Heading into a ‘Power Play’

Young Chang

Ask an average child where electricity comes from and that child will

likely say “the light switch.”

Ask an above-average child where electricity comes from and the answer

will probably be “the sun.”

Past interviews and question-answer sessions about electricity with

children have yielded such answers. In a time of energy crises and

commercials that urge viewers to flex their power, leaders at South Coast

Repertory understand the need to educate children about conserving

energy.

But in a theatrical way.

Called “Power Play,” this year’s Educational Touring Production is a

musical about a teenager named Alex who learns where electricity comes

from, how it gets to people’s homes and why it needs to be conserved.

Directed by John-David Keller, the veteran director of SCR’s annual

production of “The Christmas Carol,” the show features some returning

cast members from last year’s educational touring show “Bad Water Blues”

and can be booked by schools in Orange or Los Angeles counties.

“Sometimes it’s in the auditorium, gym, sometimes it’s outside,

sometimes it’s across the way at the YMCA or the multipurpose room [of

schools],” said actor and Costa Mesa resident Joe Alanes. “Last year we

did 200 shows. It’s just a matter of keeping it fresh every time.”

“Power Play” premiered at SCR on Monday. Newport-Mesa schools slated

to host the show include Newport Heights Elementary (Feb 15), Eastbluff

Elementary (Feb. 28), Newport Elementary (March 1) and Whittier

Elementary (March 19). For schools unable to book a show, a public

performance on Feb. 7 at Santa Ana College will be open to any schools

wanting to watch.

The lessons in “Power Play,” which meet the state’s educational

guidelines as a tool to teach science, have been scripted by Richard

Hellesen and Michael Silversher.

The set is mainly a wall -- a one-dimensional rendering of a room with

a stove, halogen lamp, refrigerator, television, VCR and other appliances

drawn in crayon-style. Each machine is bordered with lights that turn on

to show when the main character, Alex, is using them.

The play opens with Alex playing his electric guitar (which is plugged

into a wall,) heating a pizza, running the laundry machine, using every

appliance in the room at once.

The power soon dies. Alex’s once normal world flips upside down, as

what was once his doorway revolves into a gigantic wall socket, and a

hilarious duo of human ions sing and dance to teach him about power.

Alluding to Lewis Carroll’s work, Hellesen and Silversher use the huge

wall socket to transport Alex into an entirely different world -- one

where Einstein and Italian physician (and physicist) Luigi Galvani share

the spotlight.

“It’s fun,” said Alanes, who plays an ion and Galvani. “When you play

for the kids, you have to take it to another level as far as energy, and

you don’t have many boundaries.”

And Mark Coyan, who plays Einstein, agrees that fun is essential in

helping children learn.

“It’s something that could easily go over their heads,” the Costa Mesa

resident said. “But we’re making it as easily accessible as possible for

children.”

FYI

To book “Power Play” at your school, call (714) 708-5549.