual “Skate For A Cause”: The Sheckler Foundation, its sponsors and pro skateboarders, will come together for this skate jam and carnival event that will help raise funds for the “Be The Change” initiative to support injured action sports athletes and children in need. Attendees can watch their favorite pro skateboarders compete in contests, as well as enjoy food and participate in games like Bull pong, dunk tank, ring toss and more for a chance to win prizes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at etnies Skatepark of Lake Forest. Free. 20321 Lake Forest Drive. $50 VIP tickets: shecklerfoundation.org
UC Irvine Music Showcase Concert: Come out for an exciting, fast-paced evening of musical performances by the UCI Music Department students and faculty, including instrumental and vocal ensembles of all sizes, diverse forms of traditional classical music and jazz, and new works by UCI composers. 8 p.m. at Irvine Barclay Theatre. $7-$17. 4242 Campus Drive. 949-854-4646 or thebarclay.org
SUNDAY, MAY 7
OC Marathon & Half Marathon: The courses will start in front of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive. Full marathoners will run through Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, finishing off at the OC Fair and Event Center. Full marathon, 5:30 a.m.; half marathon, 6:15 a.m. ocmarathon.com
MONDAY, MAY 8
“Black Diamond” screening: Join Nalle Hukkataival for a special screening of his short film which chronicles his journey to become the first man to climb the elusive “Lappnor Project” in his home country of Finland. 5 p.m. at Gear Coop at SOCO and the OC Mix. Free. 3315 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa. facebook.com/events/1018948148207452/
THURSDAY, MAY 11
“Big Daddy’s Barbeque!”: Starring comedian Jeff Wayne playing the role of Big Daddy in a one-man show, a postal worker on his day off having his weekly barbeque for friends (you, the audience). Big Daddy is flipping burgers, pouring drinks, and having a running commentary about the world today: President Trump, pot, teenagers, sex, food, drinking, reality TV and marriage: straight and gay. 8 p.m. at the Coach House. $20. 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949-496-8930 or thecoachhouse.com
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People view student work on display at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Works of art from Newport-Mesa USD seniors hangs on the wall at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Work by Kaitlin Evans on display at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District show at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Work by Chelsea Pero on display at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District show at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Ceramic artwork by Fatima Santiago at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Senior student artwork on display as a part of Newport-Mesa USD’s show at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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People take photos of artwork made by Newport-Mesa Unified School District seniors during a district art show at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Michael Farris’ contribution to the Newport-Mesa USD Senior art show at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Works of art from Newport-Mesa USD seniors hangs on the wall at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. Each year the school district showcases senior artwork at the gallery, giving student artists a chance to see their work in a gallery setting. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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Works of art from Newport-Mesa USD seniors hangs on the wall at Gray Matter Museum in Costa Mesa on Friday, April 28, 2017. Each year the school district showcases senior artwork at the gallery, giving student artists a chance to see their work in a gallery setting. (Photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)
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There was a time when Juan Islas figured he might never be able to take an art class in high school, let alone have his work displayed in a professional setting. Scheduling had conflicts delayed any opportunities to enroll in art during his first two years at Costa Mesa High School. So Islas made sure to soak in the moment April 28 during the first Newport-Mesa All-District Senior Art Show at Gray Matter Museum of Art in Costa Mesa.
“I started with coloring books as a kid,” Islas said. “Now I can say my work has been showcased in a professional art gallery, which is pretty awesome.”
Spearheaded by Costa Mesa High art teacher Keli Marchbank, the student showcase featured a wide range of work, including acrylic, charcoal, oil painting, watercolor and digital photography. The art remained on display for a week after the event.
Though the original plan was for the gallery to include only pieces from Costa Mesa High students, Marchbank recognized early on the value of inviting the other high schools in the district to join.
“I thought it would be better for the kids to have that real gallery experience instead of an anti-climactic show at the gym or in a hallway at the school,” Marchbank said. “This is a chance for them to interact with other artists and support one another. It’s important to instill in their minds this idea that they can pursue art once they graduate.”
Fiona Gray, a senior at Newport Harbor High, mingled with curious onlookers as they viewed one of her three oil paintings on display.
“When I initially heard about this event, I wasn’t sure how it was going to be or if anyone would show up,” Gray said. “But I’m very happy with the way it all turned out. It’s a great opportunity for exposure, networking and a taste of the professional world.”
In addition to having a DJ, the event featured a silent auction on items such as Beats by Dre and Oakley sunglasses donated by local vendors. A portion of the money raised will be given to Costa Mesa High School’s art program.
Though she wasn’t enrolled as an art student this semester, Ziyah Jordan submitted an acrylic piece at the suggestion of Marchbank, who was her teacher the year before.
“It’s a little intimidating because I tend to keep my work to myself, but it’s cool to have people see another side of me,” Jordan said. “I enjoy storytelling and letting people interpret the work for themselves.”
Ryley Ronnow, who just a few years ago picked up a camera for the first time, called seeing his double-exposure portrait displayed in the gallery “a surreal experience.”
“I feel like I’ve been making all this art but no one has been able to see it until now,” Ronnow said. “In a way, this is a reward for all the hard work we’ve been doing behind the scenes.”
As she sat quietly in the back of the gallery, observing the expanding crowd filling the room, Jennifer Lucas admitted to feeling a sense of comfort in seeing her acrylic painting on display for the public to enjoy.
“I often have a hard time expressing myself and explaining what I’m going through, so this is helpful for me on a personal level,” Lucas said. “Ultimately, I think art is meant to be shared with others.”
714-796-2258 or varsityarts@ocregister.com
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Danny Sheie as Gregor, on floor, feigns death from a heart attack in a scene from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. Susannah Schulman Rogers, as Rita, Gareth Williams as Andy Colette Kilroy as Pamela and Aubrey Deeker as Dieter, from left, move in to see if Gregor has really died. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Director Art Manke watches a scene from The Monster Builder during a rehearsal session at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Danny Sheie as Gregor proposes a toast during a scene from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Danny Sheie as Gregor, on floor, feigns a heart attack in a scene with Susannah Schulman Rogers as Rita, Gareth Williams as Andy, Colette Kilroy as Pamela and Aubrey Deeker as Deiter, from left, from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Annie Abrams as Tamsin, left, Susannah Schulman Rogers as RIta, center, and Aubrey Deeker as Dieter, right, in a scene from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Aubrey Deeker as Dieter, center, and Susannah Schulman Rogers as Rita listen to Danny Sheie as Gregor in a scene from South Coast Repertory’s production of The Monster Builder in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Danny Sheie as Gregor, Susannah Schulman Rogers as Rita, Gareth Williams as Andy, Colette Kilroy as Pamela, and Aubrey Deeker as Dieter, from left, make a toast during a scene from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Danny Sheie as celebrated architect Gregor Zubrowski in a scene from South Coast Repertory’s production of The Monster Builder in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Aubrey Deeker as Dieter, Colette Kilroy as Pamela, Annie Abrams as Tamsin and Gareth Williams as Andy, from left, in a scene from The Monster Builder at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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As grandiose skyscrapers and architectural monstrosities have become the norm in urban landscapes, a great debate of whether these towers are eyefuls or eyesores has also emerged. This good versus evil notion in the world of architecture is explored in “The Monster Builder,” South Coast Repertory’s season finale production.
Written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Amy Freed, who has writtem several SCR plays including “The Beard of Avon” and “Safe in Hell,” the play received its first reading at the Pacific Playwrights Festival in 2010. World premiering at the Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland in 2014, the play will return to SCR on the Segerstrom Stage with previews on Friday, May 5-11, and regular performances running Friday, May 12, through Sunday, June 4.
Freed’s father, a modernist architect, was constantly transforming their small Victorian house in New York with “crazy modern features.” She says Henrik Ibsen’s 1892 play “The Master Builder” inspired her to examine deeper into the mind of designers, which eventually led to her writing the dark comedy play.
The story follows young architects Rita and Dieter, who are thrilled to meet the world’s most celebrated post-modern architect Gregor, who is famous for his power-hungry demeanor and monster-sized buildings. When the amateur architects discover that Gregor stole their project of a remodel of a decaying boathouse – very different from his usual projects – they prepare to confront and defend historic preservation and human-scale buildings, but see a dark side to the star architect.
Freed said her original draft was a murder mystery about an evil architect, but after several rewrites over the course of four years, she found that her natural satirical humor played well with the story line. However, she also wanted to present modern-day issues that will make the audience think and discuss.
“I wanted to create this violent character who was this designer who built a house where you could see everything. So it was about human nature and scrutiny … like social media where everything is transparent, and we see this horrible side of human nature live streaming,” said Freed, “It was kind of this gothic exploration that begged the question, ‘How much transparency do we really want?’ That was my original idea.”
As the playwriting evolved, Freed said she immersed herself into studying things that she found most upsetting and disturbing in the way architecture impacts life. She said she started to find a “call to arms” to bring these issues forward, and she believes comedy is a great vehicle for this.
“I think we have this instinctive desire in the comfort and serenity of our surroundings, and I think urban design is at an all time low… there are mega trends toward monolithic buildings that are pushing against economic and social issues,” said Freed.
“By and large, normal people are afraid of taking stands because the language is so controlled by a profession that doesn’t invite discourse of the users in the city.”
Director Art Menke said he was drawn to the play when he heard its first SCR reading, which led him to direct its Portland world premiere and its second run at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley in 2015, and now helms the Costa Mesa run. Menke, who met Freed in graduate school at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, said he always enjoyed her writing style of “brilliant comedies with strong messages.”
For a play based on architecture, Freed and Menke said the set design is an important element to the story and is beautifully captured by set designer Thomas Buderwitz. The set features Gregor’s glass house stationed on a rise to appear like it is on its own island, a space that looks like an office in downtown Manhattan, a living-work space for the two young architects, an 1890s restored boathouse and a street that appears to look like one in New York City.
“I think Tom did a spectacular job in suggesting the locations and emotions of the places… it’s grown physically and has been refined from its past two shows, so South Coast Rep will look its best,” said Freed.
The six-person cast includes SCR veterans Danny Scheie (“One Man, Two Guvnors”) as “Gregor,” Colette Kilroy (“The Homecoming”) as “Pamela,” Susannah Schulman Rogers (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) as “Rita” and Gareth Williams (“Hurrah at Last”) as “Andy.” Making their SCR debuts will be Annie Abrams as “Tamsin” and Aubrey Deeker as “Dieter.”
“Across the board this cast is extraordinary. When you do comedy, you have to have trust. One launches the joke and the other has to follow through. It’s like a tennis match and this group works together so well,” Menke said.
Although she wants the audience to laugh and have fun with the play, Freed said she also hopes it will encourage people to open up conversation in their own neighborhoods, towns and cities, and realize that their opinions matter.
“I want people to feel emboldened, interested and confirmed in their intuitions about where we’re headed and not feel like they are not qualified to discuss them,” said Freed, “I hope they will see that they are not the only one who feels this way; they are not stupid or overreacting. They hate the way their neighborhood is starting to look. Things are changing and not in a good way, and hopefully they will be inspired to speak up.”
‘The Monster Builder’
When: Previews Friday, May 5 through Thursday, May 11; regular performances Friday, May 12, through Sunday, June 4; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. There is no evening performance on Sunday, June 4.
Where: South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
How much: General admission $22-$55 for previews, $30-$71 for regular performances; discounts for seniors, students and educators
Call: 714-708-5555
Online: scr.org
Jen Weinberg, vice president of talent relations and special events at 20th Century Fox Television, doesn’t dress like your typical studio executive, but then, her job requires her to be a liaison for show creators and actors, most of whom are both casual and creative rather than buttoned-up.
“I may be at the corporate office in the morning, but our building is here on the studio lot, and in the afternoon I may be at a table read or on set, so it’s trying to find a balance of how not to look out of place in the corporate world but also not look totally out of place in the production world.”
She’s part of the 11-person corporate communications team at 20th Century Fox Television in Los Angeles, a production arm of 20th Century Fox that produces some 40-odd shows for all different networks including “Feud” for F/X, “Homeland” for Showtime, “This Is Us” for NBC and “Modern Family” for ABC.
“Producers and actors who are creating our shows are in sneakers and jeans most of the time, so you don’t want to feel like you are the corporate executive who’s coming in and you’re not one of them,” she said. For outward-facing
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Phillip Lim has come full circle.
The designer returns to his pre-3.1 Phillip Lim stomping grounds for the opening this week of a 5,000-square-foot concept store at 734 East 3rd Street in downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District.
“My old studio is Bestia now,” Lim said, referring to the restaurant, touted for upping L.A.’s dining scene when it opened in 2012. “The rent for two floors was $6,000 20 years ago and now it’s like…crazy.” Bestia’s menu features a $120 rib eye, so it’s safe to say the rents have gone up since Lim was designer of the now-defunct contemporary line Development.
Lim lived and worked in Los Angeles before moving to New York in 2004 to found his signature brand.
The new 3.1 Phillip Lim boutique joins a cadre of Arts District indie fashion and beauty boutiques such as Guerilla Atelier, Apolis, Alchemy Works, Shinola, Wittmore, Voyager Shop, House of Woo and Malin + Goetz; plus home stores Poketo, Hammer and Spear, Hennessey + Ingalls and art gallery Hauser Wirth & Schimmel.
Lim’s store is just off the prime intersection of East 3rd and Traction Avenue, which has for several years attracted artists, foodie spots and bars, but has only recently seen an influx of retail.
Some might see it as a
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Net-a-porter prides itself on its exclusive capsule collections, investing in them in an increasingly frequent and broad way. To that end, coming May 10 is a summer capsule collection from Draper James, the Southern-inspired lifestyle brand launched by Reese Witherspoon in 2015.
“The inspiration was a summer garden party, with all the dresses you end up buying in the summer to go to weddings and in the South to go to steeple chases,” said Witherspoon, noting she was originally connected to Net-a-porter through Sarah Rutson, the company’s former vice president of global buying. “They were looking to connect their customer to price points that were really great for us, as well.”
Draper James’ wholesome, preppy-ish aesthetic and friendly prices are a bit of a departure for Net-a-porter, which pushes advanced fashion and luxury brands hard. Prices of the capsule start at $150 and the collection consists of dresses, tops, A-line skirts, jumpsuits with a focus on pastels and magnolia and gingham prints, as well as straw bags.
“Draper James has perfected easy summer dressing with a charmingly feminine aesthetic. It offers something new and different to the Net-a-porter customer, which we are always looking for, as well as opening us up to a
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