Park Avenue Players preview new show The...

Park Avenue Players preview new show

The public got a sneak preview Tuesday at the City Council meeting

of the Park Avenue Players production of “The Fantasticks.”

Cast members Taryn Dicterow, Jesse Fair and Will Morrison

performed two songs from the show, which will be performed this

weekend and next at Thurston Middle School. Music director Roxanna

Ward accompanied the singers. Director Teri Ralston introduced them.

“I grew up in Laguna, graduated from Laguna Beach High School and

performed in ‘The Fantasticks’ at the old Laguna Playhouse in the

1960s,” Ralston said. “Now I get to go back to my alma mater and

direct this production.”

Ralston, highly regarded for her role in the award-winning

Playhouse production of “Quilters,” rearranged the high school cast

“The Fantasticks” from the usual seven men and one girl because more

high school girls than boys get into drama.

“So the fathers became mothers in this production,” Ralston said.

Councilman Steve Dicterow, father of cast member Taryn Dicterow,

sat stoically on the dais while his daughter performed, playing to

the audience in the City Council Chamber and on television. He didn’t

even wince when she dropped dramatically to the floor -- a well-done

swoon, not just once, but three times.

The petite youngster is a veteran of “Lagunatots” and other No

Square Theatre productions. Morrison is the son of Design Review

Board member Suzanne Morrison, whose older son is Matthew Perry, of

“Friends.” Fair is the son of Shayne and Suzanne Fair.

“Fantasticks” performances are scheduled for 8 p.m., tonight and

Saturday; 2:30 p.m., Sunday; 8 p.m., May 27, 28 and 29.

Tickets are $8 for students and seniors and $10 general admission.

For more information, call (949) 497-7769.

-- Barbara Diamond

Students mentor children in math

Top of the World Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Teryl Hite

has been receiving some help for her class. A group of high school

students, mostly seniors come to volunteer after school as math

mentors and tutors. Marissa Reisman and Amanda Kerrigan are part of a

group of 20 high school students who excel in math and enjoy helping

the elementary school students learn.

Hite’s students receive individual math tutoring once a week, a

program that has been implemented for two years.

The tutors receive community service hours for their help.

-- Suzie Harrison