The Saturday morning cultural phenomena that taught Eighties kids grammar and how Congress works, gets the music theater treatment with Schoolhouse Rock Live! opening Friday, July 10 at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater in Aptos.
Presented by the Cabrillo Stage, the rollicking production features classic hits from the Emmy Award-winning cartoon series including, “Conjunction Junction” and “Just a Bill” as audience members are taken on a trip down memory lane to a time when network TV still showed Saturday morning cartoons and after school specials warned latchkey kids about the dangers of teen pregnancy and drunk driving.
Directed and choreographed by Andrew Ceglio and featuring the talents of Spotlight Youth Conservatory, Schoolhouse Rock Live! tells the story of Tom, a new teacher who is stressed out and apprehensive as his first day of school approaches. Looking to relax in front of the television, Tom falls asleep instead and receives a valuable lesson – of sorts – as various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music.
Hot on the heels of Schoolhouse Rock Live! the Cabrillo Stage continues its season of brining memorable characters to life with Mary Poppins, opening July 24 at the Crocker Theater.
The classic tale of a British nanny who comes to bring order and delight, with a spoonful of sugar, to the troubled Banks family in early 20th century London will please audience members of all ages. The musical’s Broadway run earned seven Tony awards and now Santa Cruz locals can experience all the fun in Aptos at the Crocker Theater.
Directed and choreographed by Janie Scott, the production features much-loved musical numbers such as, “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” along with a few sky-high surprises that will keep audiences mesmerized.
Follow Mary Poppins and her charges, Jane and Michael, to a mystical wonderland where anything can happen, if you just believe – and do what you are told, of course.
Info: Cabrillo Stage Presents: Schoolhouse Rock Live! opening Friday, July 10 & Mary Poppins, opening Friday, July 24. Both productions at the Cabrillo Crocker Theater. Tickets: $22-$49.
