Cinnabar's Young Rep to Present MACETH, GREASE & More in Coming Months

Cinnabar Theater, the beloved professional theater in Sonoma County, has announced a series of exciting activities for local kids. From youth productions of Grease and Macbeth to discounted performances of The Marriage of Figaro and Of Mice & Men, there are numerous opportunities in the months ahead for kids to enjoy terrific music and theater.

"Local parents can count on Cinnabar to provide positive and productive activities for their kids," said Artistic Director Elly Lichenstein. "In our classes, summer camps, and shows, children learn valuable skills that are essential to success in today's society, such as creativity, collaboration, communication, and leadership. And they also have a ton of fun!"

In the months to come, Cinnabar's Young Rep serves up the following programs:

· Auditions for the spring musical: Cinnabar invites local kids between the ages of 12 and 18 to audition for Once on This Island, a Broadway musical based on the famous story of the Little Mermaid. There is a tuition cost for those cast in the show, but no one is ever turned away for lack of funds. Auditions are held on February 9. Call 707-763-8920 to schedule.

· Performances of Macbeth: The talented teens in Cinnabar's Young Rep tackle Shakespeare's masterpiece. The show features 15 youth from Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sebastapol, and Sonoma. Macbeth opens on February 21 and runs through March 2. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for ages 21 and under. This show is generously underwritten by Richard and Carol Burnham and the Paisley family.

· $9 tickets for Friday Night Live: This new program lets middle-school and high-school students enjoy live professional performances for the same price as a movie. Make friends, eat pizza, talk to the artists, and see a show... for only nine bucks! This discounted ticket also includes a pre-show dinner with peers and a chat with a professional artist that puts the show in context. Friday Night Live is made possible by a generous grant from the Community Foundation Sonoma County. Sign up to see Of Mice & Men on March 21 or The Marriage of Figaro on May 30.

· Summer camps: Spend the summer rehearsing and performing the legendary musical Grease. The camp for ages 6 to 11 takes place from June 23 through July 20. The camp for ages 12 and up takes place from July 7 through August 3.

Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar's Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and the Cinnabar Singers welcome anyone who wants to be part of a chorus. All these events take place in the iconic red schoolhouse perched atop a grassy hill on the outskirts of Petaluma. This intimate venue is the perfect place for young people to discover the thrill of theater and to immerse themselves in the original 3-D, high-definition style of storytelling.

Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There's ample parking up on the hill... and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 707-763-8920 or visit cinnabartheater.org.

Photo by Nathan Cummings