Theater

TOM TITUS

Theatergoers who were anticipating the chance to renew acquaintances

this fall with Blanche DuBois, Stanley Kowalski and Rhoda Penmark at

Costa Mesa’s Trilogy Playhouse instead will encounter a scarecrow, a tin

woodsman, a cowardly lion and a really hungry plant.

The Trilogy, which moved early this year into the space vacated by the

Theater District at the Lab Anti-Mall on Bristol Street, initially

announced an alternating mixture of plays for mature audiences and

children’s favorites. Now the focus seems to be more on family fare.

Gone are “A Streetcar Named Desire,” scheduled for September, and “The

Bad Seed,” earmarked for November. In their place are “The Wizard of Oz”

and “Little Shop of Horrors,” the latter filling the adult slot and being

presented in full, rather than encapsulated such as the Trilogy’s earlier

version of “Into the Woods.”

Apparently, family-oriented shows, such as that Stephen Sondheim

production and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which was extended an

extra week, proved more popular than the adult offerings of Ira Levin’s

“Deathtrap” and Neil Simon’s “Fools.”

So, the Trilogy will place its emphasis on productions by, and for,

younger people.

Artistic director Alicia Butler will hold auditions at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday for a cast of eight boys, eight girls, six men and eight women

for “Wizard,” which will open Sept. 8 for three weekends. There also are

roles for six jazz dancers in the 15-25 age range.

All roles are open, and auditioners should prepare a two-minute

monologue, a one-minute vocal selection and be prepared to dance with the

choreographer. Auditioners should also bring photographs and resumes.

On July 22, the Trilogy will hold tryouts for its Summer Showcase, a

series of comedy, variety and music presentations. The shows will include

a youth variety night Aug. 5, an adult comedy and improv night Aug. 12,

an adult music and magic night Aug. 19 and an encore night Aug. 26,

featuring selected artists from the previous programs.

Following “Wizard” and rounding out the theater’s first year in Costa

Mesa (after five years in Laguna Niguel) will be “Little Shop of

Horrors,” opening Oct. 13, and “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail,” a

children’s musical, opening Dec. 8.

Information: (714) 957-3347, Ext. 1.

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Another production for children, “The Little Prince,” opened Wednesday

for a two-week run in Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre.

Rick Golson is directing the play, which focuses on a stranded aviator

in the Sahara Desert and a mysterious and regal little boy who changes

the pilot’s life.

Performances are at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 7

p.m. Fridays, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7

at the door.

Information: OCC Community Education Office at (714) 432-5880.

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* TOM TITUS’ columns appear Thursdays and Saturday.